THANKSLIVING

I recently took a Bible character quiz on Facebook that compared you to biblical characters. I was so proud to be identified with "King David." I see this application on a lot of peoples profiles now. We are all associated with one of the really neat people from the scriptures. I haven't seen one person who came out most like Jezebel, Herod, or the demoniac.

I did a thanksgiving sermon based on a familiar text and story from the New Testament. In this story there were 10 lepers waiting for Jesus to pass-by and hollering for help when they spotted him.

As I slowed the story down and asked the hard questions (Why was this story recorded?, How does it apply today) I realized it played into a bigger theme in the scriptures...one of thankfulness.

Over and over again I remembered stories in which Jesus is pointing out that the fundamental problem is one of attitude and a lack of gratitude. Those who have the most priviledge and position in the religious community are often times the most forgetful and the least likely to humbly bow in worship appropriately.

It is the samaritan leaper who returned to give thanks, not the other nine who belonged to the Jewish community. It was the prostitute and her tears not the pharisee's servants who washed the feet of Jesus. It is the faith of a Roman Centurian, not his own people that take him at his word without question.

When I preached on the Lepers in Luke 17 it was because at that time I realized that I often do not reflect "King David" in my life as much as I do the nine lepers who did not return.

Let me alliterate my problem...
My position, and priviledge often bring about pride which prevents me from the practice of praise as prescribed for the person of God.

When I started this walk with Jesus I used to give testimonies. I was asked to stand and tell people about God's healing, redemption and deliverance in my life. When people thanked me afterward I always used to say...thank God, not me, He did it and I would point my finger skyward.

Through the years I have been told to just say thank you and to accept the gift God has given. I have grown in that. I speak weekly and minister constantly. As a matter of fact when I thought about it, it became hard to remember the last time I actually said...God did it, thank him, not me.

This text, at this time, allowed me to see how I had slowly but surely moved from a life that gave thanks. God's word is incredible like that. It searches us.

This is a special time of year. A time to remember. Remember to give thanks during this holiday season. Take some extra time this week and ask God to show you any area where your thanksgiving is lacking. Search God's word adn ask God to teach you through his word.