Seeing the time was going quickly Thomas hurry and dressed for church.
Recalling that day her family came and he took them to church. Thinking, 'Though matter what, she won't miss her Sunday service. Wherever she is, I know she will find a way to be in church."
Parking at the roadside seeing that the church compound was full, Thomas went inside.
Noticing his parents were already there, but next to them all the seats were full.
Searching through the crowded congregation to see if she was there, and for an available seat.
Glimpsing at the second row on the front left, a seat was available. Walking up only to feel this warmth inside of him.
Thomas thought, 'The Church is cool with the air condition, so why do I feel this warmth?
'I am not sweating or has been hustling. I know I am anxious to see if Christa is here, but what is this feeling I am experiencing? It is so different from when the place is hot?'
Seated with the bible on his lap, Thomas prayed that he will see her before this day is done.
When was nine-o-clock, the Pastor took the mike and started to preach? Thomas wonder, 'What was the delay? Normally the service only takes two hours and a half?'
When did the Pastor ask the congregation to open the bible to the Gospel of St. Luke chapter seventeen? Asked everyone to stand as he read from verses eleven to nineteen.
As the congregation was seated, He said, "There were ten men that were outcast because of their infirmity.
They had no family that could help them, no friends, it was just the ten of them because they were plagued with the same disease.
Because of leprosy, they had to be separated from their family and leave their homes. So when they saw Jesus they call out to him from a great distance. He was their only and last hope.
Jesus could have ignored them but He is a loving and compassionate God. Hearing them saying out loud to have mercy on them.
Jesus then instructed them to go and shew themselves to the priest. Because at the time, that was the procedure or customs when a person has leprosy.
These lepers could have said we are expecting Jesus to touch them to receive their miracle.
But they had faith so when Jesus told them to shew themselves to the priest they obeyed Him immediately.
By following His instruction, and headed towards where the priest lives. The scripture says as they went they were cleansed.
Now as we see, out of the ten, only one returns, when he realized that he was healed. And return to give thanks and glorify God.
I am sure many of those lepers had already heard of Jesus that is the reason they could have called on him when the needs arise.
So to it have many that go to church when they need something and after they receive their, miracle then forget to return and give thanks to the Miracle worker.
My friend and brethren's when this occurs, it leaves Jesus with great concern, wanting to know that there were ten of them, so how is it only one return."
When the Minister said, "Today my people, leprosy is symbolized as a type of sin, which separates us from God, and only Jesus can restore us.
We see in verse nineteen, that the one person who return to give thanks to the Lord, Jesus made him whole.
While those other lepers were separated and were cast out, they had no one to help them.
And as soon as they had received their healing. They fail to recognize if Jesus didn't heal them they would continue to be separated and outcasted.
Yet only one person returns to give thanks for the miracle that has taken place in his life. If you look closely those nine that didn't return just get healed
My friends, our ungratefulness is not unseen in the eyes of God. He is concerned about each of us, He just doesn't want us to be healed but Jesus wants to make us completely whole, today.
If you know that God has been merciful to you and you have forgotten to return and give thanks after the many miracles He has done in your life.
It is not too late, you are here now, and there is still time to say you are sorry. So don't be an unthankful person.
Remember He speared you from so many unseen dangers, and losses for so long. He had prepared a table before you. Tell Him you are thankful, tell Him you are sorry.
He is merciful, He is a forgiving God, He is just and faithful. Now just as that one leper return to give thanks and was made whole. The same can happen to you today. Let us pray."
Raising his hands, Thomas cried out to God, in his prayer. 'I recall that day in the square when I made the pledge to return and did not.
That night I had my wife in my arm, and our married was consummated.' With tears streaming down his face for not keeping his promise.
"Lord help me, I have failed You, so many times and in so many ways."
With his hands still up in his desperation, unable to say anything being so broken. Then he said. "I keep calling out to You when a need arises, and you always answer me.
Yet I was like those nine who fail to see it was only because of You they could return to their families.
I don't only want to receive your healing in my soul Lord, but I want to be made completely whole, in my body, in my soul, and my spirit.
Lord, thank you for all your favors and blessing in my life. And I beg for your forgiveness and peace. And where ever Christa is, keep her safe, please. And I will not neglect to follow you."