Monthly Archives: October 2023

Oct24

#takeontuesday #waterwalkers

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#takeontuesday #waterwalkers
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Jesus said in ‭‭Mark‬ ‭9‬:‭49‬-‭50‬ ‭MSG‬‬ — Everyone’s going through a refining fire sooner or later, but you’ll be well-preserved, protected from the eternal flames. Be preservatives yourselves. Preserve the peace.

We already know that salt can be used as a preservative. Have you thought about where salt comes from? Take a moment to watch and learn from Scope TV, how we get salt from the ground to the table.

As you can see, transforming salt isn’t a quick or easy process. Take a moment to re-read the key verse. Mark tells us we will go through a refining fire until we are well-preserved. I believe that refining fire is daily and that we will be well-preserved when we reach our heavenly home, eternally protected from the flames. Mark also instructs us to keep the peace. In the Beatitudes, we are called to be peacemakers. I believe that is when both salt and light show the world that Jesus is true peace.

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You that I can take on this Tuesday knowing that You are my true source of peace. As I am being refined in the fire, may others see You through my actions and reactions. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Oct23

#measuringmonday #waterwalkers

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#measuringmonday #waterwalkers
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Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭13‬ ‭MSG‬‬ — ‭‭Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.

Let’s look at the message version of what it means to be the salt of the Earth. Now think about cooking. Do you measure your ingredients using measuring cups and spoons or do you measure with your eye? Matthew tells us that it is our salt seasonings that bring out the God-flavors of this Earth. Take a moment to evaluate and measure the salt you bring to the Earth. 

Being salty could mean holding other Christians accountable. More importantly, hold ourselves accountable by staying connected to God’s Word. Also challenging the beliefs of non-believers. Not falling into the status quo and not backing down when our faith is challenged. In our actions and reactions, our saltiness can change the God-flavors of the Earth.

Let’s pray. Dear God, help me continually measure my saltiness so that I can most effectively change the God-flavors of the world. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Oct22

‭#saltsunday #waterwalkers

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‭#saltsunday #waterwalkers
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Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭13‬-‭16‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Our key verses today come from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, where He instructs us on the Beatitudes. We tend to hear and read more about being the light of the world and not so much about being the salt. This week we are going to talk about being the salt of the Earth, staying salty, how we lose and gain our saltiness. 

For today I want you to think about salt and what it means. Take a moment to read what Wikipedia says about Salt in the Bible. Now think about how you use salt today. Salt can come from added preservatives in processed foods or a little salt to give your food more flavor. In our house, we like to use the pink Himalayan salt. Along with preservatives and seasoning, in the Bible, it was also used as a disinfectant. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for Your sermon on the mount for us to use as descriptions for how to carry ourselves throughout our time here on Earth. Open my mind and heart this week on what it means to be the salt of the Earth. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. 

Oct20

#finishfriday #bearfruit #waterwalkers

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#finishfriday #bearfruit #waterwalkers
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Jeremiah 17:7-8 NIV — But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the way stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.

This week we have pondered being present in today and making the most of now. Yesterday I challenged you to be the hands and feet of Christ within the mundane routines of your day. Were you able to find ways to share Christ with those in your daily path? 

Today’s scripture encourages us to bear fruit, even when heat or drought comes. So, even when I feel like an issue is unfair, I should bear fruit. Even when I feel like a situation is hopeless, I should bear fruit. Even when a person treats me unkindly, I should bear fruit.

What about you? What is your current situation? Where has God planted you? Are you dealing with an unfair issue? Does your situation seem hopeless? Has someone treated you unfairly? Trust in the Lord. Do not fear when heat comes and never fail to bear fruit.

What kind of fruit will you bear?

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for Your daily strength. Help me to stay focused and trust in You so I may bear fruit. May the fruit I produce be a taste of Your sweet love and mercy. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Oct19

#thinkthursday #valuethemundane #waterwalkers

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#thinkthursday #valuethemundane #waterwalkers
Photo by Ray White

Click here to read today’s scripture from Matthew 25:31-46 NIV.

We are a busy world. We are busy people. Time is flying and we run from one task to another. Often our daily routines and chores may seem mundane — cooking, cleaning, washing, driving children place to place, etc. However, hidden within our busy days and mundane tasks are opportunities to be the hands and feet of Christ. 

Take some time today to think through what today’s schedule holds for you. Where will today take you? Who will you encounter? Who and where can you share Jesus through your words and actions? Think of ways you can be present and intentional in your tasks today.

Let’s pray. Dear God, open my eyes and ears to opportunities today that I can be Your hands and feet. Show me ways to value and make the most of my mundane daily tasks by sharing Christ. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen

Oct18

#wonderwednesday #now #waterwalkers

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#wonderwednesday #now #waterwalkers
By Ray White

James 1:17 NIV — Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Yesterday I reminded you that my word of the year for 2023 is relish. My mantra, or phrase, I have written down every day of 2023, and on which I have focused, is taken from and is the title of an Emily Dickinson poem “Forever — is composed of nows.” Click here to read the full poem and a commentary about the poem.

After reading the poem, spend some time thinking about the words. The last phrase of the poem refers to “anno Domini” which is Medieval Latin meaning “in the year of the Lord.” How do you interpret Dickinson’s poem? I think Emily Dickinson was encouraging her readers to live in the present, relish this moment, and realize God’s presence in the now. What do you think? Each day, as I have written this phrase, I have been encouraged to focus on now. I pray you, too, will be able to relish the “now” of today. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for today. Thank You for now. Help me to focus on now. May all that I say and do now be pleasing and honor You. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.