The Gift We Give To God
Then one of them, upon seeing that he was cured, turned back, recognizing and thanking and praising God with a loud voice. Luke 17:15 AMP
The Bible tells us that one day Jesus’ heart of compassion responded to the desperate cries of ten lepers. They were outcasts without hope, without friends, separated from society and human contact. Some people ignored them, some pitied them, some despised them, some wept for them, but none could change them. Jesus was their only hope. “Have mercy on us,” was their collective cry.
Jesus responded to them with a word. Not a word of sympathy or pity, but a word of power. It hit them like a thunderbolt. “Go show yourself to the priest.” What a statement! According to the law, you went to see the priest to verify your healing. And as they went, in obedience to His word, they were healed—all ten!
To be instantly healed from leprosy was amazing. It meant everything—a place in society, a job, hugs and human affection, belonging, acceptance, purpose, value. But what is even more amazing is that only one out of the ten was grateful enough to return and to pour out his thanks to Jesus.
In Timothy we read, “In the last days…people will be…ungrateful.” We live in an ungrateful world. To listen to most, you would think that either God didn’t exist, or if He did, that He was indifferent, unkind, and uncaring.
God’s generosity to us in Jesus Christ is overwhelming—God gives us a clean heart, a joyful heart, a loving heart, a peaceful heart—yet, there is one thing God cannot give us, and that is a thankful heart. Thankfulness is our gift to Him.






Going through a real tough time, but I can so identify with that. Thanks for the reminder! I need to be more grateful in good times and bad.
Posted by: Cecilia Winfred | November 17, 2009 at 06:16 AM
Thank you so much for posting this, it comes at a most helpful time. Yes, regardless of what we may think, if we are with God, we have so much to be thankful for!
Posted by: Denise Ruch | November 22, 2009 at 09:11 PM
i love the part when you says,"God’s generosity to us in Jesus Christ is overwhelming—God gives us a clean heart, a joyful heart, a loving heart, a peaceful heart—yet, there is one thing God cannot give us, and that is a thankful heart. Thankfulness is our gift to Him."
thanks for sharing~
Posted by: Yavina | November 23, 2009 at 06:32 PM
This is simply inspiring.
Posted by: Oluwakemi Sekoni | November 25, 2009 at 11:20 AM
That was really beautiful! I reminder that we all should give thanks to Elohim, not just during thanksgiving season but at all times. The word of God saids this is te day that the Lord Has Made Let Us rejoice and be glad in it alt all times, May this be a remider to always be thanks because those that reap in Tears shall reap agian with JOY, HIS JOY!
Posted by: Teresa Simac | December 01, 2009 at 01:34 PM