TEN DAY OF THANKSGIVING ~ Day 9
I got off track and should have been on Day 10 today. Sigh! But I can still blog an extra later...its not like there is an expiry date on thankfulness!
So, today was our family celebration.
Reasons I am thankful on this day as I ponder my family...
*God said that it was "not good for man to be alone" and so created a woman (and God led me to meet and marry a wonderful man over 26 years ago!)
*God sets the lonely in families (He gave Walter and I three children to cure any loneliness we may have had!)
*God can work all things for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (our home has not been perfect and we have had to learn about marriage, parenting and now almost empty-nesting through His wisdom and the role models He has provided)
*God gives us opportunities through these holidays where families gather and eat together to say "Grace" at the meals and bring Jesus into the occasions.
*Although our family is scattered this year, our time with extended family was fun and memorable. We played catch outside on a glorious fall afternoon, we watched the Toronto Blue Jays win a play off game to keep them in the running and we enjoyed a delicious meal that had been collectively prepared.
*Mark and Amy are thousands of miles away celebrating Thanksgiving with 13 students and their co-labourers with "One Hope Canada". (We enjoyed a 1 hour chat on the phone today!)
*Caylea is a couple hundred miles away, on a drama tour ministry called "Upside Down Productions" (saw her briefly on FaceTime until the call was disconnected!)
*Daniel was home and part of the fun and feasting with us today (he suggested bringing ball gloves and even brought brownies to contribute to the dinner!)
*Psalm 128 was my devotional reading this morning and it basically spoke to me of all the blessings I enjoy because I am in relationship with my Heavenly Father. I am blessed with family, all that I need, and the promises for a future with Him. I am rich. God is so good!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING, EVERYONE! May you find joy in the Word of God and in prayer and in giving thanks in all circumstances.
Day 9 - How has God blessed you and your family?
Monday, 12 October 2015
Sunday, 11 October 2015
TEN DAYS OF THANKSGIVING ~ Day 8
I remember reading Philippians 4:6 many years ago, and being fascinated by thankfulness in relation to prayer.
"...do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God."
How could I possibly be thankful for the things I was praying about before God had answered them?
That is the beauty of God's Word. It is pure wisdom. It may not make sense at first, but in time and with experience, His Word is the only path to the follow.
First of all, Paul begins with the need that probably every human has struggled with: anxiety! When life is not going our way, we worry. Worry is quite the opposite of trust. So in approaching God with our prayer requests, we need to stop the anxiousness and come to Him with trust.
Another aspect of prayer is the broad scope in which we can pray. "...but in everything..." literally means every need can be a valid prayer request. Paul also writes to the Ephesian believers to "...pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests..."(Ephesians 6:18a). There is no limit to when, where and what we pray about. The promise is that as we pray in the Spirit, He guides us to ask with right motives and ask for the right requests.
Again, the key part of this verse is the phrase "with thanksgiving", which is our focus. With that positive attitude of gratitude, our faith is already set on the Lord. If we can be thankful in advance for God's answers, then we are trusting Him to provide or intervene as He wills. What if His answer is no? What if there seems to be no response from heaven at all? Again, we can trust God's wisdom and sovereignty to work things out according to His best.
I am learning to be praying on every occasion, even if it is a simple word or two. I hear an ambulance and pray for the emergency. I think of a person and bring them before the Lord. I get annoyed or stressed about a situation, mulling over possible solutions, and remember to cover it in prayer. The main thing is to PRAY and let those requests be made known to God.
If we cannot find anything to be thankful about, at the very least we have that privilege of coming before God's throne of grace and having that outlet of prayer. What a hope we have in Jesus, making that way open to the presence of the Father.
Day 8 - What is God saying to you about thankfulness in prayer?
I remember reading Philippians 4:6 many years ago, and being fascinated by thankfulness in relation to prayer.
"...do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God."
How could I possibly be thankful for the things I was praying about before God had answered them?
That is the beauty of God's Word. It is pure wisdom. It may not make sense at first, but in time and with experience, His Word is the only path to the follow.
First of all, Paul begins with the need that probably every human has struggled with: anxiety! When life is not going our way, we worry. Worry is quite the opposite of trust. So in approaching God with our prayer requests, we need to stop the anxiousness and come to Him with trust.
Another aspect of prayer is the broad scope in which we can pray. "...but in everything..." literally means every need can be a valid prayer request. Paul also writes to the Ephesian believers to "...pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests..."(Ephesians 6:18a). There is no limit to when, where and what we pray about. The promise is that as we pray in the Spirit, He guides us to ask with right motives and ask for the right requests.
