Matt 5:13 You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. Mark 9:50 (ESV) Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, & be at peace with one another. Eph 4:29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. Col 4:6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. — “the salt of the earth.” Came from Jesus’ sermon on the mount where He was addressing the fishermen, shepherds, & laborers of that day! To be both worthy & virtuous watching our words meant something during that time & should still mean something today! We must continue to keep these characteristics to bring about His grace into this fallen world! Love Mel
The Narrow Gate – Understand What it Means – Faith not Works
Matt 7:13-14 (ESV)Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide & the way is easy that leads to destruction, & those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow & the way is hard that leads to life, & those who find it are few. Matt 6:33 Seek first the kingdom of God & His righteousness, & all these things will be added to you. — We must remember, Jesus is the narrow gate! — John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, & the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me”. — Seek Jesus, His kingdom & His Righteousness! Love Mel
The Gifts of Mercy and Grace
Eph2:8-9 (ESV)For by grace you have been saved through faith. & this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. — We have been saved by His Grace! That is our salvation is a gift, & is not based on our works! We have no right to eternal life apart from our God. –John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, & the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me”. John 14:19 Yet a little while & the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you also will live. John 6:40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son & believes in Him should have eternal life, & I will raise him up on the last day.” —God’s eternal love & good-will toward us is a gift of pure grace, accepted thru our faith in the death & resurrection of His only Son. Those who believe on Him shall have everlasting life. Wow, what a gift! We need accept this gift by believing in His Son. Love Mel
Take Courage and Do Not Fear
Psalm 102:1-2 Hear my prayer, O LORD; let my cry come to you! Do not hide your face from me in the day of my distress! Incline your ear to me; answer me speedily in the day when I call! Psalm 31:1-2 1In you, O LORD, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me! Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily! Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me! — I do believe that we all would want our prayers answered speedily! — Psalm 27:14 Wait for the LORD; be strong, & let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD! Psalm 31:24 Be strong, & let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD! — Waiting is one of the hardest things we must do, but we are to be strong & full of courage as we wait. The only way this is possible is to know that our God is who He says He is & He is faithful! Take courage & resist fear, because fear comes from the enemy! He hears us & cares! Love Mel
All Things Are Possible
Psalm 23:5 (ESV)You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Matt 5:44-45 I say to you, Love your enemies & pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. … Matt 5:39 I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. Romans 5:19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” Matt 19:26 Jesus looked at them & said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”— Our Shepard gives us strength, anointing, & confidence to defeat our enemies! But at the same time He tells us that the wrath belongs to Him, & Him only. He clearly tells us to pray for our enemies. He even tells us to turn the other cheek. This is so hard for me to do! I don’t know about you, but I am quite certain, if someone slaps me, my instinct is not going to be to turn my face so they can slap the other side. This is clear, I will need His strength! I am sure I would have been a lot like Peter. But He says, ALL things are possible with God. Not sure why He has us feasting in the presence of our enemies, but I am thankful to know that God has my back. Love Mel
