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Matthew 5:13 Jesus taught that His people are “the salt of the earth.” He wasn’t referring to salt’s capacity as a preservative or an antiseptic but as a seasoning. Christians are to “flavor” life with God’s love and grace. This came home to me some years ago in a very personal way. That day, my schedule had me in an establishment to send money by electronic means. This happened to be a place which also offers “pay day” loans, short term loans and other financial services. Most of the clientele are struggling to make ends meet. There were several ahead of me when I went in, so I took a seat - the line moves slowly at times. While I was waiting more people came in. Then another lady entered. To say that she was shabbily dressed would be an understatement. Silver slacks which could have passed for pajamas and a red, sleeveless top (It was jacket weather). She smelled of cigarette smoke. She was wobbly on her feet, and it was hard to tell if she had some kind of medical condition, or it was because of the black, out-of-style dress shoes she was wearing. They appeared to be too small. She hobbled over to another lady seated in a chair and paid her respects. As she wobbled back to the middle of the waiting area, she looked in my direction, and I got up and offered her my seat. She kind of stared at me while a look of pure amazement came over her face. I said, “Please sit down.” She stammered something which I could not comprehend as she looked at me and then at the chair. Then she turned to face the counter. But in just a few moments she turned around to me, this time with a smile on her face and then did the strangest thing. She hugged me. I hugged her cautiously in return. Then she tottered over to the other side of the waiting area. Who knows how that lady had been treated in life or what her problems were? But that day Jesus salted her life with grace. Someone noticed her and thought she mattered enough to be offered a seat. And I was humbled and astonished to be part of it all.

Romans 15:4 The individuals whom we encounter on the pages of the Bible learned about life, about themselves and especially about God. If they had written books in today’s “self-help” style what might they have wanted to tell their readers? We offer our own tongue-in-cheek conjectures as to what they might have penned. “How to Run from God and Live to Tell About It” - by Jonah “Fasting Made Simple” - by Moses “Handling Sibling Rivalry” - by Joseph “Getting to the Top the Hard Way” - by Joseph “Church Work Made Easy” - by Paul “Resolving Family Problems” - by Abraham “Getting the Last Laugh and Other Old Wives’ Secrets” - by Sarah “Knowing What to Say and When to Say It” - by Peter “Seven Keys to Expert Conniving” - by Jacob “Power Corrupts & Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely” - by David “How to Have It All and Lose Everything” - by Solomon “How to Lose Everything and Still Have It All” - by Paul ><> Jeff

Philippians 2:3-4 We have entered the holiday season in which everyone searches for just the right gift to give to all those on their Christmas list. If we are true “givers,” we really want to find something which will bring joy, surprise and a sweet blessing to those for whom we buy gifts. It is often not an easy task. There is, however, another kind of giving in which we should be engaged year round. It is the kind of giving to which our Lord calls us and doesn’t necessarily involve anything material at all, although it may well include such at times. It is the giving of self with the interests of others in view. Consider these: Be the first one to smile and say “Hello!” Be sure to express your thanks every time someone gives you a gift or does something for you. Say “Good morning!” to your spouse. Say it with a kiss. When you feel the “crabbies” coming on, leave the room, say a prayer and get yourself under control. Nobody wants to be around a “crab.” Overlook those little things someone else does which “bug” you. Remember, they are just “bugs” not alligators. Give hugs. Lots of them. Clean up your mess. Don’t be so judgmental. Everybody gets it wrong now and then. Even you. Offer to help with something which isn’t usually yours to do. Give lots of compliments. Remember, whether it’s a dented fender, burnt dinner or lost money, the person is always more important than the thing. Always say “Good night” to your spouse. Say it with a kiss. Tell the truth. There are 1000s more.Such giving is a true joy year round. #faith #communityengagement

