Salted with Fire

"And if thine eye offend thee,

pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter

 into the kingdom of God with one eye,

than having two eyes to be cast into hell.

Where their worm dieth not,

and the fire is not quenched.

For every one shall be salted with fire,

and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt.

Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness,

wherewith will ye season it?

Have salt in yourselves,

and have peace one with another."

Mark 9:47-50 KJV

In Old Testament times, God's people were required to make sacrifices to God for many reasons and in many forms.  One of the sacrifices was the grain offering and it was to be seasoned with salt, signifying the eternal nature of the covenant between God and His people.  (Leviticus 2:11-13)  

As a follower of Christ, I am a part of the new covenant.  No longer am I required to offer the same kind of sacrifices to which my ancestors were bound.  Instead, Jesus freed me from that requirement when He became the final, perfect sacrifice as He gave His life on the cross.  As the holy Lamb of God, His sacrifice atoned for all my sins.  Now I am free to enter into a relationship with God by faith in Jesus Christ my Lord.  And thus, I have entered into a new covenant. (Jeremiah 31:31-34)

Under this new promise, I am to give myself as a sacrifice.  The Apostle Paul instructs me to, "offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship." (Romans 12:1)  I am also called to be the salt of the earth, (Matthew 5:13) extending the love, grace and mercy of God given to me through Jesus to people who are lost.

In order to preserve my saltiness, and keep from compromising the teachings God has impressed upon me, I must hang onto the Truth.  Even though the world is filled with false teachings, Paul taught that, "Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: 'The Lord knows those who are his,' and, 'Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.'" (2 Timothy 2:19)

If I want to keep my living sacrifice seasoned with salt, I will need to get rid of anything that tempts and distracts me from running the race marked out for me. (Hebrews 12:1-4)

Relationships

I've heard it said that the most important things in life aren't things.  Many people talk about how going through a sickness or a difficult time taught them that their family and friends are what's really important.  While I agree with this sentiment to a certain extent, Jesus teaches something radically different in the Gospels.  

When He was busy ministering to people, healing and teaching, Jesus' disciples approached Him with the news that His family was there to visit.  Naturally, they assumed their Teacher would drop everything and ask them to come to the front of the line, bypassing all the others who had been waiting to see Him.  To everyone's amazement, He instead said, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?"  (Matthew 12:48)  He then went on to explain that everyone who does the will of His Father were considered to be His family.

While this is a great lesson in how important it is to view fellow believers as kin, there is a deeper lesson to be learned.  Jesus considered His relationship with His Father and His obedience to Him as His main concern.  As much as He treasured His family, He loved God more.  If they were getting in the way of His mission, then He would place them in the proper perspective; off to the side.  

Relationships are important to me.  I have friends who have been with me for a long time, and others who I've recently met.  Each one plays a role and fulfills a need I have as a human.  Every day I must re-evaluate these relationships using kingdom eyes.  Who is supporting me in a way that helps me to fulfill the calling God has placed on my life?  Who hinders my relationship with God by demanding my time and attention?  Who encourages me to grow in my relationship with God, even if it means making a sacrifice to see me less?  Who tears me down with her words or actions, either in my presence or behind my back?

To help me keep on track, it is necessary for me to constantly consider whether my relationships distract from Jesus or propel me toward Him.

Activities

Writer and editor John Boykin reminds me that, "Time is life--nothing more, nothing less.  The way you spend your hours and your days is the way you spend your life."  Every human is given the same amount of this precious resource of time.  The way I spend it reveals what is most important to me.

There are many hobbies and pastimes that may be allowable but not all things are considered to be valuable in God's kingdom or helpful in living a life devoted to God.  There is nothing wrong with social media, for instance.  But when it sucks up an hour of my time with mindless browsing and chatting, was that the best use of the time that God has given to me?

Exercise is also a healthy habit to take on: it improves my cardiovascular health, guards against osteoporosis and protects against many disease such as Diabetes.  Everyone should get some kind of regular, rigorous exercise.  When I start to spend too much time studying techniques, learning new theories and trying out different methods, however, it becomes a problem.  If my mind is continuously dwelling on working out and I'm unwilling to scale back or give it up for a season, it has become an idol, and God wants nothing to be placed in a position of importance higher than Him. (Deuteronomy 5)

To help me keep on track, it is necessary for me to constantly consider whether the way I use my time is honoring to God.

