Grateful Believers! (10-1-2017) - MLIBC email update

Grateful Believers

1 Thessalonians 5:18

The Bible carries a lifetime guarantee! The promises of God are guaranteed for all time. As believers, we have much to be grateful for!

The following are three indicators of grateful believers.

Gratitude Indicates a Healthy Believer.
Whining, complaining, criticism, and self-centeredness are indicators of an spiritually unhealthy believer. Gratitude lightens burdens, lifts pain, and can actually strengthen the body. A grateful heart will strengthen the believer and carry through the worst of circumstances. A grateful heart promotes spiritual growth and strengthens our faith in God.
Gratitude Indicates a Heavenly Believer.
A grateful Christian has some of Heaven in their soul! One of the closest things to Heaven on earth is a praising, grateful Christian. Prayer, preaching, and soul winning are all "earthly" activities: while thanksgiving and praise are uniquely Heavenly activities. Praise and gratitude are expressed in Heaven 24/7!
Gratitude Indicates an Honest Believer.
A grumbling, critical, complaining, and selfish believer presents a dishonest image of Christianity and God. It suggests that God is not good or that He is not in control, both of which are not true! The best salesman this old sinful world has is an ungrateful Christian. The best representative of our Lord and His goodness is a happy, grateful believer.

We must remember that gratitude is a decision of the heart and must not be dependent upon our circumstances or situation. Believers have every reason to be happy, grateful people.

We had a wonderful time this past week in our Sword conference. God blessed in a mighty way with great singing, preaching, fellowship, filled altars, and souls saved. We are thankful for every visitor that was with us and are excited about the lasting impact this meeting will have in our hearts, homes, and churches. Thank you Dr. Smith, Dr. Caudill, and Brother Foxx for being with us!

This coming Saturday, October 7 is our annual FALL TEEN RALLY. The theme for our youth rally is "Be thou an example." Dr. Lou Rossi and Pastor Lee Bowman will be preaching throughout the day. There will also be lots of fun, food, and fellowship for all teens. Call the church for more information.

Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 2-3 we will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of Beacon of Truth Baptist Ministries. This Scripture and tract printing ministry was founded by Brother Dan Hummel and God has placed His hand upon this ministry in tremendous ways! The Gospel is being sent out in printed form literally around the world. Please join us at the Dry Run Baptist Church in Duncansville, PA this Monday and Tuesday!

Lord willing, this Sunday I will be preaching on "Be of Good Cheer" from Matthew 9 in the morning service and then "Some Things That Are Better" from Ecclesiastes in the evening service.

I hope to see you in church this Sunday, so bring your Bible and a friend!