Who knew salt could leave marks...and then my spirit stirred, of course.....it should. God tells us in Matthew 5: "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." We should be concerned if our salt isn't leaving impressions on the "things" around us. God calls us to be the salt and light. He says, "You are the salt...Let your light shine...so they may see and give glory to God." As a Believer in Christ Jesus, you have salt to make the world around you saltier. You will leave "holy" impressions. Just as iron sharpens iron, the more salt and light, the saltier and brighter our life becomes, thus more glory to God!
Interestingly, my days got busy and I am just now returning back to this blog and had wanted to upload a picture of the back cover of my Bible. You know me, visual girl, but to my surprise, the hundreds of little pits were gone. Completely flushed out. The leather eased itself back to the way it was. So, no pictures, but I did get what was meant to be Part 2 of the lesson God was/is teaching me. Although we have been given salt and light, we can loose our salt and light. (Not salvation, but our impact.) And if we loose our saltiness, and if we loose our light, how will we make an impact on the world around us? How will God receive the glory if we aren't even reflecting Him? What impression are we leaving, if any?!
So, if we can get our minds and hearts around the fact that we already have been given salt and light within, (this can be a hard concept to accept for those who struggle with insecurity, low self-esteem, or those whos' faith and trust in God has not been deeply rooted), then how do we remain salty and bright?
I am thankful to be a part of a church that teaches you how to be "holey" as we give glory to a Holy God. God has blessed me personally with some seriously Salty Sisters. You know how when you go to the beach and the second you step out of your car, you can taste the salty air? That's the impression I have when I get close to these women! Plus, you almost have to put on the sunglasses when they speak and serve unto the Lord! Their saltiness, their light, makes holey, Holy impressions in my heart, mind and soul. They certainly season up my life!!!
So, how do we remain salty? Deuteronomy 10:12-14 gives us a list: "And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways, to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD, which I am commanding you today for your good? Behold, to the LORD your God belong heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth with all that is in it." 2 Peter 1:5-8 also encourages us "For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Increasing in saltiness means remaining steadfast in the Lord. His Word is life. Be faithful and consistent. While this is a personal thing that only you can do for yourself, you will also be salted when you are around salty people just like when you show up at the beach! Refresh yourself in the Light and Truth of God's Word, fearing, walking, loving, serving Him with all your heart and soul, making every effort to supplement your faith and walk close with others, growing and glowing!
Believer, do not let your light dull. Do not loose your saltiness. God, restore us, we want to glorify you through our lives. Help those of us who are weak in our faith, to draw strength once again in our hope that we truly are Your salt and light in this world. Forgive our laziness. Forgive our unbelief in You.. Help us to remember that Your Holy Spirit dwells within us and that we can be a useful instrument of Your love. Guard us in Your Light that we might be brighter to shine for You in this dark world. May our salt and our light lead the Way, leaving impressions that last. Help us to not become lazy or dull. Make Your Word alive once again to us. Help us to leave a holey Holy impression. Thank you for those you have placed in our lives to light up our paths, those that add lots of spice and flavor to our life and those who shine so bright for You! Replenish them and bless them Lord! Thank You Faithful Lord, amen.
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