Beliefs

There are many beliefs floating around out there that seem good, but are contrary to God's teaching.  For instance, I have heard more than one person say that they hope they're good enough to make it into heaven.  It is common to think that our entry to an eternity with God is based on our works, but God is clear that none of us are good enough and fail to meet His standards.  (Romans 3:23)  My only hope is in Jesus.  (John 3:16-17)

Another widely-held belief is in 'karma,' or that my current actions can influence my future. This understanding is based on the idea that I can manipulate God into getting what I want by doing what I deem to be good, or that my life is a formula of cause and effect.  If I do, "A" then I will get "B."

Instead, God teaches that when I focus on Him and His kingdom, loving God and people, then all things will work together for the good.  It may not seem good at the time, but it will certainly bring about positive results in the long run. (Romans 8:28  Matthew 6:33)  He is the source of all the good in my life.  (James 1:17)

These folk-beliefs that have been passed down from other religions or folklore can work against my faith in Christ.  Just because something sounds good or makes sense to me doesn't make it the truth.  It is important that I remain vigilant of what I add to my consciousness.

Spending as much time as possible studying God's Word and putting it into action as well as keeping God at the forefront of my thoughts is what will help me combat the inclination to pick up foreign ideas. (Deuteronomy  8:6)  

To help me keep on track, it is necessary for me to constantly consider the beliefs I hold to be true and keep only those that are from God and His Word.

Giving my life as a living sacrifice to God means it will be better for me to get rid of things that seem good to me than to hamper my relationship with my Lord.  For this reason, I need to always be monitoring my relationships, activities and beliefs, keeping only those which glorify God and help me to honor Him in all I do.  Then, as I go through this life filled with trials and hardships that serve to test and refine my faith, I will continue to offer up a sacrifice that is seasoned with salt.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can honor God with my thoughts, words and deeds.

How do my friendships get in the way of my relationship with God?

When do I let my schedule control me instead of giving that honor to God?

Anointed

"Now it is God who makes both us 

and you stand firm in Christ.

He anointed us,

set his seal of ownership on us,

and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit,

guaranteeing what is to come."

2 Corinthians 1:21-22

I go through walking shoes as if I were a long-distance runner training for a marathon.  Within weeks, a new pair of sneakers will start to break down and soon I'll be wearing through the soles.  In order to try to preserve the integrity of my workout footwear for as long as possible, I set aside one pair only for walking.  I don't wear them to run errands or to work in the garden.  I keep that pair only for that one specific purpose.

This reminds me of how God treats me.  He chose me to belong to Him, and thus, He set me aside for Him.  Since I live in a world that's completely focused on self: promoting myself, pleasing myself, pampering myself, and providing for the needs and wants of myself, I can easily fall into this same self-centered mode of thinking.

In reality, though, God made me for His purposes.  I am here to glorify Him.  As a follower of Christ, I am plucked out of the selfishness of the world's way of thinking and made into a new creation, set apart for Him.  If I'm going to live for Him and truly accept His anointing on my life, I need to understand how He has set me apart as a believer.

Service

In a time of rising unemployment, the hospitality industry is growing at such a rate that it will provide a 17% increase in new jobs between the years of 2004 and 2014.  It seems if I want to find a good, stable job, I need look no further than hotels, theme parks and restaurants.  Serving others is an expanding business.

In God's kingdom, serving others is what I'm made to do.  The Apostle Paul explained it this way to the church at Ephesus.  "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."  (Ephesians 2:10)

It's natural for me to look out for myself.  For instance, if I find a great sale on a staple I use often, I will buy up extra so I'll have some on-hand for the months to come.  It doesn't occur to me to share the surplus with others; until God's Spirit lays it on my heart, that is.  God is generous and kind, as David so beautifully declares in Psalm 145:8-9.  "The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.  The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made."

If I embrace the anointing God has placed on my life, I will become a servant, looking to the interests of others.  (Philippians 2:4)

Taught

It has been said that a man who represents himself in court has a fool for an attorney.  Yes, it is foolish to neglect counsel and try to depend only upon one's own intelligence and wits.  If I were accused of a crime, I would need all the help I can get.

