Daily Encouragement Net - Encourage one another daily (Hebrews 3:13)
A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation.
Home  About Us  Archives  Free email subscription  Listen to this message Listen to this message  Donate to this ministry
Wednesday, November 23, 2005

"Thankfulness Matters"

"He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked Him" (Luke 17:16).

Several years ago there was a popular bumper sticker that asked, "Have you hugged your kid today?" But I only once saw one that asks, "Have you thanked God today?" I believe that's a great question. These last several days in my family we have had the occasion to express thanks to God for my Mom and a life well-lived. It seems it takes the homegoing to really get a perspective on characteristics that are such a blessing.

Unthankfulness is one of the most dominant and universal sins in the human race.  The Apostle Paul, in his panoramic view of human depravity makes this statement, "They neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him" (Romans 1:21).  Yet Jesus taught that God is "kind to the ungrateful and wicked" (Luke 6:35).  This can be observed as we note the outpouring of God's kindness upon a world that is overwhelmingly ungrateful.  The basic needs and blessings of life in air, water, food, favorable climate and so forth have been abundantly poured out even on the most ungrateful and wicked by a kind, benevolent God. *

But thankfulness matters to God and Jesus used a real experience to emphasize this.  He had healed ten lepers but only one returned to thank Him.  Picture the wonderful scene as this man "came back, praising God in a loud voice.  He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked Him--and he was a Samaritan."  In response to this Jesus asked three questions. "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?  Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" 

As I read these questions I try to get a sense of the tone in our Lord's voice. It could be read with terse disbelief at such ingratitude.  It could be read with anger.  But I believe Jesus expressed a deep sadness as He asked these questions (for which He surely already knew the answer).

I want to be like the one that returned.  Although I've never had a physical condition known as leprosy I am aware of God's abundant blessings on my life.  Thank God for the many blessings I enjoy.  The beauty of a fresh snowfall (the first snow flurries of the season today), a loving family and many friends.  And the list goes on and on and on. 

But most of all I'm thankful for the spiritual blessings I have in Christ.  I am a child of the King!  And that's the best of all and something we can all by faith share.  Have you placed your faith in Christ today? Are you expressing thanksgiving day by day?

Give thanks with a grateful heart,
Give thanks to the Holy One;
Give thanks because He's given
Jesus Christ, His Son. *


Be encouraged today,


Stephen C. Weber

Brooksyne's prayer - Jesus, I want to express my gratitude for all the marvelous blessings I enjoy daily.  You abundantly supply me with so many gracious blessings that I don't even give thought to the majority of them.  I thank You not only for what You've done for me but what You've done in me.  You transformed a life that was lost.  You turned my sorrow into joy.  You exchanged my sin for grace.  You replaced my condemnation with forgiveness.  In thanksgiving may I be a person of thanksliving; living daily with a heart of thanks for Your immeasurable and inexhaustible goodness to me each new day.  

* "Give Thanks" Smith, Henry Integrity Music, Inc. © 1978 Integrity's Hosanna! Music (c/o Integrity Music, Inc.) CCLI License No. 2005306
"Give thanks" audio

Photo of Weber childrenHere is a photo taken of Georgia Mae's children in her room following the Memorial Service. To the left is my brother Pat, who is a minister in Easton, PA; my brother Mike, a retired cable car driver from San Francisco; me and my younger sister Genelle from Miami. We spent time reminiscing and sharing so many memories.



Audio quiz: Here's a sound I am really thankful for. Can you tell what it is?

* On the balance of Scripture we would err to assume that the present kindness of God to the ungrateful and wicked will continue past their present life on this earth.

 

Sign up for the free daily email encouragement at www.dailyencouragement.net

Permissions: Please feel free to pass on, reproduce and distribute any material on Daily Encouragement Net, in part or in whole, in any format, provided that you do not alter the wording in any way or charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. It is our desire to spread this material, not protect or restrict it. I do request that you keep the contact, copyright and subscription information intact.


Please pass this webpage on:   


Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission; and the King James Version.

Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."

© Copyright 2005 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved  ׀  Daily Encouragement Net - PO Box 714 - Mount Joy, PA 17552

"Living today anchored in God's solid foundation"