Illustrator

The Ultimate Shame: Europe, Here We Come! Part 5

Fri, 15 May 2026 00:10:00 GMT

<center> <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" height="100%" id="bodyTable" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="center" id="bodyCell" valign="top"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="center" data-template-container="" id="templateHeader" valign="top"> <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="templateContainer" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="headerContainer" valign="top"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnTextBlockInner" style="padding-top:9px;" valign="top"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="max-width:100%; min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="padding-top:0; padding-right:18px; padding-bottom:9px; padding-left:18px;" valign="top"> <div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color:#FFFFFF"><span style="font-family:merriweather,georgia,times new roman,serif">Welcome To</span></span></div> <h2 class="null" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sermonillustrator.org"><span style="color:#FFFFFF">THE ILLUSTRATOR</span></a></h2> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" data-template-container="" id="templateBody" valign="top"> <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="templateContainer" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="bodyContainer" valign="top"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnBoxedTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnBoxedTextBlockInner" valign="top"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextContentContainer" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="padding-top:9px; padding-left:18px; padding-bottom:9px; padding-right:18px;"> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="min-width: 100% !important;background-color: #FFFFFF;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="padding: 18px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" valign="top"> <h1 style="font-style: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://sermonillustrator.org/2026/05/14/the-ultimate-shame-europe-here-we-come-part-5/"><span style="color:#000000;">The Ultimate Shame: Europe, Here We Come! Part 5</span></a></span></h1> <h4 style="font-style: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:16px;"><em>May 15, 2026</em></span></span></h4> <hr style="width:20%; height: 2px; background: black !important; border: none !important; display:flex; justify-content: center; align-items: center;" /> <p style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="color:#4e5f70;">For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.</span></span></span></em><br /> <span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="color:#4e5f70;"><span style="line-height:107%">~ 2 Corinthians 4:17 NIV ~</span></span></span></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width: 100%; padding: 9px 18px 0px;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width:100%; padding:18px;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="min-width: 100%;border-top: 2px none #EAEAEA;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnImageBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnImageBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnImageBlockInner" style="padding:0px" valign="top"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnImageContentContainer" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnImageContent" style="padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-top: 0; padding-bottom: 0; text-align:center;" valign="top"><img align="center" alt="" class="mcnImage" height="300" src="https://sermonillustrator.org/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi/show_img/ill_html/20260515011037/e39828c07647a7f50d10f926bc2ee35c_Mohawk-N.jpg" style="max-width: 500px; padding-bottom: 0px; vertical-align: bottom; border-radius: 0%; width: 350px; display: inline !important; height: 233px;" width="400" /></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width:100%; padding:18px;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="min-width: 100%;border-top: 2px none #EAEAEA;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnBoxedTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnBoxedTextBlockInner" valign="top"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextContentContainer" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="padding-top:9px; padding-left:18px; padding-bottom:9px; padding-right:18px;"> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="min-width: 100% !important;background-color: #FFFFFF;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="padding: 18px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; text-align: left;" valign="top"> <p style=""><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px; color: rgb(44, 62, 80);">This story from my family's first Europe vacation actually started before we even left Canada, and it could be argued that this part could have been included in Part 2 of this series, </span><a href="https://sermonillustrator.org/2026/04/16/the-plates-and-jeans-europe-here-we-come-part-2/" style="font-size: 18px;"><span style="color:#2c3e50;">Of Plates and Blue Jeans</span></a><span style="font-size: 18px; color: rgb(44, 62, 80);">, for it was indeed something that wouldn't have happened if I had stopped expecting Europe to be the same way it had been 20 years earlier when I had lived there. This particular story, however, stands out to me so vividly, as do the lessons I learned from it, that I feel it warrants its own devotional pair ...<br /> <br /> The story began about three weeks prior to our scheduled departure. Our youngest son, Darien, was gone to a fly-in native community in the northern part of our Canadian province on a missions trip, and he arrived back home just two days before our scheduled departure for Europe. I, for one, was stressing about last minute preparations for our vacation, but when I looked up and saw my son coming in the door with his mom, I think I had a miniature heart attack. Darien had cut his hair! He had ... a mohawk!!!<br /> <br /> Of course, various versions of the mohawk have become the style in more later years; however, in that day and age, the haircut was for people who wanted to stand out as rebellious. And this is what I immediately accused him of: Blatant rebellion! He knew we were leaving for Europe to see his grandmother! He knew I wanted him to have his best foot forward! How could he have sunk so low as to get a mohawk! I instantly regretted allowing him to go on the missions trip in the first place.<br /> <br /> I could go on, but we'll just say I was angry, and you can let your imaginations fill in the gaps. All I will say further about my reaction was that my wife shaved the mohawk off the following day...<br /> <br /> Fast forward a few days, and we found ourselves with my mom in the nursing home where she resided. She suffered from moderately-severe dementia and there was little she could talk about. I began showing her pictures from my new digital camera. I had forgotten that my wife had snapped a picture of Darien with his mohawk before she shaved it off, and I was shocked to see that awful hairstyle on the head of my precious son come up on the camera screen. What shocked me even more, however, was that my mom started to smile. She pointed to the picture, she pointed to Darien, and then the most precious thing: She started to laugh. Every day after that, she would point to Darien and to my camera. Her intent was clear: She wanted to see the picture of him with his mohawk!<br /> <br /> God promises us something even better than my son's "rebellion" turning into a joy for my mother. God promises to bring good out of <em>all </em>bad situations! We are very familiar with the words of Romans 8:28: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (NIV). In my case, God took what was extremely bad in my eyes and turned it into a source of joy for my ailing mother.<br /> <br /> I am also reminded of a less-well known verse: "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." (2 Corinthians 4:17 NIV). And just what are these "light" and "momentary" troubles? Paul describes them a few verses earlier as being "hard pressed on every side" and "perplexed" (</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%204%3A8&version=NIV" style="font-size: 18px;"><span style="color:#2c3e50;">Vs. 8</span></a><span style="font-size: 18px; color: rgb(44, 62, 80);">), "persecuted" and "struck down" (</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%204%3A9&version=NIV" style="font-size: 18px;"><span style="color:#2c3e50;">Vs. 9</span></a><span style="font-size: 18px; color: rgb(44, 62, 80);">), carrying around in their bodies the "death of Jesus" (</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%204%3A10&version=NIV" style="font-size: 18px;"><span style="color:#2c3e50;">vs. 10</span></a><span style="font-size: 18px; color: rgb(44, 62, 80);">) and stating "death is at work in us" (</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%204%3A11&version=NIV" style="font-size: 18px;"><span style="color:#2c3e50;">Vs. 11</span></a><span style="font-size: 18px; color: rgb(44, 62, 80);">) ... Okay that all sounds a bit worse than my son coming home with a mohawk! Yet Paul can also say, he is, "not crushed" and "not in despair" (</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%204%3A8&version=NIV" style="font-size: 18px;"><span style="color:#2c3e50;">Vs. 8</span></a><span style="font-size: 18px; color: rgb(44, 62, 80);">); "not abandoned" and "Not destroyed" (</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%204%3A9&version=NIV" style="font-size: 18px;"><span style="color:#2c3e50;">Vs. 9</span></a><span style="color: rgb(44, 62, 80);"><span style="font-size: 18px;">); "so that Christ may be revealed in our body.</span><span style="font-size: 15px;"> F</span><span style="font-size: 18px;">or we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. " (</span></span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%204%3A10-11&version=NIV" style="font-size: 18px;"><span style="color:#2c3e50;">vs. 10-11)</span></a><span style="font-size: 18px; color: rgb(44, 62, 80);">.<br /> <br /> And these outcomes are far better even than the bit of joy my son's mohawk brought to his grandmother!<br /> <br /> What is it that has you upset today, friends? Why not ask God to show you how He will use it to His glory? And if you commit to that prayer a little earlier in the game than I did, then perhaps you won't be robbed of so much joy!<br /> <br /> There is just one other lesson this fateful trip and that awful mohawk had to teach me ... Please join us next week for the final part to this series!<br /> <br /> Inspired by Rob Chaffart<br /> Founder, Answers2Prayer ministries</span></span></p>  <ol style="font-size: 16px;"> </ol> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width:100%; padding:18px;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="min-width: 100%;border-top: 2px none #EAEAEA;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnBoxedTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnBoxedTextBlockInner" valign="top"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextContentContainer" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="padding-top:9px; padding-left:18px; padding-bottom:9px; padding-right:18px;"> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="min-width: 100% !important;background-color: #FFFFFF;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="padding: 18px; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; text-align: left;" valign="top"> <h2 class="null" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center; padding-left: 15px !important; padding-right: 15px !important;"><span>Announcements</span></h2> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:18px;"><span style="color:#2c3e50;"><span style="font-variant: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">Need prayer? Let us join you in lifting your prayer requests to the King of Kings! Send your prayer requests via:</span></span></span></span></span><br /> <a href="http://answertoallprayers@PROTECTED" style="text-decoration:none"><span style="color:#2c3e50;"><span style="font-variant: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:underline"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">email</span></span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="color:#2c3e50;"><span style="font-variant: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none"> or</span></span></span></span><br /> <span style="font-variant: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">What'sApp: +91 98696 68137</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width: 100%; padding: 18px 18px 0px;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" data-template-container="" id="templateFooter" valign="top"> <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="templateContainer" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="footerContainer" valign="top"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnCodeBlock" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnTextBlockInner" valign="top"> <div style="text-align: center; font-family:helvetica;"><a href="https://sermonillustrator.org/cgi-bin/dada/extensions/multiple_subscribe.cgi" style="color: white; padding: 20px;">Subscribe</a><a href="https://sermonillustrator.org/" style="color: white; padding: 20px;">Our Devotionals</a><a href="http://sermonillustrator.org/contact/" style="color: white; padding: 20px;">Contact</a></div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width:100%; padding:18px;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="min-width: 100%;border-top: 2px solid #505050;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnTextBlockInner" style="padding-top:9px;" valign="top"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="max-width:100%; min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="padding-top:0; padding-right:18px; padding-bottom:9px; padding-left:18px;" valign="top"><em>Copyright © 2020 Answers2Prayer, All rights reserved.</em><br /> <br /> Want to change how you receive these emails?<br /> You can <a href="" target="_blank">unsubscribe from this list</a>.</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </center> <img src="https://sermonillustrator.org/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi/spacer_image/ill_html///spacer.png" width="1" height="1" alt="" />

