There are many principles in the Bible that release God's anointing in the life of the believer. Some people refer to them as keys. I understand this terminology and it is all right; however, a key is something you use and then put away. We can also misplace our keys. I'm sure you might know someone who has done that as well. I believe we should incorporate these principles or keys as the believer's lifestyle. Principles are not something we simply do when we need to open heaven's door. Principles should be a part of how we live. Our principles will also govern how we believe and respond.

The Lord told me that only one out of ten

of his people live in this realm.

That's ten percent!

In Luke 17:12-19 we read about ten lepers who cried out to Jesus to have mercy on them. Jesus commanded them to go show themselves to the priest and get their pronouncement of cleanness. As they went in obedience, they were healed. As they went their way, one of them saw that he was cleansed and began to worship God. He then returned to Jesus and fell at his feet thanking him. Jesus asked him where the other nine were and why he was the only one who returned to give thanks. It was then that he was made totally whole. Totally Restored! It is important to note that all ten lepers were cleansed, which meant that the disease had stopped. One leper, however, had been made totally whole. Whatever destruction the leprosy caused suddenly reversed and total restoration took place. I ask the Lord why he didn't make the other nine lepers totally whole instead of just healed. He didn't love them any less. Eventually, they would all die anyway, healed or not. There was a principle that the one leper used that the other ten did not: Thanksgiving! The Lord told me that only one out of ten of his people live in this realm. That's ten percent! We are commanded of God to Be Thankful. Not just give thanks because we are supposed to, but actually Become Thankful. Thanks Giving is a prerequisite for the miraculous. God loves the whole world, but the whole world doesn't love God. He loves His church, but not all of us live in the top ten percent. I'm not talking about the world's success principles; I'm talking about the believer's lifestyle.

Thanksgiving is a prerequisite for the miraculous.

If Jesus was thankful, then it should be good enough for us. Let us look at some examples:

(Matthew 15:36) "And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude."

When it came to raising Lazarus from the dead, Jesus began thanking God.

(John 11:41) "Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me." Throughout the Bible, God always seems to do more when people have an attitude of gratitude.

(Psalm 95:2) "Let us come before his presence with Thanksgiving and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms."

(Psalm 100:4) "Enter into his gates with Thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name."

2 Chron 5:11-14 states that all the people were in one mind and one accord in Praising and Thanking God. The Glory of the Lord was so intense that they could not even stand up to minister. Wow! How incredible that must have been.

When we stop being thankful, we begin to get critical and find fault. We soon lose sight of the blessings that the Lord has placed upon our life. We stop thanking God for the little things and begin to strive for the big things. If we are not careful, we begin to get a critical spirit and the root of bitterness begins to grow. When this progression reaches the final stage, we have allowed a breach between God and our heart.

We must repent and begin to take inventory

of everything God has done and

Become Thankful.

We have taken things for granted so long that there is no appreciation left. Our church is not good enough. The service is too short. The service is too long. Our spouse is not good enough. Our job is not good enough. Our leaders are not good enough. We are not good enough. Depression and hopelessness soon invade our soul and spirit, and we end up a dried up old mess! ENOUGH! Now is the time to return back to the Lord of Glory. We must repent and begin to take inventory of everything God has done and Become Thankful. If you want to know how rich you are, count the things money can't buy. Thank God for the little things that He does. I pray that God opens your eyes and allows you to see that You Are Blessed!

(1 Thess 5:18) "In every thing give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." We don't thank God for everything, but in everything we are to remain grateful.

God loves all the church and we should live in miracles and blessings on a daily basis. Like the leper who returned to give thanks, we should live in the top ten percent. God loves you either way. How will you live today? The miracles are available. The favor is available. All that God has is available to you. God is not holding back His love from you. Give Him all the Gratitude that He rightfully deserves. Without the Lord, we can do nothing; therefore, everything good comes from Him. Make the choice to stay and live in the top ten percent.

by Ron Roper

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