…God Intends Goodwill To Men

Bad news bombards us every day. Earthquakes hit, unemployment spikes, children suffer, terrorists kill…the list is long. But the Bible is full of good news. Let’s take this week to be reminded.

The Christmas story is replete with beautiful and meaningful details, some obvious, some obscure and some so simple we may overlook. Consider the angel’s announcement to the shepherds. The scene starts with one angel telling the men: “Don’t be afraid,... ]]> feeds@kickapps.com (TBONE61) http://godsmercy.net/topic/2279 Tue, 09 Mar 2010 06:01:37 PST http://godsmercy.net/topic/2268/t/The-Belief-In-Heaven.html Revelation 21:3-4

The Belief In Heaven

We have been made for eternity. Jesus understood that when, on the night before the cross, He assured His depressed disciples that He was returning to heaven to make preparation for our entrance there (John14:1-2). Renowned professor Adolph von Harnack said, “Christ’s grave was the birthplace of an indestructible belief that death is vanquished and there is life eternal.”

The way to heaven is as narrow as the cross. I know 2 things about me: First, I deserve to spend eternity in hell because of my transgressions of God; and second, I’m going to heaven because of what Christ did for me at Calvary. None of us have any other hope for entering the real place called Heaven, other than through the Savior.

FOR TODAY: feeds@kickapps.com (TBONE61) http://godsmercy.net/topic/2268 Fri, 05 Mar 2010 08:42:32 PST http://godsmercy.net/topic/2266/t/The-Belief-In-The-Resurrection.html Acts 1:3

The Belief in the Resurrection

Since the beginning of time, humans have grappled with the big question voiced by Job: “If a man dies, shall he live again?” (14:14). Plato asked the same thing, as did Lincoln and Napoleon. The answer is yes! Christ’s resurrection makes it possible for us to eternally live with Him. The tombs of Mohammed, Buddha and Confucius are occupied, but the tomb of Christ is empty. It couldn’t contain Him. He overcame death, just as the prophets predicted! That historical event rocked the world, paralyzed His enemies and gives us the assurance of our resurrection. Yes, after we die we will live again.

FOR TODAY: Prayerfully thank God three times for eternal life.
http://godsmercy.net/topic/2266 Thu, 04 Mar 2010 05:19:01 PST http://godsmercy.net/topic/2262/t/The-Belief-In-Christ.html Colossians 2:9

The Belief In Christ

Christianity is the only world religion based on history. The evidence for Jesus Christ is absolutely overwhelming. Equally overwhelming and unique is who He said He is: The Way, The Truth and The Life. No one ever spoke like Him and no one ever did the things He did. The great struggle is to make a decision about Jesus. As C.S. Lewis said, “Jesus was a lunatic, a liar or the Lord.” All must choose which.

Lord Byron said, “If ever a man was God or God man, Jesus Christ was both.” Charles Dickens also understood who Christ was: “I commit my soul to the mercy of God, through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.” Everyone who ever lived will someday confess who Jesus is.

FOR TODAY: Read Colossians 2 and... ]]> feeds@kickapps.com (TBONE61) http://godsmercy.net/topic/2262 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 06:42:42 PST http://godsmercy.net/topic/2258/t/The-Belief-In-The-Bible.html 2 Timothy 3:16-17


The Belief In The Bible

The Bible is unquestionably the world’s all-time bestseller, with countless millions in print. Written in 3 languages, it acts as a means for God to reveal Himself to His people.

But what about Bible accuracy? There are 5,000 ancient Greek copies of the New Testament and 10,000 in other ancient languages. Compare that to the 2nd best preserved literary work of antiquity, Homer’s Iliad, which has 643! Add the countless archaeological findings that prove the accuracy of the Bible, including The Dead Sea Scrolls which repeatedly verify the Bible’s credibility. Then there is fulfilled prophecy: 2,500 prophecies are in the Bible. 2,000 have been fulfilled to the letter. The probability of that is less than 1 in 2 million!


http://godsmercy.net/topic/2258 Tue, 02 Mar 2010 05:36:29 PST http://godsmercy.net/topic/2253/t/The-Belief-In-God.html In an age that embraces a variety of belief systems, this week we are going to look at some tenets of Christianity.