Again, the key part of this verse is the phrase "with thanksgiving", which is our focus. With that positive attitude of gratitude, our faith is already set on the Lord. If we can be thankful in advance for God's answers, then we are trusting Him to provide or intervene as He wills. What if His answer is no? What if there seems to be no response from heaven at all? Again, we can trust God's wisdom and sovereignty to work things out according to His best.
I am learning to be praying on every occasion, even if it is a simple word or two. I hear an ambulance and pray for the emergency. I think of a person and bring them before the Lord. I get annoyed or stressed about a situation, mulling over possible solutions, and remember to cover it in prayer. The main thing is to PRAY and let those requests be made known to God.
If we cannot find anything to be thankful about, at the very least we have that privilege of coming before God's throne of grace and having that outlet of prayer. What a hope we have in Jesus, making that way open to the presence of the Father.
Day 8 - What is God saying to you about thankfulness in prayer?
Saturday, 10 October 2015
TEN DAYS OF THANKSGIVING ~ Day 7
Wikipedia: the source of random facts or at least fairly accurate information!
I wanted to research the history of our Canadian Thanksgiving Day celebration and was surprised by what I found through Google and Wikipedia...
The first thanksgiving feast was initiated by Martin Frobisher, when he and his remaining ships and crew located a spot on Baffin Island (in Frobisher Bay!) to set up a settlement. He was on his third voyage to find that elusive Northwest passage for England but the weather and ice conditions proved too extreme and the establishment of a settlement did not proceed. The year of their thanksgiving celebration? 1578! But they all returned to England in the end.
Later on, in 1604 and following, the French settlers in Quebec held feasts of thanksgiving where they and their First Nations neighbours would share food together.
After Canadian Confederation in 1867, several occasions of thanksgiving were held, for various reasons. Following World War I, the celebrations of Armistice Day and Thanksgiving were set for the end of October and beginning of November, by proclamation each year.
Finally, by 1957, the Canadian Parliament "fixed Thanksgiving to the second Monday of October".
[All of the above information taken from the Wikipedia article "Thanksgiving (Canada)"]
Not nearly as dramatic or romantic as the American story of pilgrims and First Nations and turkey and pumpkin. Or is it?
With the English and French explorers vying for Canada's vast and rich resources and the harshness of our land and climate, is it any wonder these early folks stopped to thank God, yes, GOD, for safety and provision? We have so much to be thankful for in our great country. It is not perfect. Our history has not been pure and just to all those who have called this nation "home". But it IS our home and we have such abundance and relative freedom and peace.
The official proclamation of our government is worded thus:
"A Day of General Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed."[1]
As we are about to partake in church services, turkey dinners and CFL football games on television, I am moved to celebrate with a heart of praise for our Canadian history and precedent to take time to 'give thanks' to the Almighty God. And as we are on the eve of a federal election on October 19, I am all the more motivated to pray for God's will and His choice for the government who will rule over us. "God keep our land glorious and free..." ~ from our National Anthem, O Canada.
Day 7 - How do your traditions for Thanksgiving reflect your cultural/family history?
Wikipedia: the source of random facts or at least fairly accurate information!
I wanted to research the history of our Canadian Thanksgiving Day celebration and was surprised by what I found through Google and Wikipedia...
The first thanksgiving feast was initiated by Martin Frobisher, when he and his remaining ships and crew located a spot on Baffin Island (in Frobisher Bay!) to set up a settlement. He was on his third voyage to find that elusive Northwest passage for England but the weather and ice conditions proved too extreme and the establishment of a settlement did not proceed. The year of their thanksgiving celebration? 1578! But they all returned to England in the end.
Later on, in 1604 and following, the French settlers in Quebec held feasts of thanksgiving where they and their First Nations neighbours would share food together.
After Canadian Confederation in 1867, several occasions of thanksgiving were held, for various reasons. Following World War I, the celebrations of Armistice Day and Thanksgiving were set for the end of October and beginning of November, by proclamation each year.
Finally, by 1957, the Canadian Parliament "fixed Thanksgiving to the second Monday of October".
[All of the above information taken from the Wikipedia article "Thanksgiving (Canada)"]
Not nearly as dramatic or romantic as the American story of pilgrims and First Nations and turkey and pumpkin. Or is it?
