So Much To Thank God For: Part 14

Devotional

Day 1: Gratitude in the Midst of Trials

Even when life is filled with challenges, pain, and uncertainty, there is always something to thank God for; focusing on His goodness and blessings shifts our perspective from our problems to His faithfulness. No matter how rough the road has been, or how many valleys you have walked through, God’s presence and provision have kept you standing. When you look back over your life, you can see that God has brought you through every trial, and your gratitude becomes a testimony of His sustaining grace. Let your heart overflow with thanksgiving, not because everything is perfect, but because God has been real good to you, and you are still here, still standing, and still blessed. [01:07:46]

Psalm 34:1-3 (ESV)
I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!

Reflection: Think of one specific hardship you have faced this year—how can you intentionally thank God today for how He brought you through, even if the situation is not yet fully resolved?

Day 2: Obedience Even When It Doesn’t Make Sense

God often calls us to take steps of faith that may not make sense to us in the moment, but blessings and breakthroughs are found in our obedience to His voice. The ten lepers did not question Jesus’ instructions, even though it would have been easier to ask for immediate healing or to avoid returning to a place of past rejection. Instead, they simply obeyed, and as they went, they were healed. Sometimes God’s direction leads us into uncomfortable or unfamiliar territory, but it is in the going, in the doing, that we experience His miraculous power. Are you willing to trust God enough to obey Him, no questions asked, even when you don’t understand? [01:17:56]

Luke 17:11-14 (ESV)
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.

Reflection: What is one area where God is calling you to take a step of obedience that feels uncomfortable or unclear—how can you move forward in faith today without waiting for all the answers?

Day 3: The Power of Returning to Give Thanks

True gratitude is not just feeling thankful but returning to Jesus to express it, even when others do not; the one healed leper who came back to thank Jesus received a deeper blessing. Out of the ten who were healed, only one—a Samaritan, the least likely—turned back, fell at Jesus’ feet, and gave thanks. His act of gratitude set him apart and brought him into a closer relationship with Jesus, who declared that his faith had made him well. There is a special blessing in pausing to thank God, not just for what He has done, but for who He is. Don’t let the busyness of life or the actions of others keep you from returning to give God the glory He deserves. [01:22:16]

Luke 17:15-19 (ESV)
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?” And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”

Reflection: When was the last time you paused to thank God specifically for an answered prayer or blessing—can you take time today to return to Him in heartfelt gratitude?

Day 4: God’s Grace for the Least Likely

God’s grace reaches those whom society overlooks or rejects; He delights in blessing and using the least likely, reminding us that no one is beyond His love and mercy. The Samaritan leper, considered an outsider and the least likely to receive God’s favor, was the one who returned to give thanks and was made whole. God does not measure worthiness by our background, status, or past mistakes—He sees the heart. If you have ever felt like an outcast, overlooked, or unworthy, remember that God’s grace is for you. He specializes in lifting up those whom others have counted out, and He has a purpose and blessing for your life. [01:24:53]

1 Corinthians 1:26-29 (ESV)
For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.

Reflection: In what ways have you felt like the “least likely” in your life, and how can you embrace God’s grace and purpose for you today, regardless of what others may think?

Day 5: Worship Over Worry

When faced with fear, uncertainty, or waiting for answers, choosing worship over worry brings peace and invites God’s presence into your situation. Even in moments of anxiety—like waiting for a diagnosis or facing the unknown—trusting God and lifting up praise can shift your heart from fear to faith. Sometimes you have to go into your prayer closet, shut the door, and let your worship overtake your worry, believing that God is working even when you cannot see it. Thanking God in advance for what He is going to do is an act of faith that opens the door for His peace and provision. [01:39:26]

Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV)
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.

Reflection: What is one worry or fear you are carrying right now—how can you intentionally turn it into worship and thanksgiving before God today?

Sermon Summary

Today, we reflected on the story of the ten lepers in Luke 17, a powerful reminder that no matter where we find ourselves—between the sacred and the secular, between Galilee and Samaria—God meets us right in the middle of our mess. Life often places us in those “in between” spaces, where we’re not quite where we want to be, but not where we used to be either. In those moments, it’s easy to focus on what’s wrong, on the pain, the challenges, and the disappointments. But if we pause and look back, we’ll see that God has been faithful, and we truly have so much to thank Him for.

We’ve all faced seasons of hardship—nationally, in our communities, and in our personal lives. The world is full of uncertainty, injustice, and struggle. Yet, through it all, God’s grace has kept us. Even when we felt like we were barely holding on, God’s presence sustained us. The testimony of the lepers is that healing and breakthrough often come not when everything makes sense, but when we choose obedience even in confusion. Sometimes God asks us to do things that don’t fit our logic or comfort, but it’s in our willingness to trust Him—no questions asked—that we experience His power.

The Samaritan leper, the least likely one, turned back to give thanks. He recognized that it wasn’t the ritual or the priest that healed him, but Jesus Himself. Gratitude is not just a response to what God has done, but a posture that opens us to deeper healing and wholeness. When we choose to thank God in the midst of uncertainty, pain, or waiting, we declare that our trust is in Him, not in our circumstances.

