Scriptural Foundation:
Luke 17:11-19 New King James Version (NKJ)
Now it happened as He went to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. And they lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” So when He saw them, He said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan.
So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? 18 Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.”
Reflection:
My Pastor has been preaching on the apostate church. He listed out six ways that could cause individuals to fall away. One of the items he listed was thankfulness. Weeks after the message that word was still stuck in my spirit. I was surprised that the Lord chose this for me to meditate on.
I thought to myself, I am a thankful person….aren’t I? It has been ingrained in me that when I receive a gift I should respond with a thank you note. Now it is a reflex, which surprises people at times because it is seen as old fashioned thing to do. So for a person like myself, whom prides herself for thanking people (ahhhh..first discovered issue…pride). The more I meditated on this Word, the more I began to notice that I took a lot of “little” things in my life for granted. My health; my husband that helps me around the house; my well behaved children; getting into my car and it starting it like it suppose to…heck walking to the parking lot and seeing my car in the same spot I parked it (conversation for another time). The list goes on and on. Instead of focusing on the things that seem to be lacking at the moment, counter that thought with something that you are thankful for. Just praise Him for the little things He has protected in your life and that thankfulness with give way to more blessings..
Seeking Revelation:
Grab your notebook:
- List the things that you may take for granted
- Ask a friend what they admire about you. Add to your list something that they may have mentioned
- Consciously spend time thanking the Lord for your “little” things
Remember the small things that you thank the Lord for now will be the stepping stones to the larger victories in your future.