THE LORD’S BRANCH CHRISTIAN CENTRE
THE BRANCH’S WAY-Isaiah 4:2 (A WEEKLY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE) Sunday, December 31, 2023
Text: Luke 17:11-19 And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. [12] And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: [13] And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. [14] And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. [15] And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, [16] And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. [17] And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? [18] There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. [19] And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole. When you appreciate God it will make your testimony to be complete.
Gratitude can be defined as an expression of emotion done when we received favour or gift from someone or God. Or it could be a sentiment of kindness or good will towards a benefactor. In verse 17 of our text Jesus asked a question 'Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? Meaning that whatever God has done for us He takes note and He expects us to show gratitude for them. The leper that went back to Jesus was not only cleansed but was also made whole.
To have a heart of gratitude is a thing of choice, as one can choose to be or not to be grateful. Gratitude is a thing of one's heart (the feelings, thoughts, desires, attitudes). In our text ten lepers were healed, one of them chose to be grateful for the healing received while the rest nine were ungrateful. Today is the last day of year 2023, will you be grateful to God for all His benefits to you and your family? Or do you want to go the way of the nine lepers by taking the goodness of God for granted. Failure to show gratitude to God is of the devil, as he will always want us to give up on God or to see God as not good enough.
People that failed to give thanks to God do so because they are fixated on the failures, and disappointments they have experienced at one time or the other while forgetting about all the other good things they have enjoyed. The air we breathe in is the most essential to life but most of us take it for granted because God does not make a demand on it. That song writer says "count your blessings, name them one by one and it will surprise you what the Lord has done". There is this adage that says "a child that failed to appreciate the good deeds of yesterday will not receive another". For this reason, I want you to say "thank You Jesus for all You have done for me".
Giving thanks is a command from God. In Psalm 100:4 it says "Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. Thanksgiving should be done personally, for you are the one who knows what God has done for you. Believers should know that they are what they are today by the grace of God. We have not made ourselves, God has made us, we are His people and the sheep of His pasture (Psalm 100: 3). This is the reason why we should be grateful to Him in all things. We are not to be selective in what to thank God for. Although it is easier to thank God when we experience good things than when we are going through rough situations. However, even in this so called bad situations we are to thank God for in there are some lessons to learn. No wonder the Bible says "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you" (1,Thessalonians 5: 18).
Hannah showed gratitude to God when her request was granted (1 Samuel 2: 1- 10). Also Mary the mother of our Lord Jesus showed gratitude to God when she was told she would be the mother of the Messiah (Luke 1: 46- 47). Job despite losing everything he ever had in one day maintained his stance in God and blessed the name of the Lord (Job 1: 21). David on his own showed gratitude to God in Psalm 103: 1- 5 after escaping from the hand of Saul the King of Israel. Paul the Apostle said "Now thanks be to God for His indescribable gift [which is precious beyond words]!"
(2 Corinthians 9:15 AMP) despite the thorn in his flesh.
We as believers should always give thanks to God because:
He commanded and deserves it (Psalm 100: 3- 4).
He is our provider - there is this song that says "all I have is giving to me by the Lord".
Of our salvation in Christ Jesus - "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved"(Acts 4: 12).
Of the opportunity given to us in knowing and serving Him ( Deuteronomy 28: 47- 48).
He delights in our thanksgiving.
The benefits of giving thanks to God are:
When we give thanks to God we become more humble and pride will decrease in us.
We will be contented with what we have and complaint less.
We trust God more as doubt in us will decrease.
Our spiritual eyes will be opened to see more of God in us, for us and with us.
We will be doing His will (1 Thessalonians 5: 18).
It deepens our relationship with God .
It brings peace (Phillippians 4: 6- 7).
It brings joy (Psalm 126: 1- 3).
It will guard us against envy (Psalm 138: 1).
When we give thanks to God it will help us to defy the lies of Satan.
Now right there where you are begin to give thanks to the Lord God for the gift of life, thank God The Father for Jesus Christ who brought you your salvation, thank God for how He has been intervening in the affairs of your life, thank Him for keeping you in perfect peace, thank the Lord for not allowing your enemies to triumph over you. Thank the Lord for not allowing you to stumble, nor to fail, nor falter, thank Him also for all the good gifts He has given you. Thank Him for how He has kept you and your family from January 1 to this very last day of the year 2023. And lastly thank Him for the assurances of good things in the coming years.
We can show gratitude to God by obeying all His words. We can also show our gratitude to God by humbling ourselves before Him. We also appreciate God by being grateful to those who have been good to us as God has placed them in the position of help to us. Praying to God is also a good way of showing our gratitude as He wants us to express ourselves in words.
Prayers:
My Lord and my God give me a heart of gratitude in Jesus name.
Father Lord remove in me the heart of stone and replace with the heart of flesh in Jesus name.
I command all my hanging blessings in year 2023, it is never too late for them to locate me therefore, locate me by fire in Jesus name.
Cobwebs of darkness before me in year 2024 catch fire in Jesus name.
I shed all my pains, tribulations, failures, sickness and lack into year 2023 as non will cross with me to year 2024 in Jesus name.
Holy Spirit, you will acompany me in my life journey in Jesus name.
Now for the next few minutes as the Holy Spirit would lead give God quality worship and praise. I pray for you that as you do this praises and laughter would not cease in your life in Jesus Holy name.
I say congratulations as you make it to year 2024.
Comments
Post a Comment
Your suggestions and questions here: