Saturday, March 28, 2015

Stressed backwards spells Desserts!!!

This week while I was reading my devotional, I discovered that failure to trust in the Lord produces stress in our lives. The fact that I deal with a tremendous amount of stress causes me to dig into the scriptures and search God's Word for myself. In Philipians 4:8 we read,
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Okay, pure thoughts and love in action are two important gleanings I can take from this scripture. I am also drawn to the first nugget, "whatsoever things are true". When I worry over my family, I am not taking into account God's truth that is repeated in the scriptures:

John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you. Not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

Matthew 6:34  Therefore take no though for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought  for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."

Matthew 11:28-30 "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn  of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

And so… I lay my burdens down at the feet of my Savior and I refuse to pick them up knowing that He and only He is able to take care of my family! Thank you, Lord for your Word and your Promises!

Sunday, March 8, 2015

Lord help me to be Salty!!!!!



            Nothing tastes better in the summer time than a fresh tomato sandwich with mayo on fresh bread. I think I could eat a tomato sandwich everyday during the summertime as one of my meals. However, if I had to cut back on the salt that I sprinkle over my tomato, I may have to pass on the entire sandwich.
 When my husband and I first married, he always had to dump an entire saltshaker on anything I prepared because his food demanded salt and lots of it, and salt was just not something I normally thought about when cooking. As years have gone by (almost 28 of them) I realize that adding salt to a meal during preparation enhances the flavor, and I appreciate the outcome. My husband still takes the saltshaker and covers his food so it resembles a recent snowfall, but I have come a long ways in realizing how important seasonings can be to our foods.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus used salt as an illustration of a Christian:
“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thence forth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.” Matthew 5:13.
            Salt was a very important commodity in Bible times. It was used to preserve their meats, flavor their foods, and heal their wounds. It was even received as payment for a days work for Roman Soldiers. It was necessary for survival.
            As a preservative, salt was used to prevent decay and spoilage of meat. As Christians, we should try to preserve our faith and our heritage by protecting God’s Word, hiding it in our hearts and living it in our everyday lives. Our influence on others should prevent decay of morals and worldly desires.
            As a flavor enhancer, salt adds seasoning to bland foods that seem tasteless and boring. Col. 4:6 tells us “Let your speech be always with grace seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” We should show a tasteless, boring world how much more satisfying their lives could be in Christ.
            Salt can also be used to heal wounds. If you have ever placed salt in a wound, or waded into the ocean with a sore on your leg and felt the salt water touch it, you know how bad it can burn. But the burning brings forth healing. Sometimes we must face pain and seek comfort from Christ in order to heal physically, mentally, and spiritually.

            Dear Lord, Please help me to be a salty Christian and give others a thirst for you!