Thanking and appreciating God

Lina Trochez / Upsplash

Matters of Faith

By Dr. Bascom Ratliff, pastor

Parker, Beagle, and Fontana United Methodist Churches

Luke 17: 11-19 (Jesus heals 10 lepers; only one (a Samaritan) returned to praise Jesus and give thanks.

I have always been puzzled and a little surprised when reading the story in Luke of the 10 lepers. It is difficult for me to imagine not being thankful and not being appreciative when one is healed from a debilitating disease. We just naturally assume that when someone is healed they are filled with gratitude and thankfulness. However, as our story in Luke shows, it is sometimes all too easy to forget our Lord and Savior.

During this Lenten season, I encourage you to consider the wonderful healing and forgiveness of sin that is made possible by the sacrifice of Jesus. And, as we reflect on the wonders of Jesus, I would encourage you to consider prayerfully thanking God for his wonderful gifts. All too often we take for granted the gift of the Holy Spirit. We take for granted the grace and mercy of a loving God. And in doing so, we find ourselves neglecting to praise and worship a faithful and unwavering God. Unfortunately, we also stop or limit our asking God for those vital spiritual gifts that fuel our healing and faith.

The story in Luke teaches us that thankfulness and appreciation are an important and active response to God's love. The grateful leper who returned to praise God and give thanks recognized the generosity and power of Jesus.

The leper’s returning to recognize Jesus and expressing his praise and appreciation is an example of the importance of staying focused on God’s love and grace. When we give thanks and praise God, it helps us to stay focused on God, the giver of all good gifts. It also helps us to maintain a prayerful relationship with God that frees us to seek his help at all times. Having a good relationship with God and daily working on this relationship is one way we maintain and strengthen our faith.

Gratitude and dependence on our Jesus leads to spiritual strength and wellness. Like the lepers in Luke, we enter into a relationship with God as a broken and needy person. We are lost, disconnected, and disenfranchised. Our healing and adoption into the Lord's family gives us a much needed connection and purpose in serving God and others.

Ultimately, the story in Luke teaches us the importance of faith. Our faith in God leads to a healthy relationship that is abundant in love, service, and hope. When we recognize the power of God in our lives, and we respond to God with thanks and praise, we are thoroughly and enthusiastically blessed.

God has promised us a relationship and membership in his family through Jesus Christ. When we accept this invitation- and I encourage all of you to prayerfully consider God's invitation- we have access to the most powerful gifts in the universe and a connection with a loving and caring God. During this Lenten season, lets all heed the lesson of the lepers. Take a moment to recognize and thank God, the giver of life and love.

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If you are ready to worship and serve a loving God who welcomes everyone to God’s family, please come worship with us. We will give you a warm welcome, a hot drink, and a homemade cookie. And, most important of all, we will give you an ample sample of God’s wonderful and unfailing love.

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We will have Sunday morning services during the month March 2026, at 10 a.m. at the Parker (Kansas) United Methodist Church.

We will have Sunday morning services during the month of April at 10 a.m. at the Beagle United Methodist Church.

We will have Maundy Thursday services on April 2 at 7 p.m. at the Beagle United Methodist Church.

We will have Good Friday services on April 3 at 7 p.m. at the Fontana United Methodist Church.

We will have an Easter sunrise service and brunch at 7 a.m. on April 5 at the Beagle, Kansas United Methodist Church.

We will have an Easter morning service on April 5 at 10 a.m. at the Beagle, Kansas United Methodist Church.

We serve communion on the first Sunday of each month.

All are welcome in God’s House.  Come and celebrate with us.

Dr. Bascom Ratliff  (913-710-5748)

Pastor: Parker/Beagle/Fontana

United Methodist Churches