GIVING THANKS

I see the starving throng
Who have no food to eat.
I leave the grocery store
With lots of fruit and meat.
And yet, as night gives way to sleep
The question I repeat:
"Shouldn't I give thanks?"

The broken shacks appear
Where huddled families live
While I in comfort view
And very little give,
And still, as night gives way to sleep
The question I repeat:
"Why don't I give thanks?"

The sick lie in despair
There seems so little hope
With medication rare
The suffering cannot cope.
And then, as night gives way to sleep
The question I repeat:
"When will I give thanks?"

Thanksgiving's here again
As family members share
The blessings we receive
For those we love and care.
And so, as night gives way to sleep
This time I will repeat:
"Dear Lord! I give you thanks!"
--B. Pent

LET ME CRY ON YOUR SHOULDER

Loneliness met me this morning
Life seemed so empty and gray
Time came along to torment me
Leaving me helpless all day.

I was afraid to go further
Walking this valley alone
Fear and despair, my companions
Seeking for grace to atone.

Then I called out in my anguish
Out of the depth of despair:
"Is there a hand that can rescue
Will you come answer my prayer?"

Please let me cry on your shoulder
Help drive this darkness away
Then I shall stand in the sunlight
Knowing real joy for the day.
--B. Pent

THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT - Matthew 5:14-16

Christ describes the proper function of His disciples by using two metaphors. The first is salt! Salt is used as a preservative and to give flavor. It can also make one thirsty. The second metaphor is light! Jesus begins verse 14 by stating, "you are the light of the world!" We need light because we are born in sin's darkness, blinded by sin and choose sin. John 3:19 makes that clear, "this is the verdict, light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil." John 12:35 also states, "the man who walks in the dark doesn't know where he is going." The Scribes and Pharisees thought they had the true light but Jesus said they were "blind leaders of the blind." Today religion tries to produce light through human effort but to know avail.
While in the Temple area during the Feast of Lights (October-November) Jesus stood by the four large seven-teared candelabras in the Court of Women. These lights were seen all over Jerusalem as everyone celebrated God's deliverance of the Israelites out of Egypt through a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. The celebration would end as the lighted lamps began to die down late in the evening. Sometime during this celebration, Jesus stood up and cried out, "I am the light of the world, whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (John 8:12). Jesus thus pointed to man's futile effort to find light in the midst of darkness. He is the "only way, the truth and the life" (John 14:6). When man turns from his sin to the Savior, he finds the true light. He then becomes a bearer of Christ's Light!

But a warning and a command is then given in verses 15-16. It is easy to excuse ourselves by hiding our testimony, "people don't light a lamp and put it under a bowl." What good would that do? Yet, how many times we are silenced when we should articulate our faith. Daniel stands out because he "purposed in his heart not to defile himself." Later, he faced a stronger opposition and even though he was put in a lion's den, he stood his ground, and his "light" has shown through history as an example we can follow.
The command is verse 16 is not an option: "let your light so shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise your father in heaven." As Christians, we have an opportunity to live productively and consistently so that the "Light" we have will shine as brightly as possible. Are you shinning brightly for Jesus Christ or are you hiding under a bushel? "Let your light shine!"

LIFE'S STORMS

Does the cross that you carry
Seem too heavy to bear
Is the road far too narrow
You are called on to share?

Is there sickness or sorrow
That has knocked at your door
Or have friends disappointed
And are caring no more?

Life has its moments of pain
Robbing the heart of its rest
Storm clouds may threaten the calm
Keeping from doing your best.

Jesus walks into life's storm
He will not turn you away.
Reach for the peace that He gives.
You will find calm for the day!
--B. Pent

LIGHT BREAKS THROUGH!

We feel the darkness all around
No gleam of light can there be found.
We grope like those who have no sight
And fail to reach the God of Light.

All that we ever hoped to gain
Are blown like chaff amidst the grain.
For all the hopes that this world gave
Are empty dirges at the grave.

So how can blind men find today
A path through this dark narrow way?
A Voice cries from an empty tomb
"I am the Way through sin's dark gloom."

Then suddenly a burst of light
Is offered those in need of sight.
And all who reach by faith to Him
Find life in Jesus Christ within.
--B. Pent

THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT --Matthew 5:13

In the Beatitudes, Jesus prepares His followers to live out their faith. The poor in spirit demonstrate a contrite heart; those who mourn demonstrate a repentant heart; the meek demonstrate a humble heart, those who hunger for righteousness demonstrate a hungry hear; the merciful, a compassionate heart; the pure, a pure heart, the peacemaker, a peace-filled heart; and the persecuted, a tested heart. Once He has control of our hearts, He is ready to thrust us out into the world as His Salt.

The Bible mentions salt over 30 times. When Jesus states, "you are the salt of the earth," He was moving from the abstract to the functional; from theory to practice. Salt is used to season food. It acts as a preservative and flavors food. Paul states in Colossians 4:6, "let your conversation be with grace, seasoned with salt." Food is bland without salt and our testimony falls flat without Christ. The psalmist put it this way: " O taste and see that the the Lord is good" (Ps.34:8)

So how can we make others thirsty for God? It is true that we can lead a horse to water but can't make him drink. However, put a block of salt near the water and after a few licks he will drink. If salt remains in a salt shaker it has little value. But turn it upside down and put it on meat or vegetables and it's flavor is enhanced. Are you making other thirsty for God or has your testimony lost its flavor? "If the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything." Body cells must have salt in order to live. Blood, sweat and tears have salt. The Christian is salt because he has Christ and without Christ there is no life.

Imagine yourself as a salt shaker! There are all kinds of salt shakers: big ones, small ones; some used only in kitchens, ornate ones used at banquets or special occasions. It doesn't really matter the size, shape, color, or value! What really matters is whether there is salt in the shaker and whether it is poured out of the shaker to flavor the food. I believe God's message to us is simple: Let God fill you with His Spirit and then allow Him to pour out your life into this bland, flavorless world. It's not about you or me on the outside as much as it is all about Him on the inside pouring forth His love and grace through you. I must confess, I often feel contented, sitting smuggly along with other "salt shakers of like precious faith!" But that's not what God wants! He has put us here to be "His salt-of-the-earth" servants. "Lord! shake us out of our comfort zone as true salt-of-the-earth followers of Yours! Amen!"