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Faith

Salt of the earth and Light of the World

Salt of the earth
via Conger Design | Pixabay.com

“You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:13-16)

Salt of the earth and Light of the World

A Contrast Between Two Men

Contrast
via Roman Grac | Pixabay

Guest Writer – Sunday Ayandare
The Book of Proverbs presents to us a contrast between two women. On one hand is an immoral, seductress type who “flatters with her words; … of a crafty heart, who is loud and rebellious…” (Proverbs 7:5, 10-11). On the other hand is the virtuous type whose worth “is far above rubies” (Proverbs 31:10-29).

A Contrast Between Two Men

Lest We Forget Those Who Have Made Sacrifice

After officiating the funeral of friend and fellow soldier, Lt. Alexis Helmer, Lt. Col. John McCrae wrote “In Flanders Fields.” This past week, this poem was read at memorial services across the country, as folks paused from the hustle and bustle of life to remember those who have given their lives in battle. We should not take for granted freedoms we enjoy, nor forget those who made such a huge sacrifice, even their own lives to preserve such freedoms.

A lot of attention is given to fallen heroes on November 11, Remembrance Day. But should we not be mindful of those who served our nation throughout the year? The benefits we have from their sacrifice are not exclusive to November 11. We’re a free nation – a freedom that cost some their lives.

It is a sad fact that many are prone to forgetfulness. As Moses gave the law of God to the generation that would take possession of the promised land, he was concerned they’d forget all that God did for them. he warned them:

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Lest We Forget Those Who Have Made Sacrifice

An Important Life Decision: Will You Obey The Gospel?

gospel, vineyard
via Jill Wellington | Pixabay.com

As the apostle John closes his gospel account, he states of the ministry of Christ,

 …there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.(John 21:25)

Quite simply, we do not have all the details of Jesus’ work and teaching while upon the earth. But what is given is sufficient

…that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.(John 20:31)

An Important Life Decision: Will You Obey The Gospel?

Never Lost: The True Gospel Survived Every Attempt at Apostasy

gospel
via Pexels | Pixabay.com

As I prepared to write an article this past week, I saw a quote which resulted in the original topic being put on the shelf, and this article about the true gospel being penned instead. The quote comes from an essay entitled “Ecclesial Deism,” written by Bryan Cross, a former Protestant who converted to Catholicism. In his essay, he wrote:

The Mormons believed that the true gospel was recovered in the early nineteenth century by Joseph Smith. I believed, as a Reformed Protestant, that the true gospel was recovered in the early sixteenth century by Martin Luther.

Never Lost: The True Gospel Survived Every Attempt at Apostasy

Even Among The Rulers – Jewish Leaders Who Believed

Jewish Religious leaders
via Gemini

The apostle John, recording a discourse of Jesus before the people of Judea stated:

…even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue… (John 12:42)

The religious leaders of the Jews are often portrayed as a crowd of unbelievers, and rightly so, for that was the manner of most. And yet, John speaks of some who did believe in Jesus. As we look in the gospel accounts, we will see occasional references to these rulers who believed, most of whom did not openly display their faith in the Lord.

Even Among The Rulers – Jewish Leaders Who Believed

Jephthah’s Vow: A Promise Made to the Lord

Jephthah gave his word
via StockSnap | Pixabay.com

The words in our title today were spoken by Jephthah, a judge in Israel. This man made a foolish vow to the LORD, stating,

If You will indeed deliver the people of Ammon into my hands, then it will be that whatever comes out of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the people of Ammon, shall surely be the LORD’s; and I will offer it up as a burnt offering. (Judges 11:30-31)

Jephthah’s Vow: A Promise Made to the Lord

Book Burning in Acts 19: An Act of Repentance

burning
via Movidagrafica | Pixabay.com

We noted last week that the burning of books has a long history, and has particularly been associated with protest or disapproval of religious movements. We concluded such an action to be unwise at best, and perhaps sinful at worst. Burning books is a sure way to burn bridges of communication, and results in the perpetuation of hate rather than the pursuit of peace. This form of burning books has no place in the Christian’s activities.

Book Burning in Acts 19: An Act of Repentance

The Spiritual Water Cycle: How the Bible Produces Growth in You

water cycle
via gpm.nasa.gov/education/water-cycle

Hydrogeology is the science of water cycle and distribution through the earth. Consider a simple description of the cycle:

  1. The ground is watered by the falling rain and snow;
  2. The water runs off into the oceans by the river system;
  3. Then the water returns to the sky by the process of evaporation.

With the water back in the sky, it is set to fall yet again.

The prophet Isaiah uses the hydrological cycle to tell us about the working of God’s word. Consider:

The Spiritual Water Cycle: How the Bible Produces Growth in You

A Pillar of Salt: A Warning from Lot’s Wife

Pillar of salt
via Federico Bottos | Unsplash.com

On the western shore of the Dead Sea, on Jebel Usdum (the Hill of Sodom), is a pillar of salt known as Lot’s wife. Is it her? I don’t know. What I know is that there is a lesson about faith and obedience to learn from her.

Lot’s family were warned,

Escape for your life! Do not look behind you… (Genesis 19:17)

A Pillar of Salt: A Warning from Lot’s Wife
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