Read Luke 17:11-18 As I’ve gotten a little bit older, the more forgetful I get. As a matter of fact, one of my favorite gifts I received at Christmas this year was a device to help me find my keys since I lose them all the time! One thing I hope I never forget is to be grateful. As I look back over my life, I’m thankful for all those who have helped me get to where I am today. I couldn’t have done it without them. It’s so easy to get caught up in everything that’s going on and forget to say thank you to those who have played a big part in our story. If we should be grateful to those who have helped us along the way, how much more should we be grateful to God since He’s the one who has given us life to begin with. One day, when Jesus was travelling back to Jerusalem, he stopped in a little village where ten men who had leprosy approached him. We don’t hear much about leprosy today, but it was vicious back in the day. There was no treatment to this infectious and contagious skin disease that would cause the deterioration of skin and even limbs. Those who had leprosy were ostracized and looked at as unclean. These men were desperate, and they cried out to Jesus to have pity on them. At first, when Jesus says “God, show yourselves to the priests.” we might think He dismisses them. Instead, by the time they get to the priests to be evaluated, they are healed. Out of the ten who were healed, only one returned back to Jesus to thank Him and praise God. Jesus’ following questions are stinging: “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?” Ten people’s lives were miraculously transformed. They went from having no hope of experiencing a normal life again to being completely healed instantly. Still, only one of them had a heart of gratitude. These men had been given everything, but 90% of them didn’t turn back to say thank you to the one who gave them everything. Sadly, most of us are likely in the 90% who forget to turn back and thank God for everything we have since it all comes from Him anyway. God has blessed us with all that we have and all that we are. Without Him, we wouldn’t even exist. Far be it from us to forget to turn back and thank the one who has given us far more than we deserve. Be grateful. Reflect Spend some time thinking through all that you have to truly be thankful for. Don’t focus on the negatives you might be thinking. Instead, spend a few moments listing out and thinking about all the blessings in your life. Pray Spend the first several minutes of your prayer time today thanking and praising God. Praise Him for how awesome He is. Thank Him for your life and all He has given you. Thank Him for the good you’ve experienced in your years on the earth. // TWO-A-DAYS // GO A LITTLE FARTHER WITH YOUR DAILY DEVOTIONS // Go through these questions with your spouse, kids, or friend, or you can even journal about the answers to these questions:
- What was the best part of your day?
- What was the toughest part of your day?
- Where did you mess up today?
- Where did you see God today?
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