I shared my own testimony of God’s faithfulness in a recent health scare, not to draw attention to myself, but to encourage those who are waiting for their own breakthrough. Sometimes we suffer in silence, but God is working even when we can’t see it. Worship can overtake our worry, and gratitude can shift our perspective from fear to faith.

As we move forward, let’s be a people who thank God not just for what He’s done, but for what He’s doing and what He will do. Let’s lift our voices, even from a distance, knowing that God hears us and is faithful to respond. No matter what you’re facing, you have so much to thank God for.

Key Takeaways

1. Obedience Unlocks Unexpected Blessings Obedience to God, even when it doesn’t make sense, positions us for healing and breakthrough. The ten lepers were healed as they went, not before. Sometimes God’s instructions challenge our comfort or logic, but it’s in the act of trusting Him—without demanding answers—that we experience His power. The blessing is often found in the journey of obedience, not just in the destination. [77:12]
2. Gratitude Transforms Our Perspective Choosing to thank God, especially in the midst of pain or uncertainty, shifts our focus from what’s lacking to what God has already done. Gratitude is not denial of hardship, but a declaration that God’s goodness outweighs our struggles. When we cultivate a thankful heart, we find strength to endure and faith to expect more from God. [67:16]
3. God Meets Us in the “In Between” Many of us live in the tension between where we’ve been and where we’re going. Jesus met the lepers in a place that was neither fully sacred nor fully secular—a reminder that God is present in our messy, uncertain, and transitional spaces. We don’t have to have it all together for God to move; He specializes in meeting us right where we are. [69:09]
4. Worship Overcomes Worry When faced with fear, anxiety, or waiting for answers, worship can overtake our worry. Turning to God in praise, even before the outcome is clear, is an act of faith that invites His peace and presence. Our testimony is strengthened when we choose worship over worry, trusting that God is working behind the scenes. [99:02]
5. Thankfulness Is for Every Season Thankfulness is not reserved for moments of obvious victory. Even in seasons of loss, pain, or uncertainty, we can thank God for His sustaining grace. This posture of gratitude is a spiritual discipline that keeps our hearts soft and our eyes open to the ways God is moving, even when life is hard. [104:15]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[57:27] - Sunday School Returns
[57:45] - Scripture Reading: Luke 17
[59:32] - Prayer for God’s Presence
[60:39] - So Much to Thank God For
[63:18] - Facing National and Personal Challenges
[65:22] - God’s Grace Keeps Us
[69:09] - Jesus in the In-Between
[72:11] - The Outcasts Cry Out
[74:28] - Obedience Without Questions
[79:21] - Blessings in the Journey
[82:16] - The Grateful Samaritan
[95:48] - Personal Testimony of Healing
[102:36] - Altar Call: Thanking God in Advance
[115:14] - Community Prayers and Announcements
[121:33] - Alzheimer’s Awareness and Birthdays
[125:21] - Offering and Thanksgiving Blessing
[126:45] - Benediction and Dismissal

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: So Much to Thank God For
*(Based on Luke 17:11-19 and the sermon summary above)*

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### Bible Reading

Luke 17:11-19 (ESV)
11 On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee.
12 And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance
13 and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.”
14 When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed.
15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice;
16 and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan.
17 Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine?
18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?”
19 And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”

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### Observation Questions

Where did Jesus meet the ten lepers, and why is the location significant in the story? ([01:09:09])
What did Jesus tell the lepers to do after they cried out for mercy, and what happened as they obeyed? ([01:14:28])
How did the one Samaritan leper respond differently from the other nine after being healed? ([01:22:16])
According to the sermon, what does the “in between” place represent in our lives? ([01:09:09])

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### Interpretation Questions

The lepers were healed “as they went,” not before. What does this suggest about the relationship between obedience and experiencing God’s blessings? ([01:17:12])
The Samaritan was the only one who returned to thank Jesus. Why might gratitude be especially powerful or transformative, according to the sermon? ([01:22:16])
The sermon talks about living in “in between” spaces—neither where we used to be nor where we want to be. How does this idea help us understand God’s presence in our everyday struggles? ([01:09:09])
The pastor shared a personal testimony about a health scare. How does sharing our stories of God’s faithfulness encourage others who are still waiting for their breakthrough? ([01:35:48])

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### Application Questions

The lepers had to obey Jesus’ instructions even though it didn’t make sense to them. Is there something God is asking you to do right now that feels uncomfortable or illogical? What would it look like to obey “no questions asked”? ([01:17:12])
The sermon says gratitude is a posture that opens us to deeper healing and wholeness. When was the last time you thanked God in the middle of a hard situation? How did it affect your outlook? ([01:07:16])
Many of us live in “in between” places—times of transition, uncertainty, or struggle. Where do you feel “in between” right now? How can you look for God’s presence in that space? ([01:09:09])
The pastor shared about letting worship overtake worry during a health scare. What is one worry you’re carrying right now, and how could you intentionally turn it into worship or prayer this week? ([01:39:02])
The Samaritan leper was the “least likely” to return and give thanks. Are there areas in your life where you feel like an outsider or the least likely to be blessed? How does this story encourage you? ([01:24:11])
The sermon challenges us to thank God not just for what He’s done, but for what He’s doing and will do. What is one thing you can thank God for in advance, even if you haven’t seen the answer yet? ([01:44:15])
The pastor mentioned that sometimes we suffer in silence. Is there a struggle you’ve been keeping to yourself? How might sharing your story or asking for prayer help you experience God’s faithfulness in a new way? ([01:35:48])

