Luke 17: 15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.
17 Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18 Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?”
Ten men had lives full of pain and disease, and Jesus made them new. I am sure if you asked any one of them, they would tell you Jesus did it. I am sure they would have nice things to say about Christ.
But only one "when he saw he was healed', came back to worship and give thanks. One out of ten had a heart so full of gratitude that it changed how he acted, changed where he went, and changed what he did. It should be noted that he didn't return to "earn" his healing, only to thank God for it.
Jesus asks him a question that should pierce our hearts..."where are the other nine?"... because all of us, at one time or another, have been the other nine. All of us have had days when we forgot the "disease" from which we were delivered.
Only this forgetfulness can explain our propensity to judge and withhold forgiveness from others. Only this forgetfulness can explain our inability to schedule time to be still and worship.
So I will ask you, are you one of the other nine today ?
If so don't dwell on it - just stop where you are...Turn around, run back, and "throw yourself at Jesus feet". Thank Him for His unimaginable grace that would redeem your lost soul. Then offer redemption to those lost souls he puts in your path.
Lionel Hampton once said, "Gratitude is when memory is stored in the heart and not in the mind." Remember your condition when God found you and store that memory in your heart. It will drive you back to Jesus and fuel a grateful life of praising Him.
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
Ephesians 4:29-30 Matthew 12:34 9/22/15
Ephesians 4
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Why do you speak?...When I speak it is usually to benefit me... I need something, or I want something, or I want you to know something....But this verse says that when I talk it is supposed to benefit others.
Talking in order to "benefit those who listen" instead of benefit those who are talking is so alien to us it is almost hard to take seriously. So Paul emphasizes it by stating that we "grieve" the Holy Spirit when we speak in a selfish or unwholesome manner.
The impact of the tongue is a constant theme in scripture. James references the rudder of a ship, and the bit in a horses mouth, to show how words can influence our lives.
Still this concept that our words should help others, instead of ourselves is not the norm.
What if it was?....What if we only spoke words that built up and edified others? ..... how would it change our Homes, our businesses, our Facebook pages? "
...But It almost seems impossible doesn't it?
There is however, some insight in Mathew 12:34 that may help. It says"...For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart"...Why is the tongue so important?...because it is the thermometer of the heart...the tongue reveals its content.....The way to make our words beneficial, is to fill our hearts with the perfect grace and love of God.
I once saw a sign that read "99% of the worlds problems occur because someone uses the wrong tone of voice." There is truth in that, and I would suggest the wrong tone of voice is an indication of the wrong content in the heart.
Clean up where they come from, and your words will "benefit those who listen".
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Why do you speak?...When I speak it is usually to benefit me... I need something, or I want something, or I want you to know something....But this verse says that when I talk it is supposed to benefit others.
Talking in order to "benefit those who listen" instead of benefit those who are talking is so alien to us it is almost hard to take seriously. So Paul emphasizes it by stating that we "grieve" the Holy Spirit when we speak in a selfish or unwholesome manner.
The impact of the tongue is a constant theme in scripture. James references the rudder of a ship, and the bit in a horses mouth, to show how words can influence our lives.
Still this concept that our words should help others, instead of ourselves is not the norm.
What if it was?....What if we only spoke words that built up and edified others? ..... how would it change our Homes, our businesses, our Facebook pages? "
...But It almost seems impossible doesn't it?
There is however, some insight in Mathew 12:34 that may help. It says"...For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart"...Why is the tongue so important?...because it is the thermometer of the heart...the tongue reveals its content.....The way to make our words beneficial, is to fill our hearts with the perfect grace and love of God.
I once saw a sign that read "99% of the worlds problems occur because someone uses the wrong tone of voice." There is truth in that, and I would suggest the wrong tone of voice is an indication of the wrong content in the heart.
Clean up where they come from, and your words will "benefit those who listen".
Tuesday, September 15, 2015
Rev 3:15-16 9/15/2015
Revelation 3:15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
God sent these words to the church at Laodicea. Strong words against a life without passion.
A man on fire for Jesus - recognizes the price of the gift given him, and his life reflects that with passion and gratefulness.
A man that is cold and has denied God - rejects His free gift , and lives his life accordingly.
But a man that is lukewarm - claims to have accepted His Lordship, acknowledges the sacrifice that has been made on his behalf....but it doesn't seem to touch his heart.
This, according to scripture, literally nauseates God. His only Son took our place and chose to endure what should have been our brutal execution. To accept that gift without passion is an offense to God's love and holiness.
God ends the letter to the Laodiceans telling them to "be earnest and repent", Good advice for us as well. If we do that, it will create a passion in us that is unmistakable to the outside world.
A story is told of a young thief who was brought before Alexander The Great. When the ruler asked the boy his name he responded, "Alexander"...a pained expression crossed the great warriors face, and he simply said, "son, you change your ways, or you change your name."
Perhaps that is how God feels when we make him just a small part of our life, to be used when convenient or beneficial. Maybe He would prefer we didn't use His name, if we aren't moved by His grace.
