Are We Thankful?
You will remember the account of the ten lepers who cried out to Jesus for mercy. All ten needed healing, and all ten looked to Him for help. Jesus instructed them to go and show themselves to the priests, and as they went, they were cleansed.
What a blessing that must have been! Their lives were changed. Yet, out of the ten who received that blessing, only one turned back to thank and praise the Lord.
Jesus asked a very simple but searching question: “Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?”
That question should cause us to examine our own hearts. Are we quick to ask the Lord for what we need but sometimes slow to thank Him for what He has already done?
There is absolutely nothing wrong with asking God for healing, help, guidance, or provision. He invites us to bring our needs to Him. But our relationship with the Lord should not consist only of asking. We should also be a thankful people.
When we recognize what the Lord has done for us, gratitude should affect the way we live. I believe a thankful life will be reflected in our dedication to the One who has made us whole and set us free. We have so much for which to praise Him—not only for the prayers He has answered, but simply for who He is and for the blessings He gives us day after day.
Thankfulness should also cause us to remember the people God has placed in our lives.
Most of us can probably think of someone and say, “What a blessing that person has been to me.” For some, those special people may already be with the Lord, and we no longer have the opportunity to tell them what they meant to us.
But perhaps there is someone you can still thank today.
It might be a family member, a friend, a pastor, a teacher, or simply someone who stood beside you when you needed encouragement. Why not make a phone call, write a note, or personally tell that individual, “Thank you. You have been a blessing in my life”?
We should never become so accustomed to receiving blessings that we forget to be thankful for them.
Above all, let us thank our Lord for His unspeakable gifts and His many blessings to us. And as we remember His goodness, let us also remember those He has used to bless our lives.
The question Jesus asked so many years ago is still worth considering today:
Where are the thankful ones?
May we be among them.
A Thought for Today
Take a moment to thank the Lord specifically for something He has done for you. Then think of someone who has been a blessing in your life. If you still have the opportunity, let them know you are thankful for them.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for Your goodness and for the many blessings You have given us. Forgive us for the times we have been quick to ask but slow to give thanks. Help us to live with grateful hearts and to remember the people You have used to bless our lives. Above all, may our lives show our gratitude and dedication to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Our Giving to the Lord
“But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.” 2 Corinthians 9:6
The immediate application of the verse above has to do with our giving. Sad to say, there are churches that all you hear is GIVE, GIVE, GIVE. Certainly that is not the case at Brentwood. But, I see some things in the verse above that brings other things to mind, not just monetarily speaking, In the reaping process, you have to let go of the seed and toss it down. You give it up! How much of my time do I sow for the Lord. How much of my talent do I sow for the Lord? How much of my time do I give to sow God’s Word in my heart and mind? Only each individual can answer these questions personally. Having asked these questions, then I wonder about my reaping. Am I finding peace and contentment in the Lord? Do I have the inner peace, knowing that God is with me, for me, and fighting my battles? I believe our blessings will be in proportion to our “sowing”. How much do I invest into my Christian walk? Truly, this is an area that each one of us must consider and evaluate. Your pastor is always available to talk and/or to pray with you. Sister Rebekah is also available to our ladies! God bless you as you walk with the Lord!
How Long Oh Lord!!
And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?”Revelation 6:10
Have you ever been in the midst of a problem or trial and felt there was no way out? Have you ever seen circumstances or conditions and wondered how God could even allow such to go on? The passage above is the prayer or lament of those slain for the cause of the gospel. One would think that if we are on the winning side, why should we have to die or go through such trials?
Probably no person reading this has had to shed blood or be physically tortured for the cause of Christ. But, yes, we have our trials. And if they aren’t our own personal trials, we see things in the world and wonder why God would allow such.
Remember three things. The trial is for the good of the child of God. Romans 8:28 reminds us that all things work together for good to them that love God. We may not always understand how, especially while we are going through the trial. Secondly, God is always good. We don’t have to question or wonder about that. The third reality is that there is no higher gesture of love to our Lord Jesus than to suffer and take it patiently. He suffered for us. Is it a small thing to suffer for Him? Certainly not.
Remember who is at the wheel of your life, and remember that He loves you and this trip is only temporary.
We’ll soon be home!