Monday, February 10, 2025

Salt and Light

 By Andrea Merrell


You are the salt of the earth … You are the light of the world.

Matthew 5:13 & 16a



Jesus called us both salt and light, but what exactly does that mean?

These two basic elements give us practical examples of how we are to serve the Lord and share His presence with those around us.

My grandfather used to say, “Salt brings out the hidden flavors.” This is what the Message translation says (Matthew 5:13):

You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness?

Light, on the other hand, dispels the darkness. It illuminates the truth and reveals God to a dark and broken world. According to the Message (Matthew 5:14-15):

You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept … I’m putting you on a lampstand … Shine!

A song by the Williamsons, “Shake the Salt, Shine the Light,” is a fun reminder of how we are to live. I encourage you to take a moment and listen carefully to the simple but powerful words. (See link below.)

Our world is in chaos. Are you shaking the salt and letting your light shine?

 

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZXeIY3kX2k



Photo by Lachlan on Unsplash.com

Monday, February 3, 2025

A Lesson from Communion

 

By Andrea Merrell


For this purpose the Son of God was manifested,

that He might destroy the works of the devil.

1 John 3:8 NKJV

 


I raised the small communion cup to my lips and paused—in shock. Floating in the red liquid, symbolic of the shed blood of Jesus, was a dead fly.

My initial response was revulsion, but on the heels of that thought came another. Had I not just prayed and acknowledged the power in the blood of my Lord? This was clearly a practical example of how it destroys the work of the enemy of our soul, the Devil.

As I thought about the precious and priceless blood of our risen Savior, bits and pieces of old hymns came flooding into my mind. The only blood that could set me free. Wonder-working power. It washes away my sin. It’s a matter of placing our complete trust in Him as He shines the light on truth.

Sometimes God will use the smallest and seemingly insignificant scenarios to teach us a powerful lesson. In the same way, Jesus told stories and asked simple questions. He knelt to draw in the dirt, saving a woman’s life. He sent his disciples fishing to pay their taxes. He used mud to heal a blind man. He fed hundreds with a young boy’s lunch. He uses the trappings of our everyday, ordinary life to teach and guide.

I don’t think I’ll ever take communion again without remembering that fly, but more importantly, the words of Jesus: I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark” (John 12:46 NLT).


 Photo by CHUTTERSNAP on Unsplash


 

Monday, January 27, 2025

Three Keys to Finding Your True Self

 

By Andrea Merrell


By His divine power, God has given us everything we need 

for living a godly life.  2 Peter 1:3-4 NLT


For so many years of my life, I struggled with a lack of self-worth. I became a people-pleaser, trying to fit in and gain approval from those I thought had it all together. It was a miserable journey, going nowhere.

When I finally realized and embraced who I am “in Christ,” my perspective changed—along with everything else in my life.

We can search for a lifetime and never find our true identity, always comparing ourselves to others and always feeling less than. Here are three keys to turn that around:

Stop speaking negative words to and about yourself. 

Focus on your strengths instead of your weaknesses. Don’t obsess over your flaws and keep putting yourself down. Change your self-talk.

Don’t compare yourself to others. 

We’re all created by God as special, unique individuals with different gifts, talents, and abilities. We can learn from others, be inspired and encouraged by them, but we should never be envious or want to be someone or something we were never created to be. Be thankful for who you are and who you are becoming.

Find out what God says about you in His Word. 

Let His opinion become your confession. Here are a few to get you started:

  • I am a redeemed child of the living God.
  • I am forgiven.
  • I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.
  • I am a new creation in Christ.
  • I am loved with an everlasting love.
  • I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
  • I am seated in heavenly places.
  • I have the mind of Christ.

Knowing who you are—and what you have—in Christ makes all the difference. You are fully seen, fully known, and fully loved. 

And that’s enough.

 

 Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net and gubgib.


Monday, January 20, 2025

Are You Enjoying Your Life?

 

By Andrea Merrell

 

This day belongs to the Lord! Let's celebrate and be glad today.

Psalm 118:24 CEV

 

I stared at my calendar. The first week of January and my calendar was already filling up. How could I possibly have that much on my plate already?

I had been asking that question for months. As each one passed, the promise of a lighter schedule kept me going.

But it never happened.

At my age, most people are fully retired. Taking it easy. Traveling, Enjoying a slow, uncluttered life. But not me. Along with working part-time (at least I get to work at home) and so many other things that scream for my attention, my calendar keeps filling up almost faster than I can keep up.

A friend commented to me recently that most people my age didn’t have such a busy schedule. Thinking back on our conversation, I wondered how it would be to have that slow, uncluttered life. No agenda. Nothing pressing. No deadlines.

Then I realized how thankful I am for a full life. A busy life filled with purpose and fulfillment. I’m learning to be grateful for my busy schedule and how to navigate it by taking one day at a time. The Bible says, “This day (today) belongs to the Lord.” Our response is to celebrate and be glad in it—no matter what’s on our plate.

Each day is a gift to be enjoyed, not filled with dread or regret. The Bible tells us to trust in the living God who “gives us richly all things to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:17 NKJV). The choice is ours.

For the record, I might be at the age where it’s okay to sit down and kick back, but I choose to be thankful for the busy life the Lord has given me and enjoy it to the fullest.

How about you?


Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net and tuelekza.

Monday, January 13, 2025

The Sound of Silence

 

By Andrea Merrell

Be still and know that I am God.

Psalm 46:10 NKJV

I awoke to complete silence. A strange hush had covered the earth. No traffic. No birdsong. No barking dogs. No … nothing.

When I peeked out the window, I could hardly believe my eyes. I could not see the road in front of our house or the tires on our cars sitting in the driveway. The trees were completely blanketed in white.

I urged my husband to get dressed so we could go outside and explore before our kids woke up. Stepping out into that winter wonderland was like stepping into a fairy tale. Again, I was struck by the silence.

This happened over thirty years ago but remains fresh in my memories.

For those of you who live in the North, this is probably a commonplace occurrence but not for those of us in the South. We might occasionally get a few flurries, but this particular year, we got over fifteen inches. It took us three days to dig out of our driveway.

I’m sure that for those of you who are used to this scenario, life goes on as usual. Most northern states are well prepared for winter weather. But in my part of the South, the world shuts down. No school. No work. No errands. No social activities. Most people clean out the milk and bread aisles of the grocery store with even a tiny hint of snow. And while many love throwing snowballs, making snowmen, and sledding down hills, there are those of us who are content to stay inside by the fire and watch.

The sound of silence. Strange and uncommon to many, yet how often do we shut off the world and listen for that still, small voice? The voice of the One who loves us and died to give us eternal life and reconnect us with the Father. The One who longs to speak to us. To guide and direct us, making us aware of His peaceful presence.

Last week, we had snow. Only three or four inches as opposed to fifteen, but still amazing and beautiful. It reminded me once again that we occasionally need to stop, shut out the world, and listen for His voice. To enjoy His presence. To be thankful for every blessing He pours out.

Our Father says to us, “Be still, and know that I am God.” Are you ready? Offer to Him the sound of silence, then be ready to hear Him speak.