March 2023

Dear Friends –

Jesus sent His disciples out with the above words to fortify their endeavors, telling them in essence that He thought them capable with the necessary knowledge to preserve and continue the work He had begun.  And isn’t that our desire as followers of Christ to continue flavoring the world with His precepts?   Or maybe not.  When I hear the dwindling statistics of believers in God falling below fifty percent, my heart aches as I ponder how did we lose our saltiness… we failed as Christians to preserve and keep the Good News alive in this world.  Salt has a two-fold purpose to its existence creating a dichotomy; its’ positive aspect preserves, while another more negative use destroys.  Before refrigeration, salt was used to preserve meat, and in more ancient times when an army conquered a village, it would salt the land on their departure so that nothing could ever grow there again.  Christ used salt as an excellent motivational example for His followers to spread the Gospel to keep the world from moral decay, and where moral decay was found, to salt it out of existence.  Christians must convert family, friends, and acquaintances when it falls within their purview, and similarly, must destroy any growth of moral turpitude. Those who don’t work thusly for Christ have lost their saltiness and are “no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.”  So, if you think you are being a good Christian, think again; are you doing enough?  Are you ready to face Christ on that score?

Enlightening an illiterate mind to God’s truths can be a most enjoyable experience for you both, especially when they are desirous and curious about the rudiments of faith.  Answer questions, teach them to talk (pray) to God, and supply comfort to a burden they are carrying explaining how they can survive this symbolic cross as did Christ.  Shedding light where evil darkness prevails is not quite as easy, for the exposure of maladaptive behavior can have repercussions.  Fighting city hall, exposing a public figure’s indiscretions, or even pointing out the vile shenanigans of someone you know, should be planned out with tact and diplomacy for spur-of-the-moment confrontations can explode.  Pray, and ask God’s help for the words and methods; pray even more the harder it gets, and whether it’s failure or success, that is up to God.  He knows you gave it your best, and that is all He asks.

Jesus wants you to glorify God The Father and show off your Christian talents so that nonbelievers and miscreants will learn from your example just how giving Almighty God expects His children to be.  When you give with the right intentions, overtly or covertly, you are displaying the heart of God that loves and cares for His creation.  You are the vehicle through which God can act… take His lead when you feel the urge to do something.  Be an angel in disguise for someone who needs correction or compassion and watch the change occur.  You may receive the gratitude of an overjoyed soul, but pass it on to Almighty God for you know He is the One who made everything fall into place.  He gave you the time, talent, or treasure to be generous… let it be known that He is behind your efforts.  Tell Him how much you appreciate that He mandated love as the right purpose to life, it is the only way to live. Be salt and light… make Him and His truths known… make it a Christian world.