For centuries, salt has been an essential part of human existence. At some point, it was used as currency in certain societies. While no longer used to buy and sell, its importance in cuisine and as a preservative has ensured its relevance till today. In fact, salt can be found in almost every home on the planet. While it is a naturally occurring compound, modern manufacturers often include additives in it. Some are to increase nutritional value, such as iodine for better thyroid health. Other chemicals such as anticaking agents are used to keep the product from clumping.
Given its significance to people everywhere, it is no surprise that salt makes its way into the Bible. It was used by Elisha to perform the miracle that cured the waters of Jericho (2 Kings 20). The term "covenant of salt" appears a few times, suggesting that salt represents loyalty and trust in an agreement between parties (Numbers 18:19; 2 Chronicles 13:5). Also, in Colossians 4:6, Apostle Paul advises that a Christian's conversations should be "seasoned with salt" meaning that they should be filled with wisdom and should not be unwholesome (Ephesians 4:29).
Even Jesus spoke of salt. He said in Luke 14:34 - Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? Here, He was speaking to His disciples, teaching them to be careful to not lose what makes them different from others. They had been filled and nurtured by their interactions with Jesus. They'd learned spiritual things that the average person didn't understand. Things that could and did transform not only their lives but the lives of others. These included healings, a deep understanding of the scripture, and other miracles.
How does this warning relate to us Christians today? What could cause us to lose our 'saltiness' and thereby lose our value?
As noted above, additives are included in modern salt. However, the wrong additives could cause salt to lose its flavor and become useless to the consumer. Similarly, believers must be careful to not be contaminated by the wrong 'additives'. There are things in this world intent on erasing everything Jesus has placed in us. These could be the content we watch, the posts we read, and the songs we listen to. A lot of the content out there is designed to make Christians forget the need for the Holy Spirit, the gifts of faith and patience, enticing them to resort to 'quicker' occult practices. Much of the ideas we interact with seek to convince us not to love others or know the word of God as Jesus instructed. Such things are depicted as unimportant and are in fact, despised.
And if we, as self-professing believers, aren't cautious, we'll allow these evil 'additives' into our lives. They will have us thinking attending church is irrelevant or that fellowship with others in the faith doesn't matter. We'll forget that we are called to give to the needy and will only focus on ourselves instead. Contamination will have a believer willfully disobeying God's instructions and living a life of sin, instead of walking each day, on the path of righteousness.
Then, the very things that made us spiritually salty become adulterated and lose their savor. And the many things we could have done for God's kingdom on earth all of a sudden never take place. In that case, satan wins, keeping us from being fully effective for the Lord and a problem for hell.
May the Lord help us to remain spiritually salty for Him. May we live as the salt of the earth - an instrument that brings flavor, preserves, and retains its flavor for the purposes of God Almighty, IJMN, Amen.
See you at Noon EST for fellowship.
To learn more on this topic, please read these related messages
Father, we lift up our veterans as well as those currently in service. They have placed themselves on the line, standing in between us and others who would mean us harm.
God, I pray Your special grace will rest upon these ones. For those in the service who are yet to meet You, I pray they will come to know You and be blessed.
And for those who paid the ultimate sacrifice with their lives, I call on You to grant grace and peace to their loved ones. Help them, good Lord and have mercy, IJMN, Amen.
From M22 - Thank you Abba for every single one of us offline and online today. Thank you Lord for bringing us together despite our schedules. May we never be too busy to find time for you Abba. I pray that you will see is through the rest of this week IJMN amen.
From BI - Heavenly Father, I give thanks to You for the life of sis @aw’s mum. I thank You for being the God that stays close to the broken-hearted. I pray that sis @AW and her family find solace in You. Lord, empower them to get through this period. Wipe away every tear and soothe their pain. Lead them to Your light and transcending peace IJMN Amen
From M22 - Abba I pray for @amandawoodward and everyone grieving from the loss of a loved one. I pray that you Abba will comfort, strengthen and console them. I pray Abba that you will fill that void in their lives. I pray that when they cry or ever feel overwhelmed, they can be vulnerable in your presence knowing you are holding their hands as they come to terms with grief IJMN amen.
LAST 10 MINUTES
We have praised the Lord and prayed for others. Now, we should pray for ourselves.
Having read today's message, do you think you are at risk of losing your spiritual saltiness? Personally, I think all of us are and it is only because of the grace of God that we are not consumed by the evil of this world. I am reminded of the scripture in 1 Corinthians 10:12 - So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!
As a result, my confidence is not in my own ability, but in the faithfulness of Jesus Christ to help me be blameless on the day of judgment. As noted on Tuesday, Jesus has a vested interest in helping us become pleasing to His Father and will go to any length to ensure we achieve it.
Let us pray:
Lord Jesus, thank You for being invested in my spiritual success. I call on You to help me so that I retain what You have placed in me. I want to remain salty for the Lord's Kingdom so I may achieve His plan and purpose for me. Guide me and please cover me, keeping me from worthless things that seek to contaminate my flavor, IJMN, Amen.
