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Be A Pest

Prayer Persistence Faith

Source: Bartlett’s Book of Anecdotes, page 375

Contributed By: Charles Krieg | Date Posted: 2017-08-11

Scripture: Matthew 15:28 ; Luke 18:1

Author: Charles Krieg
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ILLUSTRATION

Some of us, especially we older people, remember the Marx Brothers, Chico, Groucho and Harpo.  On a visit to New York, Harpo Marx was bombarded by requests from various charities to appear at their benefits. After one particularly persistent woman had called him a dozen times in two days, Harpo reluctantly agreed to appear at an event for her charity. She offered to personally escort him to the event. As they were leaving Harpo's hotel room, the telephone began to ring. "Don't you want to go back and answer it?" she asked. "Why bother?" Harpo replied wearily. "It's undoubtedly you again."

APPLICATION

A Canaanite woman begged Jesus to cure her daughter, who she believed was troubled by a demon.  Jesus seems to ignore her plea. But she doesn’t give up. She keeps asking Jesus for his help.  Finally, due to her persistence, Jesus cured her daughter.

We should be like the woman who pestered Jesus.  We should be like the woman who pestered Harpo Marx. I remember a friend of mine always saying: "Pray like a pest. Give Jesus no rest!”   

"Then Jesus said to her, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." And her daughter was healed at that moment" (Matthew 15:28). 

Overcoming The Past

Persistence Courage Faith

Source: The Howe Herald

Contributed By: John Fitts | Date Posted: 2014-08-23

Scripture: Philippians 3:13

Author: Jim Donovan
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ILLUSTRATION

Backstage at the circus, motivational speaker Jim Donovan noticed that the elephants were kept in place by nothing stronger than a thin rope that tied one leg to a stake in the ground. Puzzled, Donovan asked one of the trainers what prevented these powerful animals from just snapping the rope and running away.

The answer? Raised in captivity, the animals are held like that from an early age when they're much smaller and weaker. They get so accustomed to the fact that they can't break the rope that they eventually quit trying. When they're full grown, they never attempt to pull themselves free.

APPLICATION

Like the elephants, how many of us go through life hanging on to a belief that we cannot do something simply because we failed at it before. Have you avoided trying something new because of a limiting belief? Worse, how many of us are being held back by someone else's limiting beliefs?

Don't let yourself be held prisoner by beliefs and expectations that are no longer true—if they ever were.

"No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it,but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead" (Philippians 3:13).

You're Dream's Not Dead

Dreams Perseverance Persistence

Link to Source: Click here to view source

Contributed By: Andrew Francis | Date Posted: 2013-09-27

Scripture: Philippians 1:6

Author: Dr. Trevor O'Reggio
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ILLUSTRATION

If you feel discouraged, remember the story of Dian Nyad. Here is a 64 year old woman who attempted to swim from Cuba to the US (103 miles) on several occasions, but failed. She first tried when she was 28 but today she conquered this incredible feat after 53 hours and 103 miles. This had never been done before without ...a protective shark cage, and yes she did it at age 64.

APPLICATION

Her message to all of is:
1. One should never ever give up. (You have only completely failed if you completley quit)
2. You are never too old to chase your dreams. (Dreams point to a future point in your life. If you're breathing you've still got life)
3. It looks like a solitary sport, but it takes a team. (On your journey you may never know the unseen dangers God protected you from along the way.

So whoever you are out there, living with a deferred dream, awake yourself, get busy, fulfill that dream and inspire others.

 

A Donkey In The Well

Persistence Victory Obstacles

Contributed By: Barnett Gushin | Date Posted: 2012-11-29

Author: unknown
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Ask the Father

Prayer Persistence Humility

Contributed By: Victor Lane | Date Posted: 2012-10-24

Scripture: Romans 8:15

Author: Victor Lane
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Study Finds Fathers Instill Hope and Persistence

Fatherhood Hope Persistence

Contributed By: Illustration Exchange | Date Posted: 2012-06-30

Scripture: Psalms 34:15 ; 1 John 3:1

Author: Illustration Exchange
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Fasting - It's All the Rage

Fasting Faithfulness Spiritual Health

Contributed By: Marcelle Smith | Date Posted: 2024-02-18

Scripture: Joel 2:12 ; Ezra 8:23

Author: Marcelle Smith
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Don't Throw In The Towel (Errr, The Sock)

Compromise (Convictions) Faithfulness Trials

Contributed By: Mark Green | Date Posted: 2023-09-26

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:58 ; 1 Corinthians 16:13

Author: Mark Green / Illustration Exchange
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Run the Race

Endurance Preparation Faithfulness

Contributed By: Illustration Exchange | Date Posted: 2023-08-11

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24 ; 2 Timothy 4:7

Author: Illustration Exchange
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Know What You Are For

Gospel Sacrifice Commitment

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

Scripture: Romans 14:8 ; Romans 14:8

Author: Marcelle Smith
1

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