Salt Of The Earth & Light Of The World!

The Bible says 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."

The metaphor of the word "salt" used here was to describe the character of God's people in being connected with purity, and to indicate their influence for good as they penetrate secular society.

In the old days, a Christian who had been ejected by discipline from the Church was compelled, before he was received back, to lay at the door of the Church and invite people to enter, saying, "Trample upon me who is the salt which has lost its flavor."

Salt has some unique characteristics. Let's take a closer look:

Salt causes thirst...
We make others thirst for the Lord by living His Will.

Salt is a seasoning...
We are to season each other by His Word and our testimonies.

Salt is a preservative...
By doing His Will we save souls because His wish is that none should perish.

Mathew 5: 14 - 16 says, "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven."

Christianity was meant to be seen...
We shine as reflected light, (His Light), radiating from the presence of Christ within our hearts.

Visible to all men in the World
Attracting them to God...

We are to be a guide for God to others, In Love, to make the way clear as an example or a warning light which is our duty. Praising good and condemning evil.

The bottom line is that Christian uselessness invites disaster. We must be an example of purity. Our conviction should be brought about by loyalty and living for Christ today. We have a choice to either have a positive or negative effect on others today. It is and always will be our responsibility to live in the Truth, as He has instructed us, bringing glory to Him.

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Why Should We Study The Bible?

.....Why should we study the bible? The simple answer is because God in His word tells us to. (2Timothy 2:15) Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. We are exhorted to preach the word and to be able to defend it. (2Timothy 4:2) Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all long suffering and teaching. Scripture is the tool God has given us and it is our duty to study it, know it, and apply it. (2Timothy 3:16-17) All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

I have listed some of the benefits to studying God’s word:

.....Studying the bible develops an appetite for God’s word and allows for spiritual growth:

.....(Matthew 4:4) But He answered and said, "It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." We must nourish our physical body with food. Without food our body begins to grow weak and can not function to its fullest potential. In this condition we can not properly perform our duties at home or the work place. We become ineffective and worthless. As our physical body needs nourishment, so does our spiritual part. If we do not take in a regular intake of bible doctrine, we become worthless as servants to God. To be strong spiritually and be good stewards we need a steady diet of His word. (1Peter 2:2) as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, By feeding on God’s word we will become mature Christians. As believers we have a hunger that can only be satisfied by God’s word, anything else will leave us feeling hungry. (Job 23:12) I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.

.....Studying the bible gives us the opportunity to know God and to reveal His character:

.....God is not an inanimate object but a living God. As believers we should know God on a much more personal level then the world. We learn through His word that He is a loving God offering comfort, peace, and mercy. He is our hope and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who is our savior. The attributes of God and His love is probably a endless list but by studying His word we will develop a greater appreciation and a thankful attitude toward God as we see Him unfold in the scriptures. If we do not know God, how can we love and appreciate what he has done for us? (Ephesians 3:19) to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

.....Studying the bible helps us know the truth:

.....As students of the bible, we must not trust the authority of man, but search the scriptures to see what God says. We must study the bible with diligence and prayer. (Acts 17:11) These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.

.....It is important to have prayer and communication with God so that the Holy Spirit can teach us. (1Corinthians 2:13) These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. Truth is important, especially when it is God’s truth. If we study God’s word, we will know His truth and we will be able to recognize a lie when we hear one. (1John 4:1) Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. Discover the truth and do not be carried down the path of deception. (2Peter 2:1) But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. Studying God’s word protects us from traveling down this road.

.....In summary studying the bible allows us to be better workman for God. It equips us with the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18) so that we can quench the fiery darts of the devil and be more than conquers in Christ. (Romans 8:37) Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

.....Remember our citizenship is not on earth but in heaven and while on earth we are to represent Christ in everything we do. That is our job to represent Christ to the world and to preach His saving message. By studying His word we will be able to give reasons and to prove by the Word to the lost why Christ is our hope. The word of God will set you free, so discover His truth in the word and enjoy the freedom and peace it brings. (John 8:32) "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

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Temptation

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Sin will always take you farther than you are wanting to go.
Keep you longer than you are wanting to stay.
And cost you more than you are willing to pay.

.....Today I wish to speak truth into your life about Temptation. We all face temptations everyday in our own lives, sometimes causing us to sin, or miss the mark of the upward calling that God has and desires in our lives. I shall also try to convey how temptation works, and also the 7 stages of temptation.

.....Let's start with 1Corinthians 10: 12- 13 which says, "Therefore let him who think he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it."

Some things to note from this are:

1. We are in dangerous territory when we think we can't fall.
2. Your temptations will always seek to overtake you.
3. Your temptations are not unique to you, but are common to all of us.
4. God never abandons you in temptations due to his faithfulness.
5. God never permits any temptation to go beyond what you are able to bear.
6. God always makes the way of escape in every temptation.
7. God always limits every temptation so that you will be able to endure it.

.....James 1: 13-17 says, "Let no one say when he is tempted, I am tempted by God; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full grown, brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning."

Let's note a few things from this scripture also:

1. God is never the ultimate source of any evil temptation.
2. God is always the ultimate source of every good gift.
3. Every temptation purposefully seeks to deceive
4. Every temptation becomes a temptation when you are drawn away from God's plan for your life.
5. Every temptation can only temp you because of your own desires.
6. Every temptation attempts to cunningly entice you, into making the wrong choice.
7. Every temptation has only one ultimate goal, which is to make you sin.

Remember, There is always free cheese in a mouse trap.

Let me show you the 7 stages of temptation from the above scriptures so that you have an awareness from now on:

• He is drawn away ..........The Look
• By his own desires ..........Your Lust
  
• And enticed .........The Lure
• Desire has conceived .........The Conception
• It gives birth to sin ..........The Birth
• And sin when full grown ..........The Growth (Maturing)
  
• Brings forth death ..........The Death (Separation From God)

.....There is a way to deal with temptation in our lives today. I call it the Quick Signal Principle. Anytime we are tempted, that is our signal that we need to turn to God, for the way of escape. God has already given us the way of escape. Jesus Christ is The Way, The Truth, and The Light, (John 14: 6). We have The Way through His Son's Finished Work, who has already defeated the enemy. The Truth, in His Word, which is our standard to compare everything to. And The Light, to lead us out of the darkness, lighting our path so that we may not stumble. Setting us Free to serve Him, fulfilling our calling in life.
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