When You Walk Through the Shadows

Wed, 13 May 2026 01:39:00 GMT

<center> <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" height="100%" id="bodyTable" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="center" id="bodyCell" valign="top"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="center" data-template-container="" id="templateHeader" valign="top"> <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="templateContainer" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="headerContainer" valign="top"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnTextBlockInner" style="padding-top:9px;" valign="top"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="max-width:100%; min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="padding-top:0; padding-right:18px; padding-bottom:9px; padding-left:18px;" valign="top"> <div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color:#FFFFFF"><span style="font-family:merriweather,georgia,times new roman,serif">Welcome To</span></span></div> <h2 class="null" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sermonillustrator.org"><span style="color:#FFFFFF">THE ILLUSTRATOR</span></a></h2> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" data-template-container="" id="templateBody" valign="top"> <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="templateContainer" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="bodyContainer" valign="top"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnBoxedTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnBoxedTextBlockInner" valign="top"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextContentContainer" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="padding-top:9px; padding-left:18px; padding-bottom:9px; padding-right:18px;"> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="min-width: 100% !important;background-color: #FFFFFF;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="padding: 18px; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" valign="top"> <h1 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://sermonillustrator.org/2026/05/12/walking-through-the-shallows/"><font color="#000000">When You Walk Through the Shadows</font></a></h1> <h4 style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:16px;">May 13, 2026</span></h4> <hr style="width:20%; height: 2px; background: black !important; border: none !important; display:flex; justify-content: center; align-items: center;" /> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); margin-bottom: 11px; text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="color:#4e5f70;">When you go through deep waters, I will be with you.</span></span></span></em><br /> <span style="color:#4e5f70;"><em><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-style:normal">~ Isaiah 43:2a NLT ~</span></span></span></span></em></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width: 100%; padding: 9px 18px 0px;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width:100%; padding:18px;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="min-width: 100%;border-top: 2px none #EAEAEA;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnImageBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnImageBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnImageBlockInner" style="padding:0px" valign="top"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnImageContentContainer" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnImageContent" style="padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-top: 0; padding-bottom: 0; text-align:center;" valign="top"><img align="center" alt="" class="mcnImage" height="300" src="https://sermonillustrator.org/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi/show_img/ill_html/20260513023937/fb52cffdb2379f187791fa278766c6b8_Waves-N.jpg" style="max-width: 500px; padding-bottom: 0px; vertical-align: bottom; border-radius: 0%; width: 350px; display: inline !important; height: 233px;" width="400" /></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width:100%; padding:18px;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="min-width: 100%;border-top: 2px none #EAEAEA;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnBoxedTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnBoxedTextBlockInner" valign="top"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextContentContainer" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="padding-top:9px; padding-left:18px; padding-bottom:9px; padding-right:18px;"> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="min-width: 100% !important;background-color: #FFFFFF;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="padding: 18px;color: #000000;font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size: 16px;font-weight: normal;line-height: 200%;text-align: left;" valign="top"> <p style="padding-left: 15px !important;padding-right: 15px !important;color: #000000;font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size: 16px;font-weight: normal;line-height: 200%;text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:18px;"><span style="color:#2c3e50;">"When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you." (Isaiah 43:2 NLT)<br /> <br /> With </span><a><span style="color:#2c3e50;">almost every</span></a><span style="color:#2c3e50;"> writer came a story of walking through the shallows.<br /> <br /> I wish I had the time and money to attend more than one writer’s conference each year, but unfortunately, I don’t. So, I stick with the one that takes me to the mountains of North Carolina. I am a managing editor for the website ministry that sponsors the conference.<br /> <br /> Some years, I teach a class on writing devotions. But every year, whether I teach or not, I take appointments with budding writers who want to hone their craft of writing devotions or who want to pursue publication.<br /> <br /> And every year, I am amazed by their journeys. Rarely do I meet a writer whose journey is not borne out of some affliction or hardship. Some have struggled with and overcome cancer. Others have written books that grew out of the abuse they suffered. Others’ writing comes from hard lessons learned in a long-time profession.<br /> <br /> One year, I met a woman who owned two small jewelry stores—one in the small town where I pastored and the other in the city where I lived. Who could have figured? I was surprised, and she was perplexed. She had written a children’s book for her grandchildren and now wanted to publish a six-week Bible study on forgiving those who had sexually abused them. I gave her guidance and then became her editor.<br /> <br /> Regardless of the situation, all these writers had walked through the shallows—the deep waters. I’ve never met anyone who said to God, “Bring it on, God. I’m ready for some more hard times.” Well . . . no one except Lieutenant Dan in the movie Forrest Gump. He had a showdown with God.<br /> <br /> Most of us face enough storms without asking God to send more. At least, I have. But I have learned that I learn more when I’m in the shallows than when life is easy. And knowing God walks with me through the shallows makes them easier to ford.<br /> <br /> God has a purpose when He takes us through the shallows. We may never know it or see it until we have reached the other side and look back. Either way, God doesn’t take us there because He enjoys watching us suffer. Sin in the world and in others’ lives causes that. God just takes the bad and crochets something good from it.<br /> <br /> So, when you walk through the shallows, don’t blame God. Instead, ask Him what He wants to teach you. The shallows always make us better when we reject bitterness. Father, hold my hand when I walk through the shallows so I won’t drown in the hardships of this world.<br /> <br /> Martin Wiles</span></span></span><br /> </p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width:100%; padding:18px;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="min-width: 100%;border-top: 2px none #EAEAEA;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnBoxedTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnBoxedTextBlockInner" valign="top"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextContentContainer" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="padding-top:9px; padding-left:18px; padding-bottom:9px; padding-right:18px;"> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="min-width: 100% !important;background-color: #FFFFFF;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="padding: 18px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; text-align: left;" valign="top"> <h2 class="null" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center; padding-left: 15px !important; padding-right: 15px !important;"><span style="font-size:36px;">Announcements</span></h2> <p style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 11px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:18px;"><span style="color:#2c3e50;"><span style="font-variant: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">BIBLE STUDY</span></span></span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-variant: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">Great news, our latest Bible Study is finally out. Basking in God's Unfailing Love, An Open Invitation to Experience God Personally To a world gone mad, trying to get to know Jesus may seem foolish. However if you give Him a try, you will desire to get to know Him more and more at the deepest level possible. His relationship with you will be more precious compared to any other human relationships out there. Enjoy getting to know Him.</span></span></span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-variant: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">Come explore it </span></span></span></span></span><a href="http://answers2prayer.org/studies.html" style="text-decoration:none"><span style="color:#2c3e50;"><span style="font-variant: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:underline"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">here</span></span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="color:#2c3e50;"><span style="font-variant: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width: 100%; padding: 18px 18px 0px;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" data-template-container="" id="templateFooter" valign="top"> <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="templateContainer" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="footerContainer" valign="top"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnCodeBlock" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnTextBlockInner" valign="top"> <div style="text-align: center; font-family:helvetica;"><a href="https://sermonillustrator.org/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi" style="color: white; padding: 20px;">Subscribe</a><a href="https://sermonillustrator.org/" style="color: white; padding: 20px;">Our Devotionals</a><a href="http://sermonillustrator.org/contact/" style="color: white; padding: 20px;">Contact</a></div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width:100%; padding:18px;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="min-width: 100%;border-top: 2px solid #505050;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnTextBlockInner" style="padding-top:9px;" valign="top"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="max-width:100%; min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="padding-top:0; padding-right:18px; padding-bottom:9px; padding-left:18px;" valign="top"><em>Copyright © 2020 Answers2Prayer, All rights reserved.</em><br /> <br /> Want to change how you receive these emails?<br /> You can <a href="" target="_blank">unsubscribe from this list</a>.</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </center> <img src="https://sermonillustrator.org/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi/spacer_image/ill_html///spacer.png" width="1" height="1" alt="" />

How to Bounce Back Stronger: Overcoming Setbacks and Adversity

Mon, 11 May 2026 00:40:00 GMT

<center> <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" height="100%" id="bodyTable" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="center" id="bodyCell" valign="top"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="center" data-template-container="" id="templateHeader" valign="top"> <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="templateContainer" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="headerContainer" valign="top"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnTextBlockInner" style="padding-top:9px;" valign="top"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="max-width:100%; min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="padding-top:0; padding-right:18px; padding-bottom:9px; padding-left:18px;" valign="top"> <div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color:#FFFFFF"><span style="font-family:merriweather,georgia,times new roman,serif">Welcome To</span></span></div> <h2 class="null" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sermonillustrator.org"><span style="color:#FFFFFF">THE ILLUSTRATOR</span></a></h2> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" data-template-container="" id="templateBody" valign="top"> <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="templateContainer" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="bodyContainer" valign="top"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnBoxedTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnBoxedTextBlockInner" valign="top"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextContentContainer" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="padding-top:9px; padding-left:18px; padding-bottom:9px; padding-right:18px;"> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="min-width: 100% !important;background-color: #FFFFFF;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="padding: 18px; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" valign="top"> <h1 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://sermonillustrator.org/2026/05/10/how-to-bounce-back-stronger-overcoming-setbacks-and-adversity/"><font color="#000000">How to Bounce Back Stronger: Overcoming Setbacks and Adversity</font></a></h1> <h4 style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:16px;">May 11, 2026</span></h4> <hr style="width:20%; height: 2px; background: black !important; border: none !important; display:flex; justify-content: center; align-items: center;" /> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); margin-bottom: 11px; text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="color:#4e5f70;">I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.</span></span></span></em><br /> <span style="color:#4e5f70;"><em><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-style:normal">~ Psalms 121:1-2 NIV ~</span></span></span></span></em></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width: 100%; padding: 9px 18px 0px;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width:100%; padding:18px;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="min-width: 100%;border-top: 2px none #EAEAEA;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnImageBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnImageBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnImageBlockInner" style="padding:0px" valign="top"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnImageContentContainer" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnImageContent" style="padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-top: 0; padding-bottom: 0; text-align:center;" valign="top"><img align="center" alt="" class="mcnImage" height="300" src="https://sermonillustrator.org/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi/show_img/ill_html/20260511014033/70b75db22778edd4dc23c32d0f0b4e40_Road-on-Cliff-N.jpg" style="max-width: 500px; padding-bottom: 0px; vertical-align: bottom; border-radius: 0%; width: 350px; display: inline !important; height: 233px;" width="400" /></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width:100%; padding:18px;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="min-width: 100%;border-top: 2px none #EAEAEA;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnBoxedTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnBoxedTextBlockInner" valign="top"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextContentContainer" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="padding-top:9px; padding-left:18px; padding-bottom:9px; padding-right:18px;"> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="min-width: 100% !important;background-color: #FFFFFF;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="padding: 18px;color: #000000;font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size: 16px;font-weight: normal;line-height: 200%;text-align: left;" valign="top"> <p style="padding-left: 15px !important;padding-right: 15px !important;color: #000000;font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size: 16px;font-weight: normal;line-height: 200%;text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:18px;"><span style="color:#2c3e50;">In 1962, my brother and I snuggled next to my mom. We rode in the back of a dilapidated truck around the mountains in Bolivia. “When will we get there?” I asked her as my ten-year-old mind anticipated fun moments in the tropical area of Bolivia.<br /> <br /> <strong>But to get there, we risked our lives.</strong><br /> <br /> The only way to reach our destination was to travel on the most dangerous road in the world. The narrow one-lane, dirt road had no barriers. One wrong turn of the wheel would plunge the vehicle down the huge cliff. Hundreds of crosses mark the spots where fatal accidents took place. One such accident reached the news recently. The injuries included a young man paralyzed. His family, American missionaries, sent prayer requests through cyberspace.<br /> <br /> <em>How does that happen?</em> He walked only moments earlier, paralyzed the next. Why is it that on the road of life, tragedy barges in unannounced? It catches us unprepared, vulnerable to its cruelty.<br /> <br /> <strong>I tasted that heartache when Covid struck our home.</strong><br /> <br /> I recovered with God given natural protocols, but my 92-year-old precious Mom had a different kind of victory as the Lord called her home. I experienced the kind of pain of saying good night to my joy filled Mom who lived with us for nearly 30 years.<br /> <br /> In our human mind, that sudden painful change has no reason, but, through reflection and in moments of silence in His presence, I also learned God’s restoring love has no limit. And this truth will allow me to say good morning in heaven someday.<br /> <br /> But when days drag on, and when we think life’s too much, God offers the freedom from the prison of sorrow and heartache. They’re included in these seven promises:<br /> <br /> 1. We count on His help, constant and never changing, because “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1 NIV) He’s present when tears flow unexplained. He’s present when the burden presses down, and by us when the void aches within.<br /> <br /> 2. We silence words of self-pity or sorrow. “My lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live…” (Psalm 63:4 NIV). Even in the midst of sobs, we give Him glory for His power at work, for His love that soothes, and for His promises that hold us up.<br /> <br /> 3. Rather than gaze at our pain, we repeat the psalmist words, “I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1-2 NIV). His help is timely. His help is perfect. And it's the one our heart needs.<br /> <br /> 4. Our heart may be broken, but our soul is intact. “My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.” (Psalm 63:5 NIV). Although life may seem unfair, we count on the richness of His provision. He will provide the comfort, the peace, and the reassurance for every desperate moment.<br /> <br /> 5. We thank Him for the sweet sleep that will come because, “On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night because you are my help…” (Psalm 63:6 NIV). God does not slumber or sleep so that we can. We rest in His presence and sleep on the pillow of His whisper.<br /> <br /> 6. We claim His power, knowing where we find protection. “We sing in the shadow of your wings. Our soul clings to you…” (Psalm 63:7 NIV). His Wings protect us, His refuge covers us, and His embrace gives us life.<br /> <br /> 7. We declare: Lord, we will not faint because, “Our soul clings to you; your right hand upholds us.” (Psalm 63:8 NIV). We may feel weak. We may stumble. <em>But we’ll never fall, His strong arm sustains us.</em><br /> <br /> Let’s Pray: Father, I praise you for already knowing the help we would need, the comfort we would desire, and the reassurance we would call for. Thank you for going before us to prepare the healing and the restoration of our peace. I thank you in Jesus’ name. Amen.<br /> <br /> <em>To whom will you turn when life’s too much?</em></span><br /> <br /> <a href="https://ca.thegospelcoalition.org/article/trusting-god-in-the-midst-of-tragedy/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank"><span style="color:#2c3e50;"><strong>Bonus article</strong></span></a><span style="color:#2c3e50;"> on today’s topic.<br /> <br /> Janet P. Eckles</span></span></span><br /> </p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width:100%; padding:18px;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="min-width: 100%;border-top: 2px none #EAEAEA;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnBoxedTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnBoxedTextBlockInner" valign="top"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextContentContainer" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="padding-top:9px; padding-left:18px; padding-bottom:9px; padding-right:18px;"> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="min-width: 100% !important;background-color: #FFFFFF;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="padding: 18px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; text-align: left;" valign="top"> <h2 class="null" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center; padding-left: 15px !important; padding-right: 15px !important;"><span style="font-size:36px;">Announcements</span></h2> <p style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 11px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:18px;"><span style="color:#2c3e50;"><span style="font-variant: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">Are you frustrated with an ineffective prayer life? God does answer prayers, my friend. Why don't you come to </span></span></span></span></span><a href="http://www.answers2prayer.org/" style="text-decoration:none"><span style="color:#2c3e50;"><span style="font-variant: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:underline"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">Answers2Prayer</span></span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="color:#2c3e50;"><span style="font-variant: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none"> (</span></span></span></span></span><a href="http://www.answers2prayer.org" style="text-decoration:none"><span style="color:#2c3e50;"><span style="font-variant: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:underline"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">www.answers2prayer.org</span></span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="color:#2c3e50;"><span style="font-variant: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">) and discover the power of prayer for yourself?</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width: 100%; padding: 18px 18px 0px;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" data-template-container="" id="templateFooter" valign="top"> <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="templateContainer" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="footerContainer" valign="top"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnCodeBlock" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnTextBlockInner" valign="top"> <div style="text-align: center; font-family:helvetica;"><a href="https://sermonillustrator.org/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi" style="color: white; padding: 20px;">Subscribe</a><a href="https://sermonillustrator.org/" style="color: white; padding: 20px;">Our Devotionals</a><a href="http://sermonillustrator.org/contact/" style="color: white; padding: 20px;">Contact</a></div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width:100%; padding:18px;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="min-width: 100%;border-top: 2px solid #505050;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnTextBlockInner" style="padding-top:9px;" valign="top"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="max-width:100%; min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="padding-top:0; padding-right:18px; padding-bottom:9px; padding-left:18px;" valign="top"><em>Copyright © 2020 Answers2Prayer, All rights reserved.</em><br /> <br /> Want to change how you receive these emails?<br /> You can <a href="" target="_blank">unsubscribe from this list</a>.</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </center> <img src="https://sermonillustrator.org/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi/spacer_image/ill_html///spacer.png" width="1" height="1" alt="" />

