How Can You Be the Person God Intended?

In Matthew 5:13 Jesus encourages us to be salt and light. Salt had the potential to keep meat pure as well as to enhance the flavor of food. Jesus prompts us to be his pure voice in what comprises our world.

Jesus used the symbol of light to remind us that we reflect the light of Jesus in our circle of activity. Jesus asks, “Where is the salt? Where is the light?” It’s difficult to remember what Jesus intends for us to be in a world of distractions.

1 Samuel 28 describes how Saul, King of Israel, permitted trust for God to lapse into careless disregard by seeking help from a woman who promised she could call up Samuel’s spirit from his grave. Saul needed Samuel’s advice, for he had abandoned his relationship with God by refusing to be salt and light as God intended. 

Being salt and light is a choice to love and serve God with your entire self.

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God has made us what we are. He has created us in Christ Jesus to live lives filled with good works that he has prepared for us to do.

~Ephesians 2:10 God’s Word Translation

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Do You Hate or Enjoy Life's Schedules?

The schedules for school, work, and home require structure for our lives, plus they appropriately provide meaning and purpose for us. We as individuals need definite times and places to be meaningfully engaged in life. We need loved ones to go home to, where love and affection are shared.

I realize life isn’t always pleasant or kind, so we may have to endure some stressed out ways of managing daily life and responsibilities. What’s amazing is how God has created us to be adaptable so we can feel joy by realizing he faithfully provides for our needs.

Even Jesus needed time to rest so he then could put himself back out into the world of people and work. God intended for us to do the work he designed for us, which includes being the salt of the earth and light of the world. This means letting others see what God can do with a life that’s dedicated to serving him. Be that person God has called.

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The Lord guides us in the way we should go and protects those who please him. If they fall, they will not stay down, because the Lord will help them up.

~Psalm 37:23-24 Good News Bible

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Will We Accept God's Strength and Hope During Uncertainty?

Isaiah acknowledged that the deliverer of God’s people would be known as Mighty God, whose reign would endure for all generations. In addition to being the Mighty God, Jesus is also the Light of the World in whom there is no darkness. For this reason, as we learn to accept him, we can possess hope and joy in the presence of an uncertain future.

Let us give thanks to Jesus, our Mighty God, whose light permanently brightens our way, enabling us to cope with a hurried, demanding, and stressful world. This is God’s wonderful gift to you as you celebrate Christmas. So Merry Christmas! May God bless you.  

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For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder. These will be his royal titles: … “The Mighty God,” …

~Isaiah 9:6 The Living Bible

… Cheer up, don’t be afraid. For the Lord your God has arrived to live among you. He is a mighty Savior. He will give you victory. He will rejoice over you in great gladness; he will love you and not accuse you.

~Zephaniah 3:16-17 The Living Bible

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in your faith, that by the power of the Holy Spirit, your whole life and outlook may be radiant with hope.

~Romans 15:13 Phillips – New Testament in Modern English

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From Saturday, December 21 through Christmas Day, blogs are posted daily to coincide with KHCB radio's special music and short devotional programming, "Five Days of Christmas". 

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Subscribe to the Attitudes Answers podcast on your favorite podcast platform to hear this and other 2-minute features 3 days every week.

When in Darkness, Seek the Light

At the center of conflict is usually an internal struggle that hasn’t been worked out. If a struggle is fueled by guilt, any attempt to calm the strife will not be acceptable until confession and repentance are offered for the guilt. This is the pathway to inner peace and a clear conscience.

An extreme measure resorted to when facing guilt and shame is becoming self-destructive. Suicide is one attempt to silence the mental anguish of despair when nothing else alleviates the hopelessness and helplessness that have infiltrated one’s consciousness.

Take seriously anyone who speaks of suicide. They need to be heard and understood. Anyone experiencing such despair needs immediate medical and mental help. They need to understand solutions are possible. Even in great darkness, Jesus is the source of light, hope and forgiveness. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world and in me there is no darkness.” Accept that light right now. Seek out people who will provide help and hope. God bless you.  

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You light a lamp for me. The Lord, my God, lights up my darkness.

~Psalm 18:28 New Living Translation

Later, in one of his talks, Jesus said to the people, “I am the Light of the world. So if you follow me, you won’t be stumbling through the darkness, for living light will flood your path.”

~John 8:12 The Living Bible

Imagine the Possibilities: Take Action - Part 3

If we’re honest, it’s relatively easy to realize some changes need to be made in certain areas of life. For some folks, minor changes would be sufficient, but for others, a major overhaul would be needed if this acknowledgment were taken seriously. Can you imagine the first century apostles, evangelists, preachers and teachers as they turned the world upside down with their commitment to Jesus?

The task of change is related to three basic components: insight, endurance and action. Change may hit like a tornado or come gently and unexpectedly. Change does require energy and effort as well as determination to endure. Insight as an agent of change is knowledge gained either deliberately or accidentally.

Jesus said, "I am the light of the world.  In me there is no darkness." To those who comprehend and accept this challenge, a new world of experience awaits them. Jesus also said, “Take up your cross and follow me” to a different kind of experience, but one that honors and pleases God. This means Take Action. 

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You are invited to listen as I will be the guest on "Vital Issues in the Christian Home" next week on Thursday morning, May 19 from 10:30-11:30 Central Daylight Time on KHCB radio at 105.7 FM in the Houston area. To stream it live or for a listing of sister stations in TX, OK, LA, AR and FL, you may click on the KHCB link in the "About Me" section of this page.