Salt and Light~Mark Balmer

Salt and Light

Posted:

Based on “Shine for God” by Pastor Mark Balmer; 7/4-5/09,

Message #2487; Daily Devotional #6 - “Salt and Light”

Preparing the Soil (Introduction):

"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.” (Matthew 5:13-16)

Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth): So often we wonder why we were born, or what our purpose is in the earth. Yet these verses tell us exactly what we are here to do: be salt and light. As the children of God we are tasked with impacting the world for Jesus Christ. By the Holy Spirit’s power, we are the voice of reason and Truth in the earth. We are the "neon signs" that point to Christ and His invitation to holiness. By speaking out, praying, witnessing, and invading the darkness with God's Word, the Lord uses us to keep a "lid" on this pot of evil that continually threatens to boil over. We are Satan's worst nightmare and count it a privilege to be a thorn in his side for a change! One Truth that must remain steadfast in this battle is that the Name of Jesus Christ is above all names! No worldly government, state legislation, or national party can eradicate our Lord! His salt will always be salty, and His light will always remain bright. We must never think that the lies of our enemy will trump the Truth of God's Word! We have read the end of the Book and have discovered that we win! Satan is fighting a losing battle, but our victory is assured. One day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:9-10)! How blessed we are to be counted among the faithful and to be allowed to shine forth His Light. Plus, it's always wonderful to be on the winning team!

Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response): These characteristics of Jesus that we carry in the earth are meant to preserve and light our world. Now that the Lord has established His Name and declared His victory, we are privileged to declare His Truth to the lost. As the peacemakers and the reconcilers, we are used by the Holy Spirit to mend, repair, forgive, expose, and restore. Just as the fresh salt air on the ocean's coast invigorates us and the soft lights of home comfort us and light the darkness, so are we as God's instruments. He has positioned each of us exactly where He needs us the most, and where our damage to the dark side can be the most effective. He has brought people into our lives that need to know Him personally, as well as folks who need to be discipled, mentored, and taught. He has supernaturally empowered us to stake His flag into the ground and take a stand for His cause. He has told us, "I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves." (Matthew 10:16) Equipped with His Spirit and His Word, we are more than conquerors and have been ordained as priests and kings for the cause of Christ (1 Peter 2:9). Thankfully, He is coming back for us soon, but in the meantime there is still much work to be done, and we are definitely up to the task! What are you here for? You are here for the glory of God, sweet saint!

Cultivating (Additional Reading): Exodus 34

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All Bible references are from the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise noted.

The Lord Promising to Build His Church~Bob Hoekstra

July 12th

The Lord Promising to Build His Church

"You are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it." (Matthew 16:18)

"The" promise of all promises that God has made is the gift of everlasting life. "And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life" (1 John 2:25). All who respond by faith to this promise of life become part of the church Jesus promises to build. "I will build My church."

The Lord gave this promise after Peter's accurate confession of Jesus being the Messiah. "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16:16). As Jesus confirmed this confession, He let Peter know that he did not come up with that insight on his own. "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 16:17). Then, Jesus contrasted the meaning of Peter's name with the kind of foundation He would lay for His church. "You are Peter [in Greek, "Petros," a stone], and on this rock [in Greek, "petra," a bedrock] I will build My church." Peter's name signified a stone, that which could be easily moved or held within one's hand. Jesus would not build His church on mere men, which at best are like movable stones. Rather, he would build upon a bedrock foundation that could not be moved. He would build upon the rock-solid truth contained in Peter's confession. "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16:16). Yes, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself would be the actual foundation for the church. "For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 3:11).

This picture of Jesus Christ as the foundation of His church is a fulfillment of one of the great prophetic promises the Lord made long ago. "Therefore thus says the Lord God: 'Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation'" (Isaiah 28:16). Also, this is in perfect harmony with the Old Testament revelation of God as our Rock. "Oh come, let us sing to the LORD! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation" (Psalm 95:1). This rock-solid, anointed King (Jesus, the Messiah) would be fully effective in His mission. Even Satan and his demons, the authorities ("gates") of death and darkness ("Hades"), would be unable to prevent the fulfillment of His promise to build His church: "and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it."

Lord Jesus, I also confess You as the Christ, the Son of the living God. I praise You as the rock-solid foundation of Your church collectively—and of my life individually. Please use me as You fulfill Your promise to build Your church. In Your mighty name I pray, Amen.

Be not Unequally Yoked Together with Unbelievers~Jon Courson

July 12
	Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers ...
	2 Corinthians 6:14
‘I want to be big-hearted and open-minded, so I’m going to marry her, or develop a business partnership with him even though he or she isn’t a believer.’ ‘Wait a minute,’ says Paul. ‘Don’t misunderstand. Be big towards your brothers and sisters in the Lord. But be careful you don’t err by being yoked in partnership or relationship with an unbeliever.’ Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30 The Greek word translated ‘easy’ means ‘good fit’. Because an ill-fitting yoke would cause chafing of the hide or even a dislocation of the animal’s shoulder, yokes were custom-designed to ensure a perfect fit. No doubt Jesus knew whereof He spoke in using this analogy, for the Greek word translated ‘carpenter’, used concerning Joseph and, by implication, Jesus, is ‘tekton’, from which we get our word ‘technical’. The ‘tekton’ was not the framer, but rather the finish carpenter, a master craftsman. Jesus and His father, Joseph, were master craftsmen. Thus, there is historical evidence to support the tradition that the specialty in their carpenter shop was yokes. ‘Take My yoke upon you,’ Jesus says. ‘It will fit you perfectly and the load you’re pulling will become light as you link with Me.’

This Daily Devotional is an excerpt from the book "A Days Journey" by Pastor Jon. "A Days Journey" is a collection of 365 short devotions from the New Testatment. If you would like your own copy of "A Days Journey" you may click here to go to the SearchLight Store