“You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot.” Matthew 5:13 In ancient times salt was a highly prized commodity as a preservative for food, particularly meat. With no … Continue reading Being the salt of the earth
Reflections on Scripture
The Promised Land within
“Know that I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” Genesis 28:15 God gives this promise to Jacob: that he will inherit the land on which he’s standing, and … Continue reading The Promised Land within
Focus on the path ahead
If they had been thinking of the land that they had left behind, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; indeed, he has prepared a city for them. Hebrews 11:15-16 This … Continue reading Focus on the path ahead
The pride of things that fade
Some take pride in chariots, and some in horses, but our pride is in the name of the Lord our God. They will collapse and fall, but we shall rise and stand upright. Psalm 20:7-8 From the moment we wake til we fall asleep, this world inundates us with the desire for things. We’re exposed to more … Continue reading The pride of things that fade
The order of nothingness
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible. Hebrews 11:1-3 We tend to think of our world … Continue reading The order of nothingness
Finding strength in the humanity of God
For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the … Continue reading Finding strength in the humanity of God
Judging our worth
“You judge by human standards; I judge no one. Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is valid; for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me.” John 8:15-16 There is perhaps no attribute more human than our tendency to judge others. Our ego, our false sense of self that … Continue reading Judging our worth
Harvest time
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:36-38 NRSV From the beginning … Continue reading Harvest time
Praise in surrender
“Isaiah prophesied rightly about you hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines.’ You abandon the commandment of God and hold to human tradition.” Mark 7:6-8 NRSV In this brief passage Jesus is speaking … Continue reading Praise in surrender
Oh, to walk with Christ
John 14:25-26 NRSV “I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you.” Have you ever read the Gospels and wondered what it would have … Continue reading Oh, to walk with Christ
