And as they were on their way, they were cleansed. When one of them saw that he was healed, he came back to Jesus, praising God in a loud voice. He fell facedown at Jesus’ feet in thanksgiving to Him. (Luke 17:14-16)
When you receive a miracle, don’t go away and forget all about it, like the other nine lepers did. Return and give thanks to God: be the one who worships with a heart of gratitude.
She knelt behind Jesus at His feet, weeping, with her tears falling down upon His feet; and she wiped them off with her hair and kissed them and poured perfume on them. (Luke 7:38)
This particular woman in the Bible, she was so thankful, so grateful for the miracle which had happened, that she came to Jesus. With her tears she washed His feet. She dried His feet with her hair. She took a very expensive jar of ointment. Something which was equal to more than a year’s salary in value. And she broke open the perfume. She poured it over Jesus as an expression of love. Immediately, someone in judgement said, “Why did she break this box of ointment? Why wasn’t it sold, and the money given to the poor?” This is how Jesus responded: “You will always have the poor with you. But I will not always be here. She has anointed me before my burial to celebrate my life.” There is something about Jesus; when you know, when you understand who Jesus is: He is the most wonderful person in the world. We must give Him our love. We must serve and work for Him. If we love Him, we must show that love and express it.
Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them. (Acts 3:7-8)
The lame man sitting at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple completely misunderstood Peter and John. All he was thinking about was money. He was crippled. He couldn’t work. He hadn’t gone to school. The Bible says he was more than 40 years old. When he saw Peter and John, he didn’t ask for healing. He didn’t ask for deliverance. He was there begging for money. When Peter said, ‘Look at me’, the lame man expected to receive money. He was disappointed because Peter responded, ‘I have no money; I can’t give you money.’ But, he said to the man, ‘I want to give you what I have. I’ve got something worth more than all the money in the world. I want to give you something more valuable than gold.’ Taking the man by the hand, Peter pulled him up. Peter did not pray over him. He didn’t sympathise with the man. He took the crippled man by his hand; lifted him up; immediately the Bible says, the miracle happened: not a month later or even three days later, but instantly, the man was healed, got up and walked.
Count your blessings. Name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done.
What was the response of the lame man to the miracle? Walking and leaping, he gave thanks to God. We need to give thanks to God for His many blessings. Because I’ve seen so many miracles in my own life I’ve so much to give thanks for. I want you to have what I’ve got: I know Jesus. I know the Power of Jesus in my life. God wants to forgive your sin and heal your diseases. God can take the biggest sinner and change their life. When the Power of God comes into your life, everything will change for the better. God changes men. He will change your life because He loves you. All of us once were sinners whom God loves, chose, fashioned and created. God sees your potential, what you can be when He touches you. God doesn’t just see you as you are: He sees His child, His most prized possession.
Songs of praise and adoration
I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honour and glory and blessing!” (Revelation 5:11-12)
My encouragement to you: Join with the hosts of angels surrounding the Throne of God, singing songs of praise and adoration. Give thanks to God for all His blessings. When you meditate on all that the Lord has done, you will be filled with gratitude and joy. Just as the woman poured out her jar of perfume over Jesus, so we too must pour out our praise on Him like oil. It’s so easy to lose sight of the blessings in our lives until we become consumed by our problems. Let the light of joy fill your heart as you meditate on every blessing.
‘I behold Your glory’ used by kind permission of www.vinesong.com