Teenside Daily Devotional

Read Matthew 5:13-16.

You are the “salt of the earth”. You are the “light of the world”. Initially, these may seem like very cryptic descriptions. I’m supposed to be these things? Remember, Jesus is currently talking to his disciples, those who have committed to him fully.
Being salt may not necessarily sound like it means anything, but think about what the purpose of salt is. How is it used? Sometimes, salt can be used as a preservative. More often, salt is used to make (in my opinion, almost any) food taste a little better. When Jesus calls us the “salt of the earth,” do you not think he means that we are here to preserve the earth? I don’t believe he means protecting nature, although I’m sure he’d appreciate that too. We are to maintain his Kingdom here until he returns. And shouldn’t situations get better whenever a disciple of Christ intervenes? Sounds like salt to me. Be the salt of the earth!
I think for most people, “light of the world” makes a lot more sense. Jesus has given you His Spirit. He knows that you have been given a light that can only be extinguished by the one who possesses Him: you. Jesus has no intention of hiding you under a basket. He wants you to shine! He wants you to show him off to the rest of the world! It is more than okay for the good things you do to go noticed, he practically says here that they should! Just remember that he follows it up with the purpose: “give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Humility is of the highest importance when working for the Kingdom. Make a habit of giving God the glory for everything good. Be the light of this world!

Questions:
*Take a moment to journal these questions. Write down your thoughts, questions, and concerns. Then date your entry. One of the coolest things is being able to look back and see how God came through for you.*

1. What do you think it means to maintain the Kingdom until Christ returns?

2. We are called to be salt and light and to stand out from the world around us. I think that when we consider being “salt and light” we often think of being nice to people. But, the reality is, there are plenty of good people who are nice that are not Christians. So, how are we different? Take a moment to look back at the beatitudes (Matt. 5:3-11) and answer this question.

3. It’s all about the hope we have and the glory God should receive for it. As we talked about yesterday, this hope is constant regardless of our circumstances. What can you give glory to God for today? How does the act of giving glory to God, regardless of your circumstances, make you the salt and light of the world?

Prayer: Spend some time praying about the things you journaled. Pray that God would empower you to be the salt and light of the earth in order to glorify Him. Ask for a grateful heart that seeks to give glory to God regardless of circumstances. Pray that God would give you opportunities to shine your light– (and then pay attention to the things He’s putting in front of you!). Spend the rest of your prayer time thanking God for: who He is, what He has done, and what He will continue to do.

*Remember to be praying for your challenge person.*