Be the One
Weariness and struggles of everyday life can make us heavy. You can make a life changing difference by choosing to give thanks to God.
There is power in thanksgiving. We are commanded by God to give thanks for everything. Sometimes we get caught up in asking for our daily needs and neglect giving thanks for what we’ve been given. The popular saying “Have an attitude of gratitude” should be instead “Have a practice of gratitude”.
Luke tells the story of 10 lepers. Leprosy was a devastating disease. The diseased person had to live in isolation and cry “unclean” if they approached anybody. They were abused by the healthy. Family member had to provide food for them left at a distance from colonies that formed by the people inflicted by this disease.
A group of these people heard Jesus was going to be passing by. They had heard of healings and decided if they hid in bushes and just called out to Him maybe He would have mercy on them and heal them.
Be the One That Risks Approaching Jesus
Luke 17:12
As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance
All 10 men took the risking together cried out to Jesus. More than likely followers were watching with rocks in hand to see what Jesus would do. Jesus had simple instructions, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” This was a common action upon healing. But they weren’t healed yet. By faith, they began walking to the priest’s house. As they walked, their healing began to take place.
Be the One That Rushes to Respond
Luke 17:15
One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice.
They must have been rejoicing at the realization of seeing family again, excited to work again, grateful to be whole again. What is gratitude that is not focused toward the source of your gratitude?
Be the One That Reciprocates With Thanks
Luke 17:16
He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.
There was one who thought of his source of thankfulness first. He returned to Jesus because his healing was more than skin deep. He had a heart change. He praised God and gave thanks to Jesus. He recognized nobody but God could change my life like this.
Were the other 9 more focused on their future that they forgot to be thankful? They did not make God the source of their gratitude. Selfishness will replace your thankfulness.
Be the One That Receives More
Luke 17:19
He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.
Your faith has saved your soul. You have been saved, rescued, and made well. Be the one who receives all God has for your life. Sometimes giving praise and be a sacrifice. Weariness and struggles of everyday life can make us heavy. You can make a life changing difference by choosing to give thanks to God. A heart of thanksgiving causes us to realize that regardless of what we face, God doesn’t just work to change our situation and help us through our problems, He does so much more.
He changes our hearts. His power, through hearts of gratitude and focused minds on Him, releases the grip our struggles have over us. We’re strengthened by His peace, refuted by His joy.
Psalms 95:1-3
1 Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord;
let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
2 Let us come before him with thanksgiving
and extol him with music and song.
3 For the Lord is the great God,
the great King above all gods.