Be thankful for each blessing

"He looked at them and said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy. One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!'" Luke 17:14,15 NLT

Billy Graham once wrote "A spirit of thanksgiving is always the mark of a joyous Christian. Why should we be thankful? Because God has blessed us, and we should be thankful for each blessing." But are we thankful for each one? I mean, while I know many people will be expressing thanks today for major things like family, food and a home, what about the million other blessings, both big and small, the Lord bestows on us each day?

Sadly, the majority of people never thank God for anything, not even life-changing things. Consider the story of the ten lepers who "were cleansed of their leprosy." Keeping in mind that leprosy in the ancient world hopelessly disfigured those who had it and permanently cut them off from normal society, can you just imagine how much every leper must have yearned to be healed? And yet when Jesus gave them the greatest desire of their heart, only "one of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus." Only one shouted "Praise God!" Only one. 

And while I may not have been healed from leprosy, I have a million other blessings to be grateful for. So today and every day until the Lord calls me home I will boldly declare my thankfulness by shouting, "Praise God!" even if I'm the only one. Will you?

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that there are so many things to be thankful for in this world, especially for the salvation that was freely given to us when You died on the cross. Lord, please forgive us for the many times we have failed to thank You for even the smallest of blessings. Help us to remember that we deserve no good thing but receive them anyway because of Your great love for us. Today and every day Lord, may we boldly express thanksgiving to You with shouts of praise. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Grateful - Elevation Worship