You Are The Salt Of The Earth

I trust that you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I know that some of our friends who receive my devotionals do not live here in the United States but for those of us who do, it is certainly a beloved holiday. We have so much to bless God for in spite of these uncertain times.

By the time this email arrives in your in box, I will be on a flight from London to Rwanda with our team. We are so blessed to be going to the city of Rwamagana, Rwanda to share the love of Jesus Christ. I know that our ministry is just one of thousands that are at work all over the world today with the desire to make life better for others. Yet for us, we not only want to help, we want to share the salvation that comes through faith in Christ.

This past week I was preaching at a church in Santa Ynez, California. It is one of my favorite places to go because it is only an hour and half a way, so I am there on a fairly regular basis. I have been teaching through a series on the Beatitudes and thought I would finish up with the great words of Jesus found in Matthew 5:13-16:

"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 by men. You are the light of the world. A city 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 men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your father in heaven."

The question I asked in the sermon was, "Where would this world be if you took all the Christians out of it?" We all know Christians that have tarnished the name of Jesus, and if we are honest, our testimonies have not always been as brilliant as they should be. Yet, we must think of all the incredible love and works that Christians share around the world. Think of all the schools, hospitals, orphanages, soup kitchens, relief work and churches that Christians have built around the world.

Jesus said that each one of us are the salt that keeps our world from total decay. You, my brother and sister, are the salt of the earth that hold back anarchy and you are the light of the world, sharing His love with others.

Many people say to me that they would like to join us on a trip overseas. They sense a need in their soul to make a difference in this world; and we are thrilled to take people with us to share in ministry as we are doing for Rwanda. We must never forget that we are all salt of the earth right where we live and play. Each of us is being used of the Lord to hold back the evil that flows so freely.

You are the light of the world just in your smile, your kindness, and your generosity! Jesus says that we are a light to our own houses, meaning the people we love, but we are also a light on a hill showing that we impact even those we do not know very well. You can only shine as He shines in you through His Spirit that dwells in you.

So today I am asking that you pray for Eternity Minded Ministries while we share the light in Rwanda. I am also asking that you pray for yourself as you continue to be His light in a dark world. Pray that your moral and ethical decisions will be the salt that helps to keep moral decay from spreading. I will return to writing on our Spiritual Genealogy when I return from Africa.

Peace to you!

Dan

Copyright 2008 Eternity Minded Ministries