Grab Some Salt

Saturday, ‎March ‎4, ‎2023

Good morning, Lord

Verse of the Day: 49 For everyone will be salted with fire. Mark 9:49

Memory of the Month: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Today's reading: NUMBERS 29-31 MARK 9:1-29

Have Some Salt In Yourself...

Jesus was hard to comprehend at times because He wants our study to be challenging. He had some hard sayings and sometimes taught in parables.

The gospel of Mark, chapter 9, gave me pause and still does. At the end of the chapter, Jesus says that "everyone will be salted with fire". Fire means struggle and hard work and trials. But Jesus does not continue speaking of the fire but says, "50 Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again?"

Struggle brings out the best and the worst in us-the best and the worst. Sudden challenge and threat can cause fear and adrenaline release. At this point the fire of struggle-the salt-has brought either fight or flight. We can either stand and face and burn the adrenaline in a positive way or we turn and run from the challenge and waste the salt.

Back in verses 33-37 the disciples were arguing who was greatest among them and would not admit it to Jesus. He knew so and sat them down for some solid thoughts and said, "Whoever wants to be first must be last-must serve..." He went on to answer a question about their jealousy of someone else out of the group doing ministry in Jesus' name saying, "If they are not against us, they are for us." Then He talked about accepting children and ministry to them and how very serious that ministry is.

The chapter ends with Jesus saying, "Have some salt in yourselves." In other words, 'salt self' or have some divine principle-get your eyes off of self and petty jealousy of each other and others outside our group and get your eyes on the reason- "I(Jesus) am here-and don't lose that focus or you are like stale, worthless salt. Let Me show you how to turn your fear into force-and face life 'salty'-and, at the same time, be tender and merciful-all in My name-not yours."

Jesus wants our eyes off us and on Him and His desires and His kingdom's ministry. We cannot afford to waste 'salt', (time, energy, and blessings) on self motivated thinking.

Have some salt in yourself.

...because He loves us...

Father in Heaven,

Forgive my jealousy and putting my desire before Yours. Refocus my mind on what You want me to do.

Merciful and great God!

In the name of Jesus,

Amen