by Tammy Phillips
January 9, 2023
Be thankful. (Col 3:15 NKJV)
On Monday, January 2,2023, many in the United States who were on opposing teams, even “enemies,” stopped and joined in prayer over one man. The one man, Damar Hamlin, was a football player who suffered cardiac arrest and was resuscitated after being unresponsive on the football field. After three nights in critical care, we heard the news that he was awake, responsive, and writing, “Who won the game?” Later the same day, his breathing tube was removed, and he was miraculously talking. Neurologically, he was functioning well. Yesterday, he tweeted, “It’s GameDay & There’s Nothing I Want More Than To Be Running Out That Tunnel With My Brothers. God Using Me in A Different Way Today! #Prayfor3.” The suddenly and the miracle we all prayed for was, and is unfolding before our eyes. God answers every time. We may not love the answer, but He answers when we call.
In Luke 17:11-19, members of the opposing teams of Samaria and Galilee joined in a group. The ten men were united because they all were lepers. Like many of us did last week for Demar, they cried out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” They were pleading for their lives. They needed salvation and healing from the Savior.
The Healer, our Savior, answered, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” Kind of an odd command, but they obeyed and as they went. All ten were cleansed and healed. Their healing was not in an instant, but as they obeyed. They got their miraculous suddenly.
One, a Samaritan who was on the opposing team of the Jesus and Jews, when he saw that he had been healed, returned to Jesus. He gave God a big, loud shout out. He glorified God, fell down on his face at His feet, and gave Him big thanks (Luke 17:15-16).
One out of ten, turned, remembered, and thanked the Lord. Sadly, The guys who were on the same team as Jesus did not.
Jesus answered Him and said, “Weren’t ten cleansed? But where are the other nine? Only the enemy camp returned to thank me and give me glory?”
I do not want to be one of the nine! I want to be part of the “ONE” who returned and thanked God. I never want to take the mercy and grace of the Lord for granted ever again.
I thank you Lord Jesus for saving, healing, and sparing Damar Hamlin’s life. “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (2Co 9:15 NKJV). “Thanks” in this verse is a made-up word by Paul. It had never been used before and is only used once in the Bible in this scripture. That is how I feel right now about life and Damar Hamlin. My made-up word to the Lord is “Lalala!” I am living amazed by awesome Lord Jesus who heard the plea of a nation and answered. Father, I thank you for every time I cried, and you answered my plea!!! Sincerely, forgive me for ever being part of the nine that just kept on walking. Forgive me for not thanking you when you did not answer the way “I” wanted.
I enCourage you all to be….thankful! Just be in the presence of the Lord and give Him a well-deserved, “thank you,” no matter your current circumstance. The word of God instructs us many times to be thankful.
“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1Th 5:18 NKJV) and “Give thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, (Eph 5:20 NKJV)
Live. Breathe. Be…thankful.
Complete in Him 