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Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?”” Luke‬ ‭17‬:‭17‬-‭18‬

One day, as Jesus was near the border of Samaria, ten men with leprosy called out to him and asked for healing. We read the story in Luke’s gospel, chapter 17. Jesus told them to go show the priests they were healed. Lepers were not allowed into society without this blessing.

From what we can determine, the men were healed as they left for the temple. Only one of them, a hated Samaritan, returned to Jesus to thank him for being healed. Only one practiced Active Appreciation.

Active Appreciation is part of worship. We don’t know if the other men suddenly got leprosy again, but we do know that this hated Samaritan, the one who showed Active Appreciation, not only received his physical health, but his spiritual health as well.

Active Appreciation is powerful. When King Jehoshaphat was going into battle and the nation of Israel was in trouble, he went before God and prayed. God promised deliverance but instructed the king to have singers go ahead of the army singing praises for God’s power and deliverance.

Their Active Appreciation proved powerful! “At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the Lord caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves.” 2 Chronicles‬ ‭20‬:‭22‬

Active Appreciation changes our focus. When we begin with praise to God we are turning our minds towards the Father’s power and promises and away from the enemies of fear, doubt, anger and worry. Like the old adage says, “Big problems, Small God; Big God, Small problems.”

Active Appreciation begins with God. When we learn to appreciate God because of his undeserved, unconditional love and it spreads to others because when we learn to appreciate God we see others differently. Not because of their actions, but because we see them as God’s creation, just as we are. Our appreciation isn’t based on others, it’s based on God.

Who can you practice Active Appreciation on? Begin with your Heavenly Father, then turn your Active Appreciation towards his creation, the people you rub shoulders with every day. It can be as simple as opening a door for someone, or saying thank you. It can be praying with and/or for someone you don’t even know.

Active Appreciation is, well ACTIVE! The more you learn to appreciate the Father, the more you will be able to appreciate others. Live in Active Appreciation.