Text: Luke 17:11-19
Memory Verse: “And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God” (Luke 17:15).
Recently, I sent money to two of our brethren. While one called to thank me, and even informed his parents who called to appreciate my kind gesture, the other never bothered to appreciate it. Many people who are beneficiaries of God’s goodness are sometimes forgetful when it comes to expressing gratitude. One of the most pitiable examples of ingratitude appears in Luke 17:11-19, Christ’s healing of ten lepers. Only one came back to appreciate Jesus for his healing. The other nine took Jesus’ kind gesture for granted. Thanksgiving is not an option, it is a command, and our Lord’s most righteous due. Christ sets an example of thanksgiving in Matthew 11:25.
You must express your gratitude to God for His faithfulness and goodness. It is a good thing that must be inculcated into your young ones. An attitude of thanksgiving is essential to receiving the grace and favour of our heavenly
Father. You must express your thanksgiving in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
Your thanks should be in both pleasant and unpleasant circumstances, no matter what happens or how negative things may seem to be – disappointments, delays, disruptions, etc. President Abraham Lincoln of the US instituted the annual Thanksgiving Day in 1863, in the midst of the Civil War. Even when you are going through trials of life, you should offer thanksgiving to God. Also, your attitude and disposition whenever you are favoured in life, career, and ministry should be thanksgiving.
Prayer Points:
1. Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of life.
2. Holy Spirit, please plant in me the spirit of thanksgiving.