<![CDATA[Grace and Mercy Athens - Blog]]>Sun, 15 Jan 2023 11:22:58 -0800Weebly<![CDATA[I'm Proud Of You | Jefferey Hagan]]>Tue, 08 Aug 2017 07:00:00 GMThttp://www.gracemercyt.org/blog/im-proud-of-you-jefferey-haganThe other day while I was online I got a message from my older sister. The message read, “I am proud of you. I would like to take you out to dinner this week, just us.” Jokingly I responded, “Are you sure you meant to send this to me?”
After my sarcastic reply I began contemplating why I had said it in the first place. Was I really joking, or was there maybe something a bit deeper. Well, it was a bit of both. It was indeed witty, but I also realized that since I have been old enough to retain memories, only two people have said the words “I'm proud of you” to me. One is a very dear friend (and he's said it more than once), and the other was my sister in that message.
​I'm not sure why I haven't been told that more often. I didn't grow up feeling like my parents were not proud of me. I guess they showed it in other ways, but still, hearing (or reading) those words is a powerful thing. Especially when said by a close friend, and even moreso when said by a family member.


Has anyone ever said “I am proud of you” to you? Well, I know of Someone who is. Even if you have heard those words regularly during your life, knowing a friend or family member is proud of you pales in comparison to knowing that the One who created all things is proud of you. If you are a child of God, if God has brought you to Him through His Son, then He is proud of you and ultimately that is all that matters.


Psalm 149:4, “For the LORD takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation” (ESV).


Matthew 12:18a, “Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased” (ESV).


The Lord takes “pleasure in his people.” Are you one of God's people? If so, then be assured. Has God “chosen” you? If so, then know He is proud.


If you have put your faith in Jesus Christ, God is proud of you. We come to God by grace through faith in His Son, if that describes you then know your Heavenly Father is proud of you. And not only is He proud, He will also reward you.


Hebrews 11:6, “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe he exists and that he rewards those who seek him” (ESV).
]]><![CDATA[Share Jesus From Your Pocket | Debora Dyess]]>Tue, 13 Jun 2017 01:21:01 GMThttp://www.gracemercyt.org/blog/share-jesus-from-your-pocket-debora-dyessHello Readers,
The Break from the first post has been long... Today we have an article for you written by an accomplished Christian writer who has agreed to let us post her work on our website.

Preview

No Christian should ever have to stand by the grave of a friend and wonder if they shared their faith adequately. Pocket Testament League will build your faith, provide evangelism tools and disciple those who respond to your invitation to know Jesus as Savior. Their mission is to facilitate yours. Visit them at http://www.ptl.org/. Find your tools to fulfill the Great Commission. 

Share Jesus From Your Pocket | Debora Dyess

Contact Debora Dyess
Share Jesus from Your Pocket: Pocket Testament League 
by Debora Dyess  
7/09/2012 / Ministry Website Reviews

 

John 20:21 "As the Father has sent me, I am sending you."

The casket hung for just a second at the edge of the Earth and then continued its descent. 

Linda squeezed her eyes shut. It was the first time she'd ever attended the funeral of a friend she knew died without Christ. She vowed, as she stood at the gravesite, it would be the last.

Christians know that Evangelism is an important part of their life in Christ. It is imperative for those in our world who are without salvation and an essential building block in our own spiritual life. But many Believers do not know how to share their faith. They are uncertain of how to even begin.

Pocket Testament League is an organization that, since 1893, has helped Christians with free evangelism training. But longevity does not mean PTL is outdated. On the contrary, the website offers fresh ways to bring others to Jesus.

FOR THE 'OLD-TIMERS'
PTL knows the most effective Evangelism tools are Christians who know the Word of God and love to spend time reading and sharing it. They offer Evangelism Bootcamp, a 21-Day Challenge (where participants read one chapter of John each day and use free daily devotionals to dig deeper), a variety of ways to share and a community of like-minded believers. The Community shares success stories, prayer requests and suggestions.

FOR NEW BELIEVERS
The Christian life does not end with salvation. PTL offer new believers a free 4-part correspondence course to learn the basics and begin growing in their faith. The free daily devotionals and community of fellow-laborers are available to help and support them. That, along with the 21-Day Challenge and Evangelism Bootcamp put every babe in Christ off to a good start.

THEGOSPEL OF JOHN
Because the Gospel of John talks more about the love of Christ than any other, PTL uses it as their primary witnessing tool. Bright, contemporary cover art makes the book eye-catching. Titles target different groups of people. Call the Right Play is designed for sports enthusiasts. Forever Faithful, designed for pet lovers, features three beautiful dogs. A dramatic photograph of the formation of infant stars taken by the Hubble telescope graces the cover of Cosmic Fingerprints. The unique design of B Free features a graffiti-filled wall, perfect for sharing the Gospel on the streets. Although the message of each testament is the same, the cover art, the first thing people notice, is designed to catch the attention of those to whom it is given.

No Christian should ever have to stand by the grave of a friend and wonder if they shared their faith adequately. Pocket Testament League will build your faith, provide evangelism tools and disciple those who respond to your invitation to know Jesus as Savior. Their mission is to facilitate yours. Visit them at http://www.ptl.org/. Find your tools to fulfill the Great Commission. 

Debora Dyess is a wife, mom and grandmom in the Central Texas area. She is a professional author with stories in 'Bike Love', 'A Cup of Comfort for Christian WOmen' and other anthologies, and the editor of the Senior Living site at BellaOnline.com. Ghostwriter of more than a dozen children's books. 

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS
]]><![CDATA[Our Wonderful New Accomplishment]]>Sat, 13 May 2017 16:40:42 GMThttp://www.gracemercyt.org/blog/our-wonderful-new-accomplishment​Readers,

​We Thank God that we have now reached an anonymous sponsor who generously provided the money for a 10 year plan custom domain name. We were very stressed about how to pay for this when suddenly, a donor swoops in and pays the dues.

Down in their hearts, wise men know this truth: the only way to help yourself is to help others.
​ -Elbert Hubbard



 
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