URL Source Link: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%205%3A13-16&version=GW
Matthew 5:13-16 (GOD’S WORD Translation)
God’s People Make a Difference in the World
13 “You are salt for the earth. But if salt loses its taste, how will it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled on by people.
14 “You are light for the world. A city cannot be hidden when it is located on a hill. 15 No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket. Instead, everyone who lights a lamp puts it on a lamp stand. Then its light shines on everyone in the house. 16 In the same way let your light shine in front of people. Then they will see the good that you do and praise your Father in heaven.
God’s word provides guidance for believers to follow. God’s word also encourages the pursuit of life reflective of Him. We are to represent Heaven on Earth since we live in this world but when we accept Christ as our Lord and Redeemer – then we are not classified as citizens of this world. Therefore, let us truly dig deeper into what it means to be Salt and Light. The Voice Version of this scripture is offered as the truth of how persecution exists BUT the end goal is to know God’s word does and always prevails. Yes, it is a challenge to BE Salt and Light; but the Eternal & Everlasting Heavenly reward far outweighs the Earthly temporary struggle.
Matthew 5:10-18 The Voice Version
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness—the kingdom of heaven is theirs.
11 And blessed are you, blessed are all of you, when people persecute you or denigrate you or despise you or tell lies about you on My account. 12 But when this happens, rejoice. Be glad. Remember that God’s prophets have been persecuted in the past. And know that in heaven, you have a great reward.
Salt draws out the good flavors subtly hidden in food and preserves what would otherwise spoil, as do those who claim to be children of God.
13 You, beloved, are the salt of the earth. But if salt becomes bland and loses its saltiness, can anything make it salty again? No. It is useless. It is tossed out, thrown away, or trampled.
14 And you, beloved, are the light of the world. A city built on a hilltop cannot be hidden. 15 Similarly it would be silly to light a lamp and then hide it under a bowl. When someone lights a lamp, she puts it on a table or a desk or a chair, and the light illumines the entire house. 16 You are like that illuminating light. Let your light shine everywhere you go, that you may illumine creation, so men and women everywhere may see your good actions, may see creation at its fullest, may see your devotion to Me, and may turn and praise your Father in heaven because of it.
17 Do not think that I have come to overturn or do away with the law or the words of our prophets. To the contrary: I have not come to overturn them but to fulfill them.
18 This, beloved, is the truth: until heaven and earth disappear, not one letter, not one pen stroke, will disappear from the sacred law—for everything, everything in the sacred law will be fulfilled and accomplished.
The Lord stressed how important His followers are as it relates to the relationship between salt and light. Salt is important in many areas such as medically for our bodies’ nerves and muscles. Salt is important in food preservation. Salt is good for cleansing wounds. Salt has many applications. Additionally, light is important when it comes to finding a path in the midst of darkness. Light is reflective. Light illuminates hidden obstacles and possible dangers. Light is crucial in providing guidance for example a Light House is used for ships to navigate in waters.
This exploration will invite several guest persons to share their impact of God’s word and the relationship that salt and light have with our walk as believers.
The Thankful Revolution rejoices with you and looks forward to continuing to encourage, edify, educate, and inspire as we traverse along our life’s pathway and choices. Enjoy the journey!
Today is 2.1.22 at 12:05 a.m. and I am fixated on the word of the Lord that asks the question:
“How Can?”
I am thinking part of being light and salt is being something that is useful. Think about it how would someone know they were in darkness unless there is light that comes and shines forth dispell the darkness? How can someone know that there food is bland unless they but salt on it to enhance the flavor and realize how good it tastes after that seasoning is included?
How Can people know about God’s grace, mercy, goodness, love, peace, joy, strength, salvation, eternal destination UNLESS they hear and read about it? Basically, until the information is provided then ignorance is the guidance of those who do not know?
God says in one of His text “People Perish because of lack of knowledge.” Every day people are dying – some die at their own hands and others at the hands of others and some of natural causes and some of unnatural means and some unexpectedly and some of natural disasters…the point is people are perishing all around us. There has been a quickness of the spread of death recently through the pandemic and its effects (depressions, poor health, isolation, etc.)
How Can one navigate through the seriousness of life?
How Can? The answer is UNLESS…
U= Use N =Necessary L = Life-Saving E =Expressions S =Sounding Siren S = Salvations Serenade
Here is the text:
Romans 10:14-17 The Message Version
14-17 But how can people call for help if they don’t know who to trust? And how can they know who to trust if they haven’t heard of the One who can be trusted? And how can they hear if nobody tells them? And how is anyone going to tell them, unless someone is sent to do it? That’s why Scripture exclaims,
A sight to take your breath away!
