JULY THEME – “Seeing Ebenezer- “Hitherto Hath The Lord Helped Us” From God’s Perspective”
BEATS FROM YOUR PASTOR’S HEART
The Tenth Leper
The One Who Came Back
Luke 17:15–19, “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 said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.”
Ten desperate men stood at a distance because leprosy had stolen everything from them—their health, families, worship, and hope. Together they cried, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” Jesus answered their cry and, as they obeyed His command to go show themselves to the priests, every one of them was healed. Yet only one came back. Nine were satisfied with the gift. One desired the Giver. The miracle is not merely that ten were healed. The greater miracle is that one recognized Jesus was worthy of more than a passing “thank you.” He returned to worship. The greatest evidence that grace has truly touched a heart is not merely that it receives from Christ, but that it continually returns to Christ.
God’s Blessings Should Lead Us Back to His Presence
The nine received exactly what they asked for. Their skin was restored. Their lives were given back. They hurried toward family, work, and a future they thought they had lost. The tenth man realized something greater than healing had happened. The One who healed him deserved his heart. Many people seek Jesus for what He can do but seldom return simply to enjoy Him. They want His blessings without His fellowship. Every answered prayer should become another reason to draw nearer to Christ. God never intended His blessings to become our destination; they are signposts leading us back into His presence.
Gratitude Is More Than Words—It Is Worship
The Bible says the man “turned back.” Repentance always involves turning back toward God. Gratitude does too. He glorified God with a loud voice and fell at Jesus’ feet. Thanksgiving moved his lips, but worship moved his heart. True gratitude is not measured by saying, “Thank You.” It is measured by surrendering our lives before the feet of Jesus. Those who truly understand grace never think they deserve it. When gratitude reaches its deepest expression, it no longer asks, “What can God do for me?” but simply says, “Jesus, You are worthy of all that I am.”
Jesus Desires Relationship More Than Recognition
Jesus asked, “Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?” He already knew the answer. His question reveals His heart. Jesus longs for fellowship with those He blesses. He desires more than occasional requests; He desires continual relationship. The nine experienced healing. The one experienced intimacy. The nine received a miracle. The one received the Master’s commendation. The nine walked away healthy. The one walked away whole. Sometimes God allows blessings not merely to improve our lives but to draw us into deeper communion with Him. God measures the success of a miracle not only by what it changes in our circumstances, but by whether it draws us closer to His heart.
Imagine a child who calls his father only when he needs money. Every conversation begins with another request. One day, however, the child comes home with no agenda. He simply wants to spend time with his father, express love, and enjoy his presence. Which visit delights the father’s heart? So it is with our Heavenly Father. He rejoices when we bring our needs, but His heart is especially pleased when we come simply because we love Him. Be the tenth leper. Love is proven not by how often we ask for the Father’s hand, but by how eagerly we seek His face.
Every one of us has been touched by God’s mercy. He has forgiven sins, answered prayers, protected our families, sustained us through trials, and given us hope beyond the grave. The question is not whether God has been good. The question is whether we have returned. Have we become so occupied with His gifts that we have neglected the Giver? Have we become accustomed to His blessings without pausing to worship? May we never be counted among the nine who hurried on with life. May we be known as the one who always turns back, falls at His feet, and glorifies the Savior who has done all things well. The greatest tragedy is not forgetting God’s blessings—it is forgetting the God who gave them.
Warfare Prayer
Father, forgive me for the times I have received Your blessings without returning to worship You. Deliver me from a heart that takes Your goodness for granted. Keep me from becoming so busy enjoying Your gifts that I neglect Your presence. Create within me a thankful spirit that continually turns back to glorify You. May my life be marked by gratitude, humility, and worship. Let every blessing lead me closer to Christ and never farther away. Teach me to seek Your face before Your hand and to treasure the Giver above every gift. I choose today to be the one who returns. In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.
Daily Challenge
Before you ask God for anything today, spend ten uninterrupted minutes simply thanking Him. Recall specific ways He has shown mercy, answered prayers, protected you, and remained faithful. Then ask yourself: Am I living like one of the nine… or like the one who came back? Remember: a thankful heart never wanders far from the feet of Jesus.
THURSDAY’S PRAYER REQUESTS
Sarah Brock
Mary Williams – Broken Hip
Dale Suemnicht
Kim McClain’s Family
Susan Bankston
Ann Stanley
Aston Savage
Britany Smith ~ Breast Cancer
Christopher & Yting Kelley
Danny Jarrard
David Franklin
Dinay Rodriguez
Ellen Boyd
Jean Muehlfelt
Kim’s Sisters – Ann & Brenda & Mateen
Kim McClain’s Daughter, Amanda
Mary Williams
Nancy Riley
Phillip Roach
Amy Garner’s Dad
Andrea Nix– Friend of the Shelnutt’s
Angela Bryan’s Sisters
Annette Ford
Brando Echarte
Carol Lawhead – Riverside in Conyers
Darlene Kelley – Cancer Treatment
Darlene Wiggins
Debbie Foskey
Deon Lotter
Don And Karelle Franklin – Mae’s Cousins
Doris Loyd
Dr. and Mrs. Davis
Ed Adkins – Friend of Brian Edwards
Ed Franklin’s Son In Law – Heart Surgery
Eric Magnusson’s Mother
Eric Ward
Friend of Linda Hodge
Gayle Sparks
Gloria Young
James Burnette
Jean Partee
Jean Partee’s Sister
Jessica Headrick
John McClain’s Mother
Joni Oberhage
June Cronan’s Sister
June Davis
Kailey Bateman
Kim McClain’s Mother
Lillianna Magnusson’s Mom
Linda Mays
Lonzo Christian
Lori Blount’s Mother
Mary Williamson – Dana Jackson’s Mom
Mrs. Franklin
Nancy Brown
Nora Allison
Paul Bateman
Ron And Johnnie Barry – Friends Of Ashton & Glenda Bateman
Rose Fuller – Pruitt-Monroe Nursing Home, Forsyth GA
Roy Roach
Scott Lanier
Scotty Nix
Stephanie Seivers – Friend of the Shelnutt’s
Steve Michaels
Tammy Shelnutt
Tom Witcher