Remember to Say "Thank You"

        With our 5 little ones, we always try to remind them to say “thank you” when they are given something. We want to teach our children to say “thank you” so that others will feel appreciated and loved. Also, those who are thanked after giving something to someone else, will be more willing to give to that person in the future, Just like people who do things for others like to be thanked, God also likes to be thanked for the blessings that He bestows upon us!
          This reminds me of the account of Jesus and the ten lepers in Luke 17 11-19;
     " And it came to pass, as he went to            Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.”
         We see in this passage that the leper that took time to thank Jesus for His healing was more blessed than the other nine who did not  thank Him. One of the many blessing of being a Christian is being able to go unto our Heavenly Father in prayer, and to ask Him for anything. In return, God answers our prayers according to what is best for us. “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:  And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” (I John 5:14-15.
       Knowing that God will answer our prayers, encourages us as  Christians to ask God for various things throughout the day, however, are we also taking the time to thank Him when He answers our prayers? God always wants to hear from us, and He also wants His children to give thanks unto Him for all of the blessings that He gives us! “ In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (I Thessalonians 5:18). 
       So, let’s all try to be sure to remember to thank God every day, especially when He has answered our prayers! Just as we want to show others that we love and appreciate them, we also need to show God that we love and appreciate Him every day! Please make a habit every day of saying "thank you" to the Lord for all of His many blessings! Do this with a grateful heart every day, as you work to draw closer and closer to Him in your daily walk through this life! 

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