Luke 17:11-19
11 And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.
12 And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:
13 And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.
14 And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go show yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.
15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,
16 And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.
17 And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?
18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.
19 And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.
Have you ever met someone who just seemed impossible to please. A large dog walks into a butcher shop carrying a purse in its mouth. He puts the purse down and sits in front of the meat case. "What is it, boy?" the butcher jokingly asks. "Want to buy some meat?" "Woof!" barks the dog. "Hmm," says the butcher. "What kind? Liver, bacon, steak . . ." "Woof!" interrupts the dog. "And how much steak? Half a pound, one pound . . ." "Woof!" The amazed butcher wraps up the meat and finds the money in the dog’s purse. As the dog leaves a man waiting in line is watching everything that happened. He decides to follow the dog. It goes down the street and enters an apartment house, climbs to the third floor and begins scratching at a door. With that, the door swings open and an angry man starts shouting at the dog. "Stop!" yells the man. "He’s the most intelligent animal I’ve ever seen!" "Intelligent?" says the man. "This is the third time this week he’s forgotten his key."
Have you ever felt like that man? God takes notice of our praise and thanks. When Jesus healed 10 lepers, only one returned to thank Him. Although all lepers were physically healed, Jesus pronounced this leper further healed by His faith, suggesting that our gratitude impacts our soul-level healing and closeness to God
This week we had Thanksgiving at our house. You see something amazing and it is met with a less than enthusiastic and unthankful response? As we sat around the table we began to tell what we were thankful of while we began to eat. As most of us do we will say we are "Thankful for our family, wife, kids, and other people or things". But this time as we went around the table we saying what we were Thankful for when Cathy Williams said that she "I am thankful that I am still alive" and that caught my attention the most.
The one thing that we should be the most thankful for and she is the one that said it. God is so good to us that he has given us life and extended it beyond that crazy people on the road that could kill us any day. We are each here for a reason.
I know that Thanksgiving is over, however we need to examine ourselves and the things that go on around us and be thankful every day that we are alive. God has not only kept you alive through some of the things that you have done, but he has also blessed you over and over again.
Grateful Sinner – Luke 7:36-50
This passage is the story of the sinful woman who washed Jesus’ feet with her hair and an entire bottle of expensive ointment. It’s filled with great talking points about not only our unworthiness of our greatest blessing — salvation — but also how lavishly Jesus deserves our thanks.
Have you ever sat in a restroom and let God tell you to pay someone's food. Some people will sit and ignore God when he tells us and never do what he is saying. Is it really because we don't hear the Lord's voice or that we just don't answer.
Some of the greatest blessing I get is when I pay for someone's meal because God says pay. Most of the time I never see their reaction, because that's not what I am look for. If you are in the will of God there is no reason to get self satisfaction. I am Thankful for what God has given me and my wife and I just want to do what God wants me to do.
By this women using the most expensive ointment she had and washing the feet of Jesus she was happy to have the opportunity to was the feet of her savior.
Hannah Gives Thanks for Samuel – 1 Samuel 1
When we wait a long time for a blessing or answer to prayer, it’s easy to feel thankful, but it’s also easy to cling too tightly to our blessing. Hannah, however, showed us that true, deep gratitude always dedicates the credit to God. When her prayers for a child are finally answered, she is faithful in dedicating her son, Samuel, to God. While we may not always have to give our blessings away, we should be ready to do with them whatever God asks of us, no matter how long we’ve waited.
Some time ago there was a need that someone had of money. I had been saving my money for a new IPad that I wanted. After having most all of the money saved someone came along that needed money for a bill. God dealt with me and I gave up some of my own money to help in the situation. I still got what I wanted, it just took a little longer. After all God gave me the job, income, and the patience to save the money to begin with. It is all God's I just live here.
Daniel Gives Thanks, Despite the Cost – Daniel 6
While it isn’t very common for Americans to have their lives threatened because of their faith, Daniel gives us an extreme example of the power of our faithfulness and gratitude to God. Despite knowing that the Satraps were trying to ensnare him, he chose to give thanks to God. Ultimately, his choice to worship and thank God despite the cost became the incredible testimony and Bible story we commonly refer to as “Daniel and the Lion’s Den.” We must learn to give God all the Thanks. Even when we are in trouble. Daniel didn't get delivered from the Lion's Den before it happened, but he went through a period of being in the den with the Lion's.
We need to come to God's sanctuary and be thankful for what he has done in our life. We must be will to give to Him everything He deserves.
In the Bible it says to be Thankful for all God has done and to worship Him with all you have.
Psalm 100:1
100 Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!
2 Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing.
3 Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
5 For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.