Good God, You are the Almighty. Nobody compares to You. Father, thank You for hearing my prayer for people that they come to a knowledge of You as You promised in Jeremiah 24:7. Thank You for giving people a desire for You. Thank You for whetting their appetites for more of You. Thank You for letting hearts clamor for You. Thank You for kindly pouring out Your Spirit on all mankind in accordance with Your word in Joel 2:28. Be glorified, Lord our Redeemer.
Now and forever more, IJMN, Amen.
From M22 - Abba I pray for @AC and everyone that is ill. I pray that your healing power permeates every inch of their body. I pray that you touch the hearts and minds of the medical staff to use the right drugs, treatments and procedures. I pray that you coordinate their hands and eyes as they go into surgery IJMN amen.
fROM m22 - Abba I pray for people struggling with homelessness and poverty. I know it's not your will for your children to struggle for their safety, provision and welfare. I pray Abba that you touch the hearts and minds of every philanthropist, church, organization, communities and governments to come together in solidarity to create abundant accomodations, opportunities and provisions for these people to lead better lives IJMN amen.
God, I put the underprivileged before You. Father, You are the beginning and the end and Your word can never return void (Revelation 1:8 & Isaiah 55:11). Father, intervene in the lives of the sick, the oppressed, the weary, the broken-hearted, the foreigner, the stranger, the homeless, the hungry and thirsty, the naked, the orphan and widow.
Lord, let them know You are on their side. The devil seeks to steal, kill and destroy but You Lord? You came to bring an abundance of life and blessings (John 10:10). Let those who feel a dark cloud over them see Your light. Let them be recipients of Your grace and mercy.
Glory to You, my Lord! I pray IJMN, Amen.
From M22 - Abba I pray for people stuck in abusive situations, I pray that you send helpers to rescue them. I pray Abba that you move them into spaces or communities where they are loved, nurtured, provided for and I pray that you restore their sense of self, safety, confidence and trust. I pray that they will never have to go through such horror again IJMN amen.
From sis FJ - Hmm Abba thank you for being our very present help in times of trouble. I ask that you would remember your words in Psalm 91: angels will bear you up do your feet doing strike a stone. I pray for angelic help for my brethren today. In Jesus name, amen.
fROM m22 - Abba I pray for couples seeking the fruit of that womb, that you bless them with beautiful and healthy babies. Help them nourish and nurture their babies IJMN amen. I pray that they'll grow up to become amazing kids, they will follow your ways and advance your kingdom on earth IJMN amen.
From BI - Lord, please provide for Your children who are struggling with the rising costs of living. Open all financial doors for them so they not only survive but thrive. Elevate them in their careers and businesses. I pray You bless the work of their hands so they reap a bountiful harvest all to Your glory IJMN Amen.
Abba Father, I turn to Psalm 126 to pray for Your promised restoration. The word states 4 Restore our fortunes, Lord, like streams in the Negev. 5 Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. 6 Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.
Lord, satan wants to stand in the way of Your promises but the Bible tells me You are the Covenant Keeping God (Psalm 105:8).
As such, Sovereign Lord, bring Your children into their double restoration by Your grace and to Your glory, IJMN, Amen.
John 9:31 - We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will.
Lord, You are the Beginning and the End. Before You, there was no other and after You, there shall be none.
The accuser may think it has valid arguments against Your children, but praise be to the Lord who restores in His grace and mercy!
Heavenly Father, we call on You to forgive Your people of our sins. Psalm 25:11 - For the sake of your name, LORD, forgive my iniquity, though it is great. Give more grace to obey Your word and leave sins behind. Help Your people to constantly repent and be washed clean in the sacrificial blood of the Lamb.
Help Your children to be godly people so that they live lives that please You and make petitions that receive Your favorable response. All to Your glory and by Your grace, IJN, Amen.
PRAYER TIME
For the next 25 minutes, let us put our personal needs to the side and lift up others in prayer.
Call on the Lord to bless your fellow P&P participants, pray for your nation, or pray for your friends. Ask God to help people so they do not lose their spiritual saltiness.
Please remember to also pray for sister AW 's family if you are yet to.
Keep the following scripture in mind -
Job 42:10 - After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before.
1 Corinthians 1:4 - I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.
Thank You, Lord, for the grace You grant to my fellow P&P participants. I appreciate Your kindness. It is this grace that enables them to show up twice a week so we can all honor You in fellowship.
Glory be to Your Holy Name!
Father, I want to thank You because what the enemy meant for frustration I am giving You thanks for!!
I am grateful Lord, for Your faithfulness. Every time the devil tries to attack, I'm sent closer and deeper into You. Hallelujah!
Thank You so much for enabling me to recall and rewrite today's message after 'losing' it. This isn't the first time the devil has tried this mode of attack but I thank You that as always, I need not fear because my God handled things excellently.
Glory be to God in the highest!!!
From M22 - Thank you Abba for being a dependable God's thank you Abba for your promise in Isaiah 40:31. I bless you Abba for every single Pepper both online and offline. Amen.
Thank You for never forgetting us, dear Lord. Indeed, the Bible notes in Psalm 8:4 - what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?
