Check the Salt

June 27

But if the salt loses its saltiness … it is no longer good for anything.

Matthew 5:13

“Ahhhh!” Rebecca was infuriated. “When was the last time you put salt in the

softener?” she hollered.

Instantly, Hank knew what had happened. Oh, no! Rust spots in the white

clothes! Way to go, Hank! He derided himself for not checking the salt level in

the softener recently. Actually, he wasn’t as concerned about the rust-spotted

clothes as he was the grief his oversight created. The next week would be miser-

able; that was about how long it took Rebecca to forgive him.

Getting out of the chair, he headed to survey the damage that would cer-

tainly be referred to as his fault. He decided to sow a seed of goodwill, an olive

branch of sorts. “Honey, I’m really sorry,” he said ahead of his arrival. “It just

slipped my mind.”

As he entered the laundry room, he realized his apology had been a mis-

take. It was having little to no effect. “How bad is it?” he asked, making his

second mistake.

Her answer had all the earmarks of a torch for his olive branch. “Not too

bad … if you enjoy wearing orange underwear!” she said, holding a pair aloft.

They were a mottled mess of reddish-brown and rusty white.

Realizing there was only one thing he could do, he said, “I’ll take care of it

right now.” And with that, he sheepishly turned and headed to the basement to

dump a couple bags of salt into the brine tank.

h

In the same way a constant source of salt is needed to condition rusty water,

our spiritual lives need a constant filtering to keep unwanted impurities from

soiling our spiritual being.

The level of salt must be maintained in a water conditioner, just as the

intake of godly things in a Christian’s life must be maintained.

By reading God’s Word regularly and meeting on a regular basis with

other Christians for encouragement and insight, we can stop the accumulation

of unsavory buildups that cause us to lose our solid footing and effectiveness.

We must regularly check the level in our spiritual salt tank.

Prayer

“Thank You for Your Word that provides life-giving

wisdom. Help me to be diligent in my actions concerning

my Christian walk so others and I might benefit. Amen.”

 Make Me Pure Again, Lord

June 26

Create in me a pure heart, O God.

Psalm 51:10

Russell turned off the computer, feeling defeated. It had been six weeks since

he’d given into the temptation, and now he felt horrible. He didn’t understand

how he could love his wife and still do this.

He tried to control his impulses, yet he couldn’t seem to help himself. He

always seemed to end up at a porn site, committing adultery with women he

would never meet. And when it was over, guilt and shame replaced denial and

desire; he hated not being able to resist the temptation.

The next morning, he called a friend who happened to be a Christian

counselor. “I don’t understand this, Paul. I get this urge that won’t be satisfied

until I give in. I love Barb. Why can’t I stop?”

“It’s a complex problem, Russ,” Paul began. “Men are visually stimulated.

They catalogue every image they see. If the image stimulates sufficiently, it

is retained. Pornographic images cause a hormonal flood in the brain, which

creates heightened desire because it alerts the procreation instinct, which feels

the need to respond immediately. It’s the same as being addicted to heroine.

The only way to stop the process is to delete the images from your memory,

and that’s not humanly possible. Only God can recreate your mind and remove

those images from your memory. Let’s set an appointment to talk further.”

h

Pornographic images stimulate and trigger the release of adrenaline, testos-

terone, endorphins, and oxytocin, a stimulus package sufficient to cause tre-

mendous euphoria. Pleasure receptors override common sense. Once viewed,

you cannot stop uncensored recall of the images. Only blocking the ability to

remember can inhibit recall.

Had David taken the images of Bathsheba to God when he saw her bath-

ing (2 Samuel 11:2), he may not have given in to his sexual desire. Instead he

chose to entertain them, and he and many others paid the price. In his sorrow,

David asked God to renew his heart.

As with David, God would set us free if we would ask. For those who fight

this battle, Christian counseling is a good place to begin.

Prayer

“Make me pure again, Lord. Lead me in the steps necessary

to bring about true freedom. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 At the End of Each Day

June 25

We have different gifts according to the grace given us.

Romans 12:6

“How do you deal with the accolades?” John asked Marlie. “I’ve always felt like

I was supposed to downplay my part. You know, give all the glory to God.”

Marlie chuckled. “I struggled too until my father gave me this advice.

