Tag Archives: gratitude

April 14
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“For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.” (Luke 7:47, NASB)

The more we value something, the higher it rises in our list of what is important.

The woman in today’s scripture valued the forgiveness of God.  It wasn’t something she had taken for granted, and this singular act of God’s grace was always clear, near, and present.

Simon, who is also a part of the narrative of this scripture, took a lot of God’s gifts for granted — and it was apparent that he “loves little.”

Who are we: The woman who was filled with gratitude, awe, and love for her Lord because she appreciated the gifts of God; or Simon, who didn’t see the hand from Whom all of his blessings had come?  – Luther

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January 31
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“As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, ‘Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!’ The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, ‘Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!’

    “Jesus stopped and called them. ‘What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. ‘Lord,’ they answered, ‘we want our sight.’ Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.” (Matthew 20:29-34, NIV)

The response of the two blind men to the miraculous gift they had received from Jesus was obedience.  They “followed him.”  One cannot follow unless (or until) he/she is willing to obey.

God, by His grace, showers us with innumerable blessings.  When we receive any blessing from Christ, do we follow in His steps? When God is generous to us, do we imitate His generosity?  When God forgives us our trespasses, do we follow his example by forgiving those who have trespassed against us; or, does Jesus continue on His way while we chart our own, different, course?

To their great credit, the two healed men responded to God’s blessings by following the One that had shown them mercy. What is our response to God’s love and mercy?  – Luther

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January 1
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New Year’s Day 2015

“I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.” (Psalm 122:1, KJV)

How’s this for a New Year’s resolution: Enthusiasm for worship with others?

A lot of things conspire to dampen our enthusiasm for worship with others: The sermon doesn’t engage us; the hymns seem random; and — truth be told — the other folks at worship don’t seem to keen to be there, either.

No matter. Perhaps a clue to David’s enthusiasm for approaching the place of corporate worship is found in the preceding psalm (Psalm 121:2): “My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!”

For all of God’s gifts to us, gratitude and praise is the only appropriate response. In the words of an old song of the church, “count your many blessings; count them one by one.  Count your many blessings, see what God has done!”

Resolve to fill every day of 2015 with gratitude and praise, and look forward to worship with others!  Happy New Year!  – Luther

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