Psalm 53:1

The Belief In God

Current bestsellers try to marginalize God or totally deny His existence. That raises life’s biggest question: Are we created by a great Creator to whom we are responsible, or are we only a highly evolved animal? Ironically, if people are taught they are nothing more than animals they will eventually act like animals.

The psalmist summed up those that deny God: Fools. The realization that we are created by God will shape our life’s purpose. Yet believing in Him is not enough. It is necessary to repent of violating His holy standard and to accept the atoning death of God – in the Person of Jesus Christ. All will face God in the future, either... ]]> feeds@kickapps.com (TBONE61) http://godsmercy.net/topic/2253 Mon, 01 Mar 2010 14:19:33 PST http://godsmercy.net/topic/2248/t/Turn-Your-Eyes-On-People.html John 13:4-8

Turn Your Eyes On People

Our Lord had a towel and a container of water. That's all. He placed his bare hands on soiled people---making personal contact. This job was usually done by the one who was the lowest of all servants. People wore sandals in those days and rode on donkeys. Their feet were dirty! The twelve of them were waiting in line for their feet to be washed ...until he came to Peter. "You'll never wash my feet," he said... but the Lord told him unless he accepted the cleansing, he would have no part in Him. Then, peter changed his min. "Wash me all over, Lord!" he exclaimed. Our Lord had turned His eyes onto those who needed cleansing. We are privileged to follow His example.

FOR TODAY: http://godsmercy.net/topic/2248 Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:01:06 PST http://godsmercy.net/topic/2245/t/Turn-Your-Eyes-Onto-Service.html John 13:4-5

Turn Your Eyes Onto Service

Our Lord was guest of honor, yet He wrapped a towel around Himself and poured water into a bowl. he had seen His disciples need, and He would meet it. How many opportunities have we missed because we didn't see areas in which we could have served. We were too busy looking out for #1. The challenge to us is to reorder our thinking, establish a pattern of service, develop a track record, and establish a new thought process. However, if all you can do is pray for others, then that will be enough for you. For I'm convinced that when rewards are given out by our Lord in eternity, some will go to those whom we never knew were faithful.

FOR TODAY: http://godsmercy.net/topic/2245 Thu, 25 Feb 2010 17:41:06 PST http://godsmercy.net/topic/2241/t/What-Does-It-Mean-To-Be-A-Servant.html Mark 9:35 ; John 13:1-18

What Does It Mean To Be A Servant

Giving instead of getting is what it means! Our Lord emphasized over and over that we should be servants. On the night before He was to be crucified, He prepared His disciples for the mission ahead. What He was most concerned with that night was that they serve one another after He was gone. If they were to do so, they would have to give up some comforts. But, had not He done the same? Our Lord left behind a place of privilege with the Father in Glory to take on the role of a servant. We have it easy today compared to the life of the disciples. but remember, "to whom much is given, much is required." Serving others takes time and money, but the rewards are eternal.

http://godsmercy.net/topic/2241 Wed, 24 Feb 2010 18:11:30 PST http://godsmercy.net/topic/2237/t/Turn-Your-Eyes-Away-From-Yourself.html Matthew 16:24-27, I John 3:1-3 , Mark 8:35

Turn Your Eyes Away From Yourself

My built in pride tells me it's so, but really it's not all about me. Our Lord asks me to deny myself and follow Him. We call ourselves "human beings" but we Christians should be known as "human-becoming!" We are works in progress and I'm glad I'm not what I use to be; and I am not going to be what I am now for all eternity. In denying ourselves, we put off the old man and put on the new, so that when it's all said and done, we'll be Christlike. He will gradually replace "us" with "Him" as we lose ourselves in the process. Giving up our life is sometimes difficult and painful but we should welcome the change it brings. It's worth it.

FOR TODAY: http://godsmercy.net/topic/2237 Tue, 23 Feb 2010 05:41:28 PST http://godsmercy.net/topic/2234/t/Getting-Instead-Of-Giving.html Proverbs 15:27 ; Acts 30:35

Getting Instead Of Giving

"He who is greedy . . . troubles his own house," warned one of the wisest man who ever lived. And puts clearly; "It is more blessed to give than receive." There seems to be rooted in the carnal nature of man a need to be on the receiving end. We default to believing that there is more blessing in getting than in giving. If that describes us, then we should ask our Lord to reprogram our minds. We must not permit our carnal natures to convince us to take as much as we can, as quickly as we can! Our Lord emphasized over and over that we are to be givers/servers of others. God's blessings then comes to both the giver and the receiver.