Mothers: A Reflection of God's Love

Sun, 10 May 2026 01:00:00 GMT

<center> <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" height="100%" id="bodyTable" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="center" id="bodyCell" valign="top"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="center" data-template-container="" id="templateHeader" valign="top"> <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="templateContainer" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="headerContainer" valign="top"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnTextBlockInner" style="padding-top:9px;" valign="top"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="max-width:100%; min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="padding-top:0; padding-right:18px; padding-bottom:9px; padding-left:18px;" valign="top"> <div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color:#FFFFFF"><span style="font-family:merriweather,georgia,times new roman,serif">Welcome To</span></span></div> <h2 class="null" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sermonillustrator.org"><span style="color:#FFFFFF">THE ILLUSTRATOR</span></a></h2> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" data-template-container="" id="templateBody" valign="top"> <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="templateContainer" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="bodyContainer" valign="top"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnBoxedTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnBoxedTextBlockInner" valign="top"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextContentContainer" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="padding-top:9px; padding-left:18px; padding-bottom:9px; padding-right:18px;"> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="min-width: 100% !important;background-color: #FFFFFF;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="padding: 18px; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" valign="top"> <h1 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://sermonillustrator.org/2026/05/09/mothers-a-reflection-of-gods-love/"><font color="#000000">Mothers: A Reflection of God's Love</font></a></h1> <h4 style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:16px;">May 10, 2026</span></h4> <hr style="width:20%; height: 2px; background: black !important; border: none !important; display:flex; justify-content: center; align-items: center;" /> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); margin-bottom: 11px; text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color:#2c3e50;">Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.</span></span></span></em><br /> <span style="color:#4e5f70;"><em><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-style:normal">~ Proverbs 31:28 NIV ~</span></span></span></span></em></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width: 100%; padding: 9px 18px 0px;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width:100%; padding:18px;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="min-width: 100%;border-top: 2px none #EAEAEA;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnImageBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnImageBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnImageBlockInner" style="padding:0px" valign="top"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnImageContentContainer" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnImageContent" style="padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-top: 0; padding-bottom: 0; text-align:center;" valign="top"><img align="center" alt="" class="mcnImage" height="300" src="https://sermonillustrator.org/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi/show_img/ill_html/20260510020021/5db97d9196b8821fb33ca9a818d4f570_Mothers-Day-N.jpg" style="max-width: 500px; padding-bottom: 0px; vertical-align: bottom; border-radius: 0%; width: 350px; display: inline !important; height: 233px;" width="398" /></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width:100%; padding:18px;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="min-width: 100%;border-top: 2px none #EAEAEA;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnBoxedTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnBoxedTextBlockInner" valign="top"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextContentContainer" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="padding-top:9px; padding-left:18px; padding-bottom:9px; padding-right:18px;"> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="min-width: 100% !important;background-color: #FFFFFF;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="padding: 18px;color: #000000;font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size: 16px;font-weight: normal;line-height: 200%;text-align: left;" valign="top"> <p style="padding-left: 15px !important;padding-right: 15px !important;color: #000000;font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size: 16px;font-weight: normal;line-height: 200%;text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:18px;"><span style="color:#2c3e50;">"Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her." (Proverbs 31:28, NIV)<br /> <br /> A group of second grade school children was asked the following question -- Why did God make mothers? Here are a few of the answers they gave:<br /> <br /> * She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.<br /> * Mostly to clean the house.<br /> *To help us out of there when we were getting born.<br /> <br /> Children have a way of answering questions with surprisingly deep wisdom. These second graders saw their mothers as the ultimate problem-solvers, caretakers, and life-givers. And they were absolutely right!<br /> <br /> Mothers play a unique and God-given role in our lives. They are often the ones who <em>"know where the scotch tape is"—</em> not just literally, but figuratively as well. They hold things together and fix what’s broken. They’re the ones who patch up scraped knees, broken hearts, and bad days.<br /> <br /> They <em>"clean the house,"</em> not just by vacuuming floors, but by creating a space of warmth, love, and belonging. Their presence turns a home into a place where we feel safe and cared for.<br /> <br /> And of course, they <em>"help us out of there when we were getting born."</em> From the very beginning, mothers sacrifice for their children, pouring out love, patience, and care from the moment life begins, often without thanks or recognition.<br /> <br /> God designed mothers to reflect His own nurturing and unconditional love. In Isaiah 66:13 He says, “As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you.” (NIV) A mother’s love gives us a glimpse of how deeply God cares for us.<br /> <br /> So, if you’re a mother, know this: What you do matters. The love you give, the encouragement you offer, the sacrifices you make — it all makes a difference in ways bigger than you may realize.<br /> <br /> And if your mother in still in your life, take a moment to appreciate her, encourage her, and remind her that she is deeply loved.<br /> <br /> Prayer: Father, thank you for the gift of mothers and for the love and care they provide. Help me to appreciate and honor them. May I also reflect your love in my own life. In Jesus’ name, amen.<br /> <br /> Alan Smith<br /> Reprinted with permission from </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/998642318987215/"><span style="color:#2c3e50;">Alan Smith's Thought For the Day</span></a></span></span><br /> </p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width:100%; padding:18px;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="min-width: 100%;border-top: 2px none #EAEAEA;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnBoxedTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnBoxedTextBlockInner" valign="top"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextContentContainer" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="padding-top:9px; padding-left:18px; padding-bottom:9px; padding-right:18px;"> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="min-width: 100% !important;background-color: #FFFFFF;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="padding: 18px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; text-align: left;" valign="top"> <h2 class="null" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center; padding-left: 15px !important; padding-right: 15px !important;"><span style="font-size:36px;">Announcements</span></h2> <p style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 11px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:18px;"><span style="color:#2c3e50;"><span style="font-variant: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">POEM SUBMISSIONS</span></span></span></span><br /> <span style="font-variant: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">Just a reminder that we accept submissions for poems of Christian content to be published on the Sermon Illustrator. If you have a poem you would like to see published on the Sermon Illustrator, please submit it </span></span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:lyn@PROTECTED" style="text-decoration:none"><span style="color:#2c3e50;"><span style="font-variant: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:underline"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">here</span></span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="color:#2c3e50;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">!</span></span></span></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width: 100%; padding: 18px 18px 0px;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" data-template-container="" id="templateFooter" valign="top"> <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="templateContainer" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="footerContainer" valign="top"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnCodeBlock" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnTextBlockInner" valign="top"> <div style="text-align: center; font-family:helvetica;"><a href="https://sermonillustrator.org/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi" style="color: white; padding: 20px;">Subscribe</a><a href="https://sermonillustrator.org/" style="color: white; padding: 20px;">Our Devotionals</a><a href="http://sermonillustrator.org/contact/" style="color: white; padding: 20px;">Contact</a></div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width:100%; padding:18px;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="min-width: 100%;border-top: 2px solid #505050;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnTextBlockInner" style="padding-top:9px;" valign="top"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="max-width:100%; min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="padding-top:0; padding-right:18px; padding-bottom:9px; padding-left:18px;" valign="top"><em>Copyright © 2020 Answers2Prayer, All rights reserved.</em><br /> <br /> Want to change how you receive these emails?<br /> You can <a href="" target="_blank">unsubscribe from this list</a>.</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </center> <img src="https://sermonillustrator.org/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi/spacer_image/ill_html///spacer.png" width="1" height="1" alt="" />

