What Type of House Do You Live In?

     My husband and I start our days several times a week with a stroll through our neighborhood.  We may walk for a mile or two along the streets and enjoy the cool, quiet moments of the morning praying, talking, and simply observing nature.  On more than one occasion, I noticed something as we went along that made me sad.  We would see one very neat, well cared for home and next to it would be a house that almost looked abandoned.  The grass was high, the shrubs were out of control and the house looked like it needed serious attention.  In this economy, I can only conclude that the bank may have foreclosed on the home owners or that someone had passed away and the house had been left for relatives to decide how to dispose of it.  However, it was such a glaring difference between the appearance of homes on the same street.  This wasn't an isolated case either.  There are a number of such contrasts throughout the area that we walk.  I thought to myself that certainly a prospective home buyer would never be attracted to a run down, unkempt property compared to the nicely kept home next door.  Then, it struck me.  Isn't this the same kind of distinction that the world should see between believers and unbelievers?

     Jesus spoke these words to the disciples in His Sermon on the Mount (Matthew5:13-16):  "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored?  It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.  You are the light of the world.  A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."  These descriptions portray what believers are to be in this dark world in which we live.  We are to be light and salt adding flavor and illuminating the way to live according to the Word of God.  Like the neatly kept homes I walk by, we are to be attractive by reflecting Christ to a hurting, sin-sick world.  There should be a contrast between the way we live and the way unbelievers live just as there is a contrast between well kept homes and abandoned decaying ones.  So what does it mean to be salt and light?
     When our lives are committed to Christ, we have several important tasks.  First, we are His ambassadors to this world.  We are called to tell others the Good News of Jesus Christ, His salvation and His kingdom. (John 17:18; Matt. 24:14).  Our light shines when we reflect this call and serve others in their needs as Christ has served us.  What a difference this makes!  The world does not do this.  However, we must be on guard that we do not fall prey to materialism, the indifference towards God and the pursuit of pleasure or status that drives this society.  We are in this world, but we are not to be of this world.  Our life is a pilgrim's journey as we pass through this world to our home with God.  During our lifespan, then, we are to make a difference by shining for Christ...living a life to His glory in obedience.
Jesus calls us to listen to others, empathize with them, care for them, bind up their wounds, but not to fall into their practices.  Instead, we are to use our opportunities of service to demonstrate His love and be able to share our faith that those lost in sin may hear about the Savior.

     Jesus also told us to be salt in this world.  One of the properties of salt is as a preservative.  As believers, we are to hinder the corruption of this world.  Our lives need to demonstrate morality, good stewardship of our resources and the earth's resources, as well as love for our neighbor.  Deeds of mercy and kindness do not go unnoticed when done with a heart full of God's love.  In addition, we have the opportunity to demonstrate a good "work ethic" which further demonstrates our desire to fulfill God's call on our lives.  It is definitely a good witness to others when we perform on the job not to please men but to please God.  This definitely stands out and brings glory to the Lord.  We can transform our culture around us by living for Christ in all that we do.
     Our job is to illuminate our world and to be the salt that helps to preserve godly conduct.  The Lord has graciously chosen us unworthy vessels to pour out His blessing of love upon.  Yet, it does not stop there.  We are then, in turn, to carry it to those around us and share His news of salvation.  This is why we are here that we may bloom where He has planted us.
     Somehow, God always seems to speak to my heart through analogies and I could not help but see the tremendous contrast between the houses that were well kept and those that were left to decay.  Our world is like that.  We must be living in a house fully dedicated to Christ so that our light may shine brightly.  People will notice, and they will ask what makes us so different.  This is when we have the privilege of telling them about a Savior who offers us a new life of forgiveness from our sins.  Lets get busy and look at our lives and remove anything that keeps us from shining brightly or being salt in this hurting world of ours.  Selah!


What areas has God called you to work on?  I welcome your insights and words of encouragement.  Please feel free to leave them here.

Put Out the Food and They Will Come

     Each morning, I look out my window to see what birds have stopped by the feeder I hung on my oak tree.  It delights me to see such variety and beauty.  There are cardinals, female cardinals, mourning doves, black birds, red winged black birds, blue jays and an occasional woodpecker who come to gather their fill.  Such diversity and color are a feast for the eyes.  Every now and then, a small fight breaks out between birds wanting to hoard the food for themselves, but over all, the birds all seem to gather in peace.  Until recently, the squirrels came for a visit to pick up what their fine feathered friends dropped on the ground.  However, the nuts are ripening on a few trees so they are more content to hunt for bigger grub.