Psalm 145:8-9 Discussions about the “attributes” of God often focus on His omnipotence, omniscience, omni-presence, etc. We need to remember that God is a “whole” being, and any such discussion must include His inner person. One prominent characteristic of God found throughout scripture is His mercy. David writes that “...His mercies are over all His works” and that “He has not dealt with us according to our sins” (see Psalm 103:8-14). Without the mercies of God we are all lost. When you forget about praying or reading the Word, He forgives you. When you are sullen and moody, and make others feel unwelcome, He forgives you. When you play your little games with your spouse to get under their skin, He forgives you. When you spend such time at the lake, in your garden, at the mall, in the fairway or even at work that you neglect the spiritual, He forgives. When you go into one of your tirades, He forgives. When you open your mouth with cutting words or gossip, He forgives. When you keep your mouth closed when you should speak up for the Lord, proclaim the gospel or rebuke the lie, He forgives. When you spend your money on worthless stuff and worldly pursuits, He forgives you. When you keep too much for yourself and don’t give enough to the Lord or for the needy, He forgives. When you stay home on the Lord’s day for no good reason, He forgives. When your worship is half-hearted, your prayers lukewarm, and your singing mechanical, He forgives. When you are puffed up because of your knowledge and self-righteousness, He forgives. When you lust and lie and complain and covet and strut and judge, He forgives. When your faith is iffy, and your love shallow, He forgives. In Christ Jesus, God forgives us. He delights in forgiving. He is merciful. Let us trumpet His mercies, but let us also learn to fear Him. Let us not presume upon His mercies. We must truly repent and acknowledge all of our failings. Unless He forgives us, we are lost. ><>Jeff

James 2:14-20, 26 For those of us who are Christians, it is somewhat difficult to understand that some people live their lives without believing in God. Yet, the ranks of atheists, agnostics and skeptics have never been empty and, according to many polls, are increasing these days. We, however, could not begin to fathom life without our Lord Jesus Christ since He is so much a part of us, and we are so much a part of Him. James, however, provides those of us who believe a much needed warning about our faith. He says (2:19) that it is a good thing to believe that God is one (or “there is one God”). But he then balances that with a word of caution: “... the demons also believe, and shudder.” In other words, simply believing in God still leaves us in the company of wicked and rebellious underlings of the devil! Having faith alone is to have the same death sentence as the demons! What, then makes faith alive? Faith comes alive when it comes alive in a person’s actions. Faith lives when a life is changed to demonstrate that belief. James uses the illustration of seeing a brother or sister in need of food and clothing. Some believers (note carefully that they are believers) who have dead faith offer a very nice sounding word of encouragement: “Go in peace, be warmed and filled.” What a lovely little speech! The only problem is that they did not provide what these naked and hungry people needed. Their “faith” lacked any substance whatsoever. It is dead and lifeless since nothing was accomplished to alleviate the suffering. We can study and study and study. We can discuss and discuss and discuss. We can worship and worship and worship. But until we TAKE ACTION, faith is lifeless! The faith of platitudes and good intentions dies on the vine. Whether individual Christians or entire congregations are in view - if it’s about feeding the hungry, visiting the sick, sharing the gospel, etc., it’s all the same. Those who don’t live out their faith are no better off than the demons. That’s pretty horrible company. ><> Jeff

Isaiah 5:18-23 Through Isaiah, the Lord pronounced woes upon those in Israel who redefined good and evil. Know that this was not out of ignorance but a purposeful disregarding of the word of Yahweh. The prophet writes that these people were “wise in their own eyes.” In other words, they believed they knew better than the Lord God and so devised arguments to circumvent reality and the plain word of God to accomplish their own self-serving ends. As a result, judges were bribed. Widows were cheated in the courts. Orphans were neglected. People worshiped idols and bowed down under every green tree and on the top of every high hill. A people chosen to glorify God looked just like the nations around them. Today, the same attitude persists: people call evil good and good evil. You have heard some of this fine-sounding rhetoric: “What’s in your womb isn’t a human being; it’s not a child. It’s just a fetus, a glob of cells. After you go through this procedure, everything will be fine. You won’t even think about it.” “Parents aren’t the most qualified to rear their children. The government, teachers and school psychologists know what’s best.” “People of the same sex should be allowed to marry. If they love each other, why shouldn’t they have the same rights as everyone else? After all, what could it possibly hurt?” “It’s only right for us to help a child “change” their sex. If they are having these urges and feelings, we should not try to stifle them. It could do them great damage.” “Prostitution should be legalized. These ladies provide a very valuable service, and no one is really harmed.” “Humans are descended from that first one-celled organism and are nothing but a bag of chemicals. Without free will, we are pre-programmed through our DNA just to respond to our environment.” Beware of those who call evil good and good evil. Their speech is smooth and their arguments tricky. Know the truth. ><>Jeff