With the English and French explorers vying for Canada's vast and rich resources and the harshness of our land and climate, is it any wonder these early folks stopped to thank God, yes, GOD, for safety and provision? We have so much to be thankful for in our great country. It is not perfect. Our history has not been pure and just to all those who have called this nation "home". But it IS our home and we have such abundance and relative freedom and peace.
The official proclamation of our government is worded thus:
"A Day of General Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed."[1]
As we are about to partake in church services, turkey dinners and CFL football games on television, I am moved to celebrate with a heart of praise for our Canadian history and precedent to take time to 'give thanks' to the Almighty God. And as we are on the eve of a federal election on October 19, I am all the more motivated to pray for God's will and His choice for the government who will rule over us. "God keep our land glorious and free..." ~ from our National Anthem, O Canada.
Day 7 - How do your traditions for Thanksgiving reflect your cultural/family history?
TEN DAYS OF THANKSGIVING ~ Day 6
The Apostle Paul was an example of being thankful. Many of his letters to the churches begins with "We always thank God, the Father...when we pray for you..." (Colossians 1:2) and other similar greetings. Paul expressed his joy and gratefulness for their faith and their partnership in the gospel (Philippians 1:3-5).
On a personal level, Paul was also able to give thanks for his lot in life. As a Pharisee and a Roman citizen, he had been fairly well off financially. His social standing and economic status were very respectable. But when he encountered Christ on the Road to Damascus, his life and financial circumstance changed dramatically!
In Philippians 4:11 & 12, Paul shared his "attitude of gratitude" to the believers in Philippi.
"Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content....I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need." Paul's secret to his life on the road spreading the gospel was "to be content".
A couple verses later, Paul acknowledges the support of the Philippian church for his ministry. "Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble" (verse 14). He explains the relationship these believers have had with him in the past, "no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only" (verse 15b). He is careful not to emphasis the gifts, but the blessing on the giver by the Lord.
In the next month, Walter and I are visiting various churches who have partnered with us and our ministry of Healing Hearts. We will give reports of the ministry. We will share praise items and also some of the burdens and areas that we would appreciate prayer. And we will take the opportunity to "give thanks" for their financial support that enables us to serve in the ministry full time.
Are there any words that capture how we feel, as recipients of such generosity and kindness? I know for Walter especially as man and provider for our family, it is humbling to have others supply our monthly income, to know the sacrifice of so many who give to the work of the Lord. But it is about "partnership" and God ordains that many missions are established by faith and gifts of the "giver and the goer". His Kingdom works that way so no one but Himself can receive the glory!
God has shown us how to live in plenty and how to trust in seasons of need. Our children also have witnessed how in those times of want, we have prayed and God has provided, often miraculously! This life as faith missionaries has been rich for us and I wouldn't trade the experiences for anything.
For those who are reading this blog, who have been supporters of Walter and myself and our family over the years, THANK YOU! May God "supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus" (verse 19).
Day 6 - How has God taught you the "secret" to being content as a part of thankfulness?
The Apostle Paul was an example of being thankful. Many of his letters to the churches begins with "We always thank God, the Father...when we pray for you..." (Colossians 1:2) and other similar greetings. Paul expressed his joy and gratefulness for their faith and their partnership in the gospel (Philippians 1:3-5).
On a personal level, Paul was also able to give thanks for his lot in life. As a Pharisee and a Roman citizen, he had been fairly well off financially. His social standing and economic status were very respectable. But when he encountered Christ on the Road to Damascus, his life and financial circumstance changed dramatically!
In Philippians 4:11 & 12, Paul shared his "attitude of gratitude" to the believers in Philippi.
"Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content....I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need." Paul's secret to his life on the road spreading the gospel was "to be content".
A couple verses later, Paul acknowledges the support of the Philippian church for his ministry. "Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble" (verse 14). He explains the relationship these believers have had with him in the past, "no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only" (verse 15b). He is careful not to emphasis the gifts, but the blessing on the giver by the Lord.
In the next month, Walter and I are visiting various churches who have partnered with us and our ministry of Healing Hearts. We will give reports of the ministry. We will share praise items and also some of the burdens and areas that we would appreciate prayer. And we will take the opportunity to "give thanks" for their financial support that enables us to serve in the ministry full time.
Are there any words that capture how we feel, as recipients of such generosity and kindness? I know for Walter especially as man and provider for our family, it is humbling to have others supply our monthly income, to know the sacrifice of so many who give to the work of the Lord. But it is about "partnership" and God ordains that many missions are established by faith and gifts of the "giver and the goer". His Kingdom works that way so no one but Himself can receive the glory!