17 Kilometers With the Flu... Europe, Here We Come! Part 4

Thu, 07 May 2026 23:50:00 GMT

<center> <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" height="100%" id="bodyTable" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="center" id="bodyCell" valign="top"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="center" data-template-container="" id="templateHeader" valign="top"> <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="templateContainer" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="headerContainer" valign="top"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnTextBlockInner" style="padding-top:9px;" valign="top"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="max-width:100%; min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="padding-top:0; padding-right:18px; padding-bottom:9px; padding-left:18px;" valign="top"> <div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color:#FFFFFF"><span style="font-family:merriweather,georgia,times new roman,serif">Welcome To</span></span></div> <h2 class="null" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sermonillustrator.org"><span style="color:#FFFFFF">THE ILLUSTRATOR</span></a></h2> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" data-template-container="" id="templateBody" valign="top"> <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="templateContainer" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="bodyContainer" valign="top"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnBoxedTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnBoxedTextBlockInner" valign="top"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextContentContainer" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="padding-top:9px; padding-left:18px; padding-bottom:9px; padding-right:18px;"> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="min-width: 100% !important;background-color: #FFFFFF;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="padding: 18px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" valign="top"> <h1 style="font-style: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://sermonillustrator.org/2026/05/07/17-kilometers-with-the-flu-europe-here-we-come-part-4/"><span style="color:#000000;">17 Kilometers With the Flu... Europe, Here We Come! Part 4</span></a></span></h1> <h4 style="font-style: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:16px;"><em>May 8, 2026</em></span></span></h4> <hr style="width:20%; height: 2px; background: black !important; border: none !important; display:flex; justify-content: center; align-items: center;" /> <p style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="color:#4e5f70;">Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.</span></span></em><br /> <span style="color:#4e5f70;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="line-height:107%">~ Philippians 2:4 NIV ~</span></span></span></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width: 100%; padding: 9px 18px 0px;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width:100%; padding:18px;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="min-width: 100%;border-top: 2px none #EAEAEA;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnImageBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnImageBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnImageBlockInner" style="padding:0px" valign="top"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnImageContentContainer" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnImageContent" style="padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-top: 0; padding-bottom: 0; text-align:center;" valign="top"><img align="center" alt="" class="mcnImage" height="300" src="https://sermonillustrator.org/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi/show_img/ill_html/20260508005043/92a85e8015fd86ee54c3eb292332e635_Eiffel-Tower-N.jpg" style="max-width: 500px; padding-bottom: 0px; vertical-align: bottom; border-radius: 0%; width: 350px; display: inline !important; height: 233px;" width="400" /></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width:100%; padding:18px;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="min-width: 100%;border-top: 2px none #EAEAEA;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnBoxedTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnBoxedTextBlockInner" valign="top"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextContentContainer" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="padding-top:9px; padding-left:18px; padding-bottom:9px; padding-right:18px;"> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="min-width: 100% !important;background-color: #FFFFFF;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="padding: 18px; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; text-align: left;" valign="top"> <p><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:18px;"><span style="color:#2c3e50;">Between the fact that they couldn't wear jeans, had to carry an unnecessary cooler and had to eat flowers (See the previous parts of the "</span><a href="https://sermonillustrator.org/devotional-series/europe-here-we-come/"><span style="color:#2c3e50;">Europe, Here We Come</span></a><span style="color:#2c3e50;">" mini-series...), this "glorious" European vacation wasn't turning out quite like my family had anticipated. However, the other things might not have seemed quite as ridiculously terrible in the eyes of my teenage boys if we hadn't started off on the wrong foot...<br /> <br /> Of course, I had no idea that my "Day 1" plans would be considered "starting off on the wrong foot"... We would land in Paris mid-morning, and the fast train to Brussels didn't leave until the next morning. Why shouldn't we take the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit the city? And so I set out to plan an all-encompassing walking route that would bring us to all of the famous places to see in Paris.<br /> <br /> I admit that I was shocked to see that my planned route would cover 17 kilometers. We would be okay, though. I knew it! We were fit, we would be longing for exercise after the long plane ride, and, well, why not walk 17 kilometers? And with all the beautiful things we would see, why my family would <em>thank </em>me in the end!<br /> <br /> Unfortunately I was the only one who actually slept on the overnight flight, but sleep is overrated anyway, right? Our youngest had just returned from a mission trip in Northern Canada the night before we left, and he hadn't gotten a lot of sleep for the past 10 days; but that was his problem, not mine, and after stowing our luggage at our hotel, we set out.<br /> <br /> We succeeded: Notre Dame de Paris, L'arc de Triomphe, the Seine River, the Louvre Museum, we even went to the <strong>Académie Française</strong> where the French language is kept pure. Then we ended this perfect day by climbing the Eiffel Tower.<br /> <br /> I was so excited to be in Paris that I didn't notice my boys, especially my younger son, dragging behind all day. At one point my wife mentioned that maybe he was too tired for this trek, but I didn't really hear it. I just figured he was enjoying himself and he would keep up. It wasn't until we were half-way up the Eiffel Tower that even I had to stop and notice: My younger son was suffering from the stomach flu! And before we reached the bottom of the tower again, my older son had jumped on the band wagon!<br /> <br /> My younger son was over his flu by the follow morning, but his older brother wasn't so lucky. He ended up sick for the entire week we spent visiting my mom in Ostend, Belgium. Okay, perhaps 17 km was a bit much. Especially for two boys with the stomach flu!<br /> <br /> In retrospect, I could have made their lives a lot easier simply by noticing that they weren't feeling well, by listening to them instead of writing off their complaints, by taking their points of view into consideration and not trying to pretend that my excitement for being in Paris would rub off on them.<br /> <br /> Bad dad?<br /> <br /> Perhaps, but probably more accurately, a "human" dad.<br /> <br /> Isn't it a human thing to hurry through life with so much focus on our own agendas that we don't even realize that others around us are suffering? How many of us pass by the beggar on the street without even noticing him there? How often don't we try to push other people out of their comfort zones and get frustrated when we don't succeed, only to realize much later that they weren't in a place where they could be pushed?<br /> <br /> Do we see the suffering? Do we care?<br /> <br /> Jesus did. He saw those who were hurting, He heard their cries for help (See </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2018%3A35-43&version=NIV"><span style="color:#2c3e50;">Luke 18:35-43</span></a><span style="color:#2c3e50;">), He even felt someone touch the hem of His robe in a crowd of people (See </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%209%3A20-22&version=NIV"><span style="color:#2c3e50;">Matt. 9:20-22</span></a><span style="color:#2c3e50;">). Perhaps we would do best to follow the advice of the apostle Paul: "Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:4 NIV)!<br /> <br /> Oh, and the next time I plan a 17 km trek through Paris, I will make sure my family isn't sick with the flu!<br /> <br /> Inspired by Rob Chaffart<br /> Founder, Answers2Prayer Ministries</span></span></span></p>  <ol> </ol> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width:100%; padding:18px;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="min-width: 100%;border-top: 2px none #EAEAEA;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnBoxedTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnBoxedTextBlockInner" valign="top"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextContentContainer" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="padding-top:9px; padding-left:18px; padding-bottom:9px; padding-right:18px;"> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="min-width: 100% !important;background-color: #FFFFFF;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="padding: 18px; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; text-align: left;" valign="top"> <h2 class="null" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center; padding-left: 15px !important; padding-right: 15px !important;"><span>Announcements</span></h2> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:18px;"><span style="color:#2c3e50;"><span style="font-variant: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">POEMS!</span></span></span></span><br /> <span style="font-variant: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">Do you appreciate poetry? Why not check out the </span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://dev.sermonillustrator.org/category/poem/" style="text-decoration:none"><span style="color:#2c3e50;"><span style="font-variant: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:underline"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">Poem page</span></span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="color:#2c3e50;"><span style="font-variant: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none"> on the Sermon Illustrator? </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width: 100%; padding: 18px 18px 0px;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" data-template-container="" id="templateFooter" valign="top"> <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="templateContainer" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="footerContainer" valign="top"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnCodeBlock" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnTextBlockInner" valign="top"> <div style="text-align: center; font-family:helvetica;"><a href="https://sermonillustrator.org/cgi-bin/dada/extensions/multiple_subscribe.cgi" style="color: white; padding: 20px;">Subscribe</a><a href="https://sermonillustrator.org/" style="color: white; padding: 20px;">Our Devotionals</a><a href="http://sermonillustrator.org/contact/" style="color: white; padding: 20px;">Contact</a></div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width:100%; padding:18px;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="min-width: 100%;border-top: 2px solid #505050;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnTextBlockInner" style="padding-top:9px;" valign="top"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="max-width:100%; min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="padding-top:0; padding-right:18px; padding-bottom:9px; padding-left:18px;" valign="top"><em>Copyright © 2020 Answers2Prayer, All rights reserved.</em><br /> <br /> Want to change how you receive these emails?<br /> You can <a href="" target="_blank">unsubscribe from this list</a>.</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </center> <img src="https://sermonillustrator.org/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi/spacer_image/ill_html///spacer.png" width="1" height="1" alt="" />

