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100-Day Identity Makeover: Discover Your Identity in Christ and Walk It Out
Day 1
You Are the Salt of the Earth (Matthew 5:13)
You prevent natural decay. Check out the nutrition facts on a can of vegetables and you will understand what gives it a shelf life of a year or more- salt! If we were to eat my homemade tomato sauce that sat in the refrigerator for a year, it would not share the same flavor as a can of tomato sauce. We would encounter something like ROT! (For this very reason, I clean out all uneaten items in my refrigerator twice a year. JUST KIDDING!)
Look around and you will find evidence of decay in our world. In the natural order, things decline. The marriage that was so full of promise on the wedding day is now the greatest source of complaint. The adult who only knew health as a child now undergoes surgeries and one prolonged illness after another. The career that promised a sense of purpose has become a life-drainer. But, YOU, child of the living God, are the salt of the earth, and you have preserving power!
While others watch the things of this world deteriorate, you acknowledge the creative power of the Spirit of God within you and bring life to our decaying culture! You apply truth to the misconceptions aiming to take captive unsuspecting hearers into a deceptive stronghold, and you speak life to the one who sees no way out of a hopeless situation. The preserving power of God within you calls forth the neglected gift of God in another’s wayward heart.
You bring flavor. Think back on a memory that makes you smile. More than likely, there are other people involved in that special moment. Something said, laughter shared, joy experienced… these are the elements of good memories. Let’s face it- life can be difficult, and we need more cause for celebration. In the same way that salt adds “that little something extra” to the flavor of food, so your contagious joy brings satisfaction. You’re like the first deep inhale of fresh countryside air after leaving a polluted metropolis. Get some joy flowing in your life, because the people around you need more than a “wine a little” escape tactic. We should be telling them, “Have you tried Jesus? You’ll never thirst again!” Come on somebody! Let’s get real! The world is thirsty, and Jesus is true satisfaction!
You, child of God, are the salt of the earth, and you flavor life with true joy. It flows from the throne room of heaven into your heart, and it splashes on any who come into your presence. The Message Bible puts it like this: “Don’t drink too much wine. That cheapens your life. Drink the Spirit of God, huge draughts of Him. Sing hymns instead of drinking songs! Sing songs from your heart to Christ. Sing praises over everything, any excuse for a song to God the Father in the name of our Master, Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:18-20, MSG).
You heal. Switchfoot, a rock band from San Diego, California, claims that surfing is the thing that keeps them together as a band. In their 2014 documentary, Fading West, they share that when given time on the coast, they inevitably will ride some waves together. It is the ocean’s power to wash away the stress of separation from families while touring. The guys also claim the ocean’s ability to keep them humble and free from the bloated “rock star” mentality. Salt heals. Switchfoot attests to its healing power for the soul, but salt has been used for millennia as a healing agent for the body. A soak in epsom salt relieves the discomfort of an itchy rash. A gargle with salted water soothes a sore throat. Saline drops ease dry eyes.
You, child of God, are the salt of the earth, and you bring His healing power to those who desperately need relief. The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon you! By His power you bind up the brokenhearted! There is nothing too difficult for our God, but the god of this world has blinded eyes from seeing and believing it. Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power and bring healing relief to the hurting.
Walk It Out
Hear God’s Word and put it into practice (Luke 8:21).
Pray with faith in Almighty God that anything out of alignment with His design can be righted through the Holy Spirit’s anointing to heal.
Author Note: The is an excerpt from my current writing project: 100-Day Identity Makeover: Discover Your Identity in Christ and Walk It Out. I have included the Day 1 post plus the following link for any interested reader to register and receive daily posts. http://sharingloveandtruth.org/100-day-id-makeover/
Copyright © 2008-2015 Renee Beamer
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