"On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, they called out, saying, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" When he saw them he said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were made clean. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus asked, "Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" (Luke 17:11-18)
In the above passage we read about Jesus Christ entering into a village where ten lepers cried out for Jesus Christ to have mercy on them. Leprosy was something that had obviously made there lives a living hell and they wanted to be freed of it. When Jesus told them to go and show themselves to the priests they all were cleansed of their leprosy! They were finally free! Shouldn't all of them had fallen on their face before God in worship? Shouldn't they have spent the rest of the day singing songs of thanksgiving to their Healer? Shouldn't all ten had lifted Jesus above their shoulders and carried Him through town rejoicing? Maybe they should have but we only read of "one" returning to Christ to thank Him for His goodness.
I would like to think of myself as this "one" who continually is before Jesus giving Him thanks for everything He has done in my life but honestly I may look more like the other nine. Over the Thanksgiving weekend I spent more time being like the "one" bringing thanks to my Savior for all His undeserved mercy that He has shown me.
What is it in your life that you need to be continually thankful for? Do you look like the "one" or do you better relate to the "other nine"?
Monday, November 26, 2007
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
The Cries of the Poor
"Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need." (Proverbs 21:13)
As we enter into the time of year where giving is much more "expected" I am desiring not to just make "giving" seasonal in my own personal life but a consistent, continual lifestyle. One area I would like to see remain consistent is the giving to the poor. Notice in the above verse it refers to the "cries" of the poor. If a baby were "crying" out for help would we ignore him or her pitiful cries? How many times have the poor cried out among us for help and yet we ignored that cry? How many times have we arrogantly walked past them and turned our noses up at them as we pass them on the streets. How many self-righteous thoughts and actions have we showed by saying to ourselves, "They must be lazy" or "They probably blow it all on beer and cigarettes." How many times have we ignored the poor parents who work numerous hours to try to put food on the table for their children? I never want to hear the Lord say to my family, "Why did you hoard what I gave you upon yourselves when the poor cried out among you? How could I not trust you with the talents, gifts, and finances I so graciously poured out upon you. Did I not provide your every need? Were you not a vessel I could trust? What if one day we find ourselves in their shoes and we need the same help they do? Will we ourselves be ignored? Yes, we do become more aware of needs around us and we do tend to "give" more during the holiday seasons but what would happen if giving wasn't seasonal but a lifestyle?
As we enter into the time of year where giving is much more "expected" I am desiring not to just make "giving" seasonal in my own personal life but a consistent, continual lifestyle. One area I would like to see remain consistent is the giving to the poor. Notice in the above verse it refers to the "cries" of the poor. If a baby were "crying" out for help would we ignore him or her pitiful cries? How many times have the poor cried out among us for help and yet we ignored that cry? How many times have we arrogantly walked past them and turned our noses up at them as we pass them on the streets. How many self-righteous thoughts and actions have we showed by saying to ourselves, "They must be lazy" or "They probably blow it all on beer and cigarettes." How many times have we ignored the poor parents who work numerous hours to try to put food on the table for their children? I never want to hear the Lord say to my family, "Why did you hoard what I gave you upon yourselves when the poor cried out among you? How could I not trust you with the talents, gifts, and finances I so graciously poured out upon you. Did I not provide your every need? Were you not a vessel I could trust? What if one day we find ourselves in their shoes and we need the same help they do? Will we ourselves be ignored? Yes, we do become more aware of needs around us and we do tend to "give" more during the holiday seasons but what would happen if giving wasn't seasonal but a lifestyle?
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Family Matters
"As for me and my house we will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:15)
Tonight we will begin a two week series in our student ministry entitled, "Family Matters." We live in a society where the sacred family bond has been attacked and even mocked what God has ordained. For us to begin impacting the world the way we are called to we first must impact our homes. Strong homes build strong churches! What we must realize is that family does matter to God and what takes place in the home will matter for eternity! We are determined to equip, train, and raise up a generation of young people who will become Godly fathers, mothers, husbands, and wives for the kingdom of God! First, we must first live in front of them how a Godly father, mother, husband, or wife should act! Family ministry isn't too popular or attractive in the traditional usual youth ministry setting but we aren't striving to be usual or traditional! We are striving to break the mold and have a family focused student ministry!
Please pray for our student ministry team as we embark on these next few weeks of teaching,training, and loving our students!
Tonight we will begin a two week series in our student ministry entitled, "Family Matters." We live in a society where the sacred family bond has been attacked and even mocked what God has ordained. For us to begin impacting the world the way we are called to we first must impact our homes. Strong homes build strong churches! What we must realize is that family does matter to God and what takes place in the home will matter for eternity! We are determined to equip, train, and raise up a generation of young people who will become Godly fathers, mothers, husbands, and wives for the kingdom of God! First, we must first live in front of them how a Godly father, mother, husband, or wife should act! Family ministry isn't too popular or attractive in the traditional usual youth ministry setting but we aren't striving to be usual or traditional! We are striving to break the mold and have a family focused student ministry!
Please pray for our student ministry team as we embark on these next few weeks of teaching,training, and loving our students!
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