By Laura Lee Wesley

Sermon: “Thanks Be To God” Part 1 Romans 1:21
Pastor Nick Manzie told our congregation that people often display gratitude to others, but not to God. “When they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful, but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” (Romans 1:21). Let us remember ALL BLESSINGS come from the hand of The Almighty, and we should always pray in Jesus ‘ name. “Confess Me before men and I will confess you before My Father, which is in Heaven.” “Deny Me before men, and I shall deny you before My Father, which is in Heaven.” (Romans 10:32-33).
Brother Nick explained that all Christians sin, however, followers of Christ need to refrain from poor lifestyle choices that separate us from God. Our Pastor explained that some people “like” their sins and they do not desire to turn away from them because they find these to be pleasurable. We can be set free from sin through Jesus Christ.  (Romans 6:16-18). Sin separates us from God and leads to both spiritual and physical death. (Revelation 21:8). Pastor Manzie reminded us that Jesus conquered Death and Hell. (1 Corinthians 15:55 through 57).
Americans are blessed with homes, food, family, friends, education, technology, transportation, entertainment, and the freedom to worship God, to name a few examples. Brother Nick stated that we should always give thanks to God for victory over death and victory over life. Pastor Manzie mentioned a man of great suffering found in the Bible. Job was one of the greatest, righteous, and most widely known men in his section of the world during his lifetime. Suddenly, in one day, Job was crushed with multiple overwhelming calamities. Job lost his vast herds of camels and oxen, was robbed, learned his servants were killed, and the lives of his ten children were taken by a cyclone. Job became smitten with the most hideous and painful disease known to the ancient world. Satan accused Job of being deceitful in his goodness. God allowed Satan to take everything  from Job, except his life. Job stood the test, and in the end was blessed more abundantly than ever before. Thank God that He leads us in triumph when we need peace over our trials. “God knows the way I take, and when He has tested me, I will come out like gold.” Job 23:10. “Be thankful unto God; and bless His name! For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endures to all generations.” Psalm 100:4-5.