1 John 5:19-20 “We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” So wrote the apostle John. It is still true today for the world in which we live. There are two kingdoms with two rulers; two systems with very differing approaches to life. Satan holds sway over the world, that is all those who reject the lordship of Jesus Christ. Jesus, although He is Lord over all, rules in His kingdom over those who accept Him as Master of their lives and serve Him willingly. The contrast is indeed like night and day. We Christians wonder at the evil which permeates the world around us and continues to grow worse. This should not surprise us as statistics show that more and more people are turning from Christ Jesus, indeed all religions. This opens the door for the evil one and his destructive ways. Fueled by selfishness, greed and lusts of all sorts, men and women indulge themselves in whatever seems to suit them at the time. This could be seemingly “small” things: neglecting one’s wife and family in favor of fishing trips and video gaming; gossiping on social media; getting drunk every Friday night; turning one’s back on somebody in need. It could be a “big” thing: cheating on one’s spouse; a drive by shooting; human trafficking; using illicit drugs; aborting one’s child. All of these things happen when Satan rules in the hearts of people, and they all bring harm and destroy lives and relationships. In the kingdom of God’s beloved Son, things work differently. Fueled by love and with a desire to please the Lord Jesus, Christians care for their spouses and rear their children in the ways of God. They forgive when hurt, admit their wrongs and help those in need. Their words are truthful and uplifting, and they speak often of their Lord. Jesus is at the center of their lives for He has saved them from their sins and will be giving them eternal life on the last day. Two kingdoms. Two rulers. Which one is yours? ><> Jeff

1 Corinthians 6:12-20 The human body has been in the news quite a bit lately. (Yes, we’re talking about this body of flesh and bones.) Women want the right to do with their own bodies what they desire when it comes to giving birth or aborting their child. Gay folks want everyone to accept that it’s all right for them to use their bodies in sexual relations with others of the same sex. Transgender types want the right to change their bodies into something they are not. So, what’s the deal? Is it all right to do with our bodies whatever we want as long as the soul inside is right with God? Is it okay to use, abuse and waste our bodies since they are going to return to the dust anyway? Paul addresses this in our text. He notes that the stomach as well as the food which goes into it will be done away with (i.e. return to dust). But in the next breath he says we can’t use our bodies for sexual immorality since the body is “for the Lord, and the Lord is for the body.” In other words, we aren’t free to sin with our bodies just because it’s going to die and go back to the dust. While we live in our body, the Lord has use for it. He reminds us that sexual immorality is a sin against one’s body. Every sin is committed while we live in a body, but these types of sins are also against our bodies. The body physically participates in the sinful act. Paul uses several expressions to indicate our oneness with the Lord Jesus and that our bodies are “for” Him. 1) Your bodies are members of Christ. 2) You are joined to the Lord. 3) You are one spirit with Him. 4) Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. 5) You are not your own since you have been bought with a price (redeemed). We don’t have space to elaborate on these, but you can easily understand what Paul is teaching here. The bottom line? Since we are not our own, and Jesus is now our Lord, “glorify God in your body.” What we do with our bodies matters. It matters a great deal. ><> Jeff

1 Peter 4:12-16 Enduring temptation, various trials, the fellowship of His sufferings ... such language pervades the New Testament from the gospels through Revelation. Peter writes of “the fiery ordeal” which was to come for the testing of his readers. Brothers and sisters, the Lord Jesus did not call us to a picnic nor to relax on the beach. He called us TO WAR!!! He would not array us in battle armor (Ephesians 6:10-18) and then expect us to sit under a shade tree and sip iced tea. Jesus and the apostles regularly found themselves in skirmishes and even fully pitched battles against the forces of evil. That fight continues down to this very day! Hast thou no scar? No hidden scar on foot, or side, or hand? I hear thee sung as mighty in the land, I hear them hail thy bright ascendant star, Hast thou no scar? Hast thou no wound? Yet I was wounded by the archers, spent, Leaned Me against a tree to die; and rent By ravening beasts that compassed me, I swooned; Hast thou no wound? No wound? No scar? Yet, as the Master shall the servant be, And pierced are the feet that follow Me; But thine are whole; can he have followed far Who has no wound or scar? – Amy Carmichael “If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.” ><> Jeff

