Expressing Gratitude 11-29-25

Although the Thanksgiving day celebration is over, giving thanks is never over, so this message is about a church who reached out to the community eight days ago. On Saturday, November 22, 2025, a church extended invitations to those throughout the community and Oh’ what a blessing it was to be one of the recipients of multiple blessings.

The church does this type of outreach not only at Thanksgiving, but their extension of love is also shown in several ways, and the community is tremendously blessed by this ministry. The guest were not only served a delicious meal with all the trimmings, but the church also gave bags of groceries and a turkey.

Pastor Cedrick Brown and his wonderful church family are to the be thanked for being genuinely hospitable to us. One does not have to be a member of Commitment Church to receive the benefits of God’s blessing. In fact, they have a food bank that is another means of outreach to the community.

I believe the Biblical principle of Jesus healing the ten people with leprosy is an example that is appropriate when it comes to expressing gratitude. Although the church does not to receive pats on the back, personally I believe in telling others how much of a blessing they are to me.

Modeling Jesus: And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.  And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were people with leprosy, which stood afar off: And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.

And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. So, Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?”  And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.” (Luke 17:11-19). (Luke 17:11-16).

In essence, the Jews were the people who one would think of as being more grateful; however, it was the Samaritan (half breed, looked down upon) who gave thanks.

What to take away from this message: Usually those who are grateful and more appreciative are the ones who are humble. I saw humility in those who served, and because of them being so hospitable, I plan to go back again.

Thanks again, Commitment Church and may you be showered with God’s bountiful blessings as you continue serving others.

Betty A. Burnett ~ burnettministries.org