Grand processions of people
telling all the good things of God!
But not everybody is ready for this, ready to see and hear and act. Isaiah asked what we all ask at one time or another: “Does anyone care, God? Is anyone listening and believing a word of it?” The point is: Before you trust, you have to listen. But unless Christ’s Word is preached, there’s nothing to listen to.
Check out this question to explore: What does it really mean for us to be Salt and Light? URL Link: https://thethankfulrevolution.com/2020/11/03/we-are-salt-and-light-what-does-that-really-mean/
Trust the Lord to show us how to be the Salt and Light that this world needs today!
Check out Our Blog: https://thethankfulrevolution.com/blog/
Isn’t it time for you, me, all of us to live our best lives! Let’s shift it into gear for next-level living where we are actually obtaining the “hoped for good” in our lives. Time for us to achieve the bucket list of goals we once thought were so far off and removed from our grasp. We can and will do this one step at a time, one dream realized at a time, one conversation at a time can spark the fire needed to fuel our promise fulfillment! Amen INDEED!
Let the conversations ensue and the shifting manifest into a tangible reality for our next-level transformation into what we were born to do – live life and that life MORE Abundant here on earth as it is in heaven.
John 10:10 King James Version
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
The Thankful Revolution rejoices with you and looks forward to continuing to encourage, edify, educate, and inspire as we traverse along our life’s pathway and choices. Enjoy the journey! Shalom to all!
Continue to stay tuned for more on the meaning of LIFE as we explore Biblical Truths one word at a time, one scripture at a time, one moment in time, …let’s eat that daily bread! Selah, Shalom, Amen Indeed Miriam a.k.a. Essence of Myrrh Proverbs 3:5-8 (TIME for a next-level New-Beginning)! We would be honored if you do Subscribe, Bookmark, Save, Share, Comment, Like, and Enjoy how N.O.W. = New-Beginnings is our Witness can be yours today through one daily Myrrhism Word/Message at a time.
Psalm 37:23, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighted in his way.”
Check out Our Blog: https://thethankfulrevolution.com/blog/
P.S. Remember, to help us navigate through this life and enjoy a new life that one being eternal with God our Father; we have to make a decision N.O.W. = New Beginnings is our Witness. Below provides a prayer that you can ask the Lord to become your Redeemer, Healer, Savior, your everything to help you on your personal life’s journey – even though it may be bitter sometimes with God He always sweetens your steps. Love you always! Miriam aka Essence of Myrrh Proverbs 3:5-8.
HERE I AM LORD, HELP ME TO CHANGE INTO THE PERSON YOU BIRTHED ME INTO EXISTENCE TO BECOME. ALLOW MY PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE (OUTLOOK AND THOUGHTS) BECOME NEW. LET ME KNOW IN MY HEART THAT YOU ARE GOD AND IF I TRULY TRUST YOU THEN I CAN BE LIBERATED – BASICALLY SET FREE TO LIVE A LIFE HERE ON EARTH LIKE YOU DESIRE ME TO EXIST FOR AN ETERNITY WITH YOU IN HEAVEN. HELP ME TO VIEW YOU CLEARLY WITH A STEADFAST FOCUS! I ASK THAT ANY OBSTACLE THAT HAS HINDERED ME BEFORE OR IN MY FUTURE BE REMOVED SO THAT I CAN OBTAIN THE WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE YOU HAVE FOR ME TO LIVE IN PEACE, LOVE, STRENGTH, POWER, AND FEARLESSLY. THANK YOU FOR EQUIPPING ME WITH ALL THAT I NEED (HOLY SPIRIT AND JESUS AS MY SAVIOR) TO SUCCESSFULLY NAVIGATE THIS LIFE’S JOURNEY. I AM GRATEFUL, HUMBLED, AND WILLING TO BE YOUR FAITHFUL SERVANT. I AM HERE AND ASK FOR YOUR HELP EVERY SINGLE DAY. THANK YOU FOR HEARING ME AND PROVIDING ALL THAT I HAVE NEED FOR ACCORDING TO YOUR RICHES IN HEAVEN. AMEN (SO BE IT)!
The Thankful Revolution 
What does it mean to be Salt and Light? Let’s explore this question and share how God guides us to be Salt with flavor and Light that shines in the midst of darkness: URL Link https://thethankfulrevolution.com/2020/11/03/we-are-salt-and-light-what-does-that-really-mean/
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Daily Devotional:
Wednesday, July 28, 2021
Salty in a Good Way
“Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again?” (Luke 14:34 NLT).