While it is wise to seek a professional's representation in a court of law, in the classroom of God's kingdom I need no human teacher.  While I can and do learn much from other believers, gifted teachers and anointed pastors, I need not depend on man for my knowledge of God and His kingdom.  John revealed that, "the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you." (1 John 2:27a)

This explains why I can read the scriptures and glean much wisdom from the words while my unbelieving friend doesn't get it.  To her it's dry and dull while to me it's rich and alive with meaning!  Furthermore, if I pay attention, God will teach me things using everyday objects and experiences that are happening all around me.  Just yesterday a friend of mine demonstrated this truth when I showed her how the alignment on our truck was off;  as soon as I let go of the steering wheel it veered off to the right.    Immediately, God showed her that when we line ourselves up with Him, it's possible to stay on His path.  Her anointing taught her a biblical truth. (John 15:5)    

  

John further explained in his first letter that, "you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.  I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth." (1 John 2:20-21)  As a believer who has been set aside by God for Him, I have been given the knowledge of the truth supernaturally.  When I study the Bible, I recognize the truth for what it is: His Word.  I soak it in as a sponge takes up water.  Because of this anointing, I can recognize the truth, and I know when something is false.  This comes from God.

If I embrace the anointing God placed on my life, I will be taught all I need to know by His Spirit.

Authentic

My friend was wearing a delicious fragrance the other day.  When I paid her a compliment, she explained how she bought it from a man who purchases outdated perfume at wholesale prices and sells them at a discounted rate.  She made a point to say it was the real thing, not one of those cheap knock-offs.

Likewise, I am able to maintain a real and authentic relationship with the living God!  It's not fake, based on my own worth, effort, abilities or fitness.  Instead, it is completely built upon the rock of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross.  The only reason I can be in contact with a holy and perfect God is through the cleansing blood of Jesus that makes me white as snow. (Psalm 51:7, John 13:8) 

Moreover, according to 1 John 2:27b, keeping close to God is a part of the teaching I receive from His anointing.  I am reminded that, "just as (God's anointing) has taught you, remain in him."  Because of His hand on my life, I can stay connected to Him and allow His power and love to flow through me. (2 Timothy 1:7)  But the second I go off on my own, seeking my own agenda, obeying my fleshly desires or trying to fix problems in my own strength, that connection is broken and I'm on my own.

God's touch on my life propels me toward Him.  But sometimes I'm afraid, and that doubt blocks His goodness.  Other times I'm hurt and instead of sharing the pain with Him, I try to put up a brave front and carry it myself resulting in a breech of faith.  Many times I rely on my own wits, my own resources or my own common sense instead of depending on Him.  Then I truly see how weak I am and how much I need Jesus.

If I embrace the anointing God placed on my life, I will be inspired to maintain a close relationship with Him.

God's anointing is not for my benefit and blessing.  Instead, His calling on my life results in the creation of a servant's heart, supernatural teaching from God Himself, and the desire to keep close to the Source of all good things.  Once I accept this anointing, I can move forward as a woman who is confident in what God will do in my life.

As I begin this day, it is my prayer that I can embrace the anointing God has already placed on my life as His child.

How do I block His grace by failing to live authentically in relationship with Him?

When do I fall back on my own intelligence instead of letting God impart His wisdom to me?      

What Comes Out

"'You have let go of the commands of God

and are holding on to the traditions of men.'

And he said to them: 'You have a fine way

of setting aside the commands of God

in order to observe your own traditions!

For Moses said, Honor your father and your mother,

and

 Anyone who curses his father or mother

 must be put to death.

But you say that if a man says to his father or mother:

Whatever help you might otherwise

 have received from me is Corban

 (that is, a gift devoted to God),

Then you no longer let him do anything for his

 father or mother.

Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition

that you have handed down.

And you do many things like that.'

Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said,

'Listen to me, everyone, and understand this.

Nothing outside a man can make him unclean by going

into him.  Rather, it is what comes out of a man

that makes him unclean.'"

Mark 7:8-15

I recently took a trip to the west coast to visit my parents.  One thing that stood out to me was the fixation on fitness and nutrition that people seemed to carry.  Living as I do in one of the fattest states in the Union, I'm not used to having these kinds of conversations.  Even though I love exercise and have a mild interest in eating well, it is no longer what defines me.  In the past, I obsessed over exercise and nutrition and there was a time when I would enthusiastically welcome such discussions.  As I've grown in my walk with Jesus, however, I have found there are other things which are more important than physical health.

