Week Seven 11.23.14
Give Thanks in the Spirit
Jesus Cleanses Ten
Lepers and one says “thank you
Luke 17:12 As
Jesus entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance 13 and
lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” 14 When
he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as
they went they were cleansed. 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned
back, praising God with a loud voice; 16 and
he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a
Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where
are the nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 And
he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”
Questions:
1.
For what am I thankful today to be like the
Samaritan who returned to Jesus right away to give him thanks and was praising
God with a loud voice as soon as he realized he was being healed?
2.
On the other hand, have I been like the other
nine who continued on their way to the temple (as Jesus instructed them to show
the priest according to their tradition and command in Leviticus). Perhaps they
were more focused on doing their religious thing for their own sakes instead of
praising God and going straight to the author of their faith and blessing. The
Samaritan humbled himself and Jesus said, “Your faith has saved you (made you
whole) so go on your way.
3.
When I sing or pray or attend small or large
group is my heart in my mouth or my mouth in my heart? Do I come before God by
giving thanks, thereby activating my spirit to change my heart into a thankful
and good heart for God to dwell in? Or do I go through the motions without
filling my mouth and heart with praise?
4.
Can I join Mary and the Psalmist and together
with the members of the body of Christ give thanks in the spirit?
5.
Perhaps I want to be thankful and give thanks
and be full of the spirit and speak in tongues but I just don’t know how?
1 Thess 5:16-23 16 Be
happy [in your faith] and
rejoice and be glad-hearted
continually (always); 17 Be unceasing in prayer [praying
perseveringly]; 18 Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the
circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God
for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will]. 19 Do
not quench (suppress or subdue) the [Holy] Spirit;…23 be sanctified in spirit
soul and body
46 And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 and
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
Acts 10:46 46 For they heard them talking in [unknown] tongues (languages) and
extolling and magnifying God.
(the disciples were giving thanks in the
spirit just as Jesus said the Father seeks those who worship him in spirit and
in truth-John 4:22-23)
Ps 34:2My soul makes
its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad.
3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his
name together!
