There was a time when Jesus was traveling to Jerusalem and as he was coming to a village in an area that had both Jewish and non-Jewish folks there were ten men with leprosy standing away from him as the law required them to do. Leprosy attacked the nervous system and caused terrible disfigurement. Lepers could no longer feel pain, temperature or touch. And without the protection of pain, lepers would suffer repeated injuries causing tissue loss, deformed limbs and loss of appendages. As the disease progressed it would cause a thickening of the skin and tumor type of growths. They would lose eyebrows and eyelashes and often the nose would collapse. Folks were terrified of this disease and what it did to people. These 10 men were crying out to Jesus saying “Master, have mercy on us!” Jesus told them to go to the priests which was the protocol in cases when the disease went away. As they were walking…they were all cured and restored from their leprosy! One of them came running back to Jesus and was praising God and thanking Jesus, because his nightmare was over. And then the Bible mentions that this guy was a Samaritan, one of the folks that Jewish people hated and were hated by. Jesus spoke and asked “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? Only this one who is a foreigner came back to say “thank you”. Sometimes we fall into that trap. God does something wonderful in us or to us and there is a moment of elation, but that passes and we lose that passion for thanksgiving. The Bible reminds us to be joyful, keep praying and be thankful in all circumstances…because that is God’s will for the followers of Jesus. God does and gives so many things that we take for granted…that it should just “happen” that way. If you are committed to being in the will of God…then you are commanded to give thanks, a lot, in every way you can. For big things and little things. To God himself and to people whom he uses to provide, care and protect us. I think we have that healing account given to us as a reminder that no matter how wonderful the work or gift that God gives, so few will actually come back to God and thank him for his miracle in our lives. Don’t be one of the nine who accept the treasure from God but don’t really appreciate the gift. Be the “one” who truly gives thanks for God and the people he uses in his loving work. You do it and it will fire up your faith and open the door for God to do even more in your heart and life. All it takes is “thank you”. Say it often to God and to all those he will use in your life today. Here’s our Bible verse for today…
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT Always be joyful. (17) Never stop praying. (18) Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
Remember I’m praying for you…
PJ
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT Always be joyful. (17) Never stop praying. (18) Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
Remember I’m praying for you…
PJ