Author: dgould77

“‘Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? 35 Flavorless salt is good neither for the soil nor for the manure pile. It is thrown away. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!’” v. 34-35

In Matthew 15, Jesus says that we are the salt of the earth.  We are to be that seasoning that make things better!  Think of it like this.  When you are around non-believer, you are seasoning their life by what God is doing in yours, and hopefully, you are sharing the Gospel with them.  When you are around other believers, you are seasoning their life by the things God is teaching you and the way you encourage and inspire them to continue in their own journey with God.

Regardless of where we are, Jesus wants to use us.  However, the costs are high, if you don’t believe me read these 3 verses,

A large crowd was following Jesus. He turned around and said to them, 26 “If you want to be my disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. 27 And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple.”

The people understood what it meant to carry a cross because anyone who was put to death (crucified) had to carry there own cross through town in order to get to the place they would be crucified.  Today we understand it because we know that Christ had to carry His own cross.

Today, will you carry your cross and be the salt of the earth that Jesus describes here and in Matthew 15?

“For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” v. 11

Wow, I needed that verse today.  For the last couple of days, Stephanie and I have been looking at what is really important in life.  We have been thrown different challenges with Jackson and every time we think we are on the verge of recovery something else happens.  We are praying for wisdom as we seek different options in providing for our family’s needs, and honoring God with all of our life.  Pride wants to have us think everything is ok, and fear wants to have us think everything is doomed.  Somewhere in the middle of that is faith that God will take care of the details.  We just have to trust Him.  To be honest, that sounds really good, and It’s much easier to say or write than it is to do.

My hearts prayer and desire today is that our life (mine and my families) would be about Him, more than it is about us.  That we would lean on His resources and not our own, and that we would be humble not prideful.  I hope that is your desire also!

“And note this: Some who seem least important now will be the greatest then, and some who are the greatest now will be least important then.” v. 30

Jesus is answering the question, “Lord, will only a few be saved?”  This is a great debate even today.  There are many people who know about God, but don’t know God.  This is a big difference.  Jesus goes on to teach that Gods Kingdom may have many surprises.  People who are despised now will be greatly honored then, some influential people here now will be left outside the gate.

The lesson for all of us is to make sure the condition of our heart is sort to Gods grace, forgiveness, and salvation offered to us through Jesus.  If we will trust God with the details of our lives and live according to His plans, accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we will enter through the narrow road Jesus is describing.

Today, may we be mindful of the things we say and do.  May we live for an audience of One, allowing our public and private self be the same regardless who is around!