Salty

Madea is one salty woman.  Searching for an appropriate YouTube clip of Madea for this blog proved fruitless.  She says what she wants, when she wants and how she wants.  Her language is not always grammatically or politically correct.  We are entertained by her.   Some even aspire to be like her but her spunkiness is not the kind of salt Jesus was talking about in Mathew 5:13

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.”

Beginning with the Beatitudes, Jesus described the character of a blessed disciple.  We can only achieve this kind of character through surrendering our lives to the power of the Holy Spirit.  Our lives must reflect a character shift.  What comes out of our mouth is not exempt.  Our tongues need taming.  Some things don’t need to be said, at least not by us.  Yes, the world needs seasoning but it has to be the right kind.  Salt is a preservative, provides punch and purifies.  This is the kind of flavor we add to the world around us.  We bring healing, righteousness and staying power.  Aspire to BE salt and not just salty.

 

New Life

The days had been cold, overcast and dreary.  The grass was dry, the weeds sprouting and the tree branches, drab and bare.  But in the midst of it all, there was new life.  While driving away from the house one morning, I saw bright reddish-orange leaves sprouting on a healthy green shrub surrounded by dormant bushes and overgrowth.  What a revelation, that God could create new life from what looks like a dying situation.  He can take what looks devastating in our lives and use it for our good.

Romans 8:28 reminds us, And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Major changes have occurred in my office this past week rocking my world, nudging me out of my comfort zone. Today I have peace in knowing that God does not put more on me than I can bear using both good and bad to conform me into the image of His Son.  When trying times come, and they will, be confident in knowing that nothing can hurt God’s people so deeply that God cannot use that very thing to turn it around for our good.  He always gives new life to a bad situation.

 

Battery-Powered

I get so irritated when the garage door opener does not work.  Early one morning this week, I clicked the thing three or four time to no avail.  I unhooked it from the visor, pointing it directly at the door, nothing.  It was especially aggravating because I was going to have to get out of the car in the cold to close the door manually. 

As you probably guessed, I needed a new battery.  A remote door opener will not open a door without a working battery.  Moving it to a new position, clicking in ten times or throwing it out the window will not make it work.  At times, we as believers allow our batteries to run low.  Drained and exhausted, we do not feel like going to church.  We do not want to participate in ministry.  We have no desire to read the word or to pray in earnest.  We wonder why we have no joy, no passion and no direction.  We try reading self-help books, counseling with friends or even attempt to pull away from the church body when the answer lies in following David’s lead in Psalm 51:12 pleading with the Father to “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.” Investigate what caused your battery to run low in the first place.  If repentance is in order, repent.  Then ask God to renew the right Spirit within you, revive your battery and rekindle that spark.  Then sit back and watch doors open.

 

What If It's God Speaking?

Did you know God has an Instagram account?  There is nothing new under the “Son.”  Our Creator was already utilizing instantaneous communication before Myspace, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.  Over 2000 years ago, before returning to glory, Jesus promised his disciples a new interactive launch. It was almost Steve Jobs like in presentation.  In John 14:25-26, Jesus said All this I have spoken while still with you. ²⁶ But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. The launch party occurred in an upper room at Pentecost.  A new Communicator was installed.

When I am overwhelmed, distracted and lacking vision, the Holy Spirit sends me an Instagram.  He enables me to remember God’s plans for my life which are good and for a purpose. There is even an “app” to retrieve memories of past sermons, re-boot long ago Bible studies and activates the word which has been hidden in my heart.  As I study the text, clarity and understanding evolve as a result of the streaming messages form the Father through the Son, delivered by the Holy Spirit.  If you have not done so already, activate your Instagram Account with God.  In a world rife with distractions, an instant connection with the Father is just the help we need.

By His Stripes

By His stripes, we are healed.  According to author Wayne Blank, the word stripes originated with the French word, strip.  In the original Hebrew, stripes had several meanings such as a blow, a wound, to strike and to bruise.  The person was stripped of clothing followed by cutting of the flesh and shredding tissue using a long whip fitted with animal bones or metal.  Jesus endured those undeserved stripes for out healing. Why do we need healing, you ask?  We need to be made new in order to do the will of the Father. 

There is a consequence for not doing God’s will, God’s way.  Luke 12:46-48 says; The master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. ⁴⁷ And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. ⁴⁸ But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more. Stripes are inflicted upon servants who know God’s will but refuse to grow spiritually, fail to take advantage of ministering opportunities or ignore God’s direction So much has been invested in us therefore God expects a return on His investment.

Two weeks ago, my car’s bumper was ripped to shreds and I did it.  Yes, I pulled it off the car by my own negligence.  Jordan Ford did a fantastic job repairing the damage.  I am now back on the road taking care of business.  Our lives may have been torn apart in the past.  Deep scars cover the hurt.  The stripes Jesus took for us on Calvary allow us to be healed.  Let us not be distracted by how our scars got there, can anyone see the scars or I might be hurt again.  Because of His stripes, our scars are covered.  We are whole.  So get back on track and do not be caught not doing the will of the Father.  My car below looks brand spanking new and with God doing your body work, you will too.