God gave us everything. Because of Him, we are given a first birth. We come into this life as little lumps of flesh and bone. We only understand our own needs. If we need something, we cry. Someone is there to take care of our hungry tummy or dirty diaper. Babies have no ability to say thank you to the person caring for them. As we grow, we are taught to be thankful. If someone does a nice thing for you, it’s important to say thank you. Sadly, there are some very ungrateful people all around. People who think the world owes them everything, and they give nothing. They don’t even give thanks to God.

We can point fingers all we want, but let me ask this question: Have you shown your thanks to God for all He’s done for you? No matter how humble you are or how much you give to others, if you don’t thank God for what He’s done, then you need to open your heart. Because Jesus willingly entered His creation to shed His blood for our redemption, we have the chance for a second birth. All we have to do is truly accept the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, and we are able to live eternally with Him.

“But as many as received him, to them gave he the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:12-13). 

That, my friends, is something to give thanks for.

Christians have so much to be thankful for. We are indwelt and sealed by the Holy Spirit, also called the Comforter. He will guide our thoughts and feelings if we allow Him to. It’s hard to wrap our human mind around the fact that God indwells us at the moment we accept Christ for salvation.

“In whom ye also trusted after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory” (Ephesians 1:13-14). 

Our understanding of God is tainted by our human understanding. He is so much more than we can imagine. After coming to Christ, we will still face problems in this life. We still live in a fallen world and face all the troubles and temptations that Satan puts in front of us. As Christians, we must seek God in all things. We need to allow Him to change our attitudes and heal our hurts.

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God” (Colossians 3:1). 

If we look to earthly things to fill our lives, we can never show our thanks to Christ like we should. The Apostle Paul faced shipwrecks, beatings, jail, and more. Still, he could encourage all of us to be thankful no matter what we face in life.

“Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). 

I’ve found that no matter how heartbreaking a situation I’m in, I can always find something to be thankful for. I may have to look hard to find it, but that’s when seeking the things of God helps.

“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2). 

This life is temporary, but God has given so much for us to be thankful for. Give thanks to Him daily, no matter how bleak your life may seem at the moment.

Do you have children? The bond of love between parent and child is strong, but there are drawbacks. Have you ever given your child a gift that you were excited about because you just knew they would be thrilled with it and thankful? When they don’t like that special gift, it hurts deeply. Maybe they do like the gift but don’t show their gratitude. Lack of gratitude is hurtful, but it happens.

What about our ingratitude towards God? He gave us the free gift of eternal life through Jesus. Remember, the Holy Spirit is inside of us. When we live our life having a pity party because of all the things we don’t have, or because we expect God to do more and give more to us, that shows our ingratitude for all God has done.

“And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30). 

When I was a child, my brother was killed in an automobile accident. That was tough for a six-year-old to deal with. Sometimes, it seemed as if nobody cared about my sorrow and hurt. They did care, but I only saw my sorrow, not really understanding that others in my family were hurting too. Over time, I began to remember the fun my brother and I had together. Remembering the good times helped, and eventually, I could be thankful that I had had a brother. This lesson helped me through so many deaths. When my husband died, I was devastated. Whenever my grief begins to overwhelm me, I thank God for every minute He allowed me to spend with Ron. Ron was a Christian, so I also thank God for the assurance that he is with Jesus and I’ll join them one day.

When you look outside of your troubles and focus on your blessings, you show God that you’re thankful and you can serve him better. You will see the needs of others rather than your own needs and disappointments in others for not being more sensitive to your troubles. When you thank God for everything, you will be changed.

“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing on another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye” (Colossians 3:12-13). 

Jesus gave you eternal life, and that’s a lot to be thankful for. Praise Him for this free gift and share it with others.

“And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful” (Colossians 3:14-15). 

The word “charity” isn’t talking about giving handouts to the less fortunate, although that could be what you should do. The word “charity” is from the Greek “agape.” That’s the unselfish love of God. It’s hard to dwell in your own grief and sorrow when you’re showing the love of God to others.

“And, whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him” (Colossians 3:17). 

The second birth through Jesus Christ should have brought about a change in you. Instead of the focus being on you and your own needs, Christ will help you to see that others have needs too. What hurt are they hiding deep inside? How can you help them? By showing God’s love through your words and actions. When you do this, you show God that you’re thankful for His blessings in your life.

We have come to the time of year that Americans call Thanksgiving. There are parades to watch, football games to cheer for, and lots of food. Remember to show God that you love Him, and give thanks to Him in all things. Show your thanks to Him every day of the year. He has given you so much.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

Recommended prophecy sites:

www.raptureready.com
www.prophecyupdate.com
www.raptureforums.com

All original scripture is “theopneustos,” God-breathed.