FOR TODAY: "If we... ]]> feeds@kickapps.com (TBONE61) http://godsmercy.net/topic/2234 Mon, 22 Feb 2010 05:33:43 PST http://godsmercy.net/topic/2224/t/Pass-It-On.html II Cor. 1:1-11

Pass It On

One of God’s greatest uses of difficulties in our lives is to equip us to help others who will suffer. Today’s text teaches us that God allows suffering, then He comforts and helps us so that we can then take that same kind of comfort and pass it on to others who are suffering. So, sometimes, going through difficulties is actually ministry-training! God is helping us to know what it is like to suffer so that we can understand and care for others during their times of hardship.

So, whenever you are struggling in some valley, take note of the things that God teaches you, the Scriptures that become precious, etc., and be ready to share them with someone else near you who is struggling. You will soon be rejoicing that God took you through that valley as He uses you to lead someone else through it. feeds@kickapps.com (TBONE61) http://godsmercy.net/topic/2224 Fri, 19 Feb 2010 06:18:31 PST http://godsmercy.net/topic/2221/t/Time-For-A-Heavenly-Spanking-.html Hebrews 12:5-11 and Psalm 32:1-5

Time For A Heavenly Spanking?

Our Heavenly Father loves us enough that He promises not to let us get away with wandering astray. He will chastise or spank us to correct our behavior and to restore us to close fellowship with Him. David and Jonah are two Bible characters who found this to be true. God assures us that when He spanks us, it will not be a pleasant experience but a painful one, but that afterward it will produce fresh fruit of holiness and godliness in our lives.

Whenever we find ourselves going through difficult trials it may be helpful to take time to examine our lives to see if we have strayed at all from God’s will for us. Then we must confess and forsake it and return to that close walk with God.

FOR... ]]> feeds@kickapps.com (TBONE61) http://godsmercy.net/topic/2221 Thu, 18 Feb 2010 06:05:06 PST http://godsmercy.net/topic/2216/t/Rescue-The-Perishing-.html Acts 16:16-34 & Philippians 1:12-14

Rescue The Perishing!

In the early days of their church planting efforts in Philippi, Paul and Silas saw the Lord save Lydia and her family and deliver a demonically-possessed slave girl. Then they were suddenly falsely accused, dragged into court, stripped and beaten with many lashes and then thrown into prison, their legs uncomfortably confined in the stocks. Why would God let this happen? It made no sense!

But as the story continues it becomes clear that God intended to save a jailor and his whole family and so He positioned Paul and Silas in that man’s prison in order to reach him. And as Paul and Silas rejoiced and sang praise to God, God did His marvelous work.

FOR TODAY: http://godsmercy.net/topic/2216 Wed, 17 Feb 2010 05:24:01 PST http://godsmercy.net/topic/2213/t/Humble-Pie.html II Cor. 12:7-10 and I Peter 5:5-7

Humble Pie

It is very easy for us to think too highly of ourselves or to develop an independent spirit, believing that we can handle by ourselves whatever we may be facing. This often translates into a pride or an arrogance which God hates. He desires a humble dependence on Him for everything. He urges us to humble ourselves and to trust Him.

If we refuse to humble ourselves, our loving heavenly Father has ways of doing it for us. Humility is often the by-product of being overwhelmed by sudden trials or difficulties which we cannot handle ourselves. God can use these traumas to drive us to our knees to make us and to keep us humble. Paul found this to be true in His life and He came to rejoice in his troubles because He saw this God-given benefit of them.
http://godsmercy.net/topic/2213 Tue, 16 Feb 2010 06:12:44 PST http://godsmercy.net/topic/2208/t/The-Overall-Plan.html Read Romans 8:18-39

The Overall Plan

It is in James 1:2 and Romans 5:3 that we find the commands that we are to rejoice when trials arrive and while they stay in our lives, yet we often struggle with doing so and we pray daily for their departure. Is God really serious about this? Why in the world would He expect such a ludicrous response from His people?

We often quote Romans 8:28 to help us trust God, but notice what “things” are included in the “all things” of that promise (from 8:18-39). You will find that... ]]> feeds@kickapps.com (TBONE61) http://godsmercy.net/topic/2208 Mon, 15 Feb 2010 07:15:26 PST