Jesus found the church people during His time on earth similarly fixated on things that were not important.  In order to try to 'help' their fellow Jews please God, these thoughtful leaders came up with lists and lists of rules for people to follow.  This set of man-made laws evolved into commandments that ended up overshadowing God's own decrees.

It's not so different now.  I have been pressured to think I must dress a certain way in order to worship God on Sunday mornings, to believe that a "good" Christian only listens to certain music or watches specific movies, or that in order to please God I must live up to the standards which man has set.  Thankfully, God judges me according to my heart.  For this reason, its not what goes into my body that defines me, but its what comes out that matters.

Fruit

The vines grew to take over the entire hill and I began making plans to preserve pickles and add zucchini to every dish that I cooked during the summer months.  It looked like the harvest would be abundant.  Then the fruits began to form and, much to my dismay, they were rotten at one end.  Disappointingly, the vines began to wither.  I was another victim of the persistent Squash Vine Borer and the destructive Cucumber Beetle.  All my hopes for a plentiful yield were dashed.

In the same way, if I walk with Jesus my life will produce good fruit. (Galatians 5:22-23)  If, however, I follow my fleshly dreams and desires, my life will produce rotten fruit. (Galatians 5:19-21)   

I am recognized by my fruit.  If my life is filled with strife, unrest, jealousy, gossip, rage, bitterness, hatred and the drive to get ahead, then I am producing fruit that is of my own sinful flesh.  But, if my life is filled with a compassion for others, the ability to suffer without complaint, the desire to live in harmony with others, and a calm and quiet spirit, then it is God's Spirit who is winning out and making His own fruit evident in my life.

Jesus said, "A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.  Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them." (Matthew 7:8-9)  Maybe I don't always feel good.  I've been through some rough times and have fallen into sin on more than one occasion.  I feel like a failure.  But it is not up to my own ability to live a righteous life that produces this kind of fruit.  That is impossible.  

Instead, it is a life that is wholly devoted to God and devoid of any selfish desires that is able to produce the fruit that God calls good.  As Oswald Chambers said, "Undress yourself morally before God of everything that might be a possession until you are a mere conscious human being and then give God that."  God can do amazing things with a life that is surrendered to Him.

It's the quality of my fruit that matters to Him.

Cleanliness

I had the honor of visiting a Mosque and going on a tour of the facility.  As the young women described their beliefs and walked me through their rituals for pre-prayer cleansing, it struck me that they were trying to make themselves pure by washing their outer selves.  This, however, did nothing to address the real source of their uncleanness: their hearts.

God revealed His focus when He commanded Samuel to anoint a new king to replace the rebellious Saul.  He cautioned the priest to, "not consider his appearance or height. . ." as Samuel's eyes were drawn to the older, more experienced and stronger brothers.  Instead, He said, "The LORD does not look at the things man looks at.  Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 17:7)  

Even though he was a mere boy at the time, David later became known as a great king, and more importantly as a "man after God's own heart." (Acts 13:22)  My purity comes from my heart.  Do I have a desire to glorify God or follow a religion?.  Do I mostly follow my own lead or God's?  Do I consider my own needs as more important or am I dedicated to loving others?

My cleanliness does not come from taking a shower or going through a purification ritual.  Rather, my heart betrays the motivation of my actions, and thus the purity of my faith.  Either my heart is inclined toward God, or it's slanted toward myself.  As David prayed when Nathan the prophet pointed out his sin and he realized his selfish motivations, "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." (Psalm 51:10)

It is the tilt of my heart that matters to God.

Traditions

I remember reading about a young wife who began cooking her Thanksgiving turkey one year early in her marriage.  She thawed it out in the sink, just as she'd seen her mother do so many times before.  Finally, she placed the dish drainer upside down over the bird.  When her husband asked her why she did this, the young woman replied, "I don't know.  That's just how my mom always did it."  Unbeknownst to her, her mother's cats had attempted to dine on the thawing poultry so her mom had come up with the strategy of protecting it with the dish drainer.  Since the newlyweds owned no pets, there was not a need for this ritual.

There are many things I can do without understanding why I do them.  Maybe it's something I've seen someone else I look up to doing.  I think that if I follow suit, I'll end up with the same results as my idol.  

Or it could be that I've read a lot of books, or listened to much advice from well-meaning believers and I want to do the things they've said to do.  

It's easy for me to also get caught up following my own strategy that I've developed over the years.  After all, no one knows myself better than me, right?

