Feeling low? This short message reminds us that a little appreciation and faith in God can give us the encouragement we need, no matter how things are going.

If you’re struggling, this short message is for you. Know that you are not alone even though things may seem dark and overwhelming right now, and you may feel unsure of what’s coming next.

When you find yourself in a valley or some dark place, such as a sickness or feeling depressed, a spiritual attack or a loss of some kind, it’s not the place you find yourself in that is important so much as the one who is with you.

When you are feeling down or depressed, look up and call out to Jesus. He is present in your situation.

Don’t forget to say thanks!

How strong is your faith?

Today is the day we celebrate America’s independence, the Fourth of July. It was the day when the declaration of independence was signed in 1776. On this holiday, American’s celebrate the birth of our nation. We can be thankful for our forefathers who had insight and, I believe, were directed by God to put these words of the Declaration of Independence down on paper and to declare our independence. It’s a day that we should be thankful for. But we shouldn’t just be thankful on the Fourth of July, we should be thankful every day. We should be thankful for this nation, for what God has done, how God has blessed this nation, how God has blessed you. So, I want to inspire and encourage you to be a person of humility and of thanksgiving, like this story in Luke.

There’s a story in Luke about how 10 men with leprosy are healed by Jesus:

‘Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance 13 and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” 14 When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. 15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. 17 Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18 Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”’ (Luke 17:11-19, NIV).

I find it interesting that in Jesus’ day, the people who had leprosy had to be separated from anybody else because of the disease. So they didn’t get close to Jesus; Jesus couldn’t touch them to be healed. He just spoke the words and said “Go, show yourselves to the priests”. And these 10 men obeyed what Jesus said. I don’t think they were healed instantly. But as they followed through with Jesus’ instructions, they were healed. Only one of them went back to thank Jesus, praising God with a loud voice when he realized he was healed. The other nine didn’t bother.

There are so many times that we take God for granted. We may not thank God the way we should at times. I want to encourage you, when you get up in the morning, thank God for the breath that you have, thank God for the day that he has given you.

This Samaritan man humbled himself and thanked God. His faith made him well and saved him.

I encourage you to thank God when you’ve gone through something difficult and he answered your prayer. I want to encourage you to thank him throughout the day.

Remember God’s blessings for you.

I want to encourage you to think about what God has done for you this Fourth of July weekend.

What can you recognize as God’s blessings in your life?

• The country you live in?

• God helping you through trials?

• God rejoicing with you in celebrations?

• Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross so you can have a direct relationship with God?

• Your abilities and talents?

• Your job or lessons learned?

• Opportunities for school, exciting adventures, or much needed rest?

• Your friends, neighbors, or family?

Sometimes we take things for granted. Let me encourage you to be a person of thanksgiving this Fourth of July. Thank God for what he has done in this country, how he has blessed you. He is worthy to he praised.

Friends, we don’t just need physical healing, we need spiritual healing; we need spiritual understanding that we are blessed by God. Are you thankful that he has blessed you and saved you? Are you thankful that he died on the cross for you and your sins are forgiven?

Let me encourage you once again, always give thanks to God. He is worthy of praise. Not just today, but every day. Even in the difficult times, he is worthy of praise. Why? Because he is walking with you. He says I will never leave you nor for sake you. This is a truth to apply to your life no matter where you are.

Suggested Praise and Worship

This and other sermons brought to you by Faith Chapel, an Assemblies of God church in Pleasanton, CA.