Are you the one?

Do you consider yourself to be grateful? I mean beyond the average, saying grace over your food or saying, thank you when someone opens a door? I don’t know about you, but I know I am guilty of taking God’s grace and mercy for granted and not truly being thankful on a daily basis. Let’s consider Luke 17:12-19. 12 Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. 13 And they lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” In biblical days when a person was found to have leprosy they were immediately sent away from their home to wonder in the wilderness because their disease was contagious. They were forced to leave their families and jobs, so it’s no wonder these lepers having heard of Jesus rushed over when they saw Him coming, expecting a miracle. 14 So when He saw them, He said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed. When we ask God for something first we must believe He’s going to grant our request. Once he grants our request it is very important that we then turn and walk or act on that faith to receive our expected blessing. So far so good for the lepers, let’s continue. 15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, 16 and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. Here we see one of the lepers took his faith into the realm of showing true gratitude. Once he noticed he had received his miracle, he stopped to worship and give thanks! How many times have we been spared from unexpected danger or received an answer to a long awaited prayer only to throw God one tiny, “thank you?” You may say, “So what, at least I said thank you.” Well let’s continue reading. 17 So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? 18 Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” 19 And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole. There were ten desperate lepers, who came to Jesus in faith and they were cleansed. There was one who returned to worship and glorify the Lord who made whole! I believe that because the one turned back and show genuine gratitude he was made complete. The others were only cleansed, meaning they could very well become sick again and have to return to the wilderness. Being cleansed does not mean you won’t get dirty again right? But being made whole, means complete and free from disease. So the next time you receive and awaited or unexpected blessing/miracle, don’t forget to glorify God. As a matter of fact let’s glorify Him on a daily and basis in advanced! Are you the one? Think about it!

Soul Protectant

In the summer we wear sun screen. In the winter we wear extra clothing. These are just a few measures we take in order to protect ourselves from the elements of our environment. Thinking about how we make sure we protect the outside of our bodies, makes me think about how we MUST protect our spirit man as well. So many times we see people working out or exercising in order to better their outer body, yet they will eat fatty foods or indulge in too many sweet treats and remain unhealthy in inwardly. That being said what are you doing to insure that your soul is protected from eternal dangers? Some would say, “Hey I go to church every Sunday.” I present to you the question, “Is that enough?” Is it enough just to be a “church-goer,” but never exercise your faith outside church? Better yet, is it enough to just say you are a Christian but no one can see the evidence in your lifestyle? Why should someone believe we are a Christian, which means “Christ-Like” if we quote scriptures and curse in the same breath…or POST? What is the evidence of your relationship with Christ if you look like a healthy upstanding Christian on the outside but fill your inside is filled with vile items such; as drugs, alcohol, or evil thoughts and pleasures? You may say, “It doesn’t matter to me what people think I am…I know what I am!” Great, then let me add this…so does GOD! He knows the inner workings of your heart, mind and soul. He knows if we are keeping Him first or just calling on him like sunscreen in the summer…applying only when we feel we need to! So the next time you see rain and grab an umbrella, the next time you feel a chilly wind and grab a jacket to protect your outer body, take a pause and make sure that your soul is also protected. Think about it Scripture References Romans 10:13NKJV- For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 2 Tim 2:22 KJV- Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Mark 12:30 NKJV- And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment. If someone told you they were a professional football player but looked like this Would you believe them?