In the Roman culture, salt was extremely valuable. It was so valuable, in fact, that salt was a form of payment—hence the expression, “He’s not worth his salt.”
Jesus said, “Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? Flavorless salt is good neither for the soil nor for the manure pile. It is thrown away. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!” (Luke 14:34-35 NLT).
Jesus was saying that you’re valuable, and your life makes a difference. On the other hand, what good is salt that isn’t salty? It’s like Christians who aren’t making an impact on their culture.
Obviously, salt makes a difference. A little pinch of salt in something can help enhance its flavor. Among other things, salt stimulates thirst. When you’re eating popcorn during a movie, for instance, you realize that you’re really thirsty.
In the same way, when you’re living a godly life, you should stimulate in others a thirst for Jesus Christ. People should be able to look at your life as a believer and know what you stand for and what your convictions are. It also should cause them to want what you have.
So when Jesus said that we are the salt of the earth, He was saying that our lives should make a difference wherever we are.
Paul wrote to the church in Corinth, “Clearly, you are a letter from Christ showing the result of our ministry among you. This ‘letter’ is written not with pen and ink, but with the Spirit of the living God. It is carved not on tablets of stone, but on human hearts” (2 Corinthians 3:3 NLT).
For more relevant and biblical teaching from Pastor Greg Laurie, go to http://www.harvest.org
and
Listen to Greg Laurie’s daily broadcast on OnePlace.com.
Watch Greg Laurie’s weekly television broadcast on LightSource.com.
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Impacting the World
by Dr. Gary Linton | Updated March 2nd, 2021
URL Link: https://www.ministrymaker.com/impacting-the-world
We will never be able to make a real impact on our society through legislation and programs alone. Things done in the flesh are doomed to failure. They must be done through Jesus and in the power of the Holy Spirit. This is how the early disciples turned the world upside down (Acts 17:6).
“The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).
The church has often been too much like Lot. As Lot, our faith is personal and private – we are not really interested in impacting our society. We are only serious about our personal peace and affluence. Jesus said two things about who we are to be as His followers:
The Light of the World – Matthew 5:14-16
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
Paul said we were to shine forth as light (luminaries) in the midst of this crooked and perverse generation (Philippians 2:15). In doing so Peter said we show forth to the world the praises of Him who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9). Jesus said we are not to hide this light, as so many do, but let it shine for all to see.
As the moon has no light of its own and merely reflects the light of the sun, so we have no light of our own and merely reflect the light of the Son – Jesus. Your light may seem dim in the midst of your other brothers and sisters in Christ, but when you get out into the darkness of the world even the dimmest light among us shines forth brightly.
While hanging in the darkness the dimmest light shines bright. We become like those we are around (1 Corinthians 15:33). In order to keep our light trim and bright we must spend time around God’s people as well. They are the ones in whom God dwells. They help us to keep our lights lit and bright. Godet said, “One torch serves to light another.”
The Salt of the Earth – Matthew 5:13
“You are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.”
There are a number of things about salt that reveal to us the impact we can make on society if we will just be what God has called us to be. Here are a few interesting facts about salt:
Salt is a preservative. It preserves what would otherwise decay. Before the days of refrigeration, people would pack meat in salt to preserve it. In the absence of salt, bacteria causes meat to go bad. Our job is to be on the meat and not just having a good time in the saltshaker (church). We have so much fun in the saltshaker that we allow the meat to go bad. Don’t get me wrong, church is not supposed to be dead and boring. We are to have a lively and fun time in church, but that is to motivate us to do our job and go outside the doors of the church to get on the meat.
Salt stimulates growth. In Jesus’ day, farmers mixed salt with soil to enhance productivity. We are to be productive, to produce righteousness in our society, and an increase in the body of Christ by reproducing ourselves (John. 15:16). If we are not producing then we are not being the salt God intends us to be.
Salt produces thirst. Taverns provide an abundance of salty snacks. They don’t provide them because they’re nice guys, they simply know that those snacks make people thirsty and then their customers will purchase more to drink. If we are being the salt Jesus says we are to be, the world will become thirsty for what we have and see Jesus as the only one who can satisfy their thirsty souls (John.4:13).
Salt heals. Salt gets rid of impurities. I remember as a young child when I had a sore throat my mother would have me gargle with salt water. The church is to be a spiritual hospital that provides healing for a wounded society (Galatians 6:1; Luke. 4:18-19).
Salt intensifies heat. My wife informed me of how instructions with some pastas call for salt to be added. The addition of salt makes the temperature of the water boil hotter and more rapidly. We are to boil hotter for God and turn up the heat in the world.
