Matthew 5:13 - “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.”

I’m a fairly good cook, and baking is one of my favorite hobbies. Any baker knows that in baking if you put the wrong ingredients into the mix, you’ll usually end up with results that can’t be eaten.

Once when I was baking, I wasn’t paying attention to what I was putting in my banana bread recipe and put in salt, instead of sugar. Well, you can imagine what that tasted like.

Salt has its purpose. It is typically used to season savory foods or to balance out baked goods.

But, what happens when salt loses its flavor? Well, it’s not really good for anything.

As a Christian, we are to be that one ingredient in every day life that makes a difference. We should be visible and mixed in with society, so that others can see a difference, and wonder why we’re so different than most.

If salt loses its taste, it can’t be restored. It has to be thrown out.

Don’t let your light burn out; don’t let your testimony go stale.

Be a witness to everyone in your path today.

Spice up the journey; show others the love of Christ today.

Some people can be real convincing when it comes to their beliefs, to the point you may be questioning your own.

Jesus warned us about people claiming one thing and professing another. A wolf in sheep’s clothing.

As I grew into my early teenage years, I was one of those girls who wanted to be liked, so I would go along with the crowd, just to fit in. This got me in a lot of trouble. Anyone could talk me into anything. I was naive and gullible.

By the grace of God, He plucked me out of this dead-end road and saved me at the age of sixteen.

I was convinced beyond a shadow of doubt that God saved my life. The problem was, I was just a baby in my faith. I struggled in living this new life. A few seasoned Christians tried encouraging me, but I lacked the confidence I needed in this new role in life.

And just as a toddler can be convinced to try something new, Satan can find a weak link in your faith and step right in. He will convince you that the sin is not that bad; everyone’s doing it.

Don’t fall for Satan’s schemes. Don’t be wishy/washy in your faith.

Stay committed to serving Christ, learning more about Him through His word and ask for help when things get out of control.

Ephesians 4:14 - “Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.”

Proverbs 16:3 - “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”

Commitment is defined as the state or quality of being dedicated to a cause, activity, etc.

Commitment is a part of every day life. You’re committed to a job, kids, spouse, etc.

When you surrender and give your life to Christ, you become committed, dedicated to a life different than what you had before.

Once you accept the gift of eternal life, you want to do things pleasing to God. You have new desires, such as reading the Bible and serving others.

Just as you do in any new relationship, you want to learn more about the other person.

God already knows your heart so you can’t fake it with Him.

As it says in the scripture above, when you’re committed to Christ, He will make a way in your journey. He will get you further than you could on your own.

Commit to Christ today.

You’ll be glad you did.

Have you noticed that nothing’s free in life? Well, there is one free gift I’ll talk about later, but as far as material possessions, status or position, nothing comes without a cost.

So it is with opportunities. If you’re a Christian, you know that even if opposition comes with opportunity, God is in the midst, to comfort and guide us.

We all long for peace and God does promise peace, but He does not promise that there won’t be difficulties or obstacles along the way to greater opportunities.

It’s easy to follow Jesus when life is full of open doors and exciting opportunities. It’s when things don’t go as we expect that we tend to doubt God cares or is really in control.

Trust God, always. We will face disappointment and loss, hostility and heartache. It’s during these times that God uses the difficult circumstances to drive us closer to His promises and our desires.

God will never let you down. If the opportunity seems unreachable, understand that it’s all in God’s timing.

Look for opportunities and be ready for opposition.

Colossians 4:5-6 - “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

Starting on a new project can be daunting.

In the past, I have been known to restore furniture.  I love it when it’s completed and I can see the finished look.

What motivates you to get up each day?  Are you looking forward to your future?

If you’re a Christian, then you already have the motivation you need; a home in heaven.

After you give your life to Christ, He starts a new work in you.  He cleans up the old life and reveals to you the new blessings ahead you can experience.

If you don’t know what lies ahead, ask God.  Tell Him your desires and He promises that if it’s in line with His will for you, that it will come to pass.

Don’t give up when it gets difficult.  Most projects take time and care.

Eagerly expect in Christ’s return. In that day you will be complete; a completed person in Christ.

Paul wrote in Philippians that he was torn with the desire to depart this life to be with Christ, but knowing the necessity of preaching the gospel to the lost.

As I await Christ’s arrival, I can lavish in His love for me, until He completes me.

Philippians 1:6 - “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Black lights were the thing in my era. I would buy posters and put them on the wall, and when I turned on the blacklight, the picture lit up.

Then came the ‘glow in the dark’ bracelets, lights and other toys.

The purpose of these glow in the dark objects was to change the perception of the room; to bring light or contrast to the area.

As Christians, we should be the light in this dark world. Our presence should be uplifting when we walk into a room.

A smile, a song, or small words of encouragement can do more in one moment to those who are hurting or lonely.

Matthew 5:14-16 - “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.”

Just as we light a candle to bring light to a dark room, bring joy and laughter to those hurting today.

When people ask you how can you be so happy and peaceful in this depressing evil and angry society, tell them the story of how Jesus came to you when you had nothing left, or no one to turn to.

Before you can be a light to others, take a look at your own life. Ask God to reveal any sins you’ve been ignoring; ask Him for help in forgiving others and for help in changing your heart.

Be the light.

A window is an opening in the wall or roof that allows people to see out, and allows light to come in.

Referring back to the mission conference, the pastor talked about "#TGEN, which means, “this generation, every nation.” Still confused? He’s referring to how the early churches had the opportunity to reach all the lost people of the world, but they started letting other views come into their lives, which polluted the gospel and tore the church apart. This generation, the one we’re living in, has the opportunity to do this now. We can reach the lost. There are approximately 7000 unreached people groups that are waiting on us. What are we waiting on?

You might be thinking, “I can’t afford to go, or I can’t physically go.” Then, send someone; pray for someone. You can be a part of the generation that reaches the ends of the earth.

For Christians, this should be an exciting time, to think that our generation could be a part of reaching the 7000 people groups who have never heard the name Jesus. Once this goal is met, Jesus will return. Not may return, or we’re hoping He returns, but He says that He will return to take His believers home.

Matthew 28:18-20 - “And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Are you the light in the dark room? Can you look out over the world and see yourself witnessing to others, spreading God’s news and love around to all the nations?

Be the window, and let others see through you, God’s goodness. Be the generation that reaches the nations.

The Bible says in Romans 15:1 that we have an obligation to tell others about the good news of Jesus. We can all do this, but do we?

I attended a missions conference over the weekend and the message that I came away with was, “am I willing to be a part of God’s big plan?” The answer for me, is yes.

I’ve said this before; my first mission trip changed me. I never thought I could be so bold and step out in faith to tell others about Jesus. But, I did and the results in my life have been amazing.

God continues to bless me, more than I deserve.

This doesn’t mean that you have to travel to another country to tell someone about Jesus. It means you have to be willing to give and to serve others, no matter where you are geographically.

You can all do this, but will you? Quit living for yourself and be an ambassador for God, to go to all the nations and tell others the best news yet!

Romans 15:1 - “We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.”