Bible Love Notes

Salt, Sword, and Grace

2026-11-03T05:00:00.000-05:00

In our confused and troubled world:

We're called to be salty...

“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.” Matthew 5:13

Salt is a preservative, and sharing the salt of the gospel helps us preserve people's lives from the decay and spoilage of immorality and unbelief. Salt also seasons food, and we seek to season the world with Christ's wisdom and love.

We're called to be armed...

Let's arm ourselves with the sword of the Spirit (Hebrews 4:12), correctly understanding God's Word (2 Timothy 2:15).

We're called to offer grace...

“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Colossians 4:6

We never soften God's truth even though people might reject it, but we share it as graciously as possible.

Our goal is to see people “come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will” (2 Timothy 2:24-26).

“In your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” 1 Peter 3:15-16

Salt, sword, and grace!

✞✞✞✞

For more on this subject, see Are We Called to Seek Peace or Speak Truth? and Political Anger.

BLN

Eat the Comb

2026-11-02T06:19:03.538-05:00

Little yellow bees, flowers, pollen, hives, queens, and workers … have you ever thought about the marvelous process of honey-making?

We serve a Creator-Designer who hardwired complexity and beauty into everything.

Honey is no ordinary substance. It’s sweeter than sugar and contains trace vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It’s used in some beauty products because it's a natural humectant that’s good for skin. Studies show it’s also effective in treating some cold and sore throat symptoms.

Natural, healing, nutritious, sweet, pleasant—what a great picture of God’s Word:

The decrees of the LORD are firm,

and all of them are righteous.

They are more precious than gold,

than much pure gold;

they are sweeter than honey,

than honey from the honeycomb.

Psalm 19:9-10

When the psalmist compares God's decrees to the honeycomb, he is comparing them to the most natural and sweetest form of honey, straight from the hive.

Those who are hungry for truth understand the sweetness of God's Word, and lest we miss this truth in Psalm 19, we find it 100 chapters later with more praise for the way it guides and protects us:

How sweet are your words to my taste,

sweeter than honey to my mouth!

I gain understanding from your precepts;
therefore I hate every wrong path.

Psalm 119:103-104

Let's take time today to marvel at our Creator and taste the sweetness of His Word.

💛💛💛

To read about another food compared to God's Word, see Collect It Daily.

Click the image to find out more about Wisdom for Life, a hardcover devotional priced lower than most paperbacks.

BLN

Our Priorities Reveal Our Faith

2026-11-01T03:30:00.000-05:00

True Christianity affects every area of our lives, giving us God's priorities.

Whatever we do, we should work at it with all our heart, “as working for the Lord, not for human masters” (Colossians 3:23).

We should seek to do things according to His commands and values, making sure we spend time with Him in His Word and prayer (1 John 5:3; Proverbs 8:34).

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else...” Matthew 6:33

God has ministry plans for all of us (Ephesians 2:10), but He never expects us to neglect our family's needs to serve Him (Matthew 15:1-9; 1 Timothy 5:8; Ephesians 6:1-4).

The Lord also places importance on our spiritual family, the body of Christ.

“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Galatians 6:10 (emphasis mine)

We should never underestimate the witness we have when we love our biological and spiritual family as God designed.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35 (emphasis mine)

So let's share the gospel, help the needy, and do good works in Christ's name, but let's never forget that how we treat our family and our fellow believers is an important part of our witness!

✞✞✞

I encourage you to read Rolling Right – Determining Your God-Given Priorities for additional insights.

BLN