“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.” Matt 5:13

At an early age I learned enjoyed the taste of salt on watermelon. It only takes a little bit of salt, but what a difference it makes. The flavor of the melon explodes with delight at every bite. Salt makes a world of difference. Our scripture passage teaches us that Christians “are the salt of the earth.” The child of God has received within themselves the salt of the gospel. Just as a pinch of salt disperses its taste in food and enhance its flavor, the salt of the gospel penetrates and permeates the hearts of men. The salt of the gospel cleanses the soul and preserves the soul from spiritual decay. It is an everlasting covenant between God and those who truly believe. The life of the believer is forever changed by the salt of the gospel and receiving the indwelling Holy Spirit through salvation in Jesus Christ.  That change is evident to the world. The fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22) is enhanced as the believer’s life transformed and flavored with the hope of the gospel (Col 1:23), joy inexpressible (1 Pet 1:8), peace that surpasses all understanding (Phil 4:7), and rest for the weary soul (Mt 11:29). The world is seasoned with the message of eternal life and eternal hope through faith in Jesus Christ. Salt is what the world needs. Christians are called to be salt of the whole earth, follow the last words of Jesus when He said “Go…make disciples of all the nations…teaching them” (Mt 28:19). The salt of the gospel is refreshed in the life of the believer and new salt is replenished as it is shared and seasoned to the world. My friend, “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Ps 34:8) and with your whole life, season the whole world with the whole message of the gospel. Do not allow your salt to become street trash. Be refreshed in the word of God. Be renewed in His mercy. Be replenished with power by His Holy Spirit. My friend, walk in a manner that pleases God and live in a manner that glorifies His Name. Go and salt the world. The world needs the salt of our Lord and Savior. In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.

Therefore, take no thought, saying, “What shall we eat?” or, “What shall we drink?” or, “Wherewithal shall we be clothed?” …for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. (Matt 6:31-32)

I pray that you had a great day of worship and a blessed Lord’s Day. I am reminded that there is no worry in worship. Worship allows us to give our full attention to God and consider all that He is, all that He does, all that He provides, and all that He promises. Worry is needless for the child of God because by faith we know that our heavenly Father cares and “shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” and we can trust Him (Phil 4:19). But how well do we trust Him for these things when our cupboards are full, our closets are well stocks, and our consumption of things sees no end. Our scripture passage reminds us that God knows us very well and cares for “these things” that are embedded in our daily lives, even when we give little thought for them. For many of us, our lives are well stocked and so stacked with stuff that we give little thought for these things and then we miss out on God’s rich activity and personal presence in our daily livelihood. My friend, God has filled our days with His presence and His provisions that we are without excuse to praise and worship Him. Throughout your day, remember to look to “your heavenly Father” and make thanksgiving and praise to Him in the moments “we eat”, at ever moment when “we drink” and for every piece of clothing we put on. He is the One who cares for your wellbeing and provides for all you need. My friend, do not allow your storehouse of stuff to distract you from all that “your heavenly Father” provides and proves in His love for you. He knows you and cares for you. Father, thank You for Your love. Thank You that You provide for my every need through Christ Jesus our Lord. I praise You and worship You in the blessed Name of Jesu. Amen.

For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. (Luke 15:24)

There are children who are raised in church from a young age. They hear Bible stories, hear about the miraculous birth of Jesus, God’s love for the world and learn the way they should go, but the world somehow still gets a grip on them. These children wonder from these early upbringings to confuse chaos for fun, and disobedience for confidence. They are thrown emotionally into choices that leave them broken and longing for wholeness. Parents pray and ask others to pray with them. The answers to the parent’s prayers seem so distant and at times these parents may drift into worry and wonder of how God will ever stop their child from sinking deeper and deeper into the pleasures of the world and turn them around to Him. They long and look for the day when their child would turn away from the noise of the world and be able to hear the call of Christ for their life. My friend, if you are desperately asking the Lord to bring your child back to Him, don’t stop praying. Keep praying and keep inviting others to come alongside you to cover the soul of your precious child in His word. There is power in the name of Jesus and in Jesus. There is the gift of reconciliation which is wonderfully told in story of the Prodigal Son. In this scripture passage, the father continually looked for his son to return. He rejoiced that his son came back to his earthly house but celebrated that his son was now alive and found eternally. “For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” So, they began to celebrate (Luke 15:24). So, as you pray and await the day for your child to surrender their life to Christ, cling to this story of hope and never stop praying for your prodigal child. Father, thank You for Your eternal love and I pray Your peace for those who are praying for a wandering and wayward child. Father, move upon the brokenness in their child’s life that they would look to their Father in heaven and find wholeness, healing and the eternal hope through Your Son, Jesus. In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.