Sharing Our Daily Bread

Wed, 06 May 2026 00:46:00 GMT

<center> <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" height="100%" id="bodyTable" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="center" id="bodyCell" valign="top"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="center" data-template-container="" id="templateHeader" valign="top"> <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="templateContainer" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="headerContainer" valign="top"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnTextBlockInner" style="padding-top:9px;" valign="top"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="max-width:100%; min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="padding-top:0; padding-right:18px; padding-bottom:9px; padding-left:18px;" valign="top"> <div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color:#FFFFFF"><span style="font-family:merriweather,georgia,times new roman,serif">Welcome To</span></span></div> <h2 class="null" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sermonillustrator.org"><span style="color:#FFFFFF">THE ILLUSTRATOR</span></a></h2> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" data-template-container="" id="templateBody" valign="top"> <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="templateContainer" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="bodyContainer" valign="top"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnBoxedTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnBoxedTextBlockInner" valign="top"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextContentContainer" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="padding-top:9px; padding-left:18px; padding-bottom:9px; padding-right:18px;"> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="min-width: 100% !important;background-color: #FFFFFF;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="padding: 18px; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" valign="top"> <h1 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://sermonillustrator.org/2026/05/05/sharing-our-daily-bread/"><font color="#000000">Sharing Our Daily Bread</font></a></h1> <h4 style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:16px;">May 6, 2026</span></h4> <hr style="width:20%; height: 2px; background: black !important; border: none !important; display:flex; justify-content: center; align-items: center;" /> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); margin-bottom: 11px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="color:#4e5f70;"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><em>For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.</em></span></span></span><br /> <span style="color:#4e5f70;"><em><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-style:normal">~ Matthew 25:35 NIV ~</span></span></span></span></em></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width: 100%; padding: 9px 18px 0px;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width:100%; padding:18px;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="min-width: 100%;border-top: 2px none #EAEAEA;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnImageBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnImageBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnImageBlockInner" style="padding:0px" valign="top"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnImageContentContainer" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnImageContent" style="padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-top: 0; padding-bottom: 0; text-align:center;" valign="top"><img align="center" alt="" class="mcnImage" height="300" src="https://sermonillustrator.org/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi/show_img/ill_html/20260506014632/53534cc3337d16bba5f258f4b43f28cb_Bread-1-N.jpg" style="max-width: 500px; padding-bottom: 0px; vertical-align: bottom; border-radius: 0%; width: 350px; display: inline !important; height: 233px;" width="400" /></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width:100%; padding:18px;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="min-width: 100%;border-top: 2px none #EAEAEA;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnBoxedTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnBoxedTextBlockInner" valign="top"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextContentContainer" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="padding-top:9px; padding-left:18px; padding-bottom:9px; padding-right:18px;"> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="min-width: 100% !important;background-color: #FFFFFF;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="padding: 18px;color: #000000;font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size: 16px;font-weight: normal;line-height: 200%;text-align: left;" valign="top"> <p style="padding-left: 15px !important;padding-right: 15px !important;color: #000000;font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size: 16px;font-weight: normal;line-height: 200%;text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:18px;"><span style="color:#2c3e50;">"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in." (Matthew 25:35 NIV)<br /> <br /> Funny how a memory from 50 years ago can still shape your life and touch your heart. I was 7 or 8 years old. We were spending a week visiting my Aunt Charlotte and Uncle Richard at their home in Tennessee. My older brothers were off playing with neighborhood boys their own age and I was left alone. One day, though, I noticed a boy about my age playing outside of a worn, old house down the street from my Aunt’s home. I talked to him and we struck up a friendship and played outside together for the next few days.<br /> <br /> One day we were thirsty and went inside the empty house to get a drink of water. I noticed something, though. The shelves were bare of food and the refrigerator was empty too. When I questioned my new friend about this he said it was just the end of the month and when his Mom got paid in a few days all the shelves would be full of food again. Still, I was troubled that they were out of food for the next few days. I had never seen anyone be totally out of food before.<br /> <br /> I told my Aunt Charlotte about it that evening and without saying a word she took a pie she was baking out of the oven and disappeared out the back door. I later learned that she had dropped off the “extra” pie that she couldn’t use to my friend’s Mom down the street. And for the rest of our visit there Aunt Charlotte would have a BIG lunch ready for me and my new friend each day. I didn’t realize then what a shining example she was being to me. She was literally showing me how to live, how to give, how to share, and how to Love.<br /> <br /> Sometimes in this life God not only gives us our Daily Bread but asks us to share it as well. When He does be like my Aunt Charlotte and share it with a joyful smile and a loving heart. Do your best each day to help God create a world where no one goes hungry, where no one is homeless, and where everyone feels Loved.<br /> <br /> Joseph J. Mazzella</span></span></span><br /> </p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width:100%; padding:18px;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="min-width: 100%;border-top: 2px none #EAEAEA;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnBoxedTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnBoxedTextBlockInner" valign="top"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextContentContainer" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="padding-top:9px; padding-left:18px; padding-bottom:9px; padding-right:18px;"> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="min-width: 100% !important;background-color: #FFFFFF;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="padding: 18px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; text-align: left;" valign="top"> <h2 class="null" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center; padding-left: 15px !important; padding-right: 15px !important;"><span style="font-size:36px;">Announcements</span></h2> <p style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 11px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:18px;"><span style="color:#2c3e50;"><span style="font-variant: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">¿Habla español? </span></span></span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-variant: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">Do you know someone who is Spanish-speaking who might benefit from these devotionals and social media posts?</span></span></span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-variant: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">Answers2Prayer Ministries is publishing two weekly devotionals in Spanish for you and for your Spanish-speaking friends and family!</span></span></span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-variant: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">Check out our Spanish devotionals here! ( </span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://answers2prayer.org/devotional-spanish/" style="text-decoration:none"><span style="color:#2c3e50;"><span style="font-variant: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">https://answers2prayer.org/devotional-spanish/</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="color:#2c3e50;"><span style="font-variant: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none"> ) or have them sent to you via email or WhatsApp by </span></span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:lyn@PROTECTED" style="text-decoration:none"><span style="color:#2c3e50;"><span style="font-variant: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">sending</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="color:#2c3e50;"><span style="font-variant: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none"> us a message  ( </span></span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:lyn@PROTECTED" style="text-decoration:none"><span style="color:#2c3e50;"><span style="font-variant: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">lyn@PROTECTED</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="color:#2c3e50;"><span style="font-variant: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none"> or +1 (905) 228-5072 )! We also invite you to check out our Spanish facebook page: </span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/352491520740004/" style="text-decoration:none"><span style="color:#2c3e50;"><span style="font-variant: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color:#ffffff"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">Respuestas a la oración: Ministerios de Answers2Prayer</span></span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="color:#2c3e50;"><span style="font-variant: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none"> !</span></span></span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-variant: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">¿Habla español? ¿Conoce a alguien que hable español que podría beneficiarse de estos devocionales y publicaciones en las redes sociales?</span></span></span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-variant: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">¡Answers2Prayer Ministries está publicando dos devocionales semanales en español para usted y sus amigos y familiares de habla hispana!</span></span></span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-variant: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">¡Mira nuestros devocionales en español aquí! (https://answers2prayer.org/devotional-spanish/) o solicite que se los envíen por correo electrónico o WhatsApp enviándonos un mensaje (lyn@PROTECTED o +1 (905) 228-5072). También te invitamos a visitar nuestra página de Facebook en español: Respuestas a la oración: Ministerios de Answers2Prayer.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width: 100%; padding: 18px 18px 0px;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" data-template-container="" id="templateFooter" valign="top"> <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="templateContainer" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="footerContainer" valign="top"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnCodeBlock" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnTextBlockInner" valign="top"> <div style="text-align: center; font-family:helvetica;"><a href="https://sermonillustrator.org/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi" style="color: white; padding: 20px;">Subscribe</a><a href="https://sermonillustrator.org/" style="color: white; padding: 20px;">Our Devotionals</a><a href="http://sermonillustrator.org/contact/" style="color: white; padding: 20px;">Contact</a></div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width:100%; padding:18px;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="min-width: 100%;border-top: 2px solid #505050;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnTextBlockInner" style="padding-top:9px;" valign="top"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="max-width:100%; min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="padding-top:0; padding-right:18px; padding-bottom:9px; padding-left:18px;" valign="top"><em>Copyright © 2020 Answers2Prayer, All rights reserved.</em><br /> <br /> Want to change how you receive these emails?<br /> You can <a href="" target="_blank">unsubscribe from this list</a>.</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </center> <img src="https://sermonillustrator.org/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi/spacer_image/ill_html///spacer.png" width="1" height="1" alt="" />

The Voice of One Who Wept

Mon, 04 May 2026 01:15:00 GMT

<center> <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" height="100%" id="bodyTable" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="center" id="bodyCell" valign="top"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="center" data-template-container="" id="templateHeader" valign="top"> <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="templateContainer" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="headerContainer" valign="top"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnTextBlockInner" style="padding-top:9px;" valign="top"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="max-width:100%; min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="padding-top:0; padding-right:18px; padding-bottom:9px; padding-left:18px;" valign="top"> <div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color:#FFFFFF"><span style="font-family:merriweather,georgia,times new roman,serif">Welcome To</span></span></div> <h2 class="null" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sermonillustrator.org"><span style="color:#FFFFFF">THE ILLUSTRATOR</span></a></h2> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" data-template-container="" id="templateBody" valign="top"> <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="templateContainer" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="bodyContainer" valign="top"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnBoxedTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnBoxedTextBlockInner" valign="top"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextContentContainer" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="padding-top:9px; padding-left:18px; padding-bottom:9px; padding-right:18px;"> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="min-width: 100% !important;background-color: #FFFFFF;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="padding: 18px; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" valign="top"> <h1 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://sermonillustrator.org/2026/05/02/more-than-just-maintenance/"><font color="#000000">The Voice of One Who Wept</font></a></h1> <h4 style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:16px;">May 4, 2026</span></h4> <hr style="width:20%; height: 2px; background: black !important; border: none !important; display:flex; justify-content: center; align-items: center;" /> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); margin-bottom: 11px; text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="color:#4e5f70;">But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them...</span></span></span></em><br /> <span style="color:#4e5f70;"><em><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-style:normal">~ Matthew 9:36 KJV ~</span></span></span></span></em></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width: 100%; padding: 9px 18px 0px;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width:100%; padding:18px;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="min-width: 100%;border-top: 2px none #EAEAEA;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnImageBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnImageBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnImageBlockInner" style="padding:0px" valign="top"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnImageContentContainer" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnImageContent" style="padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-top: 0; padding-bottom: 0; text-align:center;" valign="top"><img align="center" alt="" class="mcnImage" height="300" src="https://sermonillustrator.org/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi/show_img/ill_html/20260504021559/21986ac02ebe56746b72ebf7f756ae95_Weeping-N-Hor.jpg" style="max-width: 500px; padding-bottom: 0px; vertical-align: bottom; border-radius: 0%; width: 350px; display: inline !important; height: 233px;" width="400" /></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width:100%; padding:18px;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="min-width: 100%;border-top: 2px none #EAEAEA;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnBoxedTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnBoxedTextBlockInner" valign="top"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextContentContainer" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="padding-top:9px; padding-left:18px; padding-bottom:9px; padding-right:18px;"> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="min-width: 100% !important;background-color: #FFFFFF;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="padding: 18px;color: #000000;font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size: 16px;font-weight: normal;line-height: 200%;text-align: left;" valign="top"> <p style="padding-left: 15px !important;padding-right: 15px !important;color: #000000;font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size: 16px;font-weight: normal;line-height: 200%;text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:18px;"><span style="color:#2c3e50;">"But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few." (Matthew 9:36-37 KJV)<br /> <br /> Martha Snell Nicholson was a bedridden invalid who suffered from four incurable diseases.   She lived for Christ, battling pain for over 35 years in a day when painkillers & modern hospital equipment was not widely available. After being an invalid for many years, her loving husband, who served by her side faithfully, died suddenly. <br /> <br /> But pain is often a conduit for some of the most beautiful treasures of the Church. Through her pain and suffering came some of the finest Christian poetry ever written.<br /> <br /> <em>The Voice of One Who Wept</em><br /> <br /> <em>Today I heard the voice of one who wept</em><br /> <em>In far off lands</em><br /> <em>Because of sin and misery,</em><br /> <em>And begged with outstretched hands</em><br /> <em>For one small lamp to light his dark.</em><br /> <em>Now fain I would have slept,</em><br /> <em>So stopped my ears, but in my heart</em><br /> <em>That sobbing voice still wept.</em><br /> <em>And then I heard the voice of one who</em><br /> <em>Counted not the cost,</em><br /> <em>But left His ivory palaces to seek and</em><br /> <em>Save the lost.</em><br /> <em>He said, "The sound of one who weeps</em><br /> <em>Is coming up to Me.</em><br /> <em>Dost thou forget that last command</em><br /> <em>Which I gave unto Thee,</em><br /> <em>To preach my Word to all the world?"</em><br /> <em>O, bitter be our shame!</em><br /> <em>Still hopeless millions walk the earth</em><br /> <em>Who never heard His Name,</em><br /> <em>And still the world spends lavishly</em><br /> <em>In every crowded mart,</em><br /> <em>And still the voice of Him who wept</em><br /> <em>Is sobbing in my heart!</em><br /> <br /> (Source: </span><a href="http://www.discipleshipinthehome.com"><span style="color:#2c3e50;">Discipleship In the Home</span></a><span style="color:#2c3e50;"> devotions)<br /> <br /> Darrell Stetler is a pastor, and the creator of the Obedience Challenge, a 90 day study on </span><a href="https://www.newstartdiscipleship.com/post/all-jesus-commands-in-pdf"><span style="color:#2c3e50;">all the commands of Jesus</span></a><span style="color:#2c3e50;">.</span></span></span><br /> </p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width:100%; padding:18px;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="min-width: 100%;border-top: 2px none #EAEAEA;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnBoxedTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnBoxedTextBlockInner" valign="top"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextContentContainer" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="padding-top:9px; padding-left:18px; padding-bottom:9px; padding-right:18px;"> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="min-width: 100% !important;background-color: #FFFFFF;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="padding: 18px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; text-align: left;" valign="top"> <h2 class="null" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center; padding-left: 15px !important; padding-right: 15px !important;"><span style="font-size:36px;">Announcements</span></h2> <p style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 11px; text-align: center;"><span style="color:#2c3e50;"><span style="font-size:18px;"><span style="font-variant: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">Welcome to all new Illustrator subscribers! </span></span></span></span></span><br /> <span style="font-variant: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">We hope and pray that you will find this newsletter a blessing to you and to your families. God bless each of you as you strive to draw closer to Him!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width: 100%; padding: 18px 18px 0px;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" data-template-container="" id="templateFooter" valign="top"> <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="templateContainer" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="footerContainer" valign="top"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnCodeBlock" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnTextBlockInner" valign="top"> <div style="text-align: center; font-family:helvetica;"><a href="https://sermonillustrator.org/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi" style="color: white; padding: 20px;">Subscribe</a><a href="https://sermonillustrator.org/" style="color: white; padding: 20px;">Our Devotionals</a><a href="http://sermonillustrator.org/contact/" style="color: white; padding: 20px;">Contact</a></div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width:100%; padding:18px;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="min-width: 100%;border-top: 2px solid #505050;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnTextBlockInner" style="padding-top:9px;" valign="top"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="max-width:100%; min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="padding-top:0; padding-right:18px; padding-bottom:9px; padding-left:18px;" valign="top"><em>Copyright © 2020 Answers2Prayer, All rights reserved.</em><br /> <br /> Want to change how you receive these emails?<br /> You can <a href="" target="_blank">unsubscribe from this list</a>.</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </center> <img src="https://sermonillustrator.org/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi/spacer_image/ill_html///spacer.png" width="1" height="1" alt="" />

