Make us like that 1 leper.
The one who came back to say,
Thank you for healing my skin and my soul.
Show us what the foundation of our belief system reveals.
Ten lepers waited for a glimpse of Christ. Positioned on the road to Jerusalem. Maintaining their distance from the Healer. Ten cried for mercy. Nine only wanted the physical blessing of health, this life. The compassion of our God is more than enough. He answered and offered quickly. They were cured immediately, all ten. Nine ran to tell their family and friends. One lone leper no more, a Samaritan, stayed to say with a loud voice that he was so grateful.
God invites us all to come to Him to be healed of our soul diseases. Spiritual lepers---we all are. "Pay attention to yourselves." Luke 17:3.
What am I really saying by how I live? Is my desire for the physical blessings of life greater than my desire for the Healer to touch my soul---and let the blessings of this life fall where they may. Is my desire to "feel confident in God's Goodness that it will continue, to feel excited about life's opportunities" --- is that greater than my desire for spiritual formation? 66LL.
"Your desire for spiritual formation lies on top of those self-focused desires like an attractive veneer. It needs to lie beneath them, as the controlling foundation of your life." Larry Crabb. "Rise and go your way, your faith has made you well." Luke 17:19
PRAYER FROM PSALMS
Psalm 11:3 says that if the foundations of the righteous are not solid ones, what will happen to us, O God? Reveal to us what controlling foundation lays beneath all our troubles. Thank You for what You are doing in our lives.
My small(est) group is starting a new study after doing Revelation for over a year. We think we'd like to study on prayer and hearing from God. Do any of you have any recommendations for study on this topic? We are all three seasoned believers in sincere pursuit of God. Any ideas or suggestions?
ReplyDeleteBev, I can't see today's blog entry. Looks like it's there but highlighted?
DeleteAnnette....I double clicked at the top of white area and drug the cursor down and could read it that way....hope what I did is clearer than what I think I said....you are computer smart enough to figure out what I did I think....love you....
DeleteThanks, Mary Lou! I see it now!
DeleteTen are healed. One says thanks. Once we get what we want, are we finished with Jesus for a while until the next need turns our attention back to Him? It wasn't just about the grateful hearts because the others leapt away, cleansed and grateful, but they didn't look back to the Source of their healing.
ReplyDeleteThere is a huge gratitude movement in today's circles. Oprah had her gratitude list a bunch of years ago and many are grateful FOR things but fail to be grateful TO the Source of their blessings.
The leper that turned around was made eternally whole, not just physically but his heart was set on Christ from that moment. He was cleansed internally as well. "Thy faith has made thee well." So, he is made whole – not only of physical leprosy, but also – the spiritual ailment that distances us from our Heavenly Father.
Father, our leprosy of soul gets in the way far more than our physical limitations. We turn our eyes on You for healing and wholeness. You alone fill our hearts. Blessed be Your Name.
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ." Ephesians 1:3
Am I the thankful leper, the repentant tax collector, or the rich, young ruler? Am I truly contrite and sold out to the Lord or am I hanging onto things which are meaningless in Christ Jesus? Show me Lord, am I following You with all my heart or hanging on to chaff?
ReplyDeleteYour words are great food for thought. Put me to thinking...which one am I? And am I following Him with all of my heart or hanging on to chaff. Wise words...will be pondering them for quite a while.
DeleteWe're probably all 3. Love your words Abba.
ReplyDeleteI have had more technical issues today than usual. Sorry I missed checking the blog this morning to see if it posted.
ReplyDeleteLeprosy of the soul. I'll take that one with me for a while.
ReplyDelete