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Thanksgiving – Part 1

By Prophet Sunday C. Nwabeke
02 December 2018   |   3:23 am
“When he (Jesus) saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, “Were not…

The act of worship

“When he (Jesus) saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well,” Luke 17:14-19.

I love the Bible story of the ten lepers Jesus healed. Those outcasts were miserable, falling apart, and isolated. They were hated, feared and despised.

Then Jesus healed them. He gave them new skin, new lives, and new hope.

Nine of them ran towards town anxious for others to see them – to receive their approval and acceptance. But one returned to Jesus. He fell at His feet, thanking God for the incredible gift of a new life.

Of course, that begs the question, which kind of leper are you? God is constantly in your life, providing daily need, healing you and blessing your life. So, do you run toward others or toward God? Friend, prayer is much more than making requests to God. As the Bible says, “In everything, give thanks.”

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”
(Colossians 3:15)

We live in a world that often produces within us the very opposite of peace. Our stress and busyness is a normal response to the rush and cares of the day. Yet, God calls us to something higher. He calls us to peace.

Is peace ruling your heart today? It can. When you and I first believed that Jesus is the Son of God and opened our hearts to receive His forgiveness and power in our lives, we were given the gift of God’s peace.

Do you recall receiving that peace? It’s a peace that is inexplicable and peace that remains even as life and the news of the day swirl around us.

Yet, it’s easy to loose our grasp on that wonderful gift. It’s offered afresh to us every morning as one of His great mercies toward us.

• We need His peace to calm our hearts in challenging days.

• His peace brings health to our minds and our bodies.

• Living with peace in our hearts honours God.

• Our peace helps point to others who are looking for peace to God.

His peace is free for the taking. God tells us how. Listen again to the wonderful words of life from His word: “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…”

It sounds like it’s a choice. I can let peace rule or I can let peace get buried at the bottom of all those other responses to life. Just how does one go about letting peace rule the heart? God tells us one of the basic steps to walking in peace. He always gives the “how to,” when He asks something of us.

Catch the often-overlooked words that this verse ends with: “and be thankful.” Choosing to look at your day and your circumstances and your life with a heart that is filled with gratitude will open the door to peace. Yes, it’s true.

Life is not perfect anywhere on this planet. There are challenges both large and small that come to each one of us. Each challenge has the potential to rob our peace. Yet, as we choose to be thankful to God in the midst of those challenges His peace will begin to rule our hearts.

Great Covenant Prayer Life Assembly, 6, Unity Crescent, off Olatunji Street, Ladipo, Oshodi, Lagos. 08034849689 covenantradiotv@gmail.com

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