Gardner, RobBy Rob Gardner

Have you ever had one of those days when everything just seems to go wrong? You have been healthy all of your life and suddenly you are lying in a hospital bed wondering why me? That was me earlier this year. I have run 25 marathons, was always full of energy and loved to hike and explore God’s beautiful creation. Then suddenly I find myself flat on my back with 2 strokes, open heart surgery, infections, gallbladder surgery and more.

I became depressed, discouraged and cried out to God. I turned to my Bible and read about many who cried out to God.

Luke 17:11-19 is the story of Jesus Healing Ten men with Leprosy. “As Jesus entered a village there, ten lepers stood at a distance, crying out, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” Jesus looked at them and said, “Go show yourselves to the priests,” and as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy.

Because leprosy was contagious, the lepers were required to stay away from people. If the leprosy had gone away, they were to present themselves to a priest, who could declare them clean.

Jesus sent the 10 lepers to the priest before they were healed, and they went! They responded in faith, and Jesus healed them on the way.

“One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, Praise God! He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done. Jesus asked, didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine?”

Jesus healed all 10 lepers, but only one returned to thank him. It is possible to receive God’s great gifts with an ungrateful spirit, 9 of the 10 men did so. Only the thankful man however learned that his faith had played a role in his healing; and only grateful

Christians grow in understanding God’s grace. God does not demand that we thank him, but he is pleased when we do so. And he uses our responsiveness to teach us more about him and his great love.

The Bible tells us;” Give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever.”

God is our Creator; we did not create ourselves. When we realize that God created us and gives us all we have, then, even if all is lost, we still have God and all he gives us.

Now let me take you back to my health issues and my depression. After many surgeries and my faithful wife and my church family’s many prayers the healing began. Slowly at first but I continued reading my Bible and crying out to God for mercy and also thanking him for his love. It is now nearing the end of 2014 and I am completely healed with no signs of ever having a stroke. I have much to be thankful for. A God who not only created me but loves me and comforts me, a faithful loving wife, a caring church family and a renewed strength to serve Jesus each day that I am blessed with.

It says in 1 Corinthians 2:9; “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.”

We cannot imagine all that God has in store for us, both in this life and for eternity. Until then his Holy Spirit comforts and guides us. Knowing the wonderful and eternal future that awaits us gives us hope and courage to press on in this life. This world is not all there is. The best is yet to come.

Next week is Thanksgiving. Let us remember to give thanks not just this one day but the other 364 as well.

We invite you to join us Sunday mornings at First Baptist Church, 8:00 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. We are located at 700 Hardy Way. For

more information, transportation or to request prayer call 702-346-7061 and please visit our website at fcmesquite.com.