Salt and Light Devotional Christ The King Lutheran Church Introduction CTK, like many congregations, is coming off a year of “circling the wagons.” A pandemic forced us into playing defense for most of 2020. Naturally, our focus shifted inward a bit and we asked, “Are we going to be OK?” God answered emphatically, “Of course you are!” God has provided for us. He has kept His promises. He speaks to His church today, just as He encouraged His children centuries ago, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dis- mayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9) Any doubts we may have had about God’s Church enduring this time are indeed shattered. Now we must shift focus outward. Offense, take the field! Our Creator, God the Father, promises to protect us. Our Re- deemer, God the Son, encourages us to make a difference in the lives our neighbors and community. Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 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.” (Matt. 5:13,14,16). Our Sanctifier, God the Holy Spirit, inspires us to be “Salt & Light.” This devotional is a collection of thoughts, prayers, and words of encouragement from your brothers and sisters in Christ. From personal experience in helping those in need to ideas for future ministry, may these devotions be witness that we are not alone in this endeavor. We are the body of Christ, called to be His hands and feet, the reflection of God’s eternal love meant to heal, and the power of the Holy Spirit, to effect change for good and hope for the future. CTK, let us be salt and light! ~ Pastor Jason Cashmer, Senior Pastor From the Editor What a privilege to read these encouraging “Salt and Light” words from CTK sisters and brothers in Christ! All of us have been blessed with God’s Salt and Light in many ways. First, God’s love through Jesus and His Word, the Bible. In our Bap- tisms and Holy Communion. Then, the Salt and Light through other Christians: the one(s) who first showed us Jesus; friends who “salted” our lives with encouraging words from God, as well as those who “lighted” our steps when we were taking the wrong path; great sermons and music that pointed to the Salt and Light of the world, Jesus. And through simple acts of kindness carried out in Jesus’ name. As individuals, we can easily call to mind the people who “salted and lighted” our lives. There are many who still need the great Salt and Light – Jesus. We are comforted knowing the Holy Spirit will help us say and do just the right things to share Him – to be God’s Salt and Light in their lives. As a church, Christ The King has tried to be “Salt and Light” through worship, Bible studies, our day school, and many other ministries. It is our prayer that new avenues of service will open to us, so that more people will come to know Christ. A re- cent example of this is our live-streamed services, started during the pandemic, which have the capability to be seen by people around the world. May these devotions be an inspiration for you. They have been offered in a spirit of love and hope, because of Christ’s res- urrection, in a trying time for our world. God’s Salt never runs out, nor does His Light ever go out! Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, as we attempt to be Your Salt and Light as a church community and as individuals, we thank You for forgiveness where we have failed in the past. We pray for re- solve to try again. Open our eyes to every opportunity we have to share Your love and Good News. Then help us act with courage and wisdom from You. In Jesus’ precious name. Amen. In Christ, Marilyn Edenfield May 1, 2021 Walking in the Light “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” John 8:12 When my son was three, his bedroom was often the dark- est room in our house. This was mostly because the only source of light in his room was a small lamp that sat on his nightstand, which just happened to be on the complete other side of the room from the entrance. During the sunlit daytime, we wouldn’t think to turn on the lamp. But when it came to bedtime, as soon as we approached his door, it would be pitch black and quite intimidat- ing. For months my son, safe in the lit hallway, would wait for me to trek across his dark and scary room until I could find the lamp, and once again bathe the room with safe, warm light. However, I vividly remember one night, when I was about to initiate this routine, he said “Wait, Daddy!” I turned to see him with his open hand stretched up towards me, and he said, “I go with you…but hold my hand!” Together, his hand firmly in mine, he journeyed with me to the lamp, knowing that everything was going to be okay, because I was leading him towards the safety that is found in the light. As we journey forward in the true source of light, Christ Jesus our Lord, may our friends and neighbors witness the same guide in us. I pray that we may boldly and consistently live our lives embracing the “Light of the world”, and that in doing so, God may use us to lead others to do the same! ~ Pastor Mark Bushuiakovish, Youth and Family Pastor May 2, 2021 Salt Shakers “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 Have I ever said anything good about a salt truck? Here goes: You are following a salt truck on a very snowy morning. Hopefully, you slow down and maybe are even thankful that acci- dents are avoided by the salting. And you might hope that the salt supply will last the season. Jesus said that “You are the salt of the earth.” (Matt. 5:13) In Jesus’s time, without refrigeration, salt was critical to the preservation and flavoring of foods. If it lost its “saltiness,” or you ran out, the meat would spoil. The salt that Christians share helps our world to preserve the beautiful Law of our God in our midst. We “share the salt” with each other as we strive to love and obey God and to love our neighbors as ourselves. Thus, the Ten Commandments are here ; we are the salt shakers. Will the supply of salt last for the season? The answer: Look at the present culture of just Downriver Detroit. Countless parochial schools have closed. That means fewer classroom prayers, religion classes, and weekly chapel ser- vices. With the pandemic, worship attendance is down nationwide over 50%. And those born before 1960, many who memorized all Ten Commandments, are the shrinking minority. Studies show the majority of the country cannot recite even three of the Ten Commandments. The salt shakers appear to be fewer and some close to empty. Preservation of God’s law, awareness of sin, and our re- sulting need for the Savior Jesus could be dangerously low. Fill and pass the salt, please! Prayer: Father in heaven, give us the strength to be Your messen- gers, confessing Jesus to our world. Amen. ~ Pastor Terry Cashmer, Emeritus May 3, 2021 Community A.I.D. Read Psalm 28 and Matthew 13:1-23. “Which . proved to be neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers? He said, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’” Luke 10:36, 37 The most wonderful gift of God’s creation is people. Jesus gives us the resources to approach people. The heavenly Father has given us ABILITY for approach- ing community. “The Lord is the strength of His people” (Psalm 28:8). God bestowed the ability to gain knowledge and to earn financial resources. For what purpose? Knowledge of God helps in prayer; knowledge of people helps us understand them. We earn financial resources to be Good Samaritans (Luke 10). We support Christian charities and person(s) in need of God’s help. Jesus’ visit to Earth demonstrated His love INTEREST in humankind. The Father sent Jesus for the world’s sin fractures. Jesus’ unselfish life, death, and resurrection is there for all to be- lieve. God “desires all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth” (I Timothy 2:4). We, too, should be lov- ingly interested in all regardless of their social position. This re- quires our unselfishness. This requires our desire for the salvation of others. Of course, this demands DETERMINATION. Jesus’ de- termination carried Him to many towns to love, heal, and forgive. Finally, Jesus walked to Calvary’s cross for us. We need the Holy Spirit to keep us moving to speak of Jesus. We speak Jesus’ love inside the church buildings – and certainly outside of them. We look for others, pray for others, and go to others. That is our most important road map in life! “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Jesus in Revelation 2:10).