God has shown us how to live in plenty and how to trust in seasons of need. Our children also have witnessed how in those times of want, we have prayed and God has provided, often miraculously! This life as faith missionaries has been rich for us and I wouldn't trade the experiences for anything.
For those who are reading this blog, who have been supporters of Walter and myself and our family over the years, THANK YOU! May God "supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus" (verse 19).
Day 6 - How has God taught you the "secret" to being content as a part of thankfulness?
Thursday, 8 October 2015
TEN DAY OF THANKSGIVING ~ Day 5
Recently I have been reading from the English Standard Version, a change from the NIV that I have used for study and devotion for the past 30 years. The new wording gives me a fresh perspective on familiar passages.
But one thing I noticed in both versions of the Bible is that Psalm 100 has the subtitle "A Psalm for Giving Thanks". The purpose of the psalmist was specifically to use for offering a tribute of thankfulness to the Lord. Just what I've been focused on these past days before our Canadian statutory holiday! So let's unpack Psalm 100...
"Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!"
Coming before God in worship is to be a joyful experience! Be noisy! Be exuberant! The invitation is to "all the earth". The Lord is to be worshiped by all His creation.
"Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into His presence with singing!"
Coming before God in worship is an act of serving. I always thought of service as "work", doing something practical or profitable somehow. But we are serving, obeying, being purposeful in spending time in worship of the Most High.
What is our attitude to be? "..with gladness and singing!" It seems this psalmist was setting forth a spirit of excitement not a spirit of dread or solemn duty.
"Know that the Lord, He is God! It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture."
Coming before God in worship is all about relationship. He is God. No mistaking who our Father and Maker and Lord is! And we are in relationship by virtue of our adoption into His family through faith in the blood of Jesus Christ. We belong. His love and care extends to us as sheep in His safe pasture. We are worshiping Someone we know and are getting to know more and more.
"Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise!"
We lose the powerful image of the worshipers entering the Temple in Jerusalem as we cruise up to our churches in our vehicles and rush in. Those who came into the courts of God did enter literal gates on foot and as the crowds of people arrived, a growing buzz must have grown in anticipation. I'm sure they must have had their challenges and obstacles to worship; I don't want to idealize the Old Testament worship experience...but I want to stand where the psalmist stood to picture the people of God coming to offer God praise. They were able to take time to prepare and to greet one another and let the joy and gladness stir up among each other.
"Give thanks to Him; bless His name!"
Here is the climax of the psalm-the verse where the readers can "give thanks" to the Lord and offer their sacrifice of praise. We are not told to count our blessings or itemize the things God has done. This isn't just a mental exercise. We are exhorted to give Him thanks and bless His name. From our hearts in response to Him.
Just because...
"For the Lord is good; His steadfast love endures forever, and His faithfulness to all generations."
Why give thanks then? Because He is good. His love is steadfast. He is faithful to all generations. He is awesome and wonderful and deserves our hearts' expressions of gratitude just because of who He is!
Day 5-What has this psalm for giving thanks taught you about thanksgiving?
Recently I have been reading from the English Standard Version, a change from the NIV that I have used for study and devotion for the past 30 years. The new wording gives me a fresh perspective on familiar passages.
But one thing I noticed in both versions of the Bible is that Psalm 100 has the subtitle "A Psalm for Giving Thanks". The purpose of the psalmist was specifically to use for offering a tribute of thankfulness to the Lord. Just what I've been focused on these past days before our Canadian statutory holiday! So let's unpack Psalm 100...
"Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!"
Coming before God in worship is to be a joyful experience! Be noisy! Be exuberant! The invitation is to "all the earth". The Lord is to be worshiped by all His creation.
"Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into His presence with singing!"
Coming before God in worship is an act of serving. I always thought of service as "work", doing something practical or profitable somehow. But we are serving, obeying, being purposeful in spending time in worship of the Most High.
What is our attitude to be? "..with gladness and singing!" It seems this psalmist was setting forth a spirit of excitement not a spirit of dread or solemn duty.
"Know that the Lord, He is God! It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture."
Coming before God in worship is all about relationship. He is God. No mistaking who our Father and Maker and Lord is! And we are in relationship by virtue of our adoption into His family through faith in the blood of Jesus Christ. We belong. His love and care extends to us as sheep in His safe pasture. We are worshiping Someone we know and are getting to know more and more.
"Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise!"