‘Just say thank you. I love to sing, and it blesses me when someone is touched

through my gift.’ Then give the glory to the One Who deserves it at the end

of each day.” Marlie continued, “If we declare, ‘It wasn’t me,’ we negate the gift

of God, a gift we are meant to share. It also extinguishes the work of the Holy

Spirit. But if we allow them to share what God has done through us, we give

credibility to the gift.”

She continued, “Paul taught that we have different gifts, and we are to use

them. Our songs are a source of encouragement to many. Through our singing,

people are lifted above their trials and into the worship of His presence. If you

were a renowned artist and someone told you that your painting stirred him

deeply, would you feel a need to say, ‘I didn’t paint this; it was God’? Of course

not. Just remember, when you lie down for the night, tell Him thanks and that

you’re ready to do it all again any time He calls.”

h

Every good gift comes from God. Not one of us could perform in our daily

lives apart from His grace. He has gifted us, equipped us for the work He

ordained for us to do.

To the banker who works late hours making sure the figures balance, you

are to take comfort in the fact that without your abilities given by God, our

financial institutions would suffer collapse. To the waitress who smiles for each

customer, you bring lighthearted joy to someone who may be going through a

rough time; you are a servant.

Whatever your gift, say thank you and give glory to the One Who deserves

it at the end of each day.

Prayer

“For what You do through me, Lord, thank You. I give

You the praise I have received this day. Continue to bless

and use this gift of Your grace. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 An Uncommon Servant

June 24

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Philippians 1:21

George lived out loud. There was no façade, no exterior trimming; what you

saw is who he was—and mostly you saw Jesus. Some said his approach to shar-

ing the Gospel was a bit over-the-top, and that he needn’t be so forthright. You

see, George did nothing quietly … his unambiguous passion was conspicuous.

George always greeted the Brethren with a holy kiss (Romans 16:16). “Victory!”

and “Wonderful!” were staples in his inspirational vocabulary.

When George prayed or sang, he did it with his whole heart at the top of

his lungs, holding nothing back. And because of his fervency and enthusiasm

some felt a bit uncomfortable around him. But for those who called George,

Friend, they expected nothing less. They understood how George felt about

Jesus … he was in love. And this love is what George exhibited unconditionally;

in this he was uncommon.

George lived passionately until he died. So much so that the staff at the

hospital where he went home to be with Jesus will never forget how he intro-

duced himself to each one: he grabbed their hands, and asked “Is there any-

thing you need prayer for?!” He prayed unashamedly, speaking to his Father on

their behalf. He was an uncommon servant, living completely, squeezing every

ounce of life from each day, leaving nothing in reserve.

h

George and Paul are much alike; while on earth they loved Jesus with all their

hearts, and didn’t care how they looked doing it! They both longed for the

day they would begin the face-to-face portion of eternity; yet while among

the living, they lived lives of purpose, speaking on behalf of their King, telling

everyone they met about His love and saving grace.

As Christians—recipients of God’s Greatest Gift—our purpose is to carry

the cross of Calvary wherever we go, telling people about the Man Who hung

there on our behalf, and the cleansing power of His blood. We should not sit

idly by, waiting to die to be with Jesus. We, as George, should be passionately

living for Him as uncommon servants.

Prayer

“Lord Jesus, help me to be uncommon in Your service.

Cause the world to disappear in light of Your presence

that I might witness Your love without reserve. Amen.”

 Hmm …

June 23

Husbands, love your wives … and the wife must respect the husband.

Ephesians 5:25, 33

Most evenings found Mark and Tina reading. One would invariably come across

something interesting enough to share, and would utter a soft “Hmm … ” It was an

invitation to listen; it meant “I really want to share this with you! Are you interested?”

The Hmm hadn’t always been endearing. It had initially been viewed as an

inconsiderate interruption. Yet over time, they grew fond of these moments

of sharing. It promoted laughter, and strengthened their relationship. 

The “Hmm … ” had taught them to be considerate of each other; to place the other’s

needs above their own. It became a tender, affectionate bonding that strengthened their marriage.

Their now positive response to the “Hmm … ” was a result of learning to be

unselfish. They had discovered that their willingness to put the other first paid

huge rewards in maturing their love. Over the years God used the “Hmm … ” to

teach them the importance of validation through attentive listening.

So tonight, when Mark heard Tina’s soft, “Hmm … ” he grinned, inserted

his bookmark, laid the book aside, and turning toward Tina with a knowing

grin, said, “Okay, what?”

Tina, now the center of Mark’s world, smiled brightly, as if to say, “I knew

you loved me,” and began to relate what had elicited her discreet interruption.

h

God made men and women different: women naturally love; men naturally

respect. Doing the opposite does not come naturally; we must be taught.

