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Hear the devotional here: https://anchor.fm/eradio-valverde/episodes/Power-and-Light-e1ubf3b
View devotional here: https://www.tiktok.com/@eradiovalverde/video/7195406033668328746?lang=en
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:13-20 NIV)
Welcome back to ConCafe, Friend! I say that to you, and to me! Man, whatever virus or bug is out there, avoid it at all costs! I thank God I am back amongst the living, for the most part, but thankful I can see well enough to type this devotional. I had pink eye in both eyes and as an added bonus, an upper respiratory infection. I thank you all for your prayers and good thoughts. Please continue to pray for Nellie as she's a couple of steps behind me and your prayers will bless her. Pray for others who may have the "joy" of this illness as I've heard there are many out there with it. Also, please pray for those who are in the cold spots of this winter, especially here in our area. Please pray and do something, if you can, for the homeless or the shelters that help house them. Donate coats and blankets if you can. Pray for one another. Pray for the needs of the world.
One of my favorite worship services is the Christmas Eve service when we begin lighting candles. Even as a child when old enough to hold my own candle, I was thrilled to no end in being a part of that which broke the darkness. I have thanked God that even my youngest grandkids can relate to what is happening. I also remember when the opposite takes place and the very first time I tried a Tenebrae Service, I did so in a church that had never had one before. On this particular night our head usher was running late and he came in when we were almost in total darkness. He entered and said rather loudly, "Why is it so dark in here?" and proceeded to turn on all the lights! Thankfully, his daughter was the SPRC Chair and she ran to quickly correct Daddy and what he had done.
We find ourselves at the second part of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. After Jesus shared what God offers to us, Jesus tells us what is expected of us as believers. With the words of encouragement of what God provides, now it's out turn to turn on the power and light! Jesus says we are the salt of the earth. Our lifestyle when in step with God's righteousness allows us to season life in a positive way. Jesus knew that the people related to the main purpose of salt as seasoning in daily life. Nothing ruins a meal like a meal with no salt. I've shared how my first attempt at a carne guisada I added all the spices that I knew the meat required, but the one ingredient that I forgot was the salt. There is no such thing as trying to cook in salt after you miss that window of when it should be there. And table salt after the meal is served is useless. William Barclay's multi-volume Daily Study Bible on this passage also sahres how salt is also used as a preservative, which called to my mind the number of old Western movies where meat was coated in salt to help keep it from spoiling too early. Apply that to daily life. The third use, and this very common in Jesus' day was the use of salt as a coat of insulation in the ovens of the day. A well spread layer of salt along the bottom of the oven helped the heat spread evenly to better cook the meal being prepared. How would that impact daily life by believers towards the pre-believers?
The other impact Jesus says we can have is to be the light the world so desperately needs. We should live in such a powerful way that cannot be hidden because of the impact we can have on nonbelievers. Our light, that is our strong faith, should be shared in ways that encourage others to join in and become believers as well. Jesus tells the crowd as well as us, that His mission was not to abolish anything, but to fulfill the law. Jesus knew no one was even trying to build up the law; God's love behind the law was not being taught nor demonstrated; the emphasis was on the do not's of the law as interpreted by the religious leaders of the time. Jesus' treatment of the law showed the depth of His understanding and commitment to God's intent behind each commandment and law. We are called not only to discover the love behind the law but also to show that love to every person, without exception or distinction. We are called to righteousness to reach all people.
PRAYER: Loving God, empower us to live and love like You. May we be open to your leading and nudges to bless others. Truly help us to add seasoning, flavor, preservation, and fullness to life. May our lives reflect Your love; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Shine forth the Light of Jesus to all.
Receive my blessings of love and peace,
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
