Identity, Position, Purpose

“You are light for the world.

A city cannot be hidden when it is located on a hill. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket.

Instead, everyone who lights a lamp puts it on a lamp stand. Then its light shines on everyone in the house.  

In the same way let your light shine in front of people.

Then they will see the good that you do and praise your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5: 14-16 GW

Again, Jesus speaks of our identity, but in these verses He also addresses our position and purpose.

In addition to salt, we are light. We are to shine in darkness. When we "let" our lights shine, we are actually letting God shine through us. We should light the path to Jesus.

The words hidden and under a basket make me think of one who purposely holds back his or her talents or gifts. We hold back, making ourselves appear smaller as to not overshadow someone else or make them feel less than. There are other reasons...fear (don't want to fail), doubt (don't think you have what it takes for God to use you), ignorance (unaware of your gifts/talents and what to do with them) and false humility/pride (we hold back pretending to be humble but really just want someone to beg us).  Whatever our reasoning, God's word clearly directs us not to hide. To do so is to disallow the Lord's positioning of us.

Then they will see the good that you do and praise your Father in heaven.

It all leads back to Christ!

God bless you.

Your flavor

“You are the salt of the earth.

But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.

Matthew 5: 13 NLT

Jesus identifies us as the salt of the earth and goes on to point out the necessity of maintaining our flavor. He says when we don't maintain who we are called to be, we are treated as worthless, as though we have no purpose.

I've always found the reference to salt and flavor interesting.  My mind immediately goes to food.  I searched for the purpose of salt in cooking and seasoning and found a good article entitled, "Six Functions of Salt in Food".

Salt is a:

color enhancer...maintains color in foods, but is also responsible for the vibrancy of food coloring

binder...holds food together, the right amount amount is what holds certain products together 

nutrient source...essential for survival when consumed appropriately

flavor enhancer...it can intensify sweetness and counteract bitter flavors

texture enhancer...many foods, bread for example, get their texture from the salt added

food preservative...salt helps food last a little longer

Are you...enhancing your environment, working to hold things together or tearing them apart, affecting the sweet and the bitter, adding shape, etc?  Is it a possibility that your presence is helping someone last a little longer?

How's your flavor?

God bless you.

Because of Him

The one true God acts in a faithful manner; the Lord’s promise is reliable;
he is a shield to all who take shelter in him.
Indeed, who is God besides the Lord?
Who is a protector besides our God?

The one true God gives me strength; he removes the obstacles in my way.
He gives me the agility of a deer; he enables me to negotiate the rugged terrain.
He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend even the strongest bow.

You give me your protective shield; your right hand supports me; your willingness to help enables me to prevail.
You widen my path; my feet do not slip.

Psalm 18:30-36 NET

I love the transition between verses 34 and 35! David goes from talking about God to talking to God...and who might he be talking to in verses 30-34?

David sang this psalm to the Lord after deliverance from all his enemies; verses 30-34 read like a declaration of God's keeping power. I can't help believe he is preaching, either to himself or those within hearing distance. He may also be putting future enemies on notice. There are times we must boast in the Lord, making it clear that we are still here because of HIM. 

We are well equipped, even when we don't feel like it, even when it looks like we might succumb to the pressures of life, we have everything we need IN Christ. Our strength and our footing set us up for victory.

The next time the devil whispers defeat in your ear, talk back Psalms 18-style. Remind him and yourself where your strength comes from.

Say -vs- Spirit and truth

The sovereign master says,
“These people say they are loyal to me; they say wonderful things about me, but they are not really loyal to me.
Their worship consists of nothing but man-made ritual.

Isaiah 29:13 NET

But a time is coming—and now is here—when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such people to be his worshipers.  

God is spirit, and the people who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

John 4:23-24 NET

Isaiah 29:13, took my mind immediately to John 4:23-24 because of the contrast.  It's been even more powerful to view them together.  

God declares the people are not loyal because their worship is man-made. The Holy Spirit directed my eyes to the word, "say".  It is used twice to describe the people, "...say they are loyal to me; they say wonderful things about me, but..."

To worship is to show reverence, adore, or prostrate oneself in homage. Words can allow us to control the environment, but spirit and truth require surrender. Their worship was based on what they spoke, man-made rituals. First, the praise team leads, then we pray, make announcements, give our tithes/offerings, sing another song, then the preached word...is there any room for Spirit and truth? God wants to know if He can linger a little longer in any area?  

