Joy of Praise and Thanksgiving

Our Senior Teacher spoke on the joys of a grateful heart during our Thanksgiving Celebration. Her scripture focus was:

Luke 17:12-17 12 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance  13 and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” 14 When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. 15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. 17 Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?

When we were accepted into the family of God we became spiritual brothers and sisters of Christ Himself; but how many of us behave like spoiled children who are ever demanding and seldom taking time to give a sincere “thank You”? Our Heavenly Father, Yahweh Jireh, Our God Who Provides, gave us in His Son a perfect example to follow.

Matthew 14:19-20 New International Version (NIV) 19 And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.  20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.

Matthew 15:36 New International Version (NIV) 36 Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people.

Mark 14:22-23 New International Version (NIV) 22 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.” 23 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it.

Two of the greatest of the many gifts given to us by the father are His Word and the Holy Spirit, the comforter. We need look no further for examples and help in offering to God our gifts of praise and thanksgiving. The Psalms provide exceptional examples of the joys of praise and thanksgiving and today's scripture is one wonderful illustration! May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!