     As I reflected on the gathering of God's creatures at my bird feeder, I couldn't help but think of the church.  It is, after all, God's storehouse where we come to be fed the Word of God.  Consider the varieties of people who come each week with one accord to worship the Lord.  We come in all shapes, sizes, colors and age representing many different backgrounds, but all seeking spiritual food.  Our hearts are hungry after time in this world, and our souls need refreshment if we are to continue our journey through life.  In light of this, we need to consider several ideas about our fellowship gatherings.
     Of most importance in any church is the preaching of the Word.  This is the food for which the soul longs.  Unfortunately, there are a number of fellowships today that major in the minors in order to draw large crowds.  On a recent broadcast of the White Horse Inn Podcast (Doctrine or Life July 3, 2011), Dr. Michael Horton and his co-hosts discussed interviews of various pastors and teachers at an evangelical gathering.  A question was asked, "Which is more important - understanding biblical doctrine or following Jesus in the way we live?"  An astounding 60% of those questioned felt that following Jesus in the way we live was more important than understanding biblical doctrine.  I say astounding because without the foundation of God's Word how do we even know who Jesus is?  Just following Jesus in the way we live can mean many things.  We may think He is merely a good example or a great teacher without knowing His role in salvation and His identity as God in the flesh.  Understanding biblical doctrine comes from the preaching of God's Word on a consistent basis.  In my mind, it is the difference between eating a healthy meal every day or filling up on junk food.  Both fill you up, but one clogs your arteries and the other nourishes your cells.

     Over the past year, I have read and heard about churches that use all kinds of interesting approaches to drawing people into their fellowship.  One church in Texas advertised that they were giving away a car during their service.  It drew a large crowd, but we have to ask why they came.  Some would argue that at least people came in the door and heard the preaching.  However, it is not by man's efforts that salvation takes place.  Only God can regenerate a heart so that a person can hear and respond to the message of salvation in Christ.  Paul points this out in his letter to the Thessalonians chapter 2:3-6:  For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the Gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.  For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed-God is witness.  Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ."  The key in the passage is the phrase, "not to please man, but to please God".  This is what should be at the heart of all preaching and teaching.  We do not need extravagant musical shows, car give-aways, or gimmicks.  We need the Word of God preached in honesty and truth.  This is what feeds the soul with sound doctrine and causes men to grow.  When this is done faithfully, people who are called by God will come.  The goal is not to build a mega-church, but to build the kingdom of God with sound doctrine so that when the winds of adversity come it will stand.
     Secondly, church fellowships need to be welcoming.  When visitors do come for the first time, do they feel at home?  Do we reach out to them and ask them to return?  I have been in churches out of town or on a trip where not a single person said hello or went out of their way to talk with me.  Now that is sad!  I went to church to join in community worship of God.  However, I felt all alone in the middle of a crowd.  This should never be the case in our home churches.  If a variety of birds can all commune together peacefully around a bird feeder, don't you think that a group of people gathering in the house of the Lord could also be welcoming and loving?  James writes about this at length in his letter (chapter 2:1-9).  We are not to show partiality in our assemblies.  We are to demonstrate love for our neighbor who comes to join us in fellowship.  Why should anyone want to return to our church if the love of Christ is not abundantly displayed each and every time the doors are opened?  We must remember that we are Christ's ambassadors to this world.  When people see us, they should see Christ in us!
     When both the preaching of the Word and a welcoming atmosphere are present in a church, people who are drawn by the Spirit of God will come.  This does not mean we should not invite any and all to come with us on a day of worship.  However, we don't need gimmicks to get them there.  God's Word is the power to salvation (Romans 1:16-17) not worldly programs.  God's plan is simple, and it works.  I pray that each one of us can be an instrument used of God to share the Good News with others, invite them to attend our church and be welcoming ambassadors for Christ wherever we go.  Remember the simple example of the bird feeder.  When I fill it with food, the birds come.  If we feed people the truth as found in the Gospel, they will come as well.  Sound doctrine is the bedrock of our faith.  Selah!


P.S.  I would be remiss if I did not say how grateful I am that the Word of God is preached each week in my home church.  I am thankful for our godly pastors.


I welcome your thoughts and insights here as well as words of encouragement.  Please leave your comments.