If I'm not following God directly out of obedience to Him, I have no business taking part in any tradition.  No matter how long something has been carried out in my family, church or town, it will lead me away from God if the directive did not come from Him.  My relationship with God is more important than fitting in with what everyone else is doing.

Getting caught up in following traditions is not peculiar to God's people in this day and age.  The prophet Isaiah had to deliver a message to the Israelites that, "These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.  Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men."  (Isaiah 29:13)

How much of my worship of God, or the way I live my life, is made of stuff I do without meaning? How much of it is out of direct obedience to His calling on my life?  The former cancels out the latter.  

It is my obedience to God that matters to Him.

It is easy for me to think that either I'm a complete failure or that I'm doing pretty good.  Both beliefs are fallacy.  Rather, the truth is that I am a sinner who is saved by the grace of God through faith in my Savior Jesus Christ.  As such, I am free to move forward from here and produce good fruit that comes directly from Him, to have a pure heart cleansed by His blood, and to cultivate an obedient relationship with my Father.  It is then that what comes out of me will please God and lead to a blessed and fulfilled life.  

As I begin this day it is my prayer that my life will be wholly devoted to pleasing God.

How do I let traditions overshadow God's direct Word in my life?

In what ways is my life producing rotten fruit?

  

God Alone

"When he came back,

he again found them sleeping,

because their eyes were heavy.

So he left them and went away once more

and prayed the third time,

saying the same thing.

Then he returned to the disciples and said to them,

'Are you still sleeping and resting?

Look, the hour is near,

and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

Rise, let us go!

Here comes my betrayer!'"

Matthew 26:43-46

Jesus did not draw His strength to face His impending trial from the men He called His disciples.  They were willing to serve as support but physically weak and unable to carry out their wishes.

Instead of despairing, Jesus turned toward His true source of power: His Father.

What trial am I facing seemingly alone?  Everyone has abandoned me in my darkest hour.  But I am not alone, for He is with me and His rod and staff comfort me as He lovingly guides me through the shadows.  (Psalm 23:4)

Will I trust in God alone and place my life in His merciful hands?

From Where is my Profit

"Then one of the Twelve--the one called Judas Iscariot--

went to the chief priests and asked,

'What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?'

So they counted out for him thirty silver coins.

From then on Judas watched for an opportunity

 to hand him over."

Matthew 26:14-16

How am I betraying Jesus in my life?  Choosing to defend my rights instead of taking a blow to my ego places my rights above His mission.

Deciding to follow my own dreams instead of letting go of everything and abandoning myself to Him places more importance on my success and satisfaction than on His glory.

Letting my desire for comfort, security and success drive my life rather than a simple desire to please my Father out of obedience betrays the true state of my heart.

What temptation is drawing me away from whole-hearted devotion to Jesus and His mission:  to save the world.  (John 3:17)

Get Ready!

"Therefore keep watch,

because you do not know the day or the hour."

Matthew 25:23

It's easy to think I have plenty of time to get right with God.  Jesus, however, could come at any time, and only those who have accepted Him as their Savior, who call Him Lord and whose hearts are inclined toward Him will be invited to the banquet.  (Romans 10:9-10)  Everyone else will be on the outside as strangers to Jesus.

How many of my thoughts throughout the day are about Him and how many are about me?

How often am I more concerned with my rights than with loving as He loves me?

How can I prepare my heart for His kingdom rather than build a life of comfort, pleasure and satisfaction?

If I want to get ready, I need to start now.



The Gnat and the Camel

"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees,

you hypocrites!

You give a tenth of your spices--

mint, dill and cummin. 

But you have neglected

 the more important matters of the law--

justice, mercy and faithfulness.

You should have practiced the latter,

 without neglecting the former.

You blind guides!

  You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel."

Matthew 23:23-24

Jesus hammered the church leaders hard.  He said they were so quick to enforce the law when it came to others but neglected their own hearts.  Consequently, they had become blind guides; cold and indifferent to the suffering of others.

How do I pay more attention to outward appearance or behavior than I do to the heart?

It's easy to condemn homosexuality as wrong but forget the soul in need of the grace found in Jesus.

I can quickly point out the evils of prostitution and pornography or drug and alcohol abuse, but ignore the underlying need for a Savior.

Jumping to conclusions comes naturally, but letting God show me His perspective takes humility. 

Sin is sin, and I must remember that each one of us relies on God's grace.