TEN lepers cried out to Jesus…TEN lepers were so desperate that they were willing to be ridiculed…TEN lepers knew that Jesus could heal their disease…TEN lepers heard His voice…and TEN lepers were cleansed.
But only ONE leper came back…ONE leper praised Him in a “loud voice”…ONE leper fell at His feet…ONE leper was truly thankful and ONE leper met and experienced Jesus on a level that the TEN should have.
What were those other NINE thinking? Before we get ANGRY at them for their lack of consideration…I wonder if we realize that we actually have more in common with them than the ONE who came back to give thanks.
QUESTION: When was the last time you stopped to thank Jesus for all He has done for you? (Honestly, I don’t do it enough!)
We are DESPERATE people when circumstances call for it. But what if we were as desperate for HIS PRESENCE and POWER when things are going well?
The Bible tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 that we should GIVE THANKS in all circumstances…
Perhaps we would walk in greater joy if we spent more time THANKING Him for all He has done rather than COMPLAINING to Him about all that we think He needs to do!
What do you need to thank Him for today?
- Your spouse…
- Your job…
- Your kids…
- Your money…
- Your health…
- Your friends…
- Your church...
- Your house…
The list could go on and on … and the WORSE mistake we could make is to ask Him for something…He blesses us with it…and then we act as if we DESERVED His kindness.
I hope this hits your right between the eyes like it’s hitting me this morning.
I challenge you to spend MORE TIME giving God THANKS for WHAT you have and WHO He is … RATHER than what you don’t have!
I challenge you to quit COMPLAINING, WHINING and DROPPING HINTS to everyone about how…unhappy, bored, discouraged, depressed and upset you are. GET A GRIP…NOT A GRIPE!
Hasn’t Jesus brought you through BEFORE? He deserves the GLORY…and He sure isn’t getting it when we MOPE around looking like a poster child for Quaker Oats.
- A change of location won’t fix what’s wrong on the inside…
- A change of spouses won’t fix what’s wrong on the inside...
- A change of churches won’t fix what’s wrong on the inside…
- A change of jobs won’t fix what’s wrong on the inside…
We “is” what we “is.”
WHO ARE WE FOOLING?
10 Things I Want to Say:
- Pick yourself up by your own boot straps…
- Get up…Clean up…Straighten up…you’ll feel better!
- Anoint your own head with oil…
- Lay hands on your forehead and declare that you are a CHILD of GOD and REDEEMED by the BLOOD!
- Spend less time on social networks and more time on your “face” in prayer…
- Good night!!! QUIT posting all your MESS all over the internet for people to see…trying to get a reaction and a sense of relief. Take it to the Lord in prayer.
- Go to church…
- It amazes me the people that have a boatload of dysfunction, critical spirits, think they know it all, got lost kids, serious issues and THINK they know how to manage their life on their own…and have the audacity to THINK they don’t have to go to church.
- Sadly, all you have to do is watch their track record…what they’ve done before…they’ll do again.
- They’ll give prayer request after prayer request for the church to pray for their spouse and their kids to get saved…and then they end up acting goofy and losing all respect anyone had for them.
- You can lose your testimony in one minute!
- As my dear sister in Christ would say… “SPANK the devil!”
- Surround yourself with people of integrity…
- You’ll either cluck with the chickens or soar with the eagles.
- Read your BIBLE…
- Start with one chapter a day.
- Study and speak the Scriptures over your life…
- If God says you’re healed…then claim your healing!
- If God says you’re blessed…then claim your blessing!
- If God calls you His friend…then claim your friendship!
- Partake in Holy Communion…
- You don’t have to wait till you come to church to partake in Holy Communion. You can have it in your HOME every day if you desire.
- Ask the Lord to cleanse you of all sin.
- Focus on remembering His death, burial & resurrection.
- Read the Scripture “out loud” where Jesus administered communion to His disciples. (Matthew 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:19-20; also 1 Corinthians 11:24-26)
- Partake of the elements (bread & juice)
- Thank Him for His finished work while laying your hand upon your forehead and claiming your healing!
- Volunteer at your church…
- Don’t be a S.M.O. (Sunday Morning Only). Give of your TIME, TALENT and TREASURE … EVERY week!
- Be a disciple FIRST!
- Sunday’s & Wednesday’s are not OPTIONAL.
- These two days in particular (and more when needed) are part of your spiritual routine.
- Committing to be at church on Sunday’s & Wednesday’s (or whenever your local church is offering scheduled services) is merely “reasonable service.”
- You won’t get any awards, ribbons or credit in Heaven for doing it.
- It’s YOUR PART to do.
- Four hours a week isn’t even a TITHE of your week. (Actually it would be 16.8 hours if you were counting.)