We lose the powerful image of the worshipers entering the Temple in Jerusalem as we cruise up to our churches in our vehicles and rush in. Those who came into the courts of God did enter literal gates on foot and as the crowds of people arrived, a growing buzz must have grown in anticipation. I'm sure they must have had their challenges and obstacles to worship; I don't want to idealize the Old Testament worship experience...but I want to stand where the psalmist stood to picture the people of God coming to offer God praise. They were able to take time to prepare and to greet one another and let the joy and gladness stir up among each other.
"Give thanks to Him; bless His name!"
Here is the climax of the psalm-the verse where the readers can "give thanks" to the Lord and offer their sacrifice of praise. We are not told to count our blessings or itemize the things God has done. This isn't just a mental exercise. We are exhorted to give Him thanks and bless His name. From our hearts in response to Him.
"For the Lord is good; His steadfast love endures forever, and His faithfulness to all generations."
Why give thanks then? Because He is good. His love is steadfast. He is faithful to all generations. He is awesome and wonderful and deserves our hearts' expressions of gratitude just because of who He is!
Day 5-What has this psalm for giving thanks taught you about thanksgiving?
Tuesday, 6 October 2015
I opened the blinds of our bedroom window. Early morning sunlight streamed in and bathed our room in warmth and brilliance.
Isn't it easy to be thankful when the sun is shining and life is good?
Later on in my day, I strolled down the sidewalk of our street, through rustling leaves and pleasant fall breezes. As I put the key into our mailbox and opened the small door, I reached in to grab a handful of flyers and a couple letters for fundraisers. Kind of disappointing to receive junk mail. Then my eye caught the white envelope and actual handwritten address on the front. A personal letter? I quickened my pace back to the house so I could open the mail. After sorting through and disposing of the unwanted stuff, I sat down to savour real mail, carefully opening the seal and drawing out a nice card. Inside was a note of appreciation and encouragement for Walter and me. And out dropped a neatly folded cheque, "to take a holiday or pay a bill", just for us!
Isn't it easy to be thankful when the mail brings good news?
Tonight we have been invited out for supper by friends from out of town. I look forward to not cooking, but also to dressing up a bit and being on the receiving end of friendship and blessing. This is something special, a treat, and I plan on enjoying the night out.
Isn't it easy to be thankful when friends want to spend time with us?
Job 1:21b is a verse that is often quoted when life is hard and unfair. Job had been blessed of the Lord and had a family and prosperity. He worshiped God and made sacrifice for his family. And then when tragedy struck, he lost it all. We read this verse in the context of loss and grief and suffering. We learn to give thanks even when God takes away?
But today, I read the second half of verse 21 and can genuinely say that the Lord has given to me. I am blessed; I am provided for beyond my needs and wants. I will not take for granted the good gifts I have received this day.
"The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord."
I will take time today - NOW - to say thank You to my Father God for the sunshine, the generous gift and the evening out with friends.
Day 4 ~ Can you count your blessings today?
Isn't it easy to be thankful when the sun is shining and life is good?
Later on in my day, I strolled down the sidewalk of our street, through rustling leaves and pleasant fall breezes. As I put the key into our mailbox and opened the small door, I reached in to grab a handful of flyers and a couple letters for fundraisers. Kind of disappointing to receive junk mail. Then my eye caught the white envelope and actual handwritten address on the front. A personal letter? I quickened my pace back to the house so I could open the mail. After sorting through and disposing of the unwanted stuff, I sat down to savour real mail, carefully opening the seal and drawing out a nice card. Inside was a note of appreciation and encouragement for Walter and me. And out dropped a neatly folded cheque, "to take a holiday or pay a bill", just for us!
Isn't it easy to be thankful when the mail brings good news?
Tonight we have been invited out for supper by friends from out of town. I look forward to not cooking, but also to dressing up a bit and being on the receiving end of friendship and blessing. This is something special, a treat, and I plan on enjoying the night out.
Isn't it easy to be thankful when friends want to spend time with us?
Job 1:21b is a verse that is often quoted when life is hard and unfair. Job had been blessed of the Lord and had a family and prosperity. He worshiped God and made sacrifice for his family. And then when tragedy struck, he lost it all. We read this verse in the context of loss and grief and suffering. We learn to give thanks even when God takes away?
But today, I read the second half of verse 21 and can genuinely say that the Lord has given to me. I am blessed; I am provided for beyond my needs and wants. I will not take for granted the good gifts I have received this day.
"The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord."
I will take time today - NOW - to say thank You to my Father God for the sunshine, the generous gift and the evening out with friends.
