Hello My Friend/Guest,

Today is Wednesday October 28, 2009 and we are continuing our studies in the book of Luke, please read chapters 17-18 in your Bible or Click Here to read them. http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-october-28

Today's Message: Give Thanks
We are often prone to give God thanks for things that we do not normally receive, or things that make us happy, but do we give thanks to God for circumstances we face as well.

The word thank is defined as expressing gratitude, appreciation, or acknowledgment toward someone (being gracious), usually expressed by words or deeds. Rarely do we give thanks for the things that we get on a day to day basis and who wants to give thanks for the circumstances we face, but Jesus teaches us that we are to give thanks for all things, regardless of recognition. So what happens when we are gracious and others are not back to us? Jesus explains, “And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you. But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not. So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do. ” - Luke 18:6-10. Jesus is using the example of a servant (employee), the servant has a duty to take care of the one that hired him, first. He is not expected to take care of himself first, but to take care of his duties first, but he will not always be recognized for his work. The same thing applies to being a servant of Christ, we have a duty to follow His commands, first. We have a responsibility to exercise our faith unto the Lord as a faithful servant regardless of whether or not we receive acknowledgment from others. While we all would like to have some recognition for the things that we do, we must realize that many consider it as a part of ones job therefore they feel that recognition is not required. However, as servants of Christ we will find especially sweet the words of our Lord when we reach eternity and the Lord says “Well done my good and faithful servant.”

As disciples, we also have to be careful not to deem ourselves above others, while we as Christian's are saved, we are still sinners and that will never change until we are in heaven.Jesus explains how having too much self-confidence is a sin, “Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” - Luke 18:10-14. The Pharisee seemed to have everything in his favor as he went to the Temple to pray. His prayer was hardly a prayer of thanksgiving to God, but rather an arrogant congratulatory praise of himself in contrast to others. Sadly he did not even realize that He was not praying to God, but himself “prayed thus with himself “. He observes the publican (tax collector) and mentions him in his prayer as the true sinner, while he deemed himself as all righteous. His pride and contempt for others revealed his true state of heart. He felt the need of nothing and his prayer became a long-flowing boast of self-righteousness beyond even the requirements of God's laws. Now, the publican's prayer was short but, sincere! He confessed that he was a sinner, it was heartfelt and acknowledged God. He felt his unworthiness to stand before the One True Holy God! There was no measuring of himself with other people. There was no mention of his neighbor's sins. He was burdened by the consciousness of his own personal guilt and knew that he had no hope but in the mercy and grace of only God.


God loved the publican and forgave him of his sins. He loved the Pharisee as well, but how was He able to forgive him when he was exalting and praying thanks to himself, never once acknowledging his own sins. The person who exalts himself before God shall not be forgiven, but the person who humbles himself before Him shall be exalted. True thanksgiving comes from acknowledging to God that we are sinners and need Him, the praise will come without us even realizing it. God never stops acknowledging and exalting those whom put Him first above all things, including in our prayers.

Have a wonderful and blessed day/night
God Bless You,
Christina

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