THANKSGIVING 2..'BUT WHERE ARE THE NINE' ?

There is a story in the bible about ten lepers who were cleansed by Jesus as he passed by Samaria and Galilee (see Luke 17:11-19). And it so happened that after they were cleansed only one returned to thank Jesus. And His response went thus; 'were there not ten cleansed, but where are the nine? were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner? And he said to him, 'Arise, go your way, your faith has made you well' (Luke 17:17-19)

Dear Brothers, it is our obligation as believers to always give thanks to the Almighty, for this is a demonstration of our faith in God.
As we can see from the scripture reading that the Lord expects us to do so.

Jesus as an example to us Himself always gave thanks most especially before he performed a miracle. 'And Jesus took the loaves, AND WHEN HE HAD GIVEN THANKS HE DISTRIBUTED THEM TO THE DISCIPLES and the disciples to those sitting down and likewise the fish as much as they wanted' (John 6:11). see also (John 11:41) Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, 'FATHER, I THANK YOU THAT YOU HAVE HEARD ME'. It is important to note here that thanksgiving was always made before the miracle or manifestation of answered prayers.

Before Jesus fed 5,000 men with two loaves and two fish, he gave thanks' Before he raised up Lazarus up from the dead he also gave thanks and in many other instances. Brethren when we pray to God let us thank Him, believing in our hearts that we have received what we asked for.

We can give God thanks through prayers, praises, charity works or alms giving. Thank God for His Blessings, His Gifts of sight, touch, smell , taste and for the many things that makes life beautiful. Thank God for His Blessings, Provision and Protection. Thank Him for the unseen battles He fights for us daily.. see (2nd Kings 6:16-17). Many times the Lord protects us from harm without our knowing it but because we cannot see, we tend to take such divine gestures for granted.

Brethren above all and finally, thank God daily for the Gift of Eternal Life through Christ Jesus, (for it is the Mother of all Gifts and Blessings, the very reason why Jesus came to the world).. Amen