How does it feel when you invest a great deal of time in helping someone rise from the ashes of life and find new hope in Jesus?  Pretty amazing, right?  What if this person you helped finds hope in Jesus never said thank you?  Granted, what we do we do for Jesus, in Jesus Name, but isn’t it icing on the cake when people kindly and gratefully say thank you?  Jesus thinks so.

Do you say thank you in kindness when someone helps or serves you in any way?  Probably, you do, if you are a server.  I have been observing that people who have the least and have been through the worst in life are the ones most thankful and willing to serve gratefully when asked.  Humility breeds gratitude.  Serving produces gratefulness.

Ten lepers came to Jesus for healing.  He healed all ten.  Nine ran home to their families who had to shun them so they wouldn’t get the dreaded disease themselves.  Only one turned from running home to run to Jesus, fall down and thank Him for his healing which changed his life forever.  (See Luke 17:11-19) “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.”  Jesus might be wondering why we haven’t said thank you lately for each day that we get to live life on this earth as changed souls because of his salvation. 

Stronger faith is built by a grateful heart.  How grateful are we?  How thankful for our own changed lives to the One and Only who saved us for eternity?  Maybe it is time to turn around from all that distracts us and run to Jesus right now and say thank you.  Thank you for saving my soul and making me whole.  Thank you for protecting me when the enemy tries to draw me from you.  Thank you for listening to my cries for help.  Thank you for providing for my daily needs.  Thank you for your love, mercy and grace.

Yes, Everything in me says, “Thank you, Jesus” today!

Worship and Wisdom, Psalms and Proverbs

Psalm 138, The Message

^1-3 Thank you! Everything in me says “Thank you!”
    Angels listen as I sing my thanks.
I kneel in worship facing your holy temple
    and say it again: “Thank you!”
Thank you for your love,
    thank you for your faithfulness;
Most holy is your name,
    most holy is your Word.
The moment I called out, you stepped in;
    you made my life large with strength.

^4-6 When they hear what you have to say, God,
    all earth’s kings will say “Thank you.”
They’ll sing of what you’ve done:
    “How great the glory of God!”
And here’s why: God, high above, sees far below;
    no matter the distance, he knows everything about us.

^7-8 When I walk into the thick of trouble,
    keep me alive in the angry turmoil.
With one hand
    strike my foes,
With your other hand
    save me.
Finish what you started in me, God.
    Your love is eternal—don’t quit on me now.

TRUTH:  God never gives up on us who believe on Him and trust in Jesus who saved us.  He WILL finish what He started in us on the day of our salvation.

Sing with the Psalmist and me, “One Thing Remains”

Higher than the mountains that I face
Stronger than the power of the grave
Constant through the trial and the change
One thing remains, yes, one thing remains

Your love never fails
It never gives up
It never runs out on me

Because on and on, and on, and on it goes
Before it overwhelms and satisfies my soul
And I never, ever, have to be afraid
One thing remains, yes, one thing remains
Sing it, your love

Your love never fails
It never gives up
It never runs out on me

In death, in life
I’m confident and covered by
The power of your great love
My debt is paid
There’s nothing that can separate
My heart from your great love
Sing it, your love

Your love never fails
It never gives up
It never runs out on me

Never runs out on me
Your love never fails
It never gives up
Never runs out on me

Your love never fails
It never gives up
Never runs out on me, oh
Yes, your love
Your love, your love, your love…
Yes, your love
Yes, your love

Never fails
It never fails
It never fails
Never fails…

Proverb 10:12, The Message

“Hatred starts fights, but love pulls a quilt over the bickering.”

WISDOM:  Be thankful, loving and kind as our Father in heaven is to us.  Love God.  Love Others.  His love never quits and never gives up on us.  Love like that.

Abba Father,

Thank you for all you have done for me and my family over the years of our lives.  Thank you for how you at work in our lives now!  Thank you for what you will do to constantly grow and mature us in your love.  Thank you for saving my soul.  Thank you for healing my brokenness.  Thank you for teaching me daily.  Thank you for life.  Just thank you!

In Jesus Name, Amen