August, 2026 | Season of Abounding Fruitfulness and Flourishing
Ministering: Pastor Alaba Olanipekun.
Text: Luke 17:11-19.
“11 Now it happened as He went to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. 12 Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. 13 And they lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”14 So when He saw them, He said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed.15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, 16 and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan.17 So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? 18 Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” 19 And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.” NKJV
Our thanksgiving is not to change God’s personality but to position us to receive His blessings. Nothing is that powerful to change God or influence Him to do what He doesn’t want to do.
What is thanksgiving? It is an indispensable activity that children of God give to their Father. It is indispensable because we can’t do without it. Regardless of what is happening around you, were it not for God it could have been worse. Who but God can turn a desert into a well-watered garden? Thanksgiving opens the door to our blessing – Ps. 100:4. If you are not grateful, you will remain grounded. Only one leper returned to give thanks, God made him whole. Thanksgiving is not something we give in a hurry, we set our heart to thank the LORD.
How often should you render thanksgiving? It is to be always (not just on first Sunday). In everything, give thanks; meaning we never cease to give Him thanks.
Thanksgiving is a combination of two words – “thanks” and “giving”. What should we “give” continually to God? First, we give Him more of our time (He then downloads His plans into our heart). Second, We should give Him more of ourselves. He owns us past, present and future thus, deserves our entire being.
It is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord, Nebuchadnezzar was proud and thought he had built the empire by himself, he was humbled and lived with animals for seven years before his senses came back and he acknowledged God as the Most High. Thanksgiving deepens our relationship with God.
What Strengthens Our Thanksgiving?
- The depth of our thanksgiving is proportional to our knowledge of God. His knowledge unveils His character to us. Ps. 100:4-5. His knowledge produces trust in any situation.
- Meditating on the work of Calvary strengthens thanksgiving. Without Christ’s sacrifice, we are nothing.
- Deciding not to forget all His benefits. Ps. 103:2-3
- Deciding to still praise Him even though your circumstances appear contrary. Habakkuk 3:17-19
- Choosing to worship Him in spirit and in truth. John 4:24
In closing, anyone who chooses not to glorify Him as God, they would have their heart darkened and given to all kinds of abominable things – Romans 1:21.
God Bless You, Richly!
Happy New Month of August!
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