“They Weren’t Thankful”

  A man went to his rabbi one day to complain about his living conditions. “Life is unbearable. There are nine of us living in one room. What can I do?”  After some thought the rabbi answered, “The last time I was at your house I noticed that you had a goat.  I want you to bring it into the room to live with you.”  The man couldn’t believe what the rabbi had said. “Do as I say and come back to see me in a week,” insisted the rabbi.

  A week later the man came back looking more distraught.  “We cannot stand it,” he told the rabbi. “The goat is filthy.”  The rabbi said, “Now, go home and let the goat out. And come back in a week.” 

  So the man did as he was told to do.  When the week was up he came back to see the rabbi and exclaimed, “Life is beautiful. We enjoy every minute of it now that there’s no goat — only the nine of us.” 

  Perhaps some of you reading this have experienced a similar situation.  But let’s face it, things could be worse. 

  There is always something for which we can be thankful.  Those who fail to give thanks to God from whom all good gifts come (James 1:17) will bring judgment on themselves.

  There was a generation of people who knew God but who weren’t thankful to Him.  So God gave them up to uncleanness.  They dishonored their bodies with shameful and vile behavior (Romans 1:19-32).  Their unnatural behavior eventually led to their destruction as illustrated by those in Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19).

  God’s patience and longsuffering will one day come to an end just as it did in the days of Noah.  Our lives are like a vapor that is gone in a moment (James 4:14).  Judgment day is coming (Hebrews 9:27). 

  We’re all sinners (Romans 3:10, 23).  If we got what we deserved we’d all be in hell right now.  But thankfully Jesus Christ, the sinless, virgin born God-man, died in our place for our sins…and rose again bodily on the third day.  The only condition God places on us is that we “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ [exclusively] and [we] will be saved [from hell to heaven]” (Acts 16:31).

  Full forgiveness is granted to those who place their faith in Christ alone for their salvation.  Do you have assurance of eternal life with God?  If not, let us show you from God’s Word how you can know for sure that you will go to heaven the moment you die.  Yes, you can be certain of this even before you die (1 John 5:13).

  No matter what you’ve done in your past, there is hope for you if you’re still alive.  And since you’re reading this you’re among the living.  Some Christians in the church at Corinth had been fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, homosexuals, sodomites, thieves, covetous, drunkards, revilers, and extortioners.  But when they placed their faith in Christ as their personal Savior they were washed, sanctified, and justified (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). 

  If you want deliverance and spiritual help from God’s Word, call us at 805-238-3549 or visit our web site: http://www.kelseypeach.com.

 

“Forgive Me When I Whine”

  “Today upon a bus, I saw a lovely maid with golden hair; I envied her – she seemed so gay – And oh, I wished I were so fair. When suddenly she rose to leave, I saw her hobble down the aisle.  She had one foot and wore a crutch, but as she passed, a smile.  Oh, God, forgive me when I whine; I have two feet – the world is mine.

  “And when I stopped to buy some sweets, the lad who served me had such charm; He seemed to radiate good cheer, his manner was so kind and warm. I said, “It’s nice to deal with you, such courtesy I seldom find.” He turned and said, “Oh, thank you, sir!” And I saw that he was blind.  Oh, God, forgive me when I whine; I have two eyes – the world is mine.

  “Then, when walking down the street, I saw a child with eyes of blue. He stood and watched the others play; It seemed he knew not what to do, I stopped a moment, then I said: “Why don’t you join the others, dear?” He looked ahead without a word, and then I knew; he could not hear.  Oh, God, forgive me when I whine; I have two ears – the world is mine.

 “With feet to take me where I’d go, with eyes to see the sunset’s glow, with ears to hear what I should know: I’m blessed indeed, the world is mine; Oh, God, forgive me when I whine.”  Author Unknown

 Rather than complain about all the bad things in life, and all the things we don’t have, let’s be thankful to God for what we do have.  Material, tangible things are nice, but there are intangible things that are of far greater value. 

 

  Do you have the love of a true friend?  Do you have real joy in your heart?  Do you have peace of mind? Do you have faith in God, His Word, and the prospect of heaven as your home? 

 

 These are only a few things God has provided for His children.  If you begin to count your blessings you will realize how rich your really are. 

 

 The greatest gift from God is eternal life.  He gives it to all who place their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.  He died for our sins and rose again bodily from the grave. 

 

  Are you confident that you will spend eternity with God in heaven?  If so, upon what is your confidence based?  Your good works?  Your faith plus your good works? Or upon your faith in Christ alone?  Read Ephesians 2:8, 9 carefully.  Base your assurance on God’s Word.  It is our final authority.  God cannot lie because He is the truth (John 14:6).

 

If you need additional help, call us at 805-238-3549 or visit our web site: www.kelseypeach.com.