Can you let go of the program and get prostrate? 

I thought I was done, but the Holy Spirit challenged me with, "I know you get this for church encounters.  You're all in for me to linger, even if the pastor doesn't preach/teach, but what about outside of church?"

What about work, school, the grocery store, the gym, etc...? 

Can you stop long enough to do something different?  

Is there room for spirit and truth when your coworker or classmate is visibly heavy?  

When the Holy Spirit prompts you to stop and pray...do you debate about the other things you need to do first or how you feel?  Do you "say" you will pray or do you pray?

What if God has placed you wherever you find yourself today to worship?

May God bless us with a day filled with spirit and truth, no man-made rituals!

The power of the semicolon

“Every word of God is flawless;
he is a shield to those who take refuge in him..."

Proverbs 30:5 NIV

Every word of God proves true.
He is a shield to all who come to him for protection.

Proverbs 30: 5 NLT

As I read various versions of the Proverbs verse, I was interested in the use of a semicolon in the NIV. Several versions use periods instead of a semicolon creating two clauses.  I understand when to use a semicolon, but decided to get an "expert" explanation of why (google lol).  A semicolon is used for closely related independent clauses and a period is used to end a sentence.  The other sentences are not necessarily unrelated, but the period closes what the semi-colon implies is of equal importance. In other words, the two clauses can stand on their own, but there is a need for the reader to know they are related and carry the same weight or importance.

So, what's the relationship or connection?

• It is important that we understand God's word is living truth and full of power.

God’s word is living and active. It is sharper than any two-edged sword and cuts as deep as the place where soul and spirit meet, the place where joints and marrow meet. God’s word judges a person’s thoughts and intentions.

Hebrews 4: 12 GW

• It is important we understand God is our protector.

The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.

Exodus 14: 14 NIV

• It is of equal importance that we understand because God's word is living truth and He is our protector, we are safe when living a life IN Him.

God is not a man, so he does not lie.

He is not human, so he does not change his mind.
Has he ever spoken and failed to act?
Has he ever promised and not carried it through?

Numbers 23: 19 NLT

The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth intoit, and is safe.

Proverbs 18:10 KJV

God bless you.

Maybe God is calling you tonight

“Speak up for people who cannot speak for themselves. Protect the rights of all who are helpless..."

Proverbs 31: 8 GNT

Who comes to mind when you consider those who cannot speak for themselves?  

How does the thought of protecting the rights of someone else make you feel?

I feel helpless, like the need is so great that I'm not sure what I could say or do. I'm also not sure of how equipped I am to act.  I'm convinced that's exactly where the enemy wants me/us...in a position that never moves from feeling bad for "them", one that doubts our calling and ability.

God has placed us on assignment and equipped us to speak up for those with no voice and to protect their rights, but we often run into two problems.

• We don't seek God for the who or the how...We go looking for causes to support and there are folks at arm's reach in need of what the Lord has placed inside of us.
• We attempt to emulate another person instead of being who God created us to be...This is where our life scripture helps us.  I write and teach.  You supervise and lead.  She sings and creates.  He marches and debates.  When we all abide IN the vine, the Holy Spirit will guide us to produce fruit that gives God glory.

May God give us eyes to see, ears to hear, lips that edify, and hands and feet to serve in Jesus' name.

God bless you.

I encourage you to check out the lyrics to a song entitled, "Save My Life" by the Sidewalk Prophets.  It reminds me of my calling I so often take for granted.

Supplication

Never worry about anything.

But

in every situation

let God know what you need in prayers and requests...

Philippians 4: 6 GW

Be careful for nothing;

but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving

let your requests be made known unto God.

Philippians 4: 6 KJV

Do not be anxious about anything, 

but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,

present your requests to God.

Philippians 4: 6 NIV

Prayer is communication, listening and speaking with God.  Supplication is a humble prayer, entreaty, or petition.  An entreaty is an earnest request or petition. A petition is a request made for something desired, a respectful or humble request.  Plea, request, and solicitation (urging) are a few synonyms of supplication.

Pray in every situation.

Pray.

God bless you.