Salt of the Earth

The Lord calls His followers to be the "salt of the earth."

1. Flavoring. We are to focus on those who don't know Jesus as Savior. After all, salt doesn't bring change to itself; it seasons that which needs improved flavor. Christlike character opens the way for others to hear our message.

2.Preservative. Salt's effect is to keep meat from going bad. In the case of people, our lives are to demonstrate an alternative to the world's ways and point them to Jesus.

3.Impact. Changes caused by salt may be invisible, but they are nevertheless evident. A timely word or act of kindness can speak volumes to someone searching for God. We can be an effective witness to people around us wherever we are-restaurants, grocery lines, doctors' offices, etc.

4. Causing thirst. By facing difficulties with calmness, endurance, and hope, we give a godly testimony. When people who are going through hardship and pain see the way we deal with our troubles, they will thirst to know how we do it. Do the people around you sense something special about you and thirst to know what it is?

Salt
In the first century it was hard to find anything more important to living than salt. Indeed, salt was so valuable you could even buy stuff with salt.

In a hot, dry desert world where there was no refrigeration, no ice, and no airtight packaging, salt was considered a necessity of life. Salt kept things from going bad. Salt kept things from spoiling. It was a preservative, a purifier, it added taste, it cleansed wounds, it killed germs, it promoted healing.

Everybody that day on the mountain understood what Jesus meant when he said to his disciples “You are the salt of the earth” (Mt 5:13). He was referring to that which was essential for the world, necessary for the world, absolutely irreplaceable for the world. He was referring to the “element” that would preserve the world from decay, literally the very ingredient that would save the world.

Its only a quarter

Several years ago a preacher moved to Houston, Texas. Some weeks after
he arrived, he had occasion to ride the bus from his home to the
downtown area. When he sat down, he discovered that the driver had
accidentally given him a quarter too much change.
As he considered what to do, he thought to himself, you better give the
quarter back. It would be wrong to keep it. Then he thought, "Oh,
forget it, it's only a quarter. Who would worry about this little
amount? Anyway the bus company already gets too much fare; they will
never miss it. Accept it as a gift from God and keep quiet."
When his stop came, he paused momentarily at the door, then he handed
the quarter to the driver and said, "Here, you gave me too much change."
The driver with a smile, replied, "Aren't you the new preacher in town?
I have been thinking lately about going to worship somewhere. I just
wanted to see what you would do if I gave you too much change."
When my friend stepped off the bus, he literally grabbed the nearest
light pole, and held on, and said, "O God, I almost sold your Son for a
quarter."
Our lives are the only Bible some people will ever read.

Dancing with God

When I meditated on the word Guidance, I kept seeing "dance" at the end of the word. I remember reading that doing God's will is a lot like dancing. When two people try to lead, nothing feels right. The movement doesn't flow with the music, and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky. When one person realizes that, and lets the other lead, both bodies begin to flow with the music. One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back or by pressing lightly in one direction or another. It's as if two become one body, moving beautifully. The dance takes surrender, willingness, and attentiveness from one person and gentle guidance and skill from the other. My eyes drew back to the word Guidance.

When I saw "G: I thought of God, followed by "u" and "i". "God, "u" and "i" dance." God, you, and I dance. As I lowered my head, I became willing to trust that I would get guidance about my life. Once again, I became willing to let God lead.

My prayer for you today is that God's blessings and mercies be upon you on this day and everyday. May you abide in God as God abides in you. Dance together with God, trusting God to lead and to guide you through each season of your life.

And I Hope You Dance