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Sermon Clips

Just trying to keep our sanity has become a daily chore. And it's only by the grace of God that we are still in our right minds after all that we have been through. I wish I had a couple of honest folk in the house today that can say, and listen, I'm just barely holding on. I mean, everything that I'm going through, it is amazing that I still got my right mind. It is amazing that I'm still here. It is amazing that I'm still standing. If it had not been for the Lord that was on my side, I would have been cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs a long time ago. [01:05:03] (35 seconds) #HoldingOnByGrace

As I look back over my life, I've had some trials, but I've got a bunch of thanksgivings in my heart that I got to thank God for being so good to me. I've had some valley experiences that I had to go through in my life, but I got to thank God that the valley wasn't my destination. I was just going through the valley on the way to my destiny. Is there anybody in here today that can say I have so much to thank God for? And as a matter of fact, the more I think, the more I have to thank Him for how He's kept me, for how He's blessed me. [01:06:58] (38 seconds) #ThankfulForTheJourney

I've had some ups and some downs, but I'm thankful. Had some ins and some outs, but I'm thankful. And it's only because of God's presence in my life that I'm still standing. Is there anybody in here today that can tell God, thank you, that I'm still standing? What I've been through should have took me out. What I've been through should have wiped me out, but I'm still standing. He's been real good to me. When I wanted to give up, he was right there. Well, God's been good to me, church. And I thank God for His goodness and His mercy. [01:07:42] (65 seconds) #StillStandingStrong

You've been trying to stay safe, but everything is trying to drag you back in the world. Or you're trying to do the right thing, but there's some things and some people trying to pull you back to the other side. I wish I had some honest people in here today that can say, I'm really just trying to keep it all together. I'm trying to be like God wants me to be. But every time I make up in my mind to walk right, there's somebody trying to get me off the path. And I find myself in between and in betwixt. I love the Lord, but I still cuss folk out. [01:09:59] (31 seconds) #StrugglingButTrying

All I'm trying to tell somebody is, no matter what you are facing, no matter what anybody thinks about you, no matter what anybody says about you, you can lift your voice. And you can cry out to Jesus that you may not be able to get close to nobody else. But if I can open my mouth, I can get Jesus' attention. I'm just wondering, is there anybody here ever felt like an outcast? Is there anybody else here that felt like you were the last, the loneliest, and the least of them all? I came with good news. If you lift your voice, you can get Jesus' attention. [01:12:55] (39 seconds) #OutcastButNotAlone

Are you willing to be obedient to God? No questions asked. In other words, God, I go where you tell me to go. I do whatever it is you tell me to do. I serve where you tell me to serve. I pray where you tell me to pray. God, I bless who you tell me to bless. God, I'll do whatever it is that you tell me to do. No questions asked because the problem is God will ask us to do some things that don't make sense. And when it doesn't make sense, we start asking questions. [01:17:49] (32 seconds) #BlessingsComeWithObedience

Some of the healing is going to take place in your life when you're doing the will of God. Your deliverance is going to come when you go and serve him like he tells you to serve. Your breakthrough is going to happen when you got pain in your body, but you got praise on your lips. I wish I had somebody in here today that can say, Pastor, you talking to me. Because every time I'm obedient to God, he opens another door. Every time I'm obedient to God, even though it doesn't make sense, he breaks another yoke in my life. [01:19:21] (32 seconds) #GratefulReturn

``Because I don't know what he's done for you. But I can tell you what he's done for me. You weren't there when he saved me. You weren't there in the midnight hour. You weren't there when I was waiting for the test results to come back. So he tells you, go your way. Your faith has made you well. The other nine on their way to the priest. This one on his way to the house. He was healed so completely. He didn't need the priest to deem him clean. Because the high priest, after the order of Machelzadek, has already said you clean. [01:26:29] (81 seconds) #StillStandingStrong

But God had to tell me in that moment. You got to trust me. Just because they see it. Don't mean you got it. I didn't tell nobody. I ain't tell you did I? You finding that out right now. I'm being troubled later. Because I needed to go in my prayer closet. I needed to shut my door. I didn't need to call the saints together. Just needed to trust God. [01:38:06] (53 seconds)

And even though I got a little worried. I let my worship overtake my worry. See when I tell you I got so much to thank God for. And there are individuals sitting in here today. That say pastor you are not by yourself. You don't even understand. And I told that testimony. Because there's somebody waiting for the doctor's results. There's somebody online. Somebody watching us virtually. And you waiting for the doctor's results. Don't even worry about it. You ain't got what they say you got. And it's a miracle that I'm still standing here. [01:39:14] (52 seconds)

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