Not long ago I was impressed upon to start studying the Sermon on the Mount and compare it to the life that I am living...not an easy thing to do.How wrong was I?
We have all been called to higher ground. We have all been called to serve the Lord in some way.
As I meditated on Matthew 5:1-16 again this morning, I focused on what it was that I wanted in my walk with the Lord and what am I doing to get that?
I have been going through a season in my walk with Christ that is a transition from a dark, dry, and cold one into a light, exciting, blooming one. As I read a new book that Robbie recommended to me, I can see that I am moving from a one season in my walk with God into a new one. I have been at a place of dryness, coldness, quietness for quite a while now, BUT I see myself transitioning into a season of light, new growth, excitement and smiles, and wind blowing on my cheeks. (Do I sound crazy yet????)
I say all of that to say that my eyes are able to see now that living a life like the one spelled out on the Sermon on the Mount is in my reach and I am capable of achieving this through Him.
The verses that opened my eyes to new growth in Him today was particularly verses 13-16.
"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 underfoot. 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 others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:13-16 TNIV
You see we become light when we are saved. Think about sitting in a dark room by yourself for years with no way of light to enter. Then, one day a candle is lit or a lamp is turned on. You can see the things around you. You can see a glimpse of what it was that you were missing for all of those years. Before, you didn't know what was in the room with you or who was sitting beside of you, but with the light, you can see. We are that LIGHT. In a room, we should light up the things around us with His presence. People should see things differently when we are there BECAUSE of HIS presence.
But, in order to become that light we must make the choice to shine. What good is a candle if it isn't lit? What good is it to have a lamp in the room if you don't turn it on and use its brightness?
There are choices that we have to make to become a light that shines for Him.
We are also to be salt. What does salt do? It adds flavor to your food. It pulls in water and holds onto it. The word says that salt that loses its saltiness is no longer good for ANYTHING...throw it out and let it be trampled underfoot.
I don't know about you, but I definitely DO NOT want to be thrown out and trampled upon. I want to add life to those around me. I want to bring hope to the hopeless and give life to the lifeless. I want to be a light to the darkness.
We have to make choices to change. We have to move in the season that we are in right now and still be effective for the Kingdom. Even in the winter, there is a job to be done. In the winter is when the farmers are preparing their land for planting. There is fertilization that takes place in the winter. Preparation for the planting that comes in the spring and then growth and new life.
Look at yourself, what is going on with you in your walk? Do you feel distant from God? Do you feel alive with hunger? Are you seeking a new direction in your walk? Are you feeling lonely and unknowing of what is happening to your future? Where are you at right now? In all seasons God is still there and He has so much to teach us in these seasons.
Meditate on His word.
Sing songs of Praise.
Fall on your face before the Lord.
Seek Him for guidance.
Be obedient to His voice.
Give Him praise for:
your health
your salvation
your family
your finances
your protection
your growth
your skills
your life
God bless you all today as I continue to grow in His word and in Him. As we walk out this day, I pray for an abundance of God's presence in all of the decisions and actions that we take today. Let us be a light to someone today. Show us opportunities to be salt and light in this world. Give us chances to share your word with a stranger today and let them see YOU LORD in us. Find in us a right heart and if we are not where we need to be with you, then change us Lord. Give us the desire to change so that you find us fitable to be used by You. Lord, my desire is to be light for a dying world. My desire is to bring nations to you and see thousands changed because of your goodness and mercy. My desire is for Revival Fire to hit our nation and for lives to be transformed. I love you Father and want more than ever to sit at your feet and soak in your presence.
jennifer
