"Fear God, Love God, Serve God": "Where Are The Nine?"

"And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a

loud voice glorified God. And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him

thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten

cleansed? But where are the nine?" (Luke 17:15-17)

There were ten lepers, who met Jesus as he was passing through a village; Jesus told them to go and show themselves to the priests, and as they were going, they were healed, but only one came back to thank Him. Jesus Christ is still saying those words today to an unthankful unholy generation, "Where are the nine? Where are the millions and billions of people for whom I died? Don't they know what has been done for them? I paid the price, with My blood and My torn mutilated flesh, and with railroad spikes driven in my hands and feet, with thorn spikes bored into the flesh of my head ... Where are the nine?"

Hezekiah On His Death Bed

"Then said Isaiah to Hezekiah, Hear the word of the Lord of hosts. Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store unto this day, shall be carried to Babylon; nothing shall be left, saith the Lord." This was spoken to Hezekiah (Isaiah 39:5-6) after his miracle. Isaiah told him he would die, but Hezekiah pled with the Lord and the Lord sent Isaiah back to tell him that He heard Hezekiah's prayer and 15 years would be added to his life. Hezekiah was miraculously healed and greatly blessed. But, then Hezekiah got lifted up in victory; he worshiped the blessing more than the Blesser!

Hezekiah Restored

There is no greater time of danger than when we have "Won" and we're on top of the mountain, when we're mightily blessed of God and we're flying high, when all is going well and we're dancing and singing for Joy. This is the time we need to be the most humble, the most alert, the most on guard, at the very height of awareness ... this is the time that "Victory" counts its victims. It happened to Hezekiah; he received a miracle; he was greatly blessed with multitudes of riches, and in his glow of the moment, his pride got the best of him ... What did he do? He "showed the enemy" all of his riches, all of the temple bounty, boastful of his riches; he was remiss in his thankfulness to God, and his wariness of the enemy's ploy. So, the Prophet Isaiah read him his rights ...

Hezekiah won the battle over death, but lost the war of life! You say, "What does that mean?" Life only comes from the one who "gives" life, the Lord Jesus Christ. The meaning of life is to be thankful to the ONE who gave it. Hezekiah was lifted up over his many riches; he became proud and boastful, showing off "the Holy temple treasures" that belonged to God., and his enemy used it against him.

Herein is wisdom: "everything" belongs to God; we would be little more than babbling vegetables if not for the grace and mercy of Almighty God. In one moment's time, we could be left with nothing ... and we've seen that, in so many terrible tragedies around the world. We must be thankful; we must never think more highly of ourselves than we ought. Not only does this keep us mindful of our Creator, but it keeps us alert to the wiles of the enemy. "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom." (Proverbs 11:2) And, on the other hand, we must not belittle ourselves; with Jesus Christ, all things are possible!

"Humility and the fear of the LORD

bring wealth and honor and life."

(Proverbs 22:4)

You say, "Well, I don't have to worry about pride, because I've already lost most everything." You still have your life! "Things" can be replaced in time, but your life, your soul, your thought processes, your health ... these are important, and "To God Be the Glory." We have much to be thankful for. The Lord is our help in times of trouble, our strong tower, our Savior and God. No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly before Him. There is ALWAYS something to be thankful for. I've been there; I've lost homes, husband, job, health, wealth, everything ... but "Through it all, I've learned to trust in Jesus; I've learned to trust in God;" the song says it all ...

Thank You, Lord for all You do for us; Thank You

for the things You have protected us from that we

know not of, for the many diversions from tragedy

that we don't comprehend, for the Angels day by day

shielding us, going before us, and preparing our

way; Thank You, Lord!

I spent some time with a gentleman yesterday who had cancer and much of a part of his body has been cut away because of it, but surgeries are repairing him. They were able to get all of the cancer, but this man is very bitter, and angry at God. He's mad because he can't get a job, but I've directed him to places to go and apply, which he won't do. He blames God for his having gone through this. God can take people being mad at Him; that doesn't knock God off His throne. But, we must recall that in all of Job's trials and torment, he never charged God foolishly. I reminded this man that "this life" is not all there is. A life span of 70 or 80 years compared to all eternity is very small. THIS is our tribulation period, if we are Christians, and a lot of us are suffering, but we must be thankful for what we do have. Take one look at the one with no arms who plays the guitar with his toes ... and is thrilled about it! People can do extraordinary things with or "without" the ability to do so. We are only limited by our attitudes. Our attitudes determine our altitudes, as my wonderful Pastor says.

We can have the "victory" in any circumstance ... but only if we're thankful. The "peril" comes when we give up hope, when we become proud with blessings, when we forget from whom all things come, when we think because of loss that we "can't." We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us! (Philippians 4:13) If we have the Spirit of Jesus Christ within us, we've been baptized in His Name, we hear His whispers in the darkness, we know in whom we believe ... then, we have everything!

Let it never be said of you and me that

we were one of the nine!