If we want deep, long-lasting relationships, we will do as God commands

in today’s text. Through submitting to God’s wisdom we learn the importance

of honor above self.

When we begin to genuinely enjoy finding out what interests each other,

instead of selfishly looking at these opportunities as inconsiderate interrup-

tions, we grow and mature spiritually.

Our spouse is to be held in high esteem. When we dismiss their “Hmm … ”

as insignificant they hear, “You do not matter to me right now. Please wait until

I am no longer busy before you bother me again.”

1Corintians 13:4–7 says, “Love is patient, love is kind … it is not self-seeking … it

always protects.” This then, is how we are to respond to each other’s “Hmm …”

Prayer

“Help me place my spouse’s need for validation above my

need for undisturbed peace. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 Too Tired

June 22

Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily

entangles.

Hebrews 12:1

As Trey rolled over, he was trying to decide whether to stay home or go church

this morning. I don’t feel so good was his initial thought. The truth was he was

just tired, and it would be easier to stay home.

Lying in bed, he remembered what had happened the last time he’d stayed

home. “You missed an awesome service, honey!” Marla had told him. She’d

come home all pumped up, sharing how the pastor had deviated from his origi-

nal sermon.

He’d preached a powerful message on living for God, giving an alter call

at the conclusion. “Bring all your needs to the Lord,” he’d urged. And they had.

Three people had received Jesus Christ as their Savior; one woman had been

healed of breast cancer, and two teens were set free from addiction! Trey had

kicked himself for three days after missing out on the God encounter, as he’d

labeled it.

Well, he thought, I’m not gonna kick myself again! And getting out of bed,

he smiled, realizing he wasn’t all that tired anyway.

h

Tired isn’t a good reason to miss church; it’s an excuse; one Satan gives us to use

to stay home. And church isn’t about showing up to fill a pew because it makes

us look good. It’s about a relationship with Jesus Christ … our relationship.

Following Jesus isn’t always easy. It is necessary to discipline ourselves to

push through and gain a new level in our relationship with Christ.

Satan fears our walk with God, and he’ll use something as simple as our

weariness to derail that relationship. When he whispers, “You’re just too tired;

it’s okay to stay in bed,” simply ask yourself, “If this were a football game, a

movie, or some other social event I enjoy, would I go?

Tell Satan to go to hell; you don’t want his input and then throw off the

covers and get moving in the right direction!

Prayer

“Help me not be lazy when it comes to our relationship,

Lord. Help me to never allow myself to be too tired

to join You in church. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 Who’s Spirit Is Showing?

June 21

We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is

from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.

1 Corinthians 2:12

It was like watching an aerial dogfight. As soon as one gained the upper hand,

another attacked from a different quadrant of the sky. Hovering near their food

source, little wings beating one thousand times a second, the hummingbirds

defended their territory. Time and again they would hover over the feeder, dip-

ping their beaks into the little yellow flower.

If alone, they would take the perch while eating. Whether they stayed

there was determined by which of their neighbors showed up.

Catching them on film had become a challenge. Trying to capture their

acrobatic antics had become as entertaining as reading or watching TV, even to

the point of naming them.

Skinny had become our favorite. We found ourselves rooting for her,

watching her fend off all comers. As her name would imply, she was of slender

build, about half the size of most of the birds who visited our feeder. Yet she

possessed a fierceness the others didn’t. Only one bird challenged her belief

that she was boss—a ruby-throated male named Ralph. Yet even Ralph gave

ground when Skinny pushed the fight.

h

Regrettably, the same traits displayed by these tiny, feathered helicopters are

present in the church. We fight and bicker over denominational issues, proud

that we have it all figured out! And in doing so, good-willed people place pride

ahead of grace.

As much as I loved to watch Skinny triumph, I had to admit that she was

selfish, narrow-minded, and domineering. She didn’t need to expend this nega-

tive energy. There was plenty of food if she would only share. But she couldn’t

seem to put aside her domineering attitude. There was an incessant animosity

that would not be denied.

We were given God’s Holy Spirit that we might learn to be gentle in grace,

showing others a true reflection of Christ. Yet to our disgrace, there are times

when there are no signs of His presence.

Prayer

“Lord, forgive my petty attitude. May You find me willing

to overlook inconsequential differences and ready to build

bridges instead of burning them. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”