Audio is streamed directly from the publisher (media.transistor.fm) as published in their RSS feed. Play Podcasts does not host this file. Rights-holders can request removal through the copyright & takedown page.
Show Notes
REASON #1: Recognition
On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?”
If I do not recognize the mighty things God has done to bless me, am I also one who does not return to thank Him?
REASON #2: For My Foundation
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 6:8 ESV)
If I do not recognize the grace that has allowed me to enter my relationship with God, am I also one who does not return to thank Him?
REASON #3: For My New Start
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV)
I have been given the freedom to start a new life. If I received the gift of this freedom and yet still live in darkness, am I also one who does not return to thank Him?
REASON #4: For the Gift of God’s Word
“How can a young person live a clean life? By carefully reading the map of your Word. I’m single-minded in pursuit of you; don’t let me miss the road signs you’ve posted. I’ve banked your promises in the vault of my heart so I won’t sin myself bankrupt.” (Psalms 119: 9-11 MSG)
God carefully gave His Word over several centuries and through several writers so that I can be led in the right way. If I do not embrace what He did for me by seeking His wisdom from His Word, am I also one who does not return to thank Him?
REASON #5: For the Gift of Life
“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” (Psalms 139:13 ESV)
The passage above is one of the best esteem-builders known. Just think of it. I have been literally formed by Almighty God. He blended all of my cells, molecules, chromosomes, personality traits, talents and all aspects of my life while I was still in my mother’s womb. Do I really believe that I am wonderfully made? Do I thank God for my life? If I do not am I also one who does not return to thank Him?
REASON #6: For the Gift of Wisdom
“Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.” (1 Corinthians 2:12 ESV)
As I look back on life, do I see a special time that I was able to understand something of great importance, and I didn’t know how I could? It was not my norm. It came from nowhere. But it didn’t come from nowhere. It came from the Lover of my soul who wants to teach me how to use His wisdom instead the limited wisdom of the world. If I do not seek His wisdom and obey it when I find it, am I also one who does not return to thank Him?
REASON #7: For the Gift of Peace
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7 ESV)
Peace is a gift, but will I accept this gift from God? Peace is also a “fruit of the Spirit.” But will I allow His Spirit to speak peace into my heart and mind? If I will, then I will experience a peace that surpasses all understanding. If I will not trust Jesus with what I am struggling with even though He has told me that He will take my burden, am I also one who does not return to thank Him?
REASON #8: For the Gift of Laughter
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength. (Proverbs 17:22 NLT)
Laughter is good medicine, but laughter must be a fruit of a “cheerful heart.” What does that mean? My heartis described as my emotional center. It is really what I believe and hope for. It is my deepest love, and my deepest feelings. If I do not have this cheer in my heart, is it because I do not believe it, or I do believe it but will not receive what is offered? If I will not receive that which has been granted to me, am I also one who does not return to thank Him?
REASON #9: For the Gift of Significant People
“I thank my God every time I remember you.” (Philippians 1:3 NIV)
A wise person becomes wise through their experiences and the experience of others. We don’t just become wise without some help. The Lord provides such experiences and people in our life to instruct us, and to form us. If I do not recognize these significant people in my life and thank God for them, am I also one who does not return to thank Him?
REASON #10: For the Gift of Parents or Guardians
“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you. (Exodus 20:12 ESV)
Does the honor of my parents or guardians only fall on them if they deserve it? Do I see any condition attached to God’s commandment that exempts me from honoring these people? I am simply told to just, “DO IT!” If I will not obey my Heavenly Daddy who tells me to do this, do I really appreciate His perfect love for me? If I withhold giving honor to my parents for any reason, am I also one who does not return to thank Him?
REASON #11: For the Gift of My Church
“So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers,” (Ephesians 4:11 NIV)
Do I thank God for my church, my pastor, and our leaders? Are they ministering to me God’s word accurately and shepherding me as they should? If they are this way, am I grateful enough to thank God for them? If I do not, am I also one who does not come back to thank Him?
REASON #12: For the Gift of God’s Friendship
“No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.” John 15:15 ESV
What does it mean to be a friend of Jesus? More importantly what does it mean to have Jesus as my friend? If I do not tell Him how much I appreciate His friendship, am I also one who does not come back to thank Him?
REASON #13: For the Gift of Discipline
My dear child, don’t shrug off God’s discipline, but don’t be crushed by it either. It’s the child he loves that he disciplines; the child he embraces, he also corrects. (Hebrews 12:6 MSG)
When it comes down to it, God is preparing me for something better when He disciplines me. That is enough of a reason to thank Him isn’t it? Will I take a step of faith in my prayers right now and thank Him for what is going on even if I am hurting from H...