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“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (Psalm 122:6).

A faithful Rapture Ready reader recently sent me an e-mail saying this Scripture keeps coming into my mind, “For truly I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it” (Matt. 13:17).

The reader added, “This generation is blessed, and most don’t even realize it.”

As I understand the entire event (Matt. 13:10-17 and Jesus’ reference to Isa. 6:9-12), many of the prophets and righteous men in Old Testament times and Jesus’ day longed for the day that the Messiah would appear, but they made two mistakes:

• One, they rejected the idea or misunderstood the fact that the Messiah would come twice (a first and second coming), not just once, and…
• Two, they focused on the Messiah’s reign as King (Second Coming and Millennial reign), overlooked His death, burial, and resurrection (first coming), and failed to realize that there would be an interval (Church Age) between the first and second coming.

They were enthusiastic about learning the Scriptures and the reign of their King, but they did not understand or hear that the gospel (death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus) and Church Age would happen before Jesus came to rule on earth.

They were blessed to walk the earth when more than one hundred first-coming prophecies were being fulfilled, but they did not understand the incredible events that were taking place.

Having said this, I totally agree with the Rapture Ready reader’s statement that “This generation (our generation) is blessed, and most don’t even realize it.”

Many pastors and church members are so focused on the first coming (and it is all-important) that they do not understand the incredible events that are happening now.

Pastors and church members who are not interested in Bible prophecy today are missing a blessing by not focusing on the fact that Messiah is coming twice, and there is an interval between those two magnificent events.

Think about it: The King is coming at the end of the Tribulation Period.

It looks like that is close, but many are not interested.

Here are some current events that seem to indicate that history is approaching the Tribulation Period.

One, concerning wars and rumors of wars: on Nov. 6, 2023, Russia’s Foreign Minister said the West’s policy is on full display in Ukraine, Iraq, Libya, and Syria, and it is pushing the Middle East toward a big war.

Two, concerning wars and rumors of wars and Israel being attacked by all the nations around her at the end of the age: on Nov. 8, 2023, a top Hamas official told the New York Times that Hamas did not attack Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, to improve the life of Palestinians in Gaza (the attack was not to get more water, fuel, electricity, better jobs, etc. for the Palestinians).

He said Hamas attacked Israel to spread the war to all of Israel’s borders (sounds like Psa. 83; Isa. 17, and Ezek. 38-39), put the Palestinian issue back on the table, get all the Arabs to join the war on Hamas’ side, and to wake up the world.

Three, concerning Russia, Iran, and others attacking Israel (the Battle of Gog and Magog) in the latter days and latter years: on Nov. 10, 2023, Joel Rosenberg, editor-in-chief of All Israel News and All Arab News, reported on an interview he had with Gideon Sa’ar—a member of Netanyahu’s cabinet—who said he dropped his opposition to Netanyahu and joined his cabinet because Russia’s Pres. Putin “has now decided to openly side with the Iranian regime and the leadership of Hamas against the State of Israel.”

Four, concerning the Battle of Gog and Magog and the fact that the Word of God must be fulfilled: on Nov. 9, 2023, Iran’s Foreign Min. said, “Due to the expansion of the intensity of the war against Gaza’s civilian residents, expansion of the scope of the war has become inevitable.”

Hassan Nasrallah, head of Hezbollah, said, “What is happening now along the Israeli-Lebanese border is significant, and it is not the end.”

The U.S. warned Iran and Hezbollah that the U.S. is prepared to get involved militarily if they expand the war.

Five, concerning Hezbollah: on Nov. 9, 2023, Israel’s Defense Min. said (my words for the sake of clarity):

• Hezbollah is getting close to being wiped out.
• What Israel is doing in Gaza, Israel can do in Lebanon.
• Israel has used less than 10% of its Air Force’s power in Gaza.

Six, concerning wars and rumors of wars: on Nov. 9, 2023, it was reported that Iranian proxies have attacked U.S. troops in Syria and Iraq 46 times in the last 30 days, and Pres. Biden has responded by attacking an empty warehouse in Syria that Iran sometimes uses for weapons storage.

(My opinion: The U.S. should be more concerned than it is about Iran’s efforts to acquire nuclear weapons, and about terrorists coming across America’s open border with Mexico.)

(More: As of Nov. 14, Iranian proxies have continued to attack U.S. troops in Syria and Iraq, and the U.S. has struck back twice.)

Seven, concerning world government and the Mark of the Beast: on Nov. 7, 2023, it was reported that Brazil plans to follow World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations by requiring children between the age of 6 months and 5 years to be vaccinated for Covid-19.

