Studies have shown that being thankful improves our physical and emotional health. Holding on to feelings of thankfulness boosts our immune system and increases blood supply to our heart. Daily guided exercises or the habit of keeping a weekly gratitude journal can increase our alertness, enthusiasm, and energy, and improve our sleep. People who describe themselves as feeling grateful tend to suffer less stress and depression than the rest of the population.
LUKE 17:11-19
On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance.
- ITS COMMON TO SEE A GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO HAS THE SAME OUTLOOK AND THE SAME ATTITUDE OF A CONDITION HUDDLED TOGETHER.
- LIKE NEGATIVE NANCY, DEBBIE DOWNER, PESSIMISTIC PAT, AND A FEW OTHERS WERE THERE.
13 and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” 14 When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” (DO YOU WANT TO BE HEALED?)
SOMETIMES WE ARE NOT PRESENTED WITH A QUESTION FROM GOD BUT AN ACTION AND THAT ACTION IS THANKFULNESS, PRAISE AND HONOR!
HE WANTS TO SEE OUR HEARTS REACTION TO A MIRACLE OR A BLESSING.
PSALM 86:12-13
“I will give thanks to you with all my heart, O Lord my God. I will honor you forever because your mercy toward me is great.”
And as they went they were cleansed. 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice;
- (STOOD AT DISTANCE) IT WAS LAW THAT THEY HAD TO KEEP A DISTANCE BETWEEN OTHERS. JESUS IS STANDING IN FRONT OF THEM. RELIGION KEEPS US FROM GIVING THANKS, RELIGION KEEPS US FROM BELIEVING THE IMPOSSIBLE.
16 and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”
THE LEPERS WERE WANTING HEALING BUT ONLY ONE CAME BACK WITH A SOUND OF PRAISE!
BE THANKFUL. IF WE ARE NOT CONTENT AND GRATEFUL FOR WHAT WE HAVE AND WHO WE ARE, THEN WE ARE NOT LOVING GOD AS WE SHOULD.
EMBRACE TRUST RATHER THAN CONTROL
THE BEGINNING OF REBELLION IS A THANKLESS HEART.
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