Good News

 GOOD NEWS

“As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.” - Proverbs 25:25

News headlines can easily bring fear. Every day events can get us down and discouraged. Health problems can drain us emotionally, as well as physically. Life is not easy and is often unfair.

In spite of all the negativity that we face, it is refreshing to remember that there is good news for mankind. More to the point, this good extends to you and me. It isn't a fairy tale or myth. It is very real and relevant. In fact, this good news trumps all of the bad news that tends to weigh us down. Fact checkers cannot disprove this good news. Although many of them refuse to believe, they cannot bring any facts to support their unbelief.

Proverbs 25:25 says, “As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.” If you have ever been thirsty, you can identify with this proverb. When your mouth is parched and your throat is dry, your body thirsts for soothing water. Cold water quenches a mighty thirst. In a similar manner, good news from a far country refreshes the spirit. Good news tends to awaken our spirit and cause us to rejoice. Good news is like the bright sun that breaks through a cloudy, gloomy sky. Good news is like hearing birds chirping after a storm leaves the area.

The New Testament gives us the ultimate good news. God came to earth, dwelt among men and ultimately died so that men may receive eternal life. The Old Testament predicted this news, but the New Testament reveals how it unfolded. The Old Testament showed us our dire need, but the New Testament provided us the solution to the need.

The New Testament uses the word, “Gospel,” over and over again. The word, “Gospel,” means good news. As followers of Jesus, we are not waiting for good news to come. Good news has already come. Good news has been provided to mankind through the person and work of Jesus Christ.

There's no better way to start a new year than to begin with good news. We don't know what lies ahead this year, but we know that the good news is relevant every year, regardless of the events that will unfold. This good news is the greatest news that we will ever comprehend. Jesus Christ has come. He has died for our sins. He has risen from the dead. Through Him, we have eternal life. That, my friend, is good news. It is great news.

Because of Jesus, death has turned to life. Darkness has given way to light. Hopelessness has passed and hope has arrived. Depression and despair have been replaced with inexpressible joy. That is good news.

Jesus spoke of us in John 10:10, when He said, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” Life has been given to us. Not just life, but abundant life. That is good news!

Here are few things we should consider about the good news. First of all, the good news needs to be experienced personally. I enjoy to hear how someone else has found good fortune, but it is so much better when I am the one who experiences something good. The good news of Jesus Christ needs to be experienced personally. Second-hand religion does not satisfy. Each of us must have a personal encounter with Jesus Christ. The good news become real and exciting when we experience it personally through a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. When a person is saved, it is an experience unlike any other. There is rejoicing among the angels when a person repents. Like cool water to a thirsty soul, the good news of Jesus sets a captive free. The Gospel transforms. It is truly good news.

Secondly, the good news needs to be enjoyed continually. We should not allow sin, time, or the mundane rituals of life to drain the joy from our hearts. Joy is listed among the fruit of the Spirit. The good news is just as good now as it was when we first believed. We are just as saved now as the moment when we trusted Christ as Lord and Savior. Jesus is just as sweet and wonderful as He has ever been. Don't let the bad news of the world rob you of the joy of knowing the good news of Jesus. All the promises of Scripture are still valid right now. The ministry of the Holy Spirit is still going on. The reality of heaven is just as real and glorious as ever before. The fact that Jesus is returning is still an event we should be looking forward to.

Finally, the good news needs to be expressed verbally. We need to share this good news with others along the way. There are many who are still in the prison of sin, held in chains, awaiting execution for their crimes. We can tell them how the King pardons those who repent & believe. His pardon is free and available right now. The future does not have to remain bleak. Eternity does not have to be dark, lonesome and dreadful. Jesus Christ has come to save sinners. He offers eternal life to those who will believe. As recipients of His grace, we are now commissioned to go and share this good news with those who need it most.

Thank God for this good news!!

The Power of Prayer

 

 THE POWER OF PRAYER

“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” - James 5:16

For most of this calendar year, I have written about prayer. Most of my messages have focused on our Lord's prayer life. No one prayed like Jesus did. We spent several months going verse by verse through John 17, the longest recorded prayer of our Lord. Hopefully, we've learned much about prayer.

Yet there is an important point to be made. It is one thing to study about prayer, but it is another thing to actually pray. While there are many excellent books about prayer, wonderful songs about prayer and stirring sermons about prayer, they are not a substitute for personal prayer.

James wrote, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” This one sentence indicates that great things happen when God's people pray. In response to prayer, God has healed, delivered and saved. God has brought revival in response to prayer. People have found new hope and encouragement when they've prayed. We tend to underestimate what God may do if we will just pray.

It is important to recognize that James wrote about, “... a righteous man.” Only a child of God can be referred to as “righteous.” The righteousness that we enjoy is actually imputed unto us by Jesus Christ. Without Christ, we are not righteous. The Bible says, “There is none righteous, no not one.” Yet through Jesus Christ, the enemies of God are made friends. Through the blood of Christ, filthy sinners are made clean saints. Although we were once far from God, we have been brought near to Him through our Lord Jesus. So when James wrote about, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man...” he is not referring to all mankind, just the followers of Jesus.

James wrote that, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” In other words, when a righteous man prays, something happens. In response to the prayer of the righteous, God acts. Hymn writer William Cowper once wrote, “Satan trembles when he sees the weakest saint upon their knees.”

What is it that makes prayer so powerful? When we learn that someone is very effective in prayer, we want to know the details of their prayer. We want to learn when they pray, how long they pray and the words they use. We want to know these things so we may emulate them and get answers ourselves.

Yet here is the vital truth. The power of prayer does not lie in the duration or words of the prayer. The power of a righteous man's prayer is found in the One he is praying to. Other men and women may pray and never get an answer because they are praying to an idol or false god. A born-again believer can receive answers to his prayer because he is praying with faith, directing his prayer to the only God … the One who finds pleasure in answering prayer.

Here is the key to powerful prayer. Hebrews 11:6 says, “... he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Notice some lessons to be learned in this verse.

OUR AIM IN PRAYER

The Bible says, “... he that cometh to God...” When we pray, we must pray to the God of the Bible. We can only approach God through His Son, Jesus Christ. We must pray to God alone. We must direct our prayers to God alone.

OUR APPROACH IN PRAYER

Secondly, we must pray with faith. “... he that cometh to God must believe that he is ...” Do you really expect answers when you pray? If not, you shouldn't be surprised when answers don't come. James put it this way, “... let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.” Yet our faith needs to extend beyond a belief that God exists. The Bible says, “... he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Notice that last part. We must believe, “... that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Do you believe that God rewards those who diligently seek Him? If so, do you believe that He will reward you as you diligently seek Him in prayer today? We must have faith that God does hear and will answer when we pray.

THE ANSWERS TO PRAYER

“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” Notice that the prayer of faith, coming from a righteous man, “... availeth much.” How much does it avail? How powerful can it be? In the following verses, James described how a righteousness man, Elijah, prayed that rain would cease in the land. And it did. Then he later prayed for rain … and it rained. Elijah did not control the water valve of heaven. Instead, he called on the One who had such control. In gracious response to the righteous man's prayer, God answered in a marvelous way. That is an Old Testament reminder that there is power in prayer.

Let us pray with such faith today!

Our Counselor

OUR COUNSELOR

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” - Isaiah 9:6

Into a world of pain, hopelessness and confusion, a Savior came. He arrived as a child, fulfilling prophecies from the Old Testament. There had been a gap of silence from the days of Malachi until John the Baptist. There was no word from heaven. John's arrival prepared the way for the coming Messiah.

The Messiah's arrival was unobserved by most at the time. Lowly shepherds were told of the King's birth. How fitting it was for shepherds to be witnesses to the arrival of the Good Shepherd. With a mixture of curiosity and excitement, they came to where the little child was. They found Him in a manger, which seems to be an appropriate place to find a Lamb.