Also, we are told in Isaiah 49:15 - “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!
Great and Mighty King, despite the fact that we are mere dust, we are front and center of Your mind. And, You stretch out Your hand over us for our protection. Hallelujah be unto You, Redeemer!
Lord, I want to thank You for @AW and her family. I know that they are in a tough season, but I thank You for all the loving care they gave to her mother. I thank You for Mama Amanda Woodward and all the memories they have of her. I thank You for blessing them with the capacity to send her off well and in a manner befitting her. Thank You for helping them.
Continue to help them, God. Take all the glory and the praise for what You have done, are doing and will do in their lives.
Hallelujah!
From BI - Thank You Abba for showing up and showing off. Thank You for blessing me with more than I need. You are a wonderful Father who does not treat me as my sins deserve. God of Yes and Amen, I thank You for yesterday, today and forever.
PRAISE TIME
Glory to God in the highest! Father, we thank You for bringing us together to honor You with praise today.
Let us worship God and lift His name up. Let us appreciate Him for all He's done for us as well as others. Let us be grateful for what He's about to do for us.
From BNB - Hi sis AW,
My condolences on the loss of your mother. I lost my father 11 years ago and it still feels like it happened yesterday. I recently experienced another huge loss almost three months ago. I’ve been living in grief ever since. Grief is heavy and has the power to encapsulate your life. I’m fighting to surrender my grief to God, but it is a constant struggle. Here is a prayer from my bible app that I turn to when my days get dark.
God, You see those who mourn, and You promise to comfort them. Please bring healing to our hearts when we grieve. Give hope to those feeling hopeless, and strength to anyone feeling overwhelmed. Show us how close You are in the midst of our mourning. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
From CMD - Hello everyone , sorry that I’ve been MIA but I hope all is well.
From M22 - Thank you Abba for another fellowship day. We give you all the glory, honour and praise Abba. I pray that we will never cease to pray and honour you Abba IJMN amen
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, I am saddened to share that one of our own recently lost her mother unexpectedly.@Amanda Woodward's mom passed on over a week ago. She has been laid to rest, and we must come together to support our fellow Pepper at this time.
Please lift herself and her family in prayers. Call on the Lord to strengthen them in their period of mourning and thank God for His mercies upon their lives.
From EC - Amen and good morning ladies!
From M22 - Thank you Abba for a brand new day! Thank you for your protection and preservation over our lives. Thank you Abba for your mercy, grace and forgiveness over our lives IJMN amen!
Thank you for today's word sis @FFJ . I really enjoyed today's word, even the smallest things are never trivial as we continue our walk with God. This world is programmed to soil our spiritual saltiness but I pray that our Abba will continue to grant us supernatural clarity and discernment to be able to move forward in our walk with him. I pray that he uproots whatever doesn't serve him in our lives and nourishes whatever will give glory and honour to him in our lives IJMN amen.
From BI - Thank You Abba Father for Your mercy that allows me to see this day. Thank You Lord for Your love, light, patience and forgiveness. I am grateful for Your signs and wonders. Your days of miracles are not yet over. Thank You for Your healing and transcending peace. To You Lord be all glory, honour and adoration.
Thank you for today's word sis @FFJ. May God keep us safe from all that seek to distract us from His word. I pray that the Holy Spirit grants us discernment to remove from our lives whatever will lead to us losing our saltiness. When people see us, may they see God's glory IJMN Amen.
Do you know Jesus? He died and rose for your sins and to free you from satan's clutches.
He sacrificed Himself on the cross, dying a painful and degrading death, in order to set every captive free. He did all this because His sacrifice guaranteed every human being freedom from hell. Through Him, we get our invitation to join Him and His Father in heaven when we depart from this life.
No one gets to the Father except through His Son (John 14:6). You might be wishing for a better relationship with God. One where you display the fear of the Lord and reap the benefits. Why not seek to come to the Lord through His Son? Jesus intercedes on our behalf before the Lord and He's exactly who you need right now.
So, why don't we sincerely pray to invite Him into our lives? If you've already welcomed Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, congrats! Nevertheless, use this opportunity to recommit to Him and pray for those who are committing to follow Him for the very first time.
Jesus. Thank You for dying a painful death on the cross for my sins. I admit I am a sinner and repent for all of my sinful ways. Thank You for Your sacrifice washes me clean and takes me out of the devil's clutches and into God's embrace. From today, I commit to follow You and to let You lead me to my Lord so I may be seated in heavenly places with You. Thank You for caring so much about me, IJN, I pray, Amen.
As you've prayed, you've dropped the yoke of sin satan placed on you. You are now a bona fide child of God. It is time to give Him thanks, and read His word in the Bible so you can learn what it takes to walk with the Lord. You can start by reading the Epistle of John, the Book of Acts and the Book of Romans. I pray they build your faith and understanding. Find a Bible-believing congregation (in person or virtual) and dive into the goodness of God.
May the Lord bless and keep you! Welcome into His love! The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!
Check out bit.ly/2TUlalj for more.
And consider watching this series (click on the text) on the fundamentals of the Christian faith.
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