More Than Just Maintenance

Sun, 03 May 2026 00:40:00 GMT

<center> <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" height="100%" id="bodyTable" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="center" id="bodyCell" valign="top"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="center" data-template-container="" id="templateHeader" valign="top"> <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="templateContainer" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="headerContainer" valign="top"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnTextBlockInner" style="padding-top:9px;" valign="top"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="max-width:100%; min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="padding-top:0; padding-right:18px; padding-bottom:9px; padding-left:18px;" valign="top"> <div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color:#FFFFFF"><span style="font-family:merriweather,georgia,times new roman,serif">Welcome To</span></span></div> <h2 class="null" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sermonillustrator.org"><span style="color:#FFFFFF">THE ILLUSTRATOR</span></a></h2> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" data-template-container="" id="templateBody" valign="top"> <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="templateContainer" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="bodyContainer" valign="top"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnBoxedTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnBoxedTextBlockInner" valign="top"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextContentContainer" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="padding-top:9px; padding-left:18px; padding-bottom:9px; padding-right:18px;"> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="min-width: 100% !important;background-color: #FFFFFF;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="padding: 18px; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" valign="top"> <h1 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://sermonillustrator.org/2026/05/02/more-than-just-maintenance/"><font color="#000000">More Than Just Maintenance</font></a></h1> <h4 style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:16px;">May 3, 2026</span></h4> <hr style="width:20%; height: 2px; background: black !important; border: none !important; display:flex; justify-content: center; align-items: center;" /> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); margin-bottom: 11px; text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="color:#4e5f70;">Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.</span></span></span></em><br /> <span style="color:#4e5f70;"><em><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-style:normal">~ Mark 16:15 NIV ~</span></span></span></span></em></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width: 100%; padding: 9px 18px 0px;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width:100%; padding:18px;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="min-width: 100%;border-top: 2px none #EAEAEA;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnImageBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnImageBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnImageBlockInner" style="padding:0px" valign="top"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnImageContentContainer" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnImageContent" style="padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-top: 0; padding-bottom: 0; text-align:center;" valign="top"><img align="center" alt="" class="mcnImage" height="300" src="https://sermonillustrator.org/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi/show_img/ill_html/20260503014055/b9cbc410b88c296f4280eb91e7ce316c_Factory-N.jpg" style="max-width: 500px; padding-bottom: 0px; vertical-align: bottom; border-radius: 0%; width: 350px; display: inline !important; height: 233px;" width="400" /></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width:100%; padding:18px;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="min-width: 100%;border-top: 2px none #EAEAEA;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnBoxedTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnBoxedTextBlockInner" valign="top"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextContentContainer" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="padding-top:9px; padding-left:18px; padding-bottom:9px; padding-right:18px;"> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="min-width: 100% !important;background-color: #FFFFFF;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="padding: 18px;color: #000000;font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size: 16px;font-weight: normal;line-height: 200%;text-align: left;" valign="top"> <p style="padding-left: 15px !important;padding-right: 15px !important;color: #000000;font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size: 16px;font-weight: normal;line-height: 200%;text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:18px;"><span style="color:#2c3e50;">"Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” (Mark 16:15 NIV)<br /> <br /> A group of visitors was touring a large grease factory — an impressive operation, full of noise, motion, and activity.  Machines whirled, wheels turned, and workers stayed busy mixing and packaging what the guide claimed to be the finest machine lubricants in the world.  But as the tour wrapped up, one visitor asked, "Where’s the shipping department?"<br /> <br /> The guide’s response:  "Oh, we don’t have a shipping department. It takes all the grease we produce just to keep our own machines running."<br /> <br /> Sound familiar?  Sometimes churches, ministries, and even individual Christians can become so inward-focused that all their spiritual “grease” is used up maintaining their own programs, preferences, and people. There’s a lot of activity and effort, but if there’s no outreach — no real sharing of the gospel — then we’re only fueling ourselves.<br /> <br /> It’s easy to fall into this trap. We attend Bible classes, participate in church events, and fill our schedules with religious activity. But if all that spiritual nourishment never leaves the building -- if it never reaches our conversations at work, our interactions with neighbors, or our daily relationships — then we’re just keeping our own gears turning. We may look productive, but in reality, we’re spinning in place.<br /> <br /> The early church didn’t grow because Christians huddled together. It grew because they spoke boldly about Jesus. Wherever they went, they talked about the risen Christ. They shared their lives, yes — but they also opened their mouths, proclaiming the message of salvation, even when it cost them.<br /> <br /> Jesus didn’t just tell us to <em>learn</em> the gospel — He commanded us to <em>proclaim</em> it. Our goal isn’t to build a well-oiled machine that serves only those within.  Our goal is to be a people on a mission, reaching out with the good news of Jesus Christ.<br /> <br /> Who around you needs to hear the message of hope today? Who needs to know that Jesus loves them, died for them, and rose again to give them life? Look for an opportunity today to not only serve someone but also to <em>speak</em> to them about the Savior. Let’s not just spin our wheels — let’s move forward, opening our mouths and carrying the gospel into the world.<br /> <br /> Prayer: Father, forgive me when I become so focused on maintaining my own comfort or spiritual habits that I forget your mission.  Open my eyes to see the people around me who need you.  Give me the courage and compassion to reach out, to serve, and to speak up. In Jesus' name, amen.<br /> <br /> Alan Smith<br /> Reprinted with permission from </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/998642318987215/"><span style="color:#2c3e50;">Alan Smith's Thought For the Da</span></a>y.</span></span><br /> </p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width:100%; padding:18px;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="min-width: 100%;border-top: 2px none #EAEAEA;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnBoxedTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnBoxedTextBlockInner" valign="top"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextContentContainer" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="padding-top:9px; padding-left:18px; padding-bottom:9px; padding-right:18px;"> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="min-width: 100% !important;background-color: #FFFFFF;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="padding: 18px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; text-align: left;" valign="top"> <h2 class="null" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center; padding-left: 15px !important; padding-right: 15px !important;"><span style="font-size:36px;">Announcements</span></h2> <p style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 11px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:18px;"><span style="font-variant: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">Are the Illustrator devotionals a blessing to you? Check out the </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="http://www.sermonillustrator.org" style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-variant: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span style="color:#0000ff"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:underline"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">Sermon Illustrator</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-variant: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none"> website!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width: 100%; padding: 18px 18px 0px;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" data-template-container="" id="templateFooter" valign="top"> <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="templateContainer" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="footerContainer" valign="top"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnCodeBlock" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnTextBlockInner" valign="top"> <div style="text-align: center; font-family:helvetica;"><a href="https://sermonillustrator.org/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi" style="color: white; padding: 20px;">Subscribe</a><a href="https://sermonillustrator.org/" style="color: white; padding: 20px;">Our Devotionals</a><a href="http://sermonillustrator.org/contact/" style="color: white; padding: 20px;">Contact</a></div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width:100%; padding:18px;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="min-width: 100%;border-top: 2px solid #505050;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnTextBlockInner" style="padding-top:9px;" valign="top"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="max-width:100%; min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="padding-top:0; padding-right:18px; padding-bottom:9px; padding-left:18px;" valign="top"><em>Copyright © 2020 Answers2Prayer, All rights reserved.</em><br /> <br /> Want to change how you receive these emails?<br /> You can <a href="" target="_blank">unsubscribe from this list</a>.</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </center> <img src="https://sermonillustrator.org/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi/spacer_image/ill_html///spacer.png" width="1" height="1" alt="" />

