24 hours is a gift from God

Daryll Jane Jemino
Dec 8, 2020
4 min read

Updated: Feb 12, 2021

Have you heard about the story of the ten men with leprosy?

One day, on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.

One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.

Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 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)

The ten men with leprosy in our story is the representation of us. All of us are praying for healing, financial breakthrough, material things, studies, work, family and relatives, partner in life, promotions, fame, success, food, shelter or bigger house, clothes, gadgets, and a lot more. We pray for more than we need but once our prayers are fully answered, we tend to be the other nine men with leprosy. We were heard and answered, we were blessed but did not return to give time for thanksgiving.

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” 1 chronicles 16:34

We are not meant to be the other nine men with leprosy; we are meant to be that one who gives time to return to His court for thanksgiving. Showing our gratitude towards our God can be done in different ways but let’s make it as triple T, as in TIME, TALENT AND TREASURE.

TIME

“TIME is your most precious gift, because you only have a set amount of it” Rick Warren

Our Father gave us enough 24hours in a day to do all the things that we need to be done, including the time for rest. 24 hours is more enough to show how grateful and thankful we are in front of God. How? We can sing joyful songs to our Lord and sing along with the music of hillsongs, planetshakers, Don Moen and a lot more. Christian songs are one best way to show our love and thankfulness to Him. If we can say it, sing it.

Before we start our day, let us not forget to give time in PRAYER. Prayer is still the best way to communicate with our Lord. He is 24/7 available when it comes to you. You don’t need a load or an internet connection to talk to him. You just need an honest heart that is willing to be open in Him. He won’t hurt you besides; he will heal you no matter what it takes. He is an omnipresent God, meaning whatever and whenever you are, he is there to answer and be with you (and yes! Even in the comfort room.).

You know, even a little “thank you Lord!” was a whisper of prayer.

You wanna know His answer? Well, you just need to take Time to open and read His love letter for you. It’s the bible. From the book of Genesis up to Revelation, it was written, translated, and compiled only for you. It’s a book that can change your life from mess to a message, worst to best, and least to greatest.

TALENT

I do not believe that there is a single person in this world that does not have a talent. Talent is not just about singing, dancing, acting, declaiming, drawing and painting. When we say give thanks to God through our talents, it means in every little thing that you do, praise Him. When you are cooking for lunch, praise God! When you are doing your homework, praise God! When you are doing a good job in your work, Praise God! When you are walking alone in the street, Praise God! When you are doing some household chores, praise God! And when I was writing this, I praised God!

Praise God whatever it takes and Thank God whatever you have.

“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” Philippians 4:4

TREASURE

“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” Hebrews 13:16

One way to return our thanksgiving to our Lord is to give also to others. If we are blessed enough financially, then let us be a channel of blessings to others. Remember, once we give, we do regain, we do not get lost. Once we give, there is something uplifting in hearts that make us smile and feel blessed more than any material things in this world. It is such a great privilege to be God’s mighty instrument for others. We are BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING.

But treasure does not just mean about money, it is about our heart. Once we give time to others, that is the treasure of your heart.

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” Matthew 6:21

Treasure is about giving time to others in prayer, in communication, gifts, and in telling them about Jesus.

As we say, 24 hours is a gift from God. And be that mighty Samaritan who instantly returns in God’s feet to give thanks to Him. Whether you see it or not, whether impossible or not, whether big or small it is. It’s a “thank you Lord!”