The prophet wrote, “... unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given.” Not just any child. Not just any son. He is the Son of God. While the world wishes to keep Jesus in the manger, we know that the child became a man. He came into the world as the spotless Lamb of God, not contaminated with sinful impurities. While He came from the womb of a woman, His Father is divine. God came to earth as a man. This man would walk the shores of Galilee. He would teach words that we still cherish today. He performed miracles that changed lives. He would ultimately die as a sacrificial Lamb, giving His life for our sins.

Isaiah wrote, “... his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor.” His Name is very special. Human lips are not worthy to speak His hallowed Name. Yet we have been given the privilege of accessing the Father through that Name. I have a hard time remembering all the passwords that web sites require. Without the correct password, I can't access my account on a web site. When it comes to accessing the Father, we don't have to memorize a series of letters and numbers. We just to remember one Name. We come to the Father through the Son, Jesus Christ.

Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would be called, “Wonderful, Counselor.” A truly converted person will testify that He is wonderful. Words cannot convey how magnificent He is. His glory illuminates all of heaven. His mighty deeds testify of His greatness. We stand in awe of His eternal perfections. Yet know such a glorious God is also tenderhearted and compassionate. He cares about our suffering and tears. He is touched with the feelings of our infirmities. He has provided the grace we need in our time of need. He hears and answers our feeble prayers. He touches us and restores our health. He performs miracles that bring glory to His Name. He still saves sinners. He loves His enemies and works within them, making them His friends. He takes a poor beggar and robes him with royalty, adopting him into His family. Our Lord is truly wonderful!

Our text also says that He will be called, “Counselor.” Much is said about counseling these days. It isn't uncommon for someone to share that they are going to counseling. There are traumatic episodes that may lead us to seek outside help for our personal problems. Yet all of us have issues of the heart that require help. We must begin on our knees with the Lord. He is the counselor that we need. Every day, we need a counseling session with the Lord. 

HE DIRECTS US

With the Lord as our counselor, we can take our deepest pain and most private problems to Him and get the help we need. He provides the help and healing that we need so much. We don't need to make an appointment to meet with Him. He is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. He cares about our burdens. He understands the challenges we face. Let's go to Him every day that we live. He will give us the direction and wisdom that we desperately need.

HE DEFENDS US

The Lord is a counselor in a different way. A lawyer is consider to be a legal counselor. Although we have an enemy who wishes to press charges against us, we have an attorney with great experience as a defender. Our enemy is the accuser of the brethren. We need a lawyer to defend us against his accusations. 1 John 2:1 tells us, “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” We have an advocate with the Father. Jesus is our advocate. He is our counselor. He's our attorney. He's never lost a case.

The Son of God came to earth to make us children of God. As we celebrate the birth of our Savior, let us thank God that we were on His mind. He gave the very best of heaven for the very worst of humanity. He is wonderful. He is our counselor.

Have you had your counseling session with the Lord today?

The Name Of The Lord

 THE NAME OF THE LORD

“And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.” - John 17:26

When I hear the names given to children these days, I am rather amazed. Parents must think there is a special prize given for a child with the most unique name. What they fail to think about is the fact that the child will grow to become an adult --- with an unusual name. I once worked with a woman who despised her name because it was so unusual.

In Biblical times, there were instances when names had special, even prophetic meaning. The name, “Moses,” for instance, was given to him by Pharoah's daughter after she retrieved him from the river. His name means, “drawn from the water.” The name, “Abraham,” means, “father of many nations.” This is a great description of the legacy he would leave behind.

As Jesus concludes his prayer in John 17, He said, “And I have declared unto them thy name.” There is no name that compares to the Name of the Lord. The personal name for God, in Hebrew, is YHWH. Notice that there are no vowels in the Name. Most scholars translate this as Yahweh or Jehovah. Most of the time, the Bible uses, the LORD, as His Name.

