Thanks Giver

As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” When he saw them, he said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him - and he was a Samaritan.  Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

Luke 17:12-19

At this writing, the details of Thanksgiving Day keep trying to push to the forefront of my thoughts. But, probing questions keep them at bay - What kind of thanks giver am I? Would I be like the one leper who came back and fell at Jesus’ feet in thanksgiving for his healing? Or, would I be like the other nine who went on their merry way rejoicing at their healing?

My Sunday morning Bible teacher’s lesson stopped me in my tracks. How would God rate my level of gratitude if He were to rate such things?

Do I come into His Presence with thanksgiving? Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name (Psalms 100:4).

Am I thankful in all things? Do I have a passion for giving thanks to God? Do I make giving thanks a priority in my relationship with Him? Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks. For this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

I can make every day a giving Thanks day. Our Bible teacher encouraged us to make our lives Thanks-living.

Give thanks to the Lord, for His love endures forever (2 Chronicles 20:21).

Claudia Jackson