Salt adds taste (Matthew 5:13). When salt is added to food it gives the food a more colorful taste and makes it less bland. Jesus said that salt can become tasteless and when it does it’s good for nothing but to be trampled under the foot of man. When salt is mixed with another substance it changes. The other substance doesn’t become salty but the potency of the salt is diminished to the point that it may not even be seen or tasted. This is why we can’t have, as our source of fellowship, the world. We must be in and around the world to affect it, but the world can’t be what we consistently fellowship with (1 Corinthians 15:33).
Salt penetrates. In Indiana our roads are often salted during the winter to melt ice and we see the result in some of our older vehicles as rust eats through the body of the cars. We are to penetrate the kingdom of darkness and the hearts of mankind. If we’re not impacting and penetrating the world, then something is wrong. We are not being what Jesus has called us to be. Let’s be the light and salt we are called to be as Jesus’ disciples. Let it be said of us, “These that have turned the world upside down have come here also” (Acts 17:6).
Prayer: Lord, help us to be the light of this world and salt of the earth You intended us to be. We know it is only possible through You divine aid and the work of Your Holy Spirit in our life. We are dependent on You and You alone. In Jesus name. Amen!
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The scripture compares the child of God to salt and light. Both being agents of change. Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid (Matt. 5:13-14). URL Source: https://www.christianity.com/devotionals/bible-pathway-ministries/bible-pathway-june-5-2013.html?utm_source=Bible%20Pathway&utm_campaign=Bible%20Pathways%20-%20Christianity.com&utm_medium=email&utm_content=4871669&recip=506679457
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Being Salty
By Debbie Holloway
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 by men (Matthew 5:13).
I think sometimes we get so used to our familiar metaphors, we fail to let their significance really sink in. What Christian hasn’t proclaimed brightly: “We’re salt and light!”? And yet, do we really think about the significance of that imagery? In a faith tradition where we have so many great metaphors and allegories, let’s remember to ponder this one that Jesus coined.
What does it mean to be “the salt of the earth”?
Salt Enhances
As we know too well in our sodium-filled modern world, salt makes things taste better. But condiment connoisseurs will make sure to explain that salt, when used properly, brings out the flavor already present in the food itself. Unlike pepper, which was used in ancient times to mask distasteful rotting and souring in foods such as meat, salt only enhances what’s there.
As Christians, we aren’t here to blot out the colors and flavors around us. We’re not here to ignore or destroy what we see and replace it with something else. Rather, we are to be (tasty) ambassadors of Christ on a mission to draw out and display goodness. God made a good world, and, though fallen, it’s still good! We still have the breath of life from God inside us. So let’s remember to point to the truth and be the people who enhance and brighten wherever we go, not overpower our surroundings like too much pepper.
Salt Preserves
Before the age of refrigeration, how did people preserve perishable food? That’s right: salt. Something about packing meat with salt slows down the process of decay, making it easier to store, transport, and save meat without it going rancid right away.
Likewise, let us as the salt of the earth remember to preserve what is good. In matters of justice and stewardship, Christians should be front and center to fight for what is right, what is safe, and what brings life to the world around us. Our homes, families, and communities should be solid and fresh, not rotting and fetid.
If we fail to protect and preserve, what good are we? If we fail to enhance the flavor of what’s around us, there’s nothing left for us “except to be thrown out” (so to speak).
Intersecting Faith and Life: Be a pleasant taste and a force for good, and those around you will “praise your Father in Heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
Further Reading
Matthew 5
Colossians 4:6
Mark 9:50
URL Source: https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/crosswalk-the-devotional-april-23-2014.html?utm_source=Christianity.com%20Daily%20Inspirations&utm_campaign=Christianity.com%20Daily%20Inspirations&utm_medium=email&utm_content=4643966&recip=506679457
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Please check out the following site: https://iamthesalt.com/
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Continue to stay tuned for more on the meaning of LIFE as we explore Biblical Truths one word at a time, one scripture at a time, one moment in time, …let’s eat that daily bread! Selah, Shalom, Amen Indeed Miriam a.k.a. Essence of Myrrh Proverbs 3:5-6 Subscribe, Bookmark, Save, Share, Comment, Like, and Enjoy how N.O.W. = New-Beginnings is our Witness can be yours today through one daily Myrrhism Word/Message at a time.
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Youth Bible Study message today’s title “Making an Impact” Text: Matthew 5:13-16
New International Version
Salt and Light
13 “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.
14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 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. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
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Youth Bible Study take-a-way Salt Preserves Flavors
Doesn’t taste right it is bland basically no one wants to partake of that kind of food it is yucky!
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