Many Jews would omit a letter of His Name when writing it down … out of fear that they would make a mistake. That is how holy they considered His Name to be.

When providing the ten commandments, God said, “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” Using the Lord's Name in vain is very common today, even among church members. Any time we use His Name lightly, we are taking His Name in vain.

The devil has been very successful in getting people to misuse the Name of the Lord. Rather than considering His Name sacred, holy and powerful, most people are apathetic about His Name. Many people in America, including many in the church, treat His Name casually and carelessly. Some even use His Name when cursing or swearing. This blasphemous use of His Name is a very serious sin.

Obviously, the devil has a devious reason for his actions. The Name of the Lord brings fear and torment to himself and his demons. So, the devil has led mankind to dishonor God by desecrating His Name. In the sight of the world, the Name of the Lord is treated with disdain and hate.

Ray Comfort has shed light on this issue. When witnessing on the streets, he would often ask a person if they used the Name of the Lord in vain. Most of the people honestly answered that they had. Ray would further ask them, “Would you take your mother's name in vain?” Most thought such an act would be unthinkable. Who would disrespect a loving mother like that? Yet Ray would further state, “It is the Lord who gave you a mother. He loves you even more than your mother does.”

The Name of the Lord should be treated with the deepest respect. Here's why the Lord's Name is so important.

First of all, how we treat God's Name is a reflection of how we treat Him. If we love and worship Him, we will treat His Name with the great honor. We will not just flaunt His Name around carelessly or use His Name as a curse word. It is time that we have a revival of holiness among God's people. We need to treat sacred things in a holy way. A great place to start is with our reverence for God's Name.

Secondly, the Name of the Lord is a powerful name. When David faced Goliath, he said, “Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.” At the mention of this Name, demons flee. Ultimately, it will be at His Name that every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord.

As God said in Exodus 20:7, “... the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” Your misuse of His Name will be brought up on judgment day. It is a serious matter.

As Jesus closed His prayer in John 17, He specifies that He has declared the Name of the Father so that we may experience and enjoy His love. Now we should declare the Name of the Lord, too.

Let me be a name dropper … I know Someone in high places. His Name is Jesus.

Do you know Him?

Knowing God

 KNOWING GOD

“O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.” - John 17:25

In a world of confusion, it is important for God's people to know certain things. Our faith needs to grow from “believing,” to “knowing.” It is good to believe certain things, but it is better when we know them.

It is important to be critical in your thinking. We are living in the “information age.” The problem is that such information may be incomplete, tainted or completely wrong. Just because something is taught in a book doesn't make that information correct. Even text books can have flaws and mistakes. Thus, modern education must be examined properly through the lens of truth.

There is only one Book that is perfect with knowledge and wisdom, and that Book is the Bible. The Bible doesn't have all the information available. For instance, it isn't a science text book, although it has scientific facts in its pages. The Bible is not a complete history book. It does have critical historical data, yet it doesn't have all the history of the world recorded. Although it isn't primarily a science or history book, it has the most important information of all. It tells us about God, the human condition and God's plan of redemption.

The Bible leads a person to genuine faith. As we continue to read and study the Word, our faith deepens. We go from “believing,” to “knowing.” We know we are saved. We know that Jesus is Lord. We know He is faithful.

When Jesus prayed to His Father in John 17, the Lord said, “O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.” Notice the words, “know,” and “known,” in this verse. The world does NOT know Him. Yes Jesus DOES know the Father. Now, the followers of Jesus KNOW that Jesus was sent from the Father.

Many argue that Jesus was just a good man. Others think He was a great philosopher. It is obvious that they don't know Him. The Christian KNOWS that He is the Son of God. What a blessing to know this. I may not know a lot of things in life, but I do know the most important thing. I know who Jesus is. I know Him personally. He knows me.

