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Know What You Are For

Gospel Sacrifice Commitment

Source: KNOW WHAT YOU'RE FOR by Jeff Henderson

Link to Source: Click here to view source

Contributed By: Marcelle Smith | Date Posted: 2023-06-22

Scripture: Romans 14:8 ; Romans 14:8

Author: Marcelle Smith
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ILLUSTRATION

Jeff Henderson, in his book Know What You’re For, tells a story of when he received such a gift; a surprise.

He was driving around town with a billionaire. He had never driven around a billionaire before. He found himself driving slower, more cautiously. Hands at ten and two. Eyes on the road.

His passenger was Truett Cathy, founder of Chick-fil-A, the inventor of the famed chicken sandwich, and at that time, Henderson’s boss’ boss. He was driving Mr. Cathy to a speaking engagement in a white Ford with cow spots on it. As others passed the only cow-spotted car driving down the road, they gave them a wave or a smile.

The gift — the surprise — was the conversation he and Mr. Cathay enjoyed. Henderson was surprised that Mr. Cathy conversed with him at all, much less having many questions to ask him.

Once Cathy started talking, Henderson expected he would discuss sales or chicken. But instead he took a great interest in Henderson. He asked about his wife, his children, his parents. Then, they discussed parenting and how to be great husbands. They didn't talk about sales goals or chicken sandwiches. Instead, they talked about things of permanence. 

Henderson drove slower, wanting to relish the moment.

These are moments — gifts — we may not recognize at the time. Moments that take their time. They quietly make their way through the crowded thoughts, experiences, and memories in our brain, and before we know it, they’re standing beside us.

At some point, we turn and recognize how these moments became a memory and how it has been shaping us the whole time.

The car ride and conversation with Truett Cathy was one such moment for Jeff Henderson. A seed was planted as Henderson realized Truett Cathy was "for" him. He was more interested in what he could do for Henderson than what Henderson could do for him.

APPLICATION

This is the message of the Good News. Jesus — second Person of the Divine Trinity; Lord of the Universe — was born, lived, died, was resurrected, and ascended to Heaven, and will come back, all for us! His interests and concerns are not for Himself; they are for us. His mission wasn't for Himself; it was for us. Jesus is for us! 

Since we know He is for us, let us live each day for Him!

"For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's" (Romans 14:8, ESV).

The Dignity of Work

Work Commitment Dedication

Source: CNN

Link to Source: Click here to view source

Contributed By: Charles Krieg | Date Posted: 2018-12-31

Scripture: Genesis 2:15 ; Colossians 3:23

Author: Charles Krieg
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ILLUSTRATION

CNN reports that Geoffrey Owens "has found a silver lining after being thrust into the spotlight for simply doing his job." Owens, who played Elvin Tibideaux on "The Cosby Show" was recently photographed bagging groceries at a New Jersey Trader Joe's.

"I got to the point that I needed to take a job to pay my bills, to support my family, it was basically that," Owens said.  Owens income took a hit after reruns of "The Cosby Show" were pulled due to Cosby's conviction of sexual assault last spring.

"I lost a lot of money from that," Owens said. "I don't feel sorry for myself about that. But the fact is that was another contributing factor, along with everything else everyone has to deal with -- medical bills, car issues, kids in college, you name it.

"What I hope continues to resonate is the idea that one job is not better than another," Owens said. "A certain job might pay more, it might have better benefits, it might look better on paper, but that essentially one kind of work isn't better than another kind of work, that we reevaluate that whole idea and we start honoring the dignity of work and the dignity of the working person."

APPLICATION

I recall the story of two men who were discussing the TV programs they had watched the previous evening. One man mentioned his remote control device, which he used to change channels from his easy chair. “That is one luxury I can get along without,” said the other man. He continued:  “It’s a sad day when I get so lazy that I can’t tell my wife or daughter to get up and change the channel.” ​

It is Scripture that reminds us of the dignity of work and the dignity of the working person.  In the very first book of Scripture, Genesis, we read: “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and keep it" (Genesis 2:15).   Paul, in his letter to the Colossians, tells us “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters" (Colossians 3:23).

A Commitment Is A Commitment

Marriage Commitment Character

Source: "Ex-wife's revenge on alleged bigamist," THE LOCAL AT, Published: 26 Sep 2015 11:56 GMT+02:00

Link to Source: Click here to view source

Contributed By: Illustration Exchange | Date Posted: 2015-10-29

Scripture: Matthew 5:37 ; Ecclesiastes 5:2

Author: Illustration Exchange
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ILLUSTRATION

The Kronen Zeitung newspaper reports the following story of a man who was taken to court by an old girlfriend for bigamy 11 years after they married “on a whim” in a Las Vegas chapel:

The man took his girlfriend to Las Vegas in 2004, and while touring the city they decided spontaneously to tie the knot at a White Wedding Chapel.

"It cost $25.  There was a Reverend who asked us only the question 'Do you believe in God?' That's it," said the man.  Neither of them took the ceremony seriously at the time, and their relationship broke up a short time later.

Eleven years later, the now 55-year-old man had married another woman, and when registering the marriage, failed to mention the previous ceremony, considering it more of a joke than a real commitment.

Unfortunately, his not quite ex-wife caught wind of his new marriage, and decided to inform the authorities that the man was still married at the time of his second wedding.  As a result, he was called this week to face a judge in the Regional Court of Wiener Neustadt.

When the judge asked the man why he didn’t mention the Vegas wedding in the registration process he said, "I felt that I was not married. I didn't think that the ceremony in Vegas had legal validity in Austria."

Despite this excuse, he was found guilty of bigamy and fined 5,000 euros.

APPLICATION

How many promises and commitments have you taken too lightly? The moral of this story is this: A commitment is a commitment no matter how small. 

“Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil” (Matthew 5:37, ESV).

“Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few” (Ecclesiastes 5:2).

Heaven binds us to our commitments.

Puppy Love

Commitment Love (Uncondtional) Relationships

Contributed By: Illustration Exchange | Date Posted: 2015-09-26

Scripture: Romans 12:9

Author: Illustration Exchange
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Championship Fathering

Fatherhood Commitment Accountability

Contributed By: Illustration Exchange | Date Posted: 2015-08-09

Scripture: Joshua 24:15

Author: Illustration Exchange
5

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The Hesitant Bride

Jesus' Love Weddings Commitment

Contributed By: Thomas Bevers | Date Posted: 2015-07-14

Scripture: Revelation 19:7

Author: Thomas Bevers
9

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The Cost of the Big Game

Discipleship Commitment Adversity

Contributed By: Kenneth Sullivan | Date Posted: 2015-06-30

Scripture: Luke 14:25

Author: Kenneth Sullivan
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No Reserves, No Retreats, No Regrets

Missions Commitment Servanthood

Contributed By: Illustration Exchange | Date Posted: 2015-05-12

Scripture: Romans 12:1

Author: Howard Culbertson
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Discipleship is Costly

Discipleship Commitment Salvation

Contributed By: John Wilson | Date Posted: 2015-01-22

Scripture: Luke 14:26

Author: Creation House
8

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Talking Turkey About Commitment

Commitment Generosity Sacrifice

Contributed By: Illustration Exchange | Date Posted: 2014-03-29

Author: Illustration Exchange
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