Tuesday's SOAP - Matthew 5:13-16

¹³ “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. ¹⁴ “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

S(cripture) - In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.


O(bservation) - salt and light.  I memorized 14-16 almost 20 years ago for a class practicum on worship.  I think it has formed me and my ministry.  Do good. Live good. Shine light.  Let people notice God in you.  Why does such a simple practice become so uncommon?  Are we Christians noticed for doing good?  Are we so inconsistent that our lighting the darkness is accompanied by frequent blackouts?   Some how I think if every Christ-follower would do one good thing a day - one thing where God gets noticed through us we could change the world.  Mother Theresa said, "small things done with great love will change the world." 

A(pplication) - It shouldn't require a servant evangelism event or mission project to have us be intentional in doing good - good deeds should be woven in the very fabric of our lives.  Get's to that discussion on "Core Praxis" (you read it right?) with a call to bless others 3x per week.  Do you wake up in the morning thinking - who can I bless today?  Where can I shine Christ's light?  What would happen if you did?  What would our churches look like?  the Vine?

P(rayer) - Abba, build into us the habit that Jesus offered to all those who heard his first sermon.  Please restore our saltiness.  Open our eyes to the opportunities to bless others daily.  Abba, give me an opportunity this day to let others see Christ in me.  Amen.