To illustrate my gratitude and gratefulness to God I am going to use two examples.
Gratitude In Response
First I am reminded of the story of the 10 lepers who were healed. Jesus passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. When he entered a certain village, 10 men who were lepers were there who stood far off. They cried out to Jesus to have mercy on them. When Jesus saw them, he said, “Go show yourselves unto the priests." And it came to pass as they went, they were cleansed. One of them--when he saw that he was healed--turned back and with a loud voice, glorified God. He fell on his face at Jesus' feet giving Him thanks. This Samaritan's gratitude resulted in pure unadulterated worship of the living God.
No one knows why the other nine did not come back to give thanks, but a response of gratitude should come first, before all other responses. For in worship, I acknowledge that all that I have--my health, my family, friends, church, God’s forgiveness, eternal salvation, and all that I am in Jesus Christ--are precious gifts from God. From this recognition comes an attitude of gratefulness in which I long to worship and follow God with my whole being! Praise the Lord. Hallelujah!
To God Be The Glory
The second thing I am reminded of is a song by Andrae Crouch, To God be the Glory. The greatest gift God gave to me is his Son Jesus Christ. When Jesus reached out his hand and said “Come,” no greater word had ever been uttered. He reached out to me when I was not even aware or thinking of him (Roman 5:8; Ephesians 2:8-9). I am so grateful for his empowering strength to help me make the right decision. All that I am or ever hope to be is all in Jesus! My life is one continuing adventure ride on the way home. I am being molded into the woman that God created me to be. I can’t say that it’s easy or enjoyable all the time. However, I wouldn’t take nothing for my journey thus far (John 1:12).
The Andrae Crouch song says: “How can I say thanks for all the things you have done for me. Things so undeserved yet you give to prove your love for me. The voices of a million angels could not express my gratitude. All that I am and ever hope to be, I owe it all to thee. To God be the glory, to God be the glory, to God be the glory for the things he has done. With his blood he has saved me. With his power he has raised me. To God be the glory for the things he has done.”
There is no way that I can adequately say thank you God. When I consider all that God is and has done in my life, 'thank you' doesn't seem like enough. Yet it is the expression that God is most pleased with from a sincere heart. Everything that I am, He has made me. All that I hope to be is in His hands. Jesus Christ is the best thing that’s ever happened to this child of God! So like the Samaritan, I fall gladly at the feet of Jesus and with a loud voice give glory and honor to God!!
Gratitude: the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.
-Elder Diane Mixon
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