What if the person you deemed to be your enemy had more God-directed gratitude than you? Luke 17 tells us that one day as Jesus was walking toward Jerusalem on the borded between Galilee and Samaria, he came upon 10 lepers who cried out for him to heal them. In his mercy he told them to go show themselves to the priest and as they went they were cleansed. But only ONE returned to give him thanks.
17 Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18 Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”
As I preached on this topic last Wednesday, I taught that I believe Jesus was shocked at the lack of gratitude in the other nine lepers-- the leper himself was a foreigner, a hated Samaritan, and he alone returned to give thanks. The other nine were most likely Jewish men who should have known better and returned to show their gratitude.
The phrase 'give praise' in Greek is one you might have heard before; EUCHARISTON. Which we get the word Eucharist from, or Communion. Every single one of the 38 times this verb shows up in the New Testament it is gratitude that is always directed at God! In other words, there exists a kind of gratitude that is distinctly Christian in nature! Friends, don't let someone out-thank you! But rather, be like the Samaritan leper and return to Jesus time and again, directing your praise to God. You might fall to your knees this Thanksgiving, or your get on your face like the Leper, but whatever you do, return to the source of every good and perfect gift.
This Wednesday at 7pm we invite you to come and show your gratitude at our Bilingual Prayer & Thanksgiving Worship Night in the Sanctuary. It's going to be packed. Don't miss it!
-Pastor Joel
PASTORAL PRAYER REQUESTS
- Christmas Offering | Pray that as we call the church to be extra generous before the end of the year that God would provide for the church through generosity!
- Advent Season | Pray that our church would savor Jesus and the Christmas season, putting him first in their schedules and families.
- The Laneys | Jan Laney went to be with the Lord yesterday afternoon after a long fought battle with cancer. Please keep her family, and especially, her husband Bryan in prayer. Bryan and Jan have been key members of our church since the early 90's and we were very blessed to have Jan in our church family.
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Suszan Smith | Thanks for your help prayer. Please pray God bless me my husband health mind heart.
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Cindy Espinoza | Please pray for my granddaughter Maraya who is flying home from South Carolina with a layover in Dallas today.
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Joji Silo | Pleas continue to pray for All JOB pastors who experienced typhoon disasters these past 2 months.
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Benjamin Okenwa | A prosperous mind. Sound mind and a thankful spirit/soul. A heart to fight for what's right. Joyous soul/spirit. A peaceful mind. Wise heart.
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Jolene Arredondo | Please pray for my son for God to soften his heart so he comes to know and believe in the risen Christ. Thank you! God is so good, and his word is timeless.
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Bud Antisdel | Prayers for my son Matthew. He has a cyst on his nose that the med he takes will help.
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Jamie Sharp | I'd like prayers for my neighbor. Something is off about him. Not sure if he's going through a job loss but there's been some unsettling things happening from his "guests" and him that is affecting the building I live in. Although I'm upset about these happenings, he needs prayer.
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Aracely | Pray for Eduardo please. He needs prayer to be healed and to not fear no man but God.
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Jade McMillen | My 15-year-old brother is having behavioral issues and has not gone back to church in a long time now. We have good parents; I don't know what to do besides pray and hope for the best.
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Turae Conley | Prayers for my God mother, that her cancer doesn't come back. Prayers for my husband and our marriage.
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Joy Garcia | I'm so grateful for these texts and messages. I would like prayers for my sister Susan as she must give up driving due to macular degeneration. I would also like to pray for Hannah Lore who is 93; she is a really special lady!
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Rona Hodges | Please pray for my daughter. She has been in so much discomfort with Planter Fasciitis on both feet.
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Joreese Jackson | That God shows me how to be more humble as well as my family and friends.
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Mike Gipson | I have indeed a prayer life I communicate with God daily. And I pray for others during that time. Pray that God gives me the strength and the focus and the determination to run this race with his grace and his mercy that I will remain focus do his will and empower the people through His will.
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Michael C | I have a blood vessel pop on my eyes and stress and anxiety headaches.
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Christina Jaramillo | Pray for my faith to dive deeper. For my focus to become centered on the Word of God and Himself, His character and truth. Pray that in difficulties or in celebration I can praise Him. Worship Him and confide in Him. The Rock. Pray that He is the foundation of my family and my extended family. That we grow closer to Him together.
