What other benefits of gratitude do we have? Let us see more examples from the passage we read yesterday
Gratitude draws us closer to God
As he entered a village, ten men, all lepers, met him. They kept their distance but raised their voices, calling out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” Taking a good look at them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” They went, and while still on their way, became clean. One of them, when he realized that he was healed, turned around and came back, shouting his gratitude, glorifying God. He kneeled at Jesus’ feet, so grateful. He couldn’t thank him enough — and he was a Samaritan. – Luke 17:12-16[MSG]
Mr. Bamidele has been ill for years. He was so ill that he spent all his life’s savings on his health. He moved from one health center to another, but all to no avail. It seemed as though the more he sought medical help, the worse his case became.
Luck however smiled on him one day, when he met a benefactor. This ‘good samaritan’ not only ensured he got to the best hospital in the world, he also paid for his hospital bills and other medical expenses.
When Mr. Bamidele got back to his feet, he got close to his benefactor, literarily serving him in the process. Who wouldn’t want to get closer to such a person?
Just like Mr. Bamidele, the leper who was healed naturally got close to Jesus.
One of them, when he realized that he was healed, turned around and came back, shouting his gratitude, glorifying God. He kneeled at Jesus’ feet, so grateful. He couldn’t thank him enough — and he was a Samaritan. – Luke 17:15-16
The leper couldn’t but imagine the magnitude of God’s kindness towards him. He had to go back to give him thanks.
Little children, let us learn to show gratitude everyday of our lives.
Prayer: Father, help me to show gratitude at all times. Amen
Action Point: Keep showing gratitude.
Declaration: I will not murmur. I will give thanks to God at all times.
Carnally Minded Vs Spiritually Minded was taught by Rev. Dunamis Okunowo on the 9th of March 2022 at Shouts of Grace Center, Joke Plaza, Beside Trans Amusement Park, Bodija-UI Road, Ibadan.
In his teaching, Rev. Dunamis made mention of the following important points from Romans 8:5-13:
Verse 5
We are either controlled by the flesh or controlled by the Spirit, even as children of God. The plan of the devil is to keep you controlled by the flesh so that you would not enter the fullness of God’s plan and purpose for you. The activities you are involved in is a pointer to what we are controlled by – whether the flesh or the Spirit.
Verse 6
The first result of being carnally-minded is death. All of us have powerful glorious destinies in God, and the devil knows it. So he comes to negotiate you out of it. You are operating in the flesh anytime you reason something out without the influence of the Holy Spirit.
Verse 7
The second problem of being carnally-minded is that it is enmity with God (it is hostile towards God). The voice of the flesh is hostile to the plans and intents of God for your life.
Verse 8
The third problem of being carnally-minded is that it cannot please God. And Heb 11:6 says that without faith you cannot please God. It therefore means that if you are in the flesh then you cannot be in faith (that’s one of the reasons a lot of our faith projects don’t pull through)
You must learn to recognize the voice of the flesh and run away from its dictates. You are to deliberately not cooperate with what the flesh wants.
Everything in life is deeply spiritual. The devil does not have a direct access to your life; what he does is to make you fleshly so that he can gain entrance into your life.
Verse 13
It is by the Spirit that you should mortify/kill the deeds of the flesh. People who are dead to the flesh don’t count insults.
Every time you know you are to pray but you don’t pray, the devil is negotiating you out of something.
To listen to messages of Rev Dunamis, go HERE or HERE
A person who is emotionally unavailable would want to start a relationship in a rather too fast way.
Hours after meeting, he is already laying the sheets on the bed. Hours after meeting each other, she is already giving you body language that she is all for the take!
The guy feels lucky that he just met a sexually willing babe. Well, he just met a confused soul who wants to use him to deaden the pain in her heart.
A guy who is not really in love and has no emotional connection often times just wants the jeru trip. He is not emotionally available.
What you need to know is that for a relationship to work properly, there needs to be a development flow. But when you try to bypass the natural rhythm of intimacy, there will be relationship chaos!
An emotionally unavailable person wants the sexual phase of the relationship to happen quickly, but we all know that this is a phase that God wants to be reserved till the time of marriage.
I am going to stop here this morning, but before I go, a word for the married.
Did you miss out on yesterday’s devotional, we’ve got you covered. Kindly go HERE. For KHC video Devotionals, kindly go HERE
In marriage, make sure nothing steals times of intimacy building between the two of you. Never allow any other person apart from your spouse into your emotional space!
