2 Samuel 9:3 - Showing kindness

The king asked, “Is there no one still alive from the house of Saul to whom I can show God’s kindness?”  Ziba answered the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is lame in both feet.”

Giving to a good cause or donating to an organization are great things to do, but have you ever sought out someone to show kindness to? David took the time to seek out a relative of his good friend Jonathan to whom he could show God's kindness. This may be something we think of doing at Christmas or Thanksgiving, but there are always those around us in need, we just have to open our eyes to see them.

Lord, thank you for your loving kindness to us. Please show us someone to whom we can show your kindness. Amen

1 Corinthians 12:5 - Spiritual Gifts

There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.

This passage is referring to spiritual gifts or talents. I am not convinced that today these talents are received miraculously as they were in the first century, but almost all of the gifts listed are talents which can be studied and learned (healing, languages, etc). People who move into these fields often have a natural ability which leads them in this direction. I think this is just as much a gift as it was in the first century and has the same purpose of the common good (v.7). So, whatever you are good at, whatever you have studied and mastered, it is a gift from the Lord. Use your gift to serve him!

Lord, thank you for giving us gifts and opportunities to serve. Please help us to use our gifts to your glory and for the common good. Amen.

Psalm 109:31 - Standing at the right hand of the needy

For he stands at the right hand of the needy,
     to save their lives from those who would condemn them.

Psalm 109 is a plea for help in the face of an enemy who has slandered David, the author. This last verse of thanks to God reminds me of a project my brother and his family are working on. If God is concerned about the needy and works to protect them, then we should do this also. About two years ago a need was recognized by a friend and fellow Christian. This friend went to a laundry mat in their town and was frustrated to see how run down it was. Most of the machines didn't work and often took money from the patrons. That experience started a chain of events ending in the construction of  a top of the line laundry facility to serve this particular neighborhood. Wash This Way seeks to provide a place to do laundry in a safe, dignified and respectful environment. Thanks Mike Reppart and family for standing at the right hand of the needy.

Lord, thank you for showing us needs in our community. Please help us to fill those needs. Amen.

Matthew 5:13-16 - Bible Study Challenge Day 6

“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.  “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 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. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

John liked The Message version of part of verse 13 "You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth."

Question 1 - Why was salt so important when this was written?
(This one is all John!) Because salt preserved food.  All through history the availability of salt has been pivotal to civilization. The word "salary" comes from the Latin word for salt because the Roman Legions were sometimes paid in salt, which was quite literally worth its weight in gold. In Britain, the suffix "-wich" in a placename means it was once a source of salt, as in Sandwich and Norwich.

Question 2 - How will you let your light shine this week?
John said he is giving platelets and sharing his good health with others. I enjoy writing this blog and posting only uplifting things on Facebook. Another way we both let our light shine is at work. He works with college students and I work with seniors with memory care issues and we both have co-workers. I think the people we work with know us better than most people because we go through so much together and reveal our true selves to them. Our reactions to situations are key in showing who we really are and letting our light shine or not.

Question 3 - How can someone's seeing your Christian example help them to glorify Christ?
When we are open about our Christianity, there are others around us who may also be Christians, but are not as open with their faith. We give them the OK to act like a Christian, that they are not going to be belittled or persecuted for their beliefs. They are comfortable talking to us about faith and this may encourage us both to grow stronger and more bold in glorifying Christ.

Lord, thank you for making us salt to season and light to shine. Please help us to use our saltiness and light to glorify you. Amen.