Day 4 ~ Can you count your blessings today?
Monday, 5 October 2015
TEN DAYS OF THANKSGIVING ~ Day 3
I don't want to be like the other nine.
There were ten men suffering from the horrific skin disease known in the Bible as leprosy.
According to Luke, the gospel writer who was a physician and would therefore be deeply interested in the accounts of Jesus' healing ministry, these ten men approached Jesus as He passed through a particular village. They kept their prescribed distance as they were "unclean", but they called out to Jesus. "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us." (Luke 17:13)
When He saw them, He responded by telling the men to go show themselves to the priests. This was a normal practice and I am sure they had done this before. Without argument or hesitation, the lepers turned to go and "as they went they were cleansed" (verse 14b).
Here is the point of this true story: only one of the men came back to give thanks.
Isn't that tragic?
Jesus noticed.
His healing gift restored to each one of the ten men their social standing, their opportunity to earn a living, their return to their homes and families in addition to physical health. They were made clean and whole again. Jesus had given back to them their very lives.
And only one man "turned back, praised God with a loud voice and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving Him thanks..." (verse 15 & 16).
Out of sheer joy and relief and humility, the one leper came back to acknowledge the Healer.
"Where are the other nine?"
Jesus noticed the absence of the nine other healthy men and also noted that the one who gave thanks was a foreigner, a Samaritan. Hmmm... Assuming the other nine were Israelites, would they not be the first ones to thank God and recognize His Servant, Jesus?
****** ****** ******
Lord Jesus, THANK YOU for all You have done for me! I have been saved, called, adopted, healed, restored, blessed, favoured by Your gracious and loving kindness. I have so much more than I ever dreamed and have received more than I could never earn or deserve!
Forgive me for any ungratefulness, whether through my forgetfulness or my selfish focus. I want to be like the one former leper, who instantly and immediately knew he had been touched and blessed, and fell at Your feet in pure praise!
"O, You've done so much for me that I cannot tell it all,
I cannot tell it all, no I cannot tell it all!
O, You've done so much for me that I cannot tell it all;
You have taken all my sins away!
Praise God! Praise God! Praise God! Praise God!" ~ author unknown
Day 3 ~ What have we neglected to be grateful for, to God first and foremost? Is there anyone in our lives we need to express appreciation to who has done big or little kindnesses for us?
I don't want to be like the other nine.
There were ten men suffering from the horrific skin disease known in the Bible as leprosy.
According to Luke, the gospel writer who was a physician and would therefore be deeply interested in the accounts of Jesus' healing ministry, these ten men approached Jesus as He passed through a particular village. They kept their prescribed distance as they were "unclean", but they called out to Jesus. "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us." (Luke 17:13)
When He saw them, He responded by telling the men to go show themselves to the priests. This was a normal practice and I am sure they had done this before. Without argument or hesitation, the lepers turned to go and "as they went they were cleansed" (verse 14b).
Here is the point of this true story: only one of the men came back to give thanks.
Isn't that tragic?
Jesus noticed.
His healing gift restored to each one of the ten men their social standing, their opportunity to earn a living, their return to their homes and families in addition to physical health. They were made clean and whole again. Jesus had given back to them their very lives.
And only one man "turned back, praised God with a loud voice and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving Him thanks..." (verse 15 & 16).
Out of sheer joy and relief and humility, the one leper came back to acknowledge the Healer.
"Where are the other nine?"
Jesus noticed the absence of the nine other healthy men and also noted that the one who gave thanks was a foreigner, a Samaritan. Hmmm... Assuming the other nine were Israelites, would they not be the first ones to thank God and recognize His Servant, Jesus?
****** ****** ******
Lord Jesus, THANK YOU for all You have done for me! I have been saved, called, adopted, healed, restored, blessed, favoured by Your gracious and loving kindness. I have so much more than I ever dreamed and have received more than I could never earn or deserve!
Forgive me for any ungratefulness, whether through my forgetfulness or my selfish focus. I want to be like the one former leper, who instantly and immediately knew he had been touched and blessed, and fell at Your feet in pure praise!
"O, You've done so much for me that I cannot tell it all,
I cannot tell it all, no I cannot tell it all!
O, You've done so much for me that I cannot tell it all;
You have taken all my sins away!
Praise God! Praise God! Praise God! Praise God!" ~ author unknown
Day 3 ~ What have we neglected to be grateful for, to God first and foremost? Is there anyone in our lives we need to express appreciation to who has done big or little kindnesses for us?
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