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 underfoot.

14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Questions for Reflection:

Name at least three "lampstands" that you have in your life where your capacity to shine affects people.

What kind of encouragement do you need lots of to keep shining on your lampstand?

What do you think about the "no plan B" idea which was shared about this text?

Prayer of the Week:

Father, Son, Holy Spirit I am so excited that I get to live this day united to You in the very depth of my being. Thank you Jesus for reconciling me to my Father in heaven who loves me very much. Thank you Spirit for filling me afresh with the very presence of Jesus. I receive You now and consecrate myself to You and Your purposes for me this day. I am Yours and You are mine.

Jesus, I want to know You more today. I do not want to know You just in my mind and thinking but know You in my experience of today’s life. Your presence brings life and hope, joy and passion. I come to You Jesus and invite You into every crack and crevice of my being and every moment of my day. I surrender to You. Jesus, there are parts of my heart, soul, mind and body that simply need Your presence, healing and wholeness. I open myself and my story up to You in these moments of prayer and ask You to help me notice where in me … I need You today.

(Take a couple of moments of open reflections asking Jesus to reveal places in your heart, your schedule, your plans, your relationships… etc. that need His touch. As He shows you simply ask Him to meet you there.)

Jesus, I am amazed at Your love for me and all people. I love the idea of being Your ambassador, bringing the message of reconciliation with the Father, to the people around me, by what I say and do. I get to be salt and light in Your name. Jesus, with You living in me, I long to be fully present in my conversations and relationships today. I am so easily distracted toward lifeless, life-zapping things. I turn from those and ask You to graciously fill me with Your presence freeing me to be present ….. with Your Presence today. I get to see people, really see them today engaging them with an open heart. I get to pray for them and maybe even with them. I get to be fully present knowing You are working in and through me to bring Your Presence into their life.

Thank you for giving me this kind of adventure to live in Your name today!

Amen