235 illustrations found
Teaching on Confession and Self-Examination from Isidore of Seville: Isidore of Seville on Confession and Mercy
Vivid sensory description for preaching Psalm 6
The Good Samaritan parable redefines "neighbor" from object ("who deserves my love?") to subject ("to whom can I BE neighbor?"). Jesus makes a hated Samaritan the hero, challenging Jewish exclusivism. Love is defined by costly action, not tribal boundaries.
Imagine a weary traveler, burdened by heavy packs that symbolize the weight of sin and life’s disappointments. Each step feels laborious, each breath is a reminder of their struggle. But then, unexpectedly, they encounter a gentle stream, glistening in the...
In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus commissions us to make disciples, a call that is steeped in the essence of mercy and love. To live out this great commission is not merely about evangelism but embodying *hesed*, a Hebrew word that beautifully...
As we reflect on the promise of Jeremiah 29:11—that God knows the plans He has for us, plans to prosper us and not to harm us—let us consider how this promise calls us to live out mercy in our daily...
As we reflect on Jeremiah 29:11, we encounter a profound promise that God has plans for each of us—plans to prosper and not to harm, plans to give us hope and a future. This promise is not just a comforting...
Imagine a single mother named Sarah, juggling a full-time job and the responsibilities of raising two young children. One evening, while picking up groceries, she overhears a conversation between two friends in the aisle next to her. They are discussing...
Imagine a bustling café where people come to find a moment of respite, each with a story that carries the weight of the world. One day, a barista named Sarah notices a regular customer, an elderly man named Frank, sitting...
Imagine a small community garden—an oasis in the middle of a bustling city. Each plot is tended by different families, each one unique, growing their own fruits and vegetables. One day, a sudden storm sweeps through, lashing the tender plants...
Love, as described in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, is not merely an emotion; it is a deliberate choice manifested in action. Paul tells us that love is patient, kind, and does not keep a record of wrongs. Imagine a busy café...
Imagine walking into a local café one morning, the scent of freshly brewed coffee wrapping around you like a warm embrace. As you sit down, you notice a young woman at a nearby table, her eyes heavy with despair. She’s...
Imagine a day when you receive a letter in the mail that changes everything. It’s from a distant relative you’ve never met, announcing that you are the sole heir to a vast estate—an inheritance that includes not just wealth, but...
As we reflect on Matthew 28:19-20, often referred to as the Great Commission, we are reminded that Jesus calls us not only to make disciples but to embody His love and mercy in tangible ways. This command goes beyond mere...
Imagine walking into a bustling café, the kind where the aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingles with the chatter of friends and the clinking of cups. As you take a seat, you notice a young woman at a table nearby,...
On a chilly autumn morning, a man named Tom stood at the edge of a vast forest, his heart heavy with the weight of regret. Years of poor choices had left him feeling lost and disconnected from the world. He'd...
Joshua 1:9 resonates deeply with our longing for courage and assurance in the face of life's uncertainties: "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will...
As we explore Jesus' command in Matthew 28:19-20, we find profound layers of mercy embedded within His Great Commission. Here, Jesus not only instructs us to “go and make disciples” but also promises His unwavering presence: “And surely I am...
As we reflect on Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus’ command to “go therefore and make disciples of all nations” is not just a call to evangelize; it’s an invitation into the very heart of *hesed*, the Hebrew word for loving-kindness and mercy....
In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus instructs His disciples to make disciples of all nations, promising His divine presence: “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” This passage unveils not just a command but a...
As we reflect on Ephesians 2:8-9, we are reminded that “by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God—not the result of works, so that no one may...
Love is the heartbeat of our faith—an embodiment of God's mercy that manifests in our everyday lives. In 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, Paul paints a portrait of love that is both profound and practical: "Love is patient, love is kind. It...
Trusting in the Lord with all our heart, as we find in Proverbs 3:5-6, invites us into a profound experience of mercy. This trust is not passive; it is an active surrender to divine guidance, a willingness to let go...
Isaiah 40:31 tells us, “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” This promise is a...