Hebrews 11:6 (ESV) And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

God has wired us in such a way that we are people with feelings. Emotions are part of all of us but we do not and should not be governed by our emotions and feelings, rather by our faith. We are told that faith is a gift of God and faith comes to us through the Word of God – as the Holy Spirit enlightens our minds to receive the facts of the Word so that the facts go from the head to the heart.

It’s easy to make verbal commitments but faithfulness is finishing what you said you would do. In a day when people are afraid of even making verbal commitments to anything and many more make verbal commitments they never intend to keep, while others have good intentions in making commitments but get distracted, a person who actually sticks to something and sees it through really stands out from the crowd.

I once received an article that asked the question: “Is your music still in you?” I thought it was a little peculiar so I read the article which began with a quote from Oliver Wendall Holmes who once said, “Many people die with their music still within them.” The article continued with a challenge to discover your music which would be your gifts, talents, passion, etc. and don’t let another day pass without playing your music.

Luke 17:15–17 (ESV) Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; 16 and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine?

In this passage we see the expectation of gratitude in the way that Jesus responded to the man who returned to give thanks by Jesus’ saying, “Where are the nine?”