Now Think On This
Steve Martin
Usually when you hear of someone getting “9 out of 10”, you think it was a good thing. One hits 9 out of 10 baskets in a basketball game, or has par for the first 9 out of 10 golf holes – they have done very well.
If you were in a high school math class and you answered 9 out of 10 questions correctly on a test (pop quiz!) you’d get an A, or at least a B+. (Do they still grade that way in school? Or does everyone get a passing grade just to move them on?) Or maybe you passed your last driver’s license test at the DOT, Department of Transportation, because the one testing you gave you a hint or two, not wanting you to fail. Trust me, that happened last time I was there when I turned 60. That younger man certainly was a nice guy.
Recently I had the opportunity to bless a group of people with something I considered important. At least it was for me. Because I had put in a lot of effort to complete the project, and was excited to share it with others, I thought the response would be good. Believing that the Holy Spirit had given me the inspiration to do it in the first place, I naturally expected an acknowledgement from the recipients.
But it didn’t happen. At least not in the way or timing that I thought it would or should. Never heard from them until I asked one or two about it sometime later. Just to make sure it got to them.
Some told me that they had forgot to let me know it came. Another had a major extra job they were working on, and didn’t think more about it. Others just didn’t give it an extra thought.
Now I had a bit of the taste of what Jesus must have felt like when He experienced the following.
“Now it happened as He went to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. And they lifted up their voices and said, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!"
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.
And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan.
So Jesus answered and said, "Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?" And He said to him, "Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well." (Luke 17:11-19 NKJV)
After reading that, you probably also reacted like I did, thinking the other nine were thoughtless and totally unthankful. Why would Jesus have even bothered with them in the first place?
Even though they had just been healed from a debilitating disease, one that also attributed to the rejection they certainly received from others, they didn’t even bother to come back and thank Yeshua. They had been facing an early death, but now, after a miraculous deliverance from their sickening condition, they showed no appreciation whatsoever.
Only the one out of the 10 came back to give thanks to the Son of God. Only the one. And this guy wasn’t even in the societal class of “accepted ones” in the local area, but considered a “foreigner”, a lowly Samaritan. These were people generally ostracized and looked down by the religious Jews.
My heart has had another learning experience. Giving thanks is so vital to our spiritual health – both in giving and also receiving.
When someone does something good for you, give thanks. Do it anyway that is appropriate for the gift received. Either verbally, with a short text, a card for one who likes those, or whatever – just show your appreciation.
We are to have a thankful heart. Growing in appreciation for the goodness of the Lord and others in our lives does a great thing for our soul and spirit. The Lord blesses those who do.
Paul instructed the Colossians in his letter to the early church members, which is for our instruction too.
“And be thankful - let the Word of the Messiah, in all its richness, live in you, as you teach and counsel each other in all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude to God in your hearts. That is, everything you do or say, do in the name of the Lord Yeshua, giving thanks through him to God the Father.” (Colossians 3:15-17, Complete Jewish Bible)
As we grow in thanksgiving, we will see a lifting in our inner man, within our spirit. We will be letting go of an uncaring, ungrateful attitude, and receive more of the Lord’s heart of joy and peace.
Something to think about.
Love you,
Steve Martin
Founder
Love For His People, Inc.
P.S. I would be most grateful if you'd share this encouraging word with your family and friends. They might need it. You can easily use the social media icons below. Thanks! Steve
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In May, 2016, my wife Laurie and I will be traveling to Israel to spend time with our friends. We support them in word and deed. We have our plane tickets in hand. We love Israel.
Love For His People, Inc. is a charitable, not-for-profit USA humanitarian organization started in 2010 to share the love of the Father in the nations.
If these messages minister to you, please consider sending a charitable gift of $5-$25 today, and maybe each month, to help us bless families we know in Israel, whom we consistently help through our humanitarian ministry. Your tax deductible contributions receive a receipt for each donation. Fed. ID #27-1633858.
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Now Think On This #206 “9 Out of 10” by Steve Martin
Date: In the year of our Lord 2015 (11.13.15) Friday at 7:00 pm in Charlotte, NC
All previous editions of Now Think On This can be found on this Blog, and on the website: Now Think On This
Again, I would be most grateful if you'd share this encouraging word with your family and friends. You can easily use the social media icons below. Thanks! Steve
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