2 Timothy 2:13 What if God wouldn’t take the time to bless us today because we didn’t take the time to thank Him yesterday? What if God decided to stop leading us tomorrow because we didn’t follow Him today? What if God kept the flowers from blooming because we grumbled when He sent the rain? What if God took away the Bible tomorrow because we did not read it today? What if God stopped comforting us because we failed to comfort someone else? What if God took away His message because we failed to listen to His messenger? What if God stopped loving and caring for us because we failed to love and care for others? What if God would not hear our prayers today because we did not listen to Him yesterday? What if God turned His back on us because we turned our back on someone in need? What if God closed the gates of the heavenly Jerusalem because we did not open the door of our hearts? What if God took back His promises because we failed to keep our word to someone else? What if God stopped “being there” for us because we were never there for anybody else? What if God had not sent His only begotten Son because we would not appreciate His gift? What if the King doesn’t recognize you on Judgment Day because you didn’t serve Him today? What if...? ><>Jeff

Luke 23:32-43 It is significant that there were two others crucified with Jesus. Mark records (15:28) that it was a fulfillment of prophecy that the Christ would be “numbered with transgressors.” Jesus did become one of us and was identified with the sinful human race in His death. But let’s be careful to see how that played out. The two thieves represent the only two possible responses to Jesus. Both were guilty just as the entire human race is guilty before God. The thief on one cross was only concerned about escape and chided Jesus about getting them all free from their predicament. The criminal on the other cross acknowledged his guilt and asked Jesus to remember Him when He came into His kingdom. Jesus recognized the man’s faith and penitent heart and promised, “today you shall be with Me in Paradise.” But Jesus died on His own cross. Each of the two thieves died on his own cross. Jesus did not take the place of either thief nor was He in a position to do so, now was it God’s will that He do so! Jesus’ cross was His and His alone through which He died for all humanity (2 Corinthians 5:14-15). He was the Lamb of God. His death was a propitiation (Hebrews 2:17; 1 John 2:2, 4:10), that is, an acceptable sacrifice to God on behalf of sinful humanity. Through the blood of His Son, the Father is now able to offer forgiveness and justify those who are cleansed of sin. Sometimes we hear: “Jesus took your place on the cross.” I don’t believe this is true nor theologically correct. In fact, I don’t even understand what that means. Does it mean Jesus keeps you from pain and suffering? Obviously not. Does it mean He keeps you from dying? Obviously not. And neither your death nor mine on a cross would affect in the slightest the eternal destiny of anyone, including ourselves. No, the cross on which Jesus died was absolutely and totally His. He humbly accepted death by crucifixion for us. What a Savior! ><> Jeff

Luke 9:23-24 Jesus taught that to be His disciple would demand great change in a person’s life. He said there must be self-denial and a daily crucifixion of one’s self in order to follow Him. A person would need to lose his own life for Jesus’ sake in order to save it. What would such a life look like? Considering Jesus’ own life and teachings, let us take some snapshots of the life of a disciple of Christ. You might be a Christian if... ...you spend a great deal of time in prayer with your heavenly Father ...you keep your word without fail ...you are attentive to the needs of those who are sick ...you give generously to support the work of the kingdom ...you know the word of God, and it is your guide in life ...you have absolute trust in your heavenly Father ...you provide for the needs of orphans and the poor ...you are a comforter of the grieving ...you are an encourager to the weak and the strugglers ...you fight hard against temptations to sin ...lies, complaints and cutting remarks die on your tongue ...your greatest love is God ...your life’s goal is the kingdom of heaven ...you look forward to the weekly assembly ...the world’s treasures no longer satisfy you ...you have sought reconciliation when you have hurt another ...you have learned to be a servant ...you seek ways to help out in the congregation ...love for others is the watchword in all you do ...you take an interest in your brothers and sisters in the church ...you tell people about the Lord and His kingdom when you can What about you? ><> Jeff