TEXT: ‘Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power’ (2 Thessalonians 1:11) Preachers often say, “God is good”, to which the congregation replies, “All the time!” It’s important to keep this in mind, for it’s easy to allow the pressures and problems of life distort the truth that God is good. His goodness is the entry point for salvation, for the Bible says, ‘Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?’ (Romans 2:4). How thankful we are when God opens our eyes to see our need of Jesus. Today’s Teaching focusses on how God’s goodness can benefit. 1. Learn to show appreciation – ‘Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!’ (Psalm 105:15, 21, 31) Think how often we complain, when the least thing goes wrong, or even if the weather doesn’t fit into our plans. How much more contented our lives would be if we were more thankful. It would brighten our countenance and boost our health for, ‘A cheerful disposition is good for your...
Learn MoreTEXT: ‘And then he told them, “You are to go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone, everywhere’ (Mark 16:15 TLB) What did the apostles need to get going and start evangelising the world? Acts chapter 1 reveals four things that really helped them to obey Jesus’ great commission: Proof, Promise, Prayer and Power. We are no different, so what helped them will help us too. Proof ‘Until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs’ (Acts 1:2-3) Understandably, the disciples took some convincing having seen Jesus’ death and burial. What would it have taken for you to be sure it really was Jesus who had risen from the dead? The disciples were very sceptical of reports Jesus was alive. 1. The women’s testimonies did not convince them – ‘Their words seemed to them like idle tales and they did not believe them’ (Luke 24:11). ‘Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He...
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