Families that refuse to comply will not be eligible to draw welfare; they may be treated as criminals (fined, sent to prison) and have their children taken away from them.

Eight, concerning the decline of America and a U.S. economic collapse: according to the U.S. government, the U.S. now owes $33.6 trillion, and the interest on that this year was $1.027 trillion.

A collapse of the U.S. economy would collapse the global economy.

U.S. financial support for the war in Ukraine and Israel’s war with Hamas is causing this situation to worsen fast.

(More: On Nov. 10, 2023, it was reported that the Federal Reserve raised interest rates seven times in 2022 and 4 times in 2023 to slow inflation. Now, because of high interest rates and a failure to curb government spending, Moody’s Investor Service has lowered its rating outlook on the U.S. from stable to negative.)

(More: On Nov. 13, 2023, the U.S. Homeland Security Committee reported that immigrants coming across the U.S.-Mexico border have cost U.S. taxpayers $451 billion for housing, education, health care costs, property damage, etc. Another report said 6.5% of the children in school are illegal immigrants.)

Nine, concerning the coming one world false religion: on Nov. 11, 2023, Pope Francis removed Bishop Joseph Strickland, the conservative Bishop over the Catholic Diocese of Tyler, TX.

When asked why he was removed, Strickland said, “The only answer I have to that is because forces in the Church right now don’t want the truth of the gospel.”

Strickland believes that some of those who hold high positions in the Roman Catholic Church may not be saved.

Here are some daily updates on Israel’s war with Hamas:

Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023

• Erdogan of Turkey and Pres. Raisi of Iran met, expressed support for Hamas, and condemned Israel.

Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023

• Israel agreed to 4-hour daily pauses in the war to let Palestinians leave northern Gaza.
• Israel said it has destroyed 130 tunnels since the war began on Oct. 7, 2023.
• Hamas asked for a 3-day pause in the war in exchange for the release of 10-15 hostages.
• Israel captured the military headquarters of Hamas in Gaza, including many military intelligence documents.
• Israel’s Defense Min. said, “This entire city (Gaza City) is one big terror base. There are kilometers of tunnels underground. They connect to hospitals, to schools. They are connected to each other. They have communication rooms, ammunition depots, places to sleep in order to serve as a base of terrorism from which the citizens of the State of Israel and IDF soldiers can be harmed.”
• Hamas has placed command posts under every hospital in the Gaza Strip.
• Israeli troops have surrounded all the hospitals.
• Explosions were heard near four hospitals in Gaza (3 regular hospitals and a pediatrics hospital in Gaza City).
• Thousands of Gazans have left Gaza City’s main hospital, Al Shifa.
• Israel claims that it has the top leader of Hamas cornered.
• More than one hundred employees of the UN have been killed in the conflict.
• Israel increased today’s 4-hour pause to 6 hours for citizens to leave northern Gaza.
• Citizens who have not left Gaza City are facing severe shortages of food and water, with fighting raging in the streets.
• While searching a house, Israeli troops found the entrance to a Hamas tunnel under a child’s bed.
• Hezbollah also has sites in the Gaza Strip, and Israel started attacking them today in response to Hezbollah attacks on Israel from Lebanon.
• Hezbollah announced plans to start using more powerful weapons during its attacks on Israel.
• Israel responded that what Israel is doing in Gaza, Israel can do in Lebanon.

Friday, Nov. 10, 2023 (Day 35)

• Multitudes have run out of food, and there is no place to buy anything.
• Bodies are being lined up along streets and covered with blankets.
• The refrigerators where bodies are usually kept are full, and there is no electricity to keep the bodies cold.
• There is a growing concern about the spread of diseases.
• Twenty hospitals are surrounded by Israeli troops.
• There are patients who need surgery, but the hospitals are out of food, water, medicine, fuel, electricity, etc.
• Representatives from 57 Islamic-Arab nations have gathered to discuss Israel’s attack on Gaza.
• They are blaming Israel for killing women and children, ignoring what Hamas did that started the war.

Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023

• Israel has struck more than 15,000 targets in Gaza.
• Turkey’s Pres. Erdogan called for an international peace conference to produce a permanent solution to the Middle East conflict.
• Israel’s Defense Min. said, “When the war is over, there will be no Hamas.”

Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023

• Clashes between Israel and Hezbollah on Israel’s northern border with Lebanon are becoming more frequent and destructive.
• Turkey’s Pres. Erdogan urged Islamic and Arab nations to increase the pressure on the U.S. to halt Israel’s attack on Hamas.