This week let's make sure we consider the price paid for our salvation, and let that reality fill us with passion that lights our hearts on fire for Christ.
Tuesday, September 8, 2015
Ephesians 6:14-17 4:15 9/8/2015
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God
As we prepare for spiritual battle we need to inventory our equipment. We would never enter a physical battle or contest without the proper tools. So let's check the list:
Belt of Truth - In almost any athletic movement, power comes from you hips. Any throw, swing, kick...power emanates from your waist. Spiritually the belt of Truth is where you power begins. Allow no hypocrisy or falsehoods to weaken you...speak the truth in love (Eph 4:15)
Breastplate of Righteousness - In a conflict, vital organs are covered by the breastplate. Your heart is protected by righteousness. Put on the breastplate of Christ's righteousness, and emulate his purity, and retain a reverence for the Holy Law of God.
Feet fitted with Gospel of Peace - An important piece of equipment for performance is a shoe that provides traction. Athletes can't perform, soldiers can't fight...without a good solid stance. In our battle knowing the gospel of peace, gives you that stability. You must put on knowledge of the gospel like you would put on your cleats before taking the field.
Shield of Faith - As the enemy fires flaming arrows at us during the fight we have a shield to block them. Faith by which we have been saved, can block, and extinguish the lust, pride, revenge, and other temptations fired at you... all shots by the enemy are useless against our faith.
Helmet of Salvation - Critical protection for the head which directs the warrior. Our assurance of victory, our ultimate salvation directs and protects us.
Sword of the Spirit - Our only offensive weapon is the Word of God. We must know how to handle it. As we prepare for battle this is where the bulk of our time should be spent...knowing the Word of God.
It's game time...check your equipment... get dressed... and let's hit the field!
As we prepare for spiritual battle we need to inventory our equipment. We would never enter a physical battle or contest without the proper tools. So let's check the list:
Belt of Truth - In almost any athletic movement, power comes from you hips. Any throw, swing, kick...power emanates from your waist. Spiritually the belt of Truth is where you power begins. Allow no hypocrisy or falsehoods to weaken you...speak the truth in love (Eph 4:15)
Breastplate of Righteousness - In a conflict, vital organs are covered by the breastplate. Your heart is protected by righteousness. Put on the breastplate of Christ's righteousness, and emulate his purity, and retain a reverence for the Holy Law of God.
Feet fitted with Gospel of Peace - An important piece of equipment for performance is a shoe that provides traction. Athletes can't perform, soldiers can't fight...without a good solid stance. In our battle knowing the gospel of peace, gives you that stability. You must put on knowledge of the gospel like you would put on your cleats before taking the field.
Shield of Faith - As the enemy fires flaming arrows at us during the fight we have a shield to block them. Faith by which we have been saved, can block, and extinguish the lust, pride, revenge, and other temptations fired at you... all shots by the enemy are useless against our faith.
Helmet of Salvation - Critical protection for the head which directs the warrior. Our assurance of victory, our ultimate salvation directs and protects us.
Sword of the Spirit - Our only offensive weapon is the Word of God. We must know how to handle it. As we prepare for battle this is where the bulk of our time should be spent...knowing the Word of God.
It's game time...check your equipment... get dressed... and let's hit the field!
Tuesday, September 1, 2015
1 Samuel 17:47-48 9/1/15
47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” 48 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him.
We need to be bold men of action. While our culture seeks to water down masculinity ....the church needs men, who not only speak the truth, but without hesitation, act on it. Men who don't react in fear, but with purpose and resolve.
For a decade at Brazos Christian School, when the kickoff team broke the huddle the cry was usually "Run to the Battle!" It was based on this verse, and it got young men ready for football. It is a mindset that men of God need to embrace in order to live a life of effectiveness.
Too often we tip toe around... afraid to offend, afraid to fail, afraid to act. But the passage above shows David not only telling the giant what God was going to do, but then sprinting to the battle line to prove it. As the rest of Israel hid in fear, a little Sheppard boy grabbed some rocks and ran toward the problem.
Don't miss the fact that "As the Philistine moved closer" David charged. David did not act after God moved...he acted - convinced that God would move.
Action does not save us, faith does. But saving faith should produce action.
As men of faith, we should be bold and fearless when we are acting on Gods behalf. David was not afraid of failure, he was not afraid of being laughed at, he was not afraid of Goliath.
His only fear was disappointing his God.
So instead of political correctness, we should be concerned with biblical correctness. Instead of popularity we should pursue being right in God's eyes. Our lives should be marked with a humble, loving, bravery that screams confidence not in ourselves, but in our Creator.
Lets re-introduce the world to what a Man of God looks like. Brave, men of action who are afraid of nothing, except disappointing God.
"Run To The Battle!"
So instead of political correctness, we should be concerned with biblical correctness. Instead of popularity we should pursue being right in God's eyes. Our lives should be marked with a humble, loving, bravery that screams confidence not in ourselves, but in our Creator.
Lets re-introduce the world to what a Man of God looks like. Brave, men of action who are afraid of nothing, except disappointing God.
"Run To The Battle!"
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