Your emotional space is only for your spouse and any other person is an “alien” that will do damage to your heart. Block out every emotional opening and space to colleagues, boss, friends, and even your pastors! Let all the emotional space be taken by your spouse only!
That is how to be on safe ground!
May God grant more understanding in Jesus name!
I pray for all who might just be going through the process of emotional healing, I ask that God will touch your heart and grant you the grace to forgive and let go in Jesus name!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I will not be a wreck to my lover
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY Lord, help me to be emotionally stable
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Rom 14:17(MSG) God’s kingdom isn’t a matter of what you put in your stomach, for goodness’ sake. It’s what God does with your life as he sets it right, puts it together, and completes it with joy.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Heal from the past before moving to the next
What God Wants From All Wives. There comes a time when we need to tell ourselves the truth as read in the manufacturer’s manual, the Bible. The Bible is the only book that tells us the truth about any situation. Thank God the truth about everything is available in the Word.
There is a long portion of the Bible that is directed to wives. Let us take a close look at what the manual for marriage has to tell us. The Passion Translation puts it in ways we can read and understand, in contemporary English.
And now let me speak to the wives. Be devoted to your own husbands, so that even if some of them do not obey the Word of God, your kind conduct may win them over without you saying a thing. For when they observe your pure, godly life before God, it will impact them deeply. Let your true beauty come from your inner personality, not a focus on the external. For lasting beauty comes from a gentle and peaceful spirit, which is precious in God’s sight and is much more important than the outward adornment of elaborate hair, jewelry, and fine clothes. Holy women of long ago who had set their hopes in God beautified themselves with lives lived in deference to their own husbands’ authority. For example, our “mother,” Sarah, devoted herself to her husband, Abraham, and even called him “master.” And you have become her daughters when you do what is right without fear and intimidation. – 1Pe 3:1-6 (TPT)
This scripture addresses issues in marriage, and it is addressed to the wives. We will address the issues directed to the husbands tomorrow by the Grace of God.
Verse 1
1Pe 3:1 (TPT) And now let me speak to the wives. Be devoted to your own husbands, so that even if some of them do not obey the Word of God, your kind conduct may win them over without you saying a thing.
This verse deals with issues of husbands that are not sensitive or caring to their wives. It advises wives to be devoted to their husbands and have kind conduct which will eventually melt their husband’s heart to them. This will happen without them nagging their husband.
Did you miss out on yesterday’s devotional, we’ve got you covered kindly go HERE. For KHC video Devotionals kindly go HERE
So nagging does not work. Replace it with being devoted to your own husband. Being devoted simply means being very loving and loyal, spirit, soul, and body. So, wives, God expects you to be loyal and loving to your spouse.
To be continued…
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I receive strength to be who God has made me to be
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY Pray for a submissive heart
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY After all, we don’t want to unwittingly give Satan an opening for yet more mischief – we’re not oblivious to his sly ways! (2Co 2:11 MSG)
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Read the bible passage in other translations
There are benefits of gratitude. The dictionary defines gratitude as the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.
The last time your classmate showed you art of kindness, did you return it?
Why do we need to show gratitude?
Gratitude brings healing.
As he entered a village, ten men, all lepers, met him. They kept their distance but raised their voices, calling out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” Taking a good look at them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” They went, and while still on their way, became clean. Luke 17:12-15 [MSG]
Now see what happened a few verses down the line.
One of them, when he realized that he was healed, turned around and came back, shouting his gratitude, glorifying God. He kneeled at Jesus’ feet, so grateful. He couldn’t thank him enough — and he was a Samaritan. – Luke 17:15-16
Are you following? Did you see what I saw?
Now, let’s listen to the conclusion of the whole matter from Jesus mouth.
Jesus said, “Were not ten healed? Where are the nine? Can none be found to come back and give glory to God except this outsider?” Then he said to him, “Get up. On your way. Your faith has healed and saved you.” – Luke 17:17-19
Notice the difference. Nine lepers were cleansed but only one got healed.
Will you still be filled with complaints or will you be full of gratitude?
The ball is in your court.
Prayer: Father, help me to show gratitude at all times. Amen
Action Point: Keep showing gratitude.
Declaration: I will not murmur. I will give thanks to God at all times
