Nine Out of Ten

Nine out of ten could be unacceptable. The week-end Quarterback who throws nine incomplete passes out of ten attempts is unacceptable. The student who misses nine questions out of a ten question exam, is unacceptable. The salesperson who fails nine times to make a sale when offered ten good prospects, is unacceptable. Jesus understood this kind of math. On an occasion, He healed ten lepers, men whose hope for any future healing was non-existent. They were outcasts, forced to live outside the city walls. The law required them to cry out, “Unclean” when someone came within a few feet of them. They often were forced to wear bells on the bottom of their robes to warn unsuspecting persons of the danger of being exposed to leprosy. Yet, when completely healed, nine of them failed to express thankfulness to Jesus (Luke 17:11-19). This is American Thanksgiving week. Why not model your Thanksgiving experiences by the one leper who expressed thanks, rather than the nine who failed to do so. Accept an assignment from the old professor this week and express thankfulness to at least three people who have impacted your life in a positive way.

Join me in remembering the following global concerns:
• Pray for missionaries who have an opportunity this week to share American Thanksgiving values with non-Christians.
• Pray for Rich Carruthers, Campus Chaplain in Vancouver, Canada, who is having a few challenges following heart valve replacement surgery.
• Pray for Suzanne Perry, International Student Minister in Vancouver, Canada who is attending her mother’s funeral today.
• Pray for Tom and Bonnie as they are re-appointed and prepare to return to the mission field.
• Pray for The Connexxion Student Retreat taking place this coming weekend in Germany.