Read Mark 9:49-50
I’m Doing A Horrible Job At Being A Christian.
Jesus makes a comment meant for all believers in Christ to hear. In our spiritual walk we come across days of dryness. We get surrounded by a lot of crazy circumstances. Sometimes our crazy circumstances discourage us and Satan uses them to push us away from serving the Lord and into depression and anxiety. Sometimes we feel dry in our spiritual walk. We begin to wonder if this is all there is in life. This is where I’m at today! God, is there more you have for me? I feel dry. I feel ineffective. I feel I am failing.
So I find comfort in Reading versus 49 and 50. Jesus says, “Everyone will be salted with fire” and he also says that “salt is good!” So in order to understand this passage we have to look at it as a positive statement and not negative. When Jesus said everyone, he meant everyone. So read this as if he’s talking directly to YOU!!! “Blair will be salted with fire!”
So what is positive about being “salted with fire!”? In Scripture, fire is used as a positive thing when it comes to POWER and TRANSFORMATION.
POWER:
1. Exodus 3:2 speaks of Jesus’ presence in power at the burning bush.
2. Exodus 13:21 Jesus led the people of Israel through the pillar of fire.
3. Matthew 3:11 says believers are filled with the Holy Spirit and fire.
4. Acts 2:3-4 gives evidence of that power through the lives of believers.
Don’t let the devil take this away from you. Don’t let the devil deceive you and bring you into depression and anxiety. You have the Holy Spirit and fire within you to serve the Lord with power. We will impact lives through love, truth, and peace. Let us all move in that power brought on by the Holy Spirit.
TRANSFORMATION:
MALACHI 3:1-4 talks about believers being refined and purified by fire, thus removing the impurities in our lives. This fire, that comes from God, will transform us into the righteous followers he desires from us.
So let us all stand strong in the Lord and in his might (Ephesians 6:10) versus listening to the lies of the devil who comes only to kill and to destroy (John 10:10).
This is my prayer:
Dear Jesus, I rebuke the devil who says I’m no good, I’m no longer effective in my faith, and I’m failing. Jesus, remind me that I have all I need for service and remind me of the power available to me through your Holy Spirit to do great wonders. Thank you God that I’m one of your children and empowered to touch lives with love, truth, and peace. And Lord, I know I’m a sinner so I welcome your fire that transforms my life through trials and tribulations so as to purify me and conform me into the image of Jesus. Amen!