Monday, Nov. 13, 2023

• Hezbollah injured at least 18 Israeli citizens by firing rockets and anti-tank weapons into Israel.
• Israel said Hezbollah is pushing their luck.
• 3 million Palestinians have fled their homes (two-thirds of the population).
• Documents that Israel captured from Hamas reveal plans to attack Israel a second time after the Oct. 7, 2023 attack.
• More than 100 dead bodies are piled up (and rotting) in the courtyard outside the Al-Shifa hospital.
• Israel showed members of the press video of a Hamas tunnel in the basement under the Rantisi hospital (Israel also found computers, weapons, explosives, and money in the tunnel).
• Israel showed members of the press video of a Hamas commander’s house with a nearby tunnel that was built next to a school.
• Israel killed 21 Hamas terrorists who were launching rocket-propelled grenades and an anti-tank missile from the Al-Quds hospital in Gaza City.
• 27 EU member states signed a statement of condemnation of Hamas for using human shields in its war against Israel.
• Israel contends that Hamas had a command center under the Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza.
• Biden insisted that the Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza must be protected.

Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023

• Hamas started the war with 24 battalions of troops, and they are down to nine.
• Israeli tanks and armored vehicles are just a few yards from the Al-Shifa hospital, but Israeli troops have not yet entered the hospital (according to the UN, there may be as many as 10,000 people inside. One report said some people who have tried to leave have been shot in their legs).
• A doctor at Al-Shifa hospital said medical staff have buried 200 bodies in a mass grave on hospital grounds.
• During the interrogation of several captured Hamas terrorists on video, one admitted that Hamas commanders ride in ambulances, and another admitted that Hamas leaders were hiding in the basement of Al-Shifa hospital.
• Israel said they have intercepted Hamas calls with terrorists talking about using ambulances, Israel has made videos of rocket launchers inside schools, etc.
• In Gaza City, Israel captured the Hamas Parliament building, the so-called governor’s house, offices of Gaza’s military wing and police, offices of Hamas’s intelligence division, and other important targets.
• Al-Shifa hospital is a complex with many buildings.
• At Al-Shifa hospital, Israeli forces entered the emergency and surgery departments.
• At Al-Shifa hospital, Israeli troops started going room to room in some buildings, asking all males 16-40 to go out to the courtyard where they pass through a scanner that checks for weapons.
• Israeli officials said they found an operational command center with weapons, combat gear, technological equipment, grenades, ammunition, and more in the basement of Al-Shifi hospital, and they plan to keep searching.

Also, on Nov. 14, 2023, greatly respected prophecy teacher and author Amir Tsarfati commented on Israel’s war with Hamas in a Special Newsletter.

His comments are very important, and here is just part of what he said (as I understand it in my words for the sake of brevity):

• Hamas assumed Iran, Hezbollah, Yemen, and others would join them in the fight against Israel, but that hasn’t happened.
• Hamas assumed they would be safe dispersed among their human shields (the Palestinian people), so they hid under hospitals, mosques, schools, playgrounds, etc., but that was wrong.
• Hamas assumed they would be safe in tunnels while Israel dropped a few bombs, but their tunnels have turned into a trap.
• Hamas assumed Israel would drop a few bombs and stop, but Israel dropped hundreds of bombs, sent in tanks and troops, and hasn’t stopped.
• Hamas assumed the EU, U.S., and others in the Middle East would force Israel to back off, but Israel hasn’t backed off.
• Hamas assumed that Israel is a weak and divided nation, but Hamas’ extreme evil united the citizens of Israel.

Tsarfati said Hamas trusted in her allies, human shields, tunnels, and other factors, but Israel’s God has proven that He is greater than all those things, and Hamas may soon cease to exist.

More of Tsarfati’s videos and writings can be found at beholdisrael.org.

(My opinion: Israel will fight many wars between now and the Second Coming of Jesus at the end of the Tribulation Period, but Israel will not be defeated. Jehovah is using Bible prophecy and Israel to prove to the world that He alone is God.)

FYI: God does not send anyone to Hell (all of us are born with a sin nature and destined to go to Hell because we sin), but God has provided a way (Jesus) for everyone to go to Heaven (and He is the only way to get there; John 14:6).

Finally, are you Rapture Ready?

If you want to be rapture ready and go to heaven, you must be born again (John 3:3). God loves you, and if you have not done so, sincerely admit that you are a sinner; believe that Jesus is the virgin-born, sinless Son of God who died for the sins of the world, was buried, and raised from the dead; ask Him to forgive your sins, cleanse you, come into your heart and be your Saviour; then tell someone that you have done this.

duck_daymond@yahoo.com