Pastor Troy's message today couldn't have fit any better, I think, with the missions trip coming up. His message was on Matthew 5:13: "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men." Besides the notes I took that went along with Troy's explanation of the phrase "You are the salt of the earth," there are four important points:
- You don't exist for yourself because salt doesn't exist for itself. Christians do not live for themselves.
- you should make people thirsty for the gospel because salt makes people thirsty for the Living Water.
- You should help prevent the moral decay in our culture because salt prevents decay and preserves.
- You should live out your Christian identity as salt because salt that loses its saltiness is moronic and ineffective.
Pastor Troy also mentioned a quote by Alan Redpath that really struck me. He says, "If it is possible for your closest contacts to be neutral about Christ then there is something wrong with your Christianity. This is really convicting because I am able to go to Peru and have no problem sharing my faith with the Peruvians I'll be in contact with. But in my day-to-day life, do I have that same passion? I want to say that I do, but I can't. I think it happens to all of us. We're so comfortable with how things are and not standing out. Conformity is more natural than making a difference. But when I think about it, how hard is it really to be Christ to those I work with? With my non-Christian friends? In reality, it's quite easy because it's who I am. I just can't be afraid to show it. I pray that God can give me the strength and courage I need to live out my faith at work and with my friends. I don't want to be tasteless salt that is moronic and ineffective. As Pastor Troy said, "We are not responsible for conversion, but we are responsible for contact." I can at least make contact with those around me. I don't need to work for a conversion because that's not my job. My job is to be a tool and instrument God can use to work on the hearts of those in my life. It's easy to want so badly to see your friends and family come to know Christ on a personal level that you take matters into your own hands. But we don't have control over their salvation. We can have peace knowing that God is in control. We just need to do our part and God will take care of the rest.
Now back to Peru...
I am so very excited for the ten days I'll be in Peru. And "very excited" is a gross understatement. Actually, I think it's the understatement of the year. Seeing my friends again, being surrounded by the Latino culture, eating the amazing Peruvian food, and most importantly, telling others about who Jesus is and leading them to a personal relationship with Him. This spiritual high is what I crave every day. I know God can and will work through me in every way imaginable. I love seeing so many people from Grace and the Callao Church on fire for God. I love seeing the hearts of people do a complete 180. I love seeing the light in their eyes when they have a true heart change. That is what gives me the strength and the energy each day to keep going. In 2008, I never reached my breaking point in country. My breaking point was after I got home. I don't expect to reach that breaking point again because I am continually reenergized seeing the Holy Spirit work in and through everyone on this trip.
Please be in prayer for the 203 of us from Grace who are going to Peru, for the 800 from the Callao church we will be partnering with, and for the Peruvians we will be witnessing to and reaching out to. Stay updated on what our team is doing and send me words of encouragement via the church website: atgrace.com/peru11
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