The Coin-Operated Shower

Fri, 01 May 2026 04:11:00 GMT

<center> <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" height="100%" id="bodyTable" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="center" id="bodyCell" valign="top"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="center" data-template-container="" id="templateHeader" valign="top"> <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="templateContainer" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="headerContainer" valign="top"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnTextBlockInner" style="padding-top:9px;" valign="top"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="max-width:100%; min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="padding-top:0; padding-right:18px; padding-bottom:9px; padding-left:18px;" valign="top"> <div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color:#FFFFFF"><span style="font-family:merriweather,georgia,times new roman,serif">Welcome To</span></span></div> <h2 class="null" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sermonillustrator.org"><span style="color:#FFFFFF">THE ILLUSTRATOR</span></a></h2> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" data-template-container="" id="templateBody" valign="top"> <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="templateContainer" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="bodyContainer" valign="top"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnBoxedTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnBoxedTextBlockInner" valign="top"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextContentContainer" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="padding-top:9px; padding-left:18px; padding-bottom:9px; padding-right:18px;"> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="min-width: 100% !important;background-color: #FFFFFF;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="padding: 18px; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" valign="top"> <h1 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://sermonillustrator.org/2026/04/30/the-coin-operated-shower/"><font color="#000000">The Coin-Operated Shower</font></a></h1> <h4 style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:16px;">May 1, 2026</span></h4> <hr style="width:20%; height: 2px; background: black !important; border: none !important; display:flex; justify-content: center; align-items: center;" /> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); margin-bottom: 11px; text-align: center;"><span style="color:#4e5f70;"><em><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:14px;">For God so loved the world ...</span></span></em><br /> <em><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-style:normal">~ John 3:16 NIV ~</span></span></span></span></em></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width: 100%; padding: 9px 18px 0px;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width:100%; padding:18px;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="min-width: 100%;border-top: 2px none #EAEAEA;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnImageBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnImageBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnImageBlockInner" style="padding:0px" valign="top"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnImageContentContainer" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnImageContent" style="padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-top: 0; padding-bottom: 0; text-align:center;" valign="top"><img align="center" alt="" class="mcnImage" height="300" src="https://sermonillustrator.org/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi/show_img/ill_html/20260501051121/231f3641b7ac7b662467a3df882efa60_Shower-N-Hor.jpg" style="max-width: 500px; padding-bottom: 0px; vertical-align: bottom; border-radius: 0%; width: 350px; display: inline !important; height: 233px;" width="400" /></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width:100%; padding:18px;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="min-width: 100%;border-top: 2px none #EAEAEA;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnBoxedTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnBoxedTextBlockInner" valign="top"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextContentContainer" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="padding-top:9px; padding-left:18px; padding-bottom:9px; padding-right:18px;"> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="min-width: 100% !important;background-color: #FFFFFF;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="padding: 18px;color: #000000;font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size: 16px;font-weight: normal;line-height: 200%;text-align: left;" valign="top"> <p style="padding-left: 15px !important;padding-right: 15px !important;color: #000000;font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size: 16px;font-weight: normal;line-height: 200%;text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color:#2c3e50;"><span style="font-size:18px;">"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16 NIV)<br /> <br /> It was our last morning in Newfoundland. We were in a campground 23 kilometers from Port-aux-Basques (this is where we take the ferry back to the main land), and I awoke feeling refreshed and-ah-a bit smelly! A shower was DEFINITELY in the plan for the morning-that is if I wanted my family to associate with me!<br /> <br /> As I prepared myself for the experience, I suddenly remembered that the campground we were staying at only offered coin-operated showers. Ugh. I had always avoided those in the past. But one more "sniff", and I knew this would have to be the first!<br /> <br /> It only took a few moments for me to adjust the water temperature once I had inserted the coin. Beautiful! A hot shower can feel sooooo good! I rubbed the shampoo into my hair and soaped up the rest of my body. But just as I was getting ready to rinse myself off, the shower stopped from running! Now what? For the briefest of moments, I could see myself, completely covered with suds, running back to the tent trailer for more money. I could hear my wife asking: "How was your shower?" "Well . . ."<br /> <br /> But fortunately, I had anticipated such behavior from a coin-operated shower, and I had an extra 50 cents with me! Once the shower started back up, I had to wait patiently again for the temperature to adjust itself. But finally the water was just perfect for rinsing myself off, when . . . Someone flushed a toilet! Brrrr…<br /> <br /> As I didn't have any other coins with me, I decided not to risk my time allotted water by waiting until it was warm again, and I quickly rinsed myself off with water that felt like it flowed in straight off the North pole.<br /> <br /> The last 30 seconds of my shower were pleasant. Then the water stopped. Just in time, for I heard another shower go on next to mine. Was it time for me to flush the toilet?<br /> <br /> Many people undergo much the same experience I did, except in different areas of their life. Showers of blessings are promised to them, and when they begin to show interest, price tags begin to spring up from unforeseen places.<br /> <br /> "Salvation can be yours. Jesus paid the price for you. Are you interested?"<br /> <br /> "Absolutely."<br /> <br /> "Well, here are the rules you need to abide by…"<br /> <br /> "But I thought salvation was free."<br /> <br /> "Sure it is free. So keep these rules and don't forget to pay your tithes and offerings." (Interestingly, John 3:16 does not say "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever pays his tithes and offerings and abide by manmade rules shall not perish but have eternal life.")<br /> <br /> Why do we offer coin-operated cold showers to those who hunger for showers of blessings? Why do we like to be toilet flushers instead of Good News announcers? Salvation is not based on works, but on what Jesus did for us. It is free to anyone! If behavior needs to be changed, it is the job of God's Spirit to do the persuading, not OUR job!<br /> <br /> Our role as Christians is to proclaim the Good News to anyone for free and to lead a life led by God's Spirit and God's Word. Shouldn't we be the ones inviting others to Jesus free of charge? Didn't He promise: Matt 11:28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.' NIV<br /> <br /> He is the answer, not us!<br /> <br /> Remember; don't flush while someone is taking a shower, especially if it is a shower from the Lord!<br /> <br /> Rob Chaffart<br /> Founder, Answers2Prayer Ministries</span></span></span><br /> </p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width:100%; padding:18px;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="min-width: 100%;border-top: 2px none #EAEAEA;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnBoxedTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnBoxedTextBlockInner" valign="top"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextContentContainer" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="padding-top:9px; padding-left:18px; padding-bottom:9px; padding-right:18px;"> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="min-width: 100% !important;background-color: #FFFFFF;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="padding: 18px;color: #000000;font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size: 16px;font-weight: normal;line-height: 200%;text-align: left;" valign="top"> <h2 class="null" style="padding-left: 15px !important; padding-right: 15px !important; text-align: center;"><span>Announcements</span></h2> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:18px;"><span style="color:#2c3e50;"><span style="font-variant: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">Do you need to be prayed for or do you know someone in need? Don't hesitate to contact us by clicking </span></span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:answertoallprayers@PROTECTED?subject=Prayer%20Request" style="text-decoration:none"><span style="color:#2c3e50;"><span style="font-variant: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:underline"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">here</span></span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="color:#2c3e50;"><span style="font-variant: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">. We are here to pray for you and to offer you encouragements.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width: 100%; padding: 18px 18px 0px;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" data-template-container="" id="templateFooter" valign="top"> <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="templateContainer" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="footerContainer" valign="top"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnCodeBlock" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnTextBlockInner" valign="top"> <div style="text-align: center; font-family:helvetica;"><a href="https://sermonillustrator.org/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi" style="color: white; padding: 20px;">Subscribe</a><a href="https://sermonillustrator.org/" style="color: white; padding: 20px;">Our Devotionals</a><a href="http://sermonillustrator.org/contact/" style="color: white; padding: 20px;">Contact</a></div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width:100%; padding:18px;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="min-width: 100%;border-top: 2px solid #505050;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnTextBlockInner" style="padding-top:9px;" valign="top"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="max-width:100%; min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="padding-top:0; padding-right:18px; padding-bottom:9px; padding-left:18px;" valign="top"><em>Copyright © 2020 Answers2Prayer, All rights reserved.</em><br /> <br /> Want to change how you receive these emails?<br /> You can <a href="" target="_blank">unsubscribe from this list</a>.</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </center> <img src="https://sermonillustrator.org/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi/spacer_image/ill_html///spacer.png" width="1" height="1" alt="" />

Rejoice Until the End

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 02:11:00 GMT

<center> <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" height="100%" id="bodyTable" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="center" id="bodyCell" valign="top"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="center" data-template-container="" id="templateHeader" valign="top"> <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="templateContainer" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="headerContainer" valign="top"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnTextBlockInner" style="padding-top:9px;" valign="top"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="max-width:100%; min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="padding-top:0; padding-right:18px; padding-bottom:9px; padding-left:18px;" valign="top"> <div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color:#FFFFFF"><span style="font-family:merriweather,georgia,times new roman,serif">Welcome To</span></span></div> <h2 class="null" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sermonillustrator.org"><span style="color:#FFFFFF">THE ILLUSTRATOR</span></a></h2> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" data-template-container="" id="templateBody" valign="top"> <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="templateContainer" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="bodyContainer" valign="top"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnBoxedTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnBoxedTextBlockInner" valign="top"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextContentContainer" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="padding-top:9px; padding-left:18px; padding-bottom:9px; padding-right:18px;"> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="min-width: 100% !important;background-color: #FFFFFF;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="padding: 18px; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" valign="top"> <h1 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://sermonillustrator.org/2026/04/28/rejoice-until-the-end/"><font color="#000000">Rejoice Until the End</font></a></h1> <h4 style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:16px;">April 29, 2026</span></h4> <hr style="width:20%; height: 2px; background: black !important; border: none !important; display:flex; justify-content: center; align-items: center;" /> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); margin-bottom: 11px; text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="color:#4e5f70;">...yet I will rejoice in the Lord!</span></span></span></em><br /> <span style="color:#4e5f70;"><em><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-style:normal">~ Habbakuk 3:18 NLT ~</span></span></span></span></em></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width: 100%; padding: 9px 18px 0px;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width:100%; padding:18px;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="min-width: 100%;border-top: 2px none #EAEAEA;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnImageBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnImageBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnImageBlockInner" style="padding:0px" valign="top"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnImageContentContainer" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnImageContent" style="padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-top: 0; padding-bottom: 0; text-align:center;" valign="top"><img align="center" alt="" class="mcnImage" height="300" src="https://sermonillustrator.org/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi/show_img/ill_html/20260429031159/c555dea98697716c746cdd25f115fbbd_Empty-Bench-N.jpg" style="max-width: 500px; padding-bottom: 0px; vertical-align: bottom; border-radius: 0%; width: 350px; display: inline !important; height: 233px;" width="400" /></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width:100%; padding:18px;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="min-width: 100%;border-top: 2px none #EAEAEA;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnBoxedTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnBoxedTextBlockInner" valign="top"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextContentContainer" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="padding-top:9px; padding-left:18px; padding-bottom:9px; padding-right:18px;"> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="min-width: 100% !important;background-color: #FFFFFF;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="padding: 18px;color: #000000;font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size: 16px;font-weight: normal;line-height: 200%;text-align: left;" valign="top"> <p style="padding-left: 15px !important;padding-right: 15px !important;color: #000000;font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size: 16px;font-weight: normal;line-height: 200%;text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:18px;"><span style="color:#2c3e50;">"Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord!" (Habakkuk 3:17–18 NLT)<br /> <br /> He rejoiced until the end.<br /> <br /> He was a dying breed. When I began pastoring the church in which he was a member, we had three World War 2 veterans. But time and bad health had taken their toll. One after another, </span><a><span style="color:#2c3e50;">both of the others</span></a><span style="color:#2c3e50;"> had died. Now, he </span><a><span style="color:#2c3e50;">remained</span></a><span style="color:#2c3e50;"> as our only relic of a time </span><a><span style="color:#2c3e50;">representing</span></a><span style="color:#2c3e50;"> ancient history for many.<br /> <br /> His mind remained sharp, but his body couldn’t keep pace. Pneumonia plagued him. It seemed he recuperated from one bout only to have another pounce on him quickly.<br /> <br /> The Christmas season before his death turned sour for him. While at a local restaurant, my wife and I had seen him and the daughter who had lived with him for the past seven years. He looked bad.<br /> <br /> Not long after, the daughter called to let me know her father was in the hospital with pneumonia. A few days later, she called again to say they were moving him to a rehab center. The pneumonia had left him so weak he could not walk without help. After another few days, she called again to say he was back in the hospital. This time, he never left.<br /> <br /> But on the night before his death, the daughter stopped by our house. Her father wanted her to drop off a few things. One, his tithes. Two, a reminder to put our annual academic scholarship announcement in the bulletin. The following day, he was gone. He rejoiced in serving God through his local church until the day of his death.<br /> <br /> Habakkuk lived in a grim time. God’s people were disobeying God and suffering the ill effects of God’s discipline. Yet, amid dire situations, the prophet rejoiced. He knew God was also a God of mercy and grace.<br /> <br /> We can rejoice no matter our circumstances—financial strains, health setbacks, emotional battles. Our God reigns. Our God is sovereign. He is just and will do the right thing.<br /> <br /> Tears flowed at the veteran’s funeral, but the smiles overpowered them as friends and family relived good memories of one who rejoiced through what many might consider a hard life. The war in and of itself was enough.<br /> <br /> Ask God to show you how to rejoice no matter your circumstances. Father, help me to rejoice through all circumstances as I serve you.<br /> <br /> Martin Wiles</span></span></span><br /> </p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width:100%; padding:18px;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="min-width: 100%;border-top: 2px none #EAEAEA;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnBoxedTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnBoxedTextBlockInner" valign="top"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextContentContainer" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="padding-top:9px; padding-left:18px; padding-bottom:9px; padding-right:18px;"> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="min-width: 100% !important;background-color: #FFFFFF;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="padding: 18px;color: #000000;font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size: 16px;font-weight: normal;line-height: 200%;text-align: left;" valign="top"> <h2 class="null" style="padding-left: 15px !important; padding-right: 15px !important; text-align: center;"><span>Announcements</span></h2> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:18px;"><span style="color:#2c3e50;"><span style="font-variant: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">Do you have a prayer request? Do you know someone who needs to be prayed for? Prayer works! The Bible confirms this in James 5:16: "The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” (NIV) Send your prayer request </span></span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:answertoallprayers@PROTECTED" style="text-decoration:none"><span style="color:#2c3e50;"><span style="font-variant: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:underline"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">here</span></span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="color:#2c3e50;"><span style="font-variant: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">, or through What'sApp to this number: +91 98696 68137, and let us pray in agreement with you! "For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” (Matt 18:20 NIV) Hallelujah!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width: 100%; padding: 18px 18px 0px;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" data-template-container="" id="templateFooter" valign="top"> <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="templateContainer" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="footerContainer" valign="top"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnCodeBlock" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnTextBlockInner" valign="top"> <div style="text-align: center; font-family:helvetica;"><a href="https://sermonillustrator.org/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi" style="color: white; padding: 20px;">Subscribe</a><a href="https://sermonillustrator.org/" style="color: white; padding: 20px;">Our Devotionals</a><a href="http://sermonillustrator.org/contact/" style="color: white; padding: 20px;">Contact</a></div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width:100%; padding:18px;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="min-width: 100%;border-top: 2px solid #505050;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnTextBlockInner" style="padding-top:9px;" valign="top"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="max-width:100%; min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="padding-top:0; padding-right:18px; padding-bottom:9px; padding-left:18px;" valign="top"><em>Copyright © 2020 Answers2Prayer, All rights reserved.</em><br /> <br /> Want to change how you receive these emails?<br /> You can <a href="" target="_blank">unsubscribe from this list</a>.</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </center> <img src="https://sermonillustrator.org/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi/spacer_image/ill_html///spacer.png" width="1" height="1" alt="" />