Jesus was sent by the Father. He came to earth on a rescue mission. Because of love, the Son of God came and dwelt among men. Jesus put it this way, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” In this famous verse, Jesus declared that He was sent by the Father. Furthermore, He tells us why He came, “... that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” The Father sent His Son so that men would receive eternal life by trusting in Him.

Through Jesus Christ, we can know the Father and be known by Him. There are many people I do not know. I have never met most of the people on this planet. I have never met or talked with celebrities, the wealthy or the powerful. Yet I know One who is greater than them all. He knows me.

Knowing the situation we were in, God got personally involved and made a way for us to be saved from the penalty of sin (which we deserved). At the same time, we have the blessing of knowing Him on a personal level. We can know God. We can love Him. We can serve Him. We can walk with Him every day. What a blessing to know Him!

I know the Father sent Jesus to earth. Those of us who know Him are now being sent by Him to share this message with others. We are sent to tell the thirsty about the living water. We are commissioned to share the Living Bread with hungry souls. We are to take the light into the world of darkness, so others may begin to see.

Yes, we know that Jesus was sent by the Father. As we approach the Christmas holiday, we rejoice that a Savior was sent to redeem us. We owe everything to Him.

Do you know Him?

We Shall Behold Him

WE SHALL BEHOLD HIM

“Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.” - John 17:24

I was listening to a podcast recently. The host was discussing a public event he attended. He mentioned that he was literally just a few feet away from the President of the United States. Most Americans will never get close to a President, regardless of their political views. The President is usually shielded from most citizens by the Secret Service. Yet to be that close to a President is a notable event.

There is a more remarkable event that will occur soon. Our Lord will return. When He comes, we will see Him as He is.

Dottie Rambo was one of Southern Gospel Music's prolific songwriters. In spite of all her great songs, only one received an award. In 1981, her song, “We Shall Behold Him,” won the Dove Award for Song of the Year. The song describes the incredible moment when God's people will see the Lord in all His glory. Seeing a President, an actor or a famous athlete is nothing compared to seeing our Lord. When He comes, we shall behold Him!

When Jesus prayed to His Father in John 17, He said, “Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.” Jesus had us in mind when He said, “... that they also, whom thou has given me ...” Let's note the details of His request for us.

First of all, Jesus prayed that His followers would, “... be with me where I am.” Through Jesus Christ, we have everlasting life. Think about that word, “everlasting.” The life that we have in Christ is spiritual life that lasts forever. Our lives on earth will end very soon, but spiritually, we will continue to live on. In 2 Corinthians 5:8, we are taught that when we are absent from the body, we'll be present with the Lord. We'll be where He is at.

God has designed His own home. It is perfect. It is beautiful. It is magnificent. Yet He invites you and me to dwell there with Him forever.

Furthermore, Jesus prayed that His people, “... may behold my glory, which thou hast given me.” I've heard many songs about the beauty of heaven, but very few about the beauty of Christ that will make it heaven for us.

Moses once prayed, “Lord, show me your glory.” The experience of catching just a glimpse of God's glory greatly impacted his life. Yet the experience that Moses had was incomplete. You see, Moses was permitted to see just part of God's glory. God told Moses that no man could see the face of God and live.

One day, you and I will see the face of God. We will not see him with human eyes. Instead, in glorified bodies, we'll behold the Lamb of God. We won't be asking for His autograph. Instead, we will fall before Him in worship. We'll adore the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

On the mount of transfiguration, the Bible says that Jesus “was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.” In that moment, Peter, James and John caught a glimpse of something they had never seen before. They saw the glory of God. Notice that the face of Jesus, “... did shine as the sun.” If you look directly at the sun for any length of time, your eyes will suffer permanent damage. Our eyes cannot behold such intense rays of light. How much greater is the light that emanates from the face of the One who created the sun!

In Revelation chapter 1, John saw the Lord. He described our Lord's eyes as, “a flame of fire.” When he saw the Lord, the Bible says that John, “... fell at his feet as dead.” Seeing the Lord in His glory will be more than a thrill, it will be an experience of awe and wonder. I can't help but think that we, like John, will fall at His feet.

