Corona Devo 325

 “For everyone will be tested with fire. (50) Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? You must have the qualities of salt among yourselves and live in peace with each other.”  ~Mark 9:49-50

Lord, it sure feels as though we are being tested.  And some of us more than others.  

I have always admired the story of Mike Lindell, founder of "MyPillow".  His story of success contains temptation, failure, hard work and a huge portion of God's grace, just like yours and mine.  

Have you tried one of these pillows?  My "My Pillow" certainly helps me sleep in heavenly peace but I also love the inspiration, testimony and hard work behind how the product came to be.  "You must have the qualities of salt among yourselves...” (Mark 9:50).  This Christian persevering and succeeding encourages me. 

“For everyone will be tested with fire.  ~Mark 9:49

But Mr. Lindell has been tested with fire lately.  Initially because of his political opinion, but the ridicule has bubbled over into Christian criticism and pure ostracization.  The daily satirical cartoons and "articles" that jeer at this man who (generally) embodies the story of the American Dream, make me sad for Mike Lindell.  But I have also read between the lines.  The underlying story tells of an attack on our Christian faith (collectively and across denominations) and his testing is a test for American Christians as well.  We must stay vigilant about maintaining our saltiness for Christ. 

There is a new narrative in America today, and I don't remember it yesterday.  Those with Biblical foundations and thinking are labeled as "small-minded", "ultra-conservative" and "non-inclusive".  But isn't banning someone's opinion or ridiculing their faith all of those things?  

Mr. Lindell has been suspended from Twitter and his products have been pulled from the shelves of Bed, Bath and Beyond and Kohl's.  “For everyone will be tested with fire (Mark 9:49)  He is absolutely being tested with fire.  

But don't be so quick to flip-the-channel or turn-the-page and tsk, "Poor Mr. Lindell."  His story is our story too.  Do you work hard for a living, believe in God, and feel patriotic about America?  Mike Lindell's story is our story too.  We are also being tested with fire.

Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? You must have the qualities of salt among yourselves and live in peace with each other.”  ~Mark 9:50

Salt is good for seasoning.  Salt changes the complete flavor and outcome of a dish.  We can flavor each other for Christ, and now is the time!  This verse is referring to our "saltiness" in Christ and for Christ.  We can absolutely flavor or season a conversation or situation and make-it-better with Christ.  Jesus heals circumstances and people with His Word and His promise for our lives.  We are His children sent to do the very same thing.  We can be Jesus-influencers.  We can bring the saltiness-of-Christ into our conversations and dilemmas.  Jesus changes the flavor and the outcome of us and others through us.

But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again?" ~Mark 9:50

Are we feeling like we have been "losing our flavor" lately?  Like our spice and zest has been lost?

Do not be discouraged.  Do not be shut down or shut up.  How do you make it salty again? (Mark 9:50).

Jesus!  He is our salt.  Jesus has seasoned us and His Word packs a punch every time we sink our teeth and hearts into it.  And as His followers, it is our job and privilege to make each other salty again.  

Followers of Jesus have always experienced the fires of testing.  But in Christ, let us persevere today, and persevere together!   You must have the qualities of salt among yourselves and live in peace with each other.”  ~Mark 9:50

We DO have the qualities of salt among ourselves!  Do you know strong Christians?  Not the ones just walking in and out of church on Sunday's, but those walking in faith daily with Jesus.  Reading God's word and allowing it to shape their lives?  They are salty!  You must have the qualities of salt among yourselves.  We should seek these followers out and let their salt rub off on us.  Let your salt rub off on them!  This is how we encourage, sharpen and season each other in the Lord!

You must have the qualities of salt among yourselves and live in peace with each other.”  ~Mark 9:50

God's go-to is always peace.  Arguing, anger and violence never solve anything or create bridges.  But God's saltiness coupled with peace will.  

“For everyone will be tested with fire. (50) Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? You must have the qualities of salt among yourselves and live in peace with each other.”  ~Mark 9:49-50

The testing is here.  But so is our salt.  Don't lose your flavor!  Instead be encouraged and seasoned by other believers and by the Lord Himself.  This way we can sleep in His peace no matter what kind of pillow we have.  

Blessings,

sarah

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com/


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Corona Devo 1156

Image
At work, we provide Trainings for customers, so that they can be updated and educated on all of the latest features (and how to use them) within our product.  Many companies do this--sharing "Best Practices" are a way to ensure positive outcomes on the customer and vendor sides of things. My kids often offer me "life hacks" that they have learned from watching an online video promising to "save time" and "make your life easier".  And just this week, my husband enlightened me about the "tear-away" feature built into most plastic rings holding cans/bottles of pop or Gatorade together.  When separated, the plastic rips open easily, releasing the bottle--saving wildlife that might be caught if it is discarded as trash, and saving me  frustration or angst because I no longer have to pull with all my might to get a bottle out of the plastic rings.  ( Who knew? )  Life hacks do save time and make your life easier! Who couldn't benefit from
Read more

Corona Devo 1217

Image
The unanswered “why’s” of life, the disorder of our days, and even the unfairness of our struggles can cause us to question ourselves and also to question our God. But the order-of-Creation and the systems that God has set in place are undeniable answers that swing back and forth like God’s pendulum-reminder that He set the world in motion, and He continues to keep order, even when it seems as if we and our world are in dis- order.   Job was a man going through some heavy and hard stuff.   Maybe we are too.   Job’s trials had caused him to question the order of life, and possibly God’s dominion over it.   We can relate.   The “Why’s?” and the “Why Me’s” can stack up in our minds and hearts, but like a parent exercising loving-authority over a child, God reminds Job and us--of His power, omniscience and of His ultimate authority over everything: Creation… and us today .   Then the  Lord  answered Job from the whirlwind: (2) “Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ig
Read more

Corona Devo 991

Running low on " good things " today?  Doesn't it (sometimes) seem like/trend like/read like/tweet like/water-cooler-chat or backyard-fence-visit like/intimidate like/depress like... there are no  good things in the land? . I know. It's no secret that many have abandoned  the Law of the  Lord,  and at times, that's us .   It is evident all around us that people have  followed each other  in this sin.  When we look around...or when we live our days...we can wonder: Are there  any  good things  left in the land? There are still some good things in the land ...and no matter how bleak we feel the "forecast" for today is...there will always  be  some good things in the land, because God is in the land.   T he Bible reminds us of that today.   ~~~ The Israelites (and their king, Rehoboam ) were God's people, but like all of us at times/seasons of our lives...they wandered from Lord and His ways.  They relaxed in their allegiance to the Lord, and then the
Read more