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Patty Turbyfill | Please Pray for my Friends Bill who had his 3rd knee replacement on the same leg. The first 2 got infections and now the 3rd on was done by a different doctor! Please Pray it takes, and Bill gets through this with a good Knee! Please pray for my mom, she is finally coming out of her 2-month sickness!! Please pray for my Friends Dad who has tongue cancer and will have his tongue removed and reconnected on Dec 12th!! My Friend Lora had the same surgery a month ago and is recovering good!! Thank You All for being so Faithful and Helping me!!
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Jessika Lizarraga | I pray every day, but I feel like my prayer life could be more active. Please pray for my panic disorder, it's getting out of hand.
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Nicky Kelly | Shelly Aldape (45) in ICU in renal failure, not expected to live - Pray for salvation & God's presence. Also pray for the Aldapa/Aldape/Sequra families who have loss 4 family members this year & now have another member at death's door - God's comfort.
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Leif Pearson | I need prayer to cover a 15-year-old boy who has high potential for relapse this weekend. I pray God keep him safe and that the holy Spirit sends him someone to connect with who understands his drug addiction.
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Kiaerra Lawrence | I pray for my family that they come to know Christ and give their lives to Christ, in Jesus’ name. I'm thankful for the lord’s grace and mercy and kindness. He is worthy to be praised, I pray that he gives me compassion for his people and gives me a heart full of love and forgiveness. I pray for his wisdom and understanding of his word. I pray for a deeper relationship with Christ and to be used by Christ for his Glory, in Jesus' name I pray amen.
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Dorothy Smith | I could use a prayer for strength through trials and tribulations.
Austen Pratt | Today is my birthday. 6 years ago, on my birthday my parents split up in the most ugly and painful way and it was never special for me again. Pray this year I can finally enjoy my birthday for the first time in 6 years.
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Cordelia Burson | Be mindful and thankful for all the people I still yet have in my life my congregation my parent sister and brothers Auntie's and Uncles and friends blessing given from God I'm truly thankful so that's my prayer for continued blessing and that the homeless and others that are less fortunate.
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Glen Upshaw | Health and transportation can't walk, or pedal would like to be independent get out see the world stuck in house, thanks.
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Sam Tomasello | I am being sued for a car accident back in December last year. My insurance company offered to pay for the damage to her car. They would not offer her any compensation for injuries because my car just rolled into hers and put a little dent in the door and she already had an open workman's comp case for the same injuries she's claiming I caused her. Now her attorney is filing a lawsuit against me.
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Al Bacani | Please pray for my brothers - they are having utility issues- no gas, no hot water.
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Darryl Poston | My prayer is that all be thankful and grateful in all situations. That is not to say you shouldn't request prayer but be thankful we have our Lord hears and responds to prayer. Happy Thanksgiving Church Family.
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August Sarmiento | Hope to find an apartment soon for me and my sons. And pray for everyone who needs hope.
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Dolores Trevino | Please pray for my grandson, Titus and Tayden, they are both sick. Also pray for my Julian who is sick as well.
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Travis Martin | Please pray for God's will for us and the power to carry it out.
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Cailin Womack | I'm currently praying for deliverance, thank you.
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Katherine Brown | Jesus is Lord! Continue to lift up the USA. May God's perfect will be done. Salvation for all those in positions of leadership.
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Kim Glick | Continued prayers for my healing and Aaron. He quit smoking on Wednesday. Please pray for strength.
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Angelica Sanchez | We pray for those grieving the loss of a loved one. Asking for peace and comfort. The Lord be with them.
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Debra Cobler | Pray for my daughter-in-law to make a blessed recovery and my son as well please!
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Ashlee Bennett | For healing and restoration.
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Michael Lumpkin | That I stay alert and focused on God's work that my work.
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Nicky Kelly | Shelly Aldape (45) in ICU and not expected to live - Pray for salvation and God's presence. Also pray for the Aldape/Aldapa/Segura families, as they have loss 5 family members this year and now another member is at death's door - Pray for God's comfort and hope.
