Our Goal is to be in God's Mission
Matthew 5:13-16
Salt and Light
“You are the light of the world…
let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
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.
Pondering Point
Jesus compares His disciples to a city on a hill or a lamp in a house, bringing light to our surroundings. It makes sense to have a lamp strategically placed in a home for greatest impact, and a city placed on a hill for best view. Similarly God has you strategically placed in your setting. But also hear this: A city doesn’t force itself to muster up light, it simply emanates it while operating as a city. A lamp does not think “I must produce light!” but rather does so as part of its nature. Once in Christ, as followers we (by our spiritual nature) produce a godly light. May God be glorified in the light produced from within us. Amen!
Prayer
Father God, in my spirit I accept the truth of Your Son Jesus that I am a light in this world. Let Your Spirit fill my spirit that I might shine with Your love, displaying a facet of Your own heart and will to others. Amen.
Micro-Meditation
Psalm 103:13-18
- As a father has compassion on his children,
so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; - for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust. - The life of mortals is like grass,
they flourish like a flower of the field; - the wind blows over it and it is gone,
and its place remembers it no more. - But from everlasting to everlasting
the Lord’s love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children’s children— - with those who keep his covenant
and remember to obey his precepts.
Read the versus of the Psalm.
Mark the words or phrases that catch your attention.
Meditate: talk (or better, write) with God about those words. Ask him to impress things upon your heart and mind; expect responses.
Teaching or Command of God
Deuteronomy 10:12
And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul…
The Promise
1 John 3:1
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are.
Pondering Point
You have a Father in Heaven, one that is compassionate. That is plenty to ponder today.