BE GRATEFUL- 30/03/2014

BE GRATEFUL- 30/03/2014

Yesterday’s message was titled “PRAYER: IN WHAT DIRECTION?  ”. Today’s message is titled “BE GRATEFUL” as provided by Pastor E. A. Adeboye in Open Heavens Devotional (Adeboye, 2014). In today’s message, we have been asked to memorise Luke 17:15: "And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God " and read Luke 17:12-19. The Bible in one year for today has been taken from Ezekiel 30:20 to Ezekiel 32:32 and Psalm 73:1-17.(Adeboye, 2014).

Quoted below is  today's message for our usual discussion . God bless you all in Jesus Name, amen.

It is not a big deal for God to perform miracles in the life of anybody. The problem that hinders the working of miracles lies with the children of men and is multifaceted in nature. It has to do with ignorance of what the Almighty is capable of doing and lack of faith among others. However, there is one problem that seems insignificant to many people but is a big hindrance to the manifestation of God's power: It is ingratitude! Many times I have to compel people to clap in praise of the Almighty God when fantastic testimonies are being given during our big meetings. This problem is evident in the story of the ten lepers. Jesus in Luke 17:17”-18 asked in dismay:

”Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.” 

Though all of the ten lepers were cleansed, only one was made perfectly whole! Why? The faith of the nine was lopsided! They had faith that Jesus Christ could heal them; that was why they cried to him for help in the first place. Unfortunately, their faith did not go beyond receiving their miracles, hence they discharged themselves prematurely! Instead of coming to show gratitude to the One who healed them and get their healing certified by the lnfallible High Priest as required by the law of Moses (Leviticus 14:1 -4), they went their own various ways. But to the one that returned to show gratitude, Jesus in Luke 1 7:19 said:

”Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.”

In other words, Jesus perfected the leper's healing and certified him permanently healed.

Showing gratitude is one secret to receiving perfect miracles. You should show gratitude to the one and only Miracle Worker, Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God. Let us cultivate the habit of worshiping God for Who He is, thanking Him for what He has done in the past, in anticipation of what He will continue to do. Never trivialise even the miracle of sleeping and waking. Like I often tell members of our church, when you see people who can't use the toilet or ease themselves without the aid of medical gadgets, you will know how to praise and thank God. The good thing about being grateful to God is that you receive more blessings from the one from whom all blessings flow. One way of saying thank you to God for His providence is by paying your tithes according to Malachi 3:10. God bless you as you obey today in Jesus‘ Name.

Today's action point is to Count your blessings before God and appreciate Him for them.

I pray that as we appreciate God today, He will move to do the miraculous in our lives in Jesus Name. God bless you all. Wishing you a fulfilling service in church today.

Reference:

Adeboye, E. A. (2014) Open Heavens: A Guide to Close Fellowship with God, Volume 14, 2014. Nigeria: Open Heavens Media Limited.