Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭2‬-‭3‬ ‭NIV — Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart— they do no wrong but follow his ways.‬‬

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Did you know that Psams 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible? We encourage you to read in on Biblegateway.com.

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Take a moment to read this article by Carl Shmidt titled A Funny Reminder To Be Thankful.

As we finish our week together about gratitude, may we all be focused on the many blessings God sends our way each day, moment to moment. May each of us have an attitude of gratitude.

Let’s pray. Dear God, may my words, actions, and attitude reflect You through an attitude of gratitude. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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Psalm 97:11-12 MSG — Light-seeds are planted in the souls of God’s people, Joy-seeds are planted in good heart-soil. So, God’s people, shout praise to God, Give thanks to our Holy God!

What a beautiful image! We have light-seeds and joy-seeds planted in us! For that we should be ever praising God! On this Thankful Thursday spend some time examining your thanksgiving and praise. Are you tending to and nurturing your light and joy seeds? Are you praising God?

Meet Abby. She is our 6 year old Yorkshire terrier who is full of energy and love. This picture was taken when I walked back in the house after being gone for only 15 minutes at most. Yet Abby was just as excited to see me as if I had been gone all day long. Abby is always thankful to see me just as God is always thankful to see you and me! I appreciate this reminder from Abby that we too are called to rejoice. Rejoice: feel or show great joy or delight. 

Let’s all take a lesson from Abby. Let’s rejoice! Let’s display our thanksgiving with joy and delight!

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for always being excited to commune with me. May I always greet You with joy and thanksgiving! In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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Luke 17:11-19 NIV — Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 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? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

Let’s revisit the featured scripture from yesterday. God blesses us in so many ways every day. Not only do we have big things to be thankful for such as family, friends, jobs, health, etc. but we also have moment-to-moment blessings. We often overlook these blessings because we are so caught up in our busy schedules. However when we are not present and intentional about looking for blessings we zoom on through life without giving thanks to God just like the nine lepers.

Gratitude is the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness. The one leper showed his gratitude by coming back, throwing himself at Jesus’ feet and praising Jesus. Now ponder how you show gratitude to God? Are you readily showing appreciation and returning kindness in His name? Do you throw yourself at the feet of Jesus in gratitude for the healing you receive? Again I encourage you to take a few moments out of your busy schedule to write down five things you are thankful for each day. You could do this at the beginning of the day, during your lunch break, or in the evening to wrap up your day. Years ago I chose a small notebook to be my gratitude journal and wrote down my gratitudes at the end of the day as I would wind down. Over the years I have changed and now write my gratitudes each morning as I end my devotion time with God. The time of day you choose to write them down is not important. Write them down on a piece of paper or in the notes on your phone. However I must warn you! Creating the habit of this daily practice will change your perspective and your attitude. Before you know it people may accuse you of having an “attitude of gratitude.”

Let’s pray. Dear God, may my words, actions, and attitude reflect You through an attitude of gratitude. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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Luke 17:11-19 NIV — Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 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? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

This scripture has always intrigued me. I have often pondered why only one leper came back to thank Jesus. Weren’t the others thankful? Why didn’t they show their gratitude? Let’s think about this together. First of all leprosy was such a terrible disease. When someone contracted leprosy they were cast away as an outsider. We do not know any other background information on these men. Who were they before leprosy stole their identity? What was their background? Were they married or did they have children? How long had they been held prisoner by this disease? So many factors occurred before bringing them to this point of healing by Jesus. Was this their first knowledge of Jesus? Imagine being an outcast cut off from your family and community. Imagine the pain, suffering and loneliness that they had endured. Now imagine their moment of healing. Imagine all the thoughts that they may have experienced. Perhaps they were so overjoyed that they ran off to find their friends and family. Perhaps they were so relieved to be able to leave this area that had caused them so much suffering. Whatever the reasons, they failed to thank the One who had given them the healing they had longed to receive. Take time today to examine your response to God’s healing and forgiveness. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for Your healing and forgiveness. Forgive me for failing to respond with gratitude immediately to Your goodness and mercy. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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Today is Memorial Day and we remember all who gave their lives fighting for our freedom. Let’s begin our week with a focus on our blessings. May we use a lens of gratitude this week as we face trials or bumps in the road. Let’s never forget that no matter what, God is good!

‭‭James‬ ‭1:16-18‬ ‭NIV — Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

Luke 17:11-19 NIV — Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 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? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

Psalm 97:11-12 MSG — Light-seeds are planted in the souls of God’s people, Joy-seeds are planted in good heart-soil. So, God’s people, shout praise to God, Give thanks to our Holy God!

#biblegateway

#youversion

Let’s begin our week focused on gratitude by listening to a few of my favorite songs titled Gratitude by Brandon Lake and Counting My Blessings  by Seph Schlueter.