When You Possess This, Miracles Are in the Making

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 04:29:00 GMT

<center> <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" height="100%" id="bodyTable" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="center" id="bodyCell" valign="top"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="center" data-template-container="" id="templateHeader" valign="top"> <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="templateContainer" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="headerContainer" valign="top"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnTextBlockInner" style="padding-top:9px;" valign="top"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="max-width:100%; min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="padding-top:0; padding-right:18px; padding-bottom:9px; padding-left:18px;" valign="top"> <div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color:#FFFFFF"><span style="font-family:merriweather,georgia,times new roman,serif">Welcome To</span></span></div> <h2 class="null" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sermonillustrator.org"><span style="color:#FFFFFF">THE ILLUSTRATOR</span></a></h2> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" data-template-container="" id="templateBody" valign="top"> <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="templateContainer" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="bodyContainer" valign="top"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnBoxedTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnBoxedTextBlockInner" valign="top"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextContentContainer" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="padding-top:9px; padding-left:18px; padding-bottom:9px; padding-right:18px;"> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="min-width: 100% !important;background-color: #FFFFFF;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="padding: 18px; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" valign="top"> <h1 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://sermonillustrator.org/2026/04/26/when-you-possess-this-miracles-are-in-the-making/"><font color="#000000">When You Possess This, Miracles Are in the Making</font></a></h1> <h4 style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:16px;">April 27, 2026</span></h4> <hr style="width:20%; height: 2px; background: black !important; border: none !important; display:flex; justify-content: center; align-items: center;" /> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); margin-bottom: 11px; text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="color:#4e5f70;">Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.</span></span></span></em><br /> <span style="color:#4e5f70;"><em><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-style:normal">~ 1 Thess. 5:17-19 NIV ~</span></span></span></span></em></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width: 100%; padding: 9px 18px 0px;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width:100%; padding:18px;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="min-width: 100%;border-top: 2px none #EAEAEA;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnImageBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnImageBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnImageBlockInner" style="padding:0px" valign="top"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnImageContentContainer" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnImageContent" style="padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-top: 0; padding-bottom: 0; text-align:center;" valign="top"><img align="center" alt="" class="mcnImage" height="267" src="https://sermonillustrator.org/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi/show_img/ill_html/20260427052941/4de367d76d7d4b32acf3dc9a7caba6d1_Dinner-Table-N.jpg" style="max-width: 500px; padding-bottom: 0px; vertical-align: bottom; border-radius: 0%; width: 350px; display: inline !important; height: 233px;" width="400" /></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width:100%; padding:18px;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="min-width: 100%;border-top: 2px none #EAEAEA;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnBoxedTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnBoxedTextBlockInner" valign="top"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextContentContainer" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="padding-top:9px; padding-left:18px; padding-bottom:9px; padding-right:18px;"> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="min-width: 100% !important;background-color: #FFFFFF;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="padding: 18px;color: #000000;font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size: 16px;font-weight: normal;line-height: 200%;text-align: left;" valign="top"> <p style="padding-left: 15px !important;padding-right: 15px !important;color: #000000;font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size: 16px;font-weight: normal;line-height: 200%;text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:18px;"><span style="color:#2c3e50;">My ten-year-old grandson got up from the dinner table, walked over to me, and tapped my shoulder. “Nana, thank you. I love the noodles you made. But next time can you put a little less salt. I’ll still eat them, but I’m just telling you for next time, okay?”<br data-rich-text-line-break="true" /> <br data-rich-text-line-break="true" /> I gave him a tight hug. “So sorry,” I said, “it’s not what you expected.”<br data-rich-text-line-break="true" /> <br data-rich-text-line-break="true" /> His heart of gratitude touched me. He could’ve complained and refuse to eat it, but he chose to thank me anyway and eat salty noodles.<br data-rich-text-line-break="true" /> <br data-rich-text-line-break="true" /> That night I put my head on the pillow of shame. Unlike my grandson, if I didn’t receive from God what I expected, or not in my own timing, disappointment set in. And a sense of discouragement took the place of contentment.<br data-rich-text-line-break="true" /> <br data-rich-text-line-break="true" /> <strong>Sadly, that discontentment is popular today.</strong><br data-rich-text-line-break="true" /> <br data-rich-text-line-break="true" /> We have expectations and wait for God to serve the answer in the way we anticipate. And when that doesn’t happen, we wonder why. We question our faith, and our once complete trust in God isn’t complete anymore.<br data-rich-text-line-break="true" /> <br data-rich-text-line-break="true" /> But God sees the full picture, including our sense of disappointment. What He’s looking is for gratitude for even little things. He’s expecting praises in everything. And He’s more direct in 1 Thessalonians 5<strong>:</strong>16-17 when He says,<sup> “</sup>Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” (NIV)<br data-rich-text-line-break="true" /> <br data-rich-text-line-break="true" /> <strong>Give thanks in all circumstances?</strong><br data-rich-text-line-break="true" /> <br data-rich-text-line-break="true" /> Even when we’re still in the same sorry situation, with no change for the better or with no solution either? God says <em>yes</em>. Consider if these prominent folks in the bible displayed discontentment:<br data-rich-text-line-break="true" /> <br data-rich-text-line-break="true" /> * What if Abraham became disappointed when God asked him to sacrifice his son? He would have missed his calling to be the father of many nations.<br data-rich-text-line-break="true" /> <br data-rich-text-line-break="true" /> * What if Moses allowed his weakness to diminish his trust in God? He would have missed his role to be the instrument to set the Israelites free.<br data-rich-text-line-break="true" /> <br data-rich-text-line-break="true" /> * What if David focused only on the punishment for his sin and failed to praise God for His forgiveness and redemptive love? He would have remained a <em>poor me sinner</em> relegated to obscurity.<br data-rich-text-line-break="true" /> <br data-rich-text-line-break="true" /> * What if Noah would have succumbed to the ridicule of the people and stopped the building of the arc? He and his family would have also drowned.<br data-rich-text-line-break="true" /> <br data-rich-text-line-break="true" /> * What if fear and disappointment would have filled Paul during the episodes where he was beaten, tossed out, and imprisoned? He would not have seen the world around him turn to Jesus.<br data-rich-text-line-break="true" /> <br data-rich-text-line-break="true" /> <strong>You and I are no different.</strong><br data-rich-text-line-break="true" /> <br data-rich-text-line-break="true" /> God sometimes gives direction for our journey but doesn’t reveal the reason for each stop. At times, God provides only small amounts of success to test our character. And sometimes, God brings about an answer contrary to what we asked to test our trust in Him.<br data-rich-text-line-break="true" /> <br data-rich-text-line-break="true" /> No matter how many plates of salty noodles the world serves you, the test is on. Will you praise Him for what God has done? Will you thank Him for what He’s doing? And will you be bold enough to praise Him for what you know He will do?<br data-rich-text-line-break="true" /> <br data-rich-text-line-break="true" /> If the answer is yes, then you’ll find how miracles come wrapped in gratitude.<br data-rich-text-line-break="true" /> <br data-rich-text-line-break="true" /> Let's Pray: Father, I thank you for your patience when I fail to trust in You completely. I praise You for forgiving me when I fail to thank You through all the stages of my journey.<br data-rich-text-line-break="true" /> <br data-rich-text-line-break="true" /> In Jesus’ name. Amen.<br data-rich-text-line-break="true" /> <em>What miracles will your gratitude bring?</em></span><br data-rich-text-line-break="true" /> <br data-rich-text-line-break="true" /> <a href="https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/the-unexpected-answers-of-god" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank"><span style="color:#2c3e50;"><strong>Bonus article</strong></span></a><span style="color:#2c3e50;"> on today’s topic.<br data-rich-text-line-break="true" /> <br data-rich-text-line-break="true" /> Janet P. Eckles</span></span></span><br /> </p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width:100%; padding:18px;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="min-width: 100%;border-top: 2px none #EAEAEA;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnBoxedTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnBoxedTextBlockInner" valign="top"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextContentContainer" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="padding-top:9px; padding-left:18px; padding-bottom:9px; padding-right:18px;"> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="min-width: 100% !important;background-color: #FFFFFF;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="padding: 18px;color: #000000;font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size: 16px;font-weight: normal;line-height: 200%;text-align: left;" valign="top"> <h2 class="null" style="padding-left: 15px !important; padding-right: 15px !important; text-align: center;"><span>Announcements</span></h2> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:18px;"><span style="color:#2c3e50;"><span style="font-variant: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">Do you know any Instagram fans? Why not invite them to follow Answers2Prayer on Instagram? This is their opportunity to discover that our Heavenly Father truly cares for them, and that Jesus is not only their Saviour but their friend as well! </span></span></span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-variant: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">The Illustrator and the Nugget have joined forces and are now on Instagram under the name Answers2Prayer. This group is dedicated to bringing people closer to our loving God through daily thought-provoking devotionals and inspirational stories.</span></span></span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-variant: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">As always, this is a free. Our goal is to help your friends and family make Jesus their focus!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width: 100%; padding: 18px 18px 0px;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" data-template-container="" id="templateFooter" valign="top"> <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="templateContainer" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="footerContainer" valign="top"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnCodeBlock" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnTextBlockInner" valign="top"> <div style="text-align: center; font-family:helvetica;"><a href="https://sermonillustrator.org/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi" style="color: white; padding: 20px;">Subscribe</a><a href="https://sermonillustrator.org/" style="color: white; padding: 20px;">Our Devotionals</a><a href="http://sermonillustrator.org/contact/" style="color: white; padding: 20px;">Contact</a></div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width:100%; padding:18px;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="min-width: 100%;border-top: 2px solid #505050;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextBlock" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnTextBlockInner" style="padding-top:9px;" valign="top"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="max-width:100%; min-width:100%;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="padding-top:0; padding-right:18px; padding-bottom:9px; padding-left:18px;" valign="top"><em>Copyright © 2020 Answers2Prayer, All rights reserved.</em><br /> <br /> Want to change how you receive these emails?<br /> You can <a href="" target="_blank">unsubscribe from this list</a>.</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </center> <img src="https://sermonillustrator.org/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi/spacer_image/ill_html///spacer.png" width="1" height="1" alt="" />