Monday, February 11, 2008

Survey Says - 1 out 10 Lepers Say "THANK YOU, JESUS!"

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Once upon a time there were 10 sickly men.

These men were treated as outcasts.

They were not allowed to be around everyone else.

Or to go anywhere other people went. No body contact. Heaven forbid.

Then one shining day, an answer to prayers, a manifestation of the dreams,

an answer to ridiculous hopes,

hope that made NO SENSE...

He came to their town!

JESUS!

They cried out desperately!

"Have mercy on us!"

And of course, He DID!

He told them to go to temple and show themselves to the priests

(as was their custom, their healing would have to be verified)

As they obeyed, they all became healed!

Oh Joy unspeakable!

And NINE of the ten kept right on going...

Imagine "Hey, cool, wow! I can't wait to go find a woman!"

And "Me, I am going to my family's"!

And so on, and so on, the nine went through their dreamed of happily ever after recital.

But, the 1, the 1 out 10!

He went back to Jesus. He threw himself at his feet.

He gave him thanks outrageously,

since he WAS indeed blessed outrageously.

Jesus said, "Were there not 10?

Well, that's Ok,

YOU - YOUR faith has made you WHOLE!"

(paraphrased from Luke 17:12-19)

I wanna be the 1 out 10!

How about you?


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6 comments:

luvmy4sons said...

Great reminder! Me too! I want to be the 1 not the nine!

Unknown said...

Great post!! and a great reminder to always thank the one from whom ALL blessings come!

Denise said...

Amen, wonderful post.

Sharon Brumfield said...

I think that the tenth that went back to Jesus probably got not only a physical healing but also spiritual healing. Don't ya think he probably saw more in Jesus than just someone who could remove the mess life had put on him?

He wanted to bless Jesus too. I so want to bless the heart of God. I think when we walk as He walked and love as He loved--I think it not only blesses His heart but it is also a way of saying thank you for saving and healing me.
How many of the body have been saved and healed and then run on about their own lives forgetting to thank Him with their lives.We walk from the healing He gives right back into the arms of another sickness.
Dear God bring us back to You.
Thank you that filled my spirit and refreshed my heart.
Now it is time to go study Isaiah a little while.
I hope to post some about it soon.

ThreeGirlyGirls said...

Oh girl....that is where I am today....I want to be that one. So awesome, thanks!!

She Rose Up said...

Leslie, yet another thing we have in commom! Thank you!

Regina, Hey girl! Hope life is treating you well! I am behind on my visits and comments, I have had some family activities keeping my busy! Hope to be over soon! Ain't He good!

Hi, Denise! Thank you!

Sharon, Looking forward to that Isaiah word! I know it will be good! Yes, I DO believe that the 1 out of 10 saw something more in Him. And because He did, and he came to connect with him, he was changed. He was learning to abide! Like I hope I am learning. Abide, abide! :) Oh, why is it so hard! :)
We keep on trucking!

Hey there, Nicki-girl! How are you doing? Thanks!

To ALL:

I hope you all know that this is something I wrote out of my effort to train myself. Because I have discovered that my heart is somewhat fickle. Without conscious effort my habit is to be a lot more like the 9 than the 1. But, I'm letting the Holy Spirit teach me better...day by day!
Thanks for coming along to classroom with me on this!

xoxox,
Maria

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What Does it Mean Anyway? "Free to Fly"...

Well, it's like this: Here are some of the Webster's Dictionary definitions of Free: a : having the legal and political rights of a citizen b : enjoying civil and political liberty c : enjoying political independence or freedom from outside domination d : enjoying personal freedom : not subject to the control or domination of another2 a : not determined by anything beyond its own nature or being : choosing or capable of choosing for itself...having a scope not restricted by qualification 7 a : not obstructed, restricted, or impeded ...Now, here are some of the Webster's Dictionary definitions of Fly:1 a : to move in or pass through the air with wings b : to move through the air or before the wind or through outer space c : to float, wave, or soar in the air ... a : to take flight ...6 : to work successfully ...Examples which apply from Websters: fly high : to be elated - fly in the face of or fly in the teeth of : to stand or act forthrightly or brazenly in defiance or contradiction of

What does this mean in my life? This means that in life we are meant to be free. While historically mankind has not always enjoyed the opportunity to fully appreciate what that means, we are so indescribably fortunate as to live in a time of the greatest spiritual, physical, financial and political freedom ever known. Freedom doesn't come cheap, nor does it come easy. But the best things in life don't come that way do they? As I write this I am struck by how this sounds like a political statement, and for me this is much more of a spiritual thing, but, same goes for that (political that is). Freedom doesn't come easy. And it's worth whatever fight you have to make to overcome in your life in order to live a life that succeeds. Now the questions is - what is success for you? What is your standard? In my mind what is needed is a definite target - because you can't hit and maintain a moving target. A stable, rock-solid, anchor with no variable, yet multi-faceted. Something pure, just and worthy. If you look at any web page of news you can see that our society is certainly lacking in this area. What a great time to live as a rebel! Nowadays to be a rebel, all you have to do is be willing to engage in the battle of life, while anchored to Christ!