Referring back to our text in John 17:24, Jesus said to the Father, “...thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.” From eternity past to eternity future, He is God. Love exists among the Holy Trinity. This is the kind of love we should have for Him … and for each other.

Jesus is coming soon. Maybe today. Are you ready? For the saints, it will a glorious day.

We shall behold Him!

Giving Thanks

GIVING THANKS

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Here in America, the fourth Thursday of November is set aside as a holiday known as Thanksgiving. In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln declared the last Thursday in November to be a national day of thanksgiving. In 1941, Congress set the fourth Thursday of November as the permanent Thanksgiving holiday.

Sadly, this holiday has lost a great deal of meaning. For most Americans, Thanksgiving is all about food, family and football. It is sad that few people actually give thanks on the day designated for this purpose.

For the Christian, every day should be a day of thanksgiving. The Scriptures abound with many verses that encourage us to give thanks. Of all people, we have the most to be grateful for. We often make the mistake of using a calculator to tabulate the number of our blessings. We are tempted to think like pagans, believing that the more money and possessions a person has, the more blessed they are. While we should be grateful for finances and possessions, these pale in comparison to other blessings. Our greatest treasures cannot be held in our hands or calculated with a slide rule.

I believe that gratitude is a sign of a healthy soul. According to Philippians 4:7-8, thanksgiving is one of the actions we should take to combat anxiety and worry. Gratitude is a mark of a mature Christian. When we meditate on the blessings of God, our fears and complaints tend to shrink in size. Our faith grows as we consider the great things God has done for us.

I don't consider myself to be an expert on anything, but I will share this with you. In my time of morning prayer, I will often thank the Lord for at least three specific things. It may vary from day to day. I know this seems rather small, but we tend to give thanks generally and not specifically. We will say things like, “Thank You, Lord, for my blessings,” or “I am grateful for everything You do for me.” While there is nothing wrong with either statement, they are rather vague. I think it is good to be specific with your gratitude. If your spouse or boss praised you in front of others, it would mean so much if they listed specific things they appreciated about you. I think we should do the same with the Lord. He has given us specific blessings, so we should thank Him specifically as we give thanks.

First of all, we should thank Him for the past. In the past, He has done great things for us. He demonstrated great patience with us as we lived in sin. He worked in our hearts and showed us our sinful condition. He pointed us to the cross and the redemption provided there. He saved us by His grace and for His glory.

Furthermore, He has blessed us since then. He has taught us great things from His Word. We have grown to love Him more. We have been blessed to know other believers who have invested in our lives. He has answered our prayers. He has met our needs and encouraged us when we were down. He has been good to us!

Secondly, we should thank Him for our current blessings. Today, you awoke to a new day. You didn't deserve a new day, but He granted it to you. You have a roof over your head. You have food on your table. You have a natural family and a church family who love you very much. In spite of all the problems and pain you may be enduring, He is giving you grace to persevere. You are able to breathe. Your heart continues to beat. You continue to have a sane mind. These are blessings you enjoy today!

Finally, we can give thanks for the blessings that are yet to come. This requires faith, but shouldn't we be people of faith? We can thank Him for the promises He will soon keep. The promise of His return. The promise of the resurrection. The promise of heaven and so much more. The best is yet to come! Let's thank Him in advance for this!

We are to give thanks, “... for all things.” Even the bad times have been training experiences. Our tough days have strengthened our faith. Our pain has brought us to our knees so we could seek Him for help. Our grief has given us a desire for heaven, our home. Looking back, we are stronger today than we've ever been because of the storms He's brought us through. Although we didn't enjoy the painful process, we should thank Him for the grace that has sustained us through it all.

Don't be a grouchy church member. Be a grateful saint. Let God and others know how much you appreciate the Lord and all His blessings.

Give thanks for all things.