Oh God! This storm.

Oh God, this storm! 

Storms can be frightening and destructive. They can be difficult, trying, painful instructive, and helpful? Wait, what? Helpful? Yes, they can be helpful. Instructive? Yes, we can learn a lot from the storms that God sends our way. You mean storms come from God? Well, nothing happens without God's knowing and consent. And, many places in the bible show where God sends "places of lack" (storms, wildernesses, valleys, etc...)our way, or sends us into them. So, yes. 

In the book of Jonah, we find Jonah running from the Lord because he was chosen to work for the Lord, and he didn't want to. Does that sound like us? Because we don't want to give up what the world offers us in carnal pleasures, for the gift of responsibility that God gives to us, we run.

So he ran. In doing so, God sends (ch 1:4) first a wind to awaken him, and then a storm to shake him. 

Here we find one of those places where the Bible says that God sends the winds and the tempest (storm). Just like storms in the natural world, there are typically warnings that precede the spiritual storm. Gray skies, strong winds, etc. If we learn to recognize their approach we can get ready for what's next. Next? What do I mean by that? Some storms can be avoided, while some must be weathered. If the warnings you get from God present an opportunity for you to evacuate, you should do so. But, what if you can't, and when should you stay?

For example: You are in a relationship, and you begin to see flashes of anger, hostility, inhumane behavior, narcissism, constant arguments, belittling comments, lack of empathy, etc. Your first course of action is always to pray. Ask God to instruct you. Then, listen for the instructions and obey them. If the instructions say leave, make haste. Get out.

So what if the instructions from God say that you should stay? Stay in a very difficult situation? Stay in what the world will see as a definite reason to leave? In the storm? If God says stay, you should stay. Take heart for you will not be staying under your own strength, but by His strength. 

When Jonah did get back on God’s course, he was successfully preaching to a large sinful city. But, he was not successful by his own orating skill, but because he was in God's perfect will, and by God's perfect strength. His word says that in our weakness, His strength is made perfect. 2 Cor 12:9.

     

Isn't it wonderful that God would have us to do something and use his power with which to get it done?  Don't let any storm stress you. Instead, why not do what Jesus did when he was in a storm? Mark 4:38.

We love you, and we are praying for you. 

~Pastor, Dr. Erroyl McGinty, Jr.

SALT ministries 

Sis. Pinky’s Prayer:

Heavenly Father, help me to discern who has sent a storm when it comes in my life, as well as the reason for it. Empower me with your strength to stand during a tempestuous period, and to rest in it like Jesus did.

It is in Your holy name that we pray, 

Amen

Rest

*Rest: a: relief from anything distressing, annoying, tiring, etc.

             b: peace of mind; mental and emotional calm; tranquillity.

Are you worn out? Feel like life is unraveling right before you? Distressed from life’s battles and woes? Well, do I have good news for you! God says He will give you rest! 

    In Matthew 11:28, Jesus tells the crowd gathered around Him that they can have rest for their souls if they come to Him. Going to God requires action and humbling on our part; are we ready to surrender our cares to God? Too often we try to carry the load on our own, and eventually, realize that the load is too heavy to carry. God wants to take the burden off of our shoulders once we surrender it.

 When you read the definitions of the word “rest”, listed above, understand that Jesus’ words have much more depth. He states that we can come to Him. We can come weary with life, burned out, and He will give relief from anything distressing us.  As well as, giving us mental and emotional calm! 

Go to Jesus today. Run to Him if need be, and receive God’s rest!

We love you, and we are praying for you. 

Salt Ministries. Sis. Pinky McGinty

Let’s pray:

Heavenly Father, we thank you for The Word! You understand that life can be challenging, and burdensome at times; so you offer us rest. Help us to humble ourselves, and receive Your rest today. 

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

*www.yourdicitonary.com; retrieved on 9/14/16

Used Goods

     I grew up in a home in which flea markets and yard sales made up the family's Saturday morning outings. I learned to find value where others no longer saw it. This, I believe, is how God sees us. We live our lives without Him at its center, and get broken, age worn, and soon dejected.  

     But, God. Regardless of the current situation. No matter how badly you feel, or act.  Regardless of the life you've lived, or the sins you've committed, God sees value in you, because He made you.    Ephesians 2:10 says that we are God's workmanship. In other words, we are His product. Made for Him to use us as He sees fit. 

      The question then becomes, "what are you fit to be used for?" Can God use you in your office, on your job? Your neighborhood, your school, your home and family even? He did place you there by the way. No, it's not a coincidence that you are one of the only believers there. He planned that. Are you open to Him working things His way? 

      This doesn't mean that you have to be perfect, or have it all together before you start being used. You just have to a willing vessel, striving for holiness, and He will use you. After all, He wonderfully made You (Psalms 139:14), through Christ, for His purposes.

Get on God's Agenda! Amen? Amen. 

     We love you, and we are praying for you. 

~Pastor, Dr. Erroyl McGinty, Jr. 

SALT

Encouragement comes from??

Encouragement comes from??

      Be encouraged, God loves you. He didn't put you in the situation you are in by chance, there's a purpose! He trusts that you can go through the situation, and still give Him glory and praise. So, be of good courage, face what you don't know with the certainty and assurance that God has ordered your steps.
     When David was being chased by Saul and he was hiding in caves and mountains, he wrote some of the most beautiful psalms (songs). He did this, not so that you and I would have something to read or sing on Sundays, but as a way to encourage himself and remind himself of who God is. Draw that parallel to you, and the situation that you are currently in. 

       You may, in fact, be in a situation in which you feel like you are being persecuted, chased, you might be in pain, or maybe you feel alone. God was with David, and He is with you. Take David's example and encourage yourself, remind yourself of who God is in the midst of the situation. Besides...

Joshua 1:9(NIV) Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”  

Sis. Pinky’s Prayer:

Omnipresent God, 

Thank you! Thank you for being an ever present force no matter where I am physically or spiritually. Thank you for the gift of your Word to encourage me when I feel lonely or depleted of strength. I love and thank you.

We love you and we are praying for you!

~Pastor Erroyl and Sis. Pinky

  SALT

It is not for everybody

It’s Not For Everybody

  Your path is just that "your" path. Not everyone with whom you associate can go with you on your path and your journey. Everyone is not built the same way that you have been built, for the same purposes that you have been built. They've not had the same experiences or even reactions to similar experiences. Regardless of how much you love them, how similar your interests are, how similar your upbringing, or how long you've known them they are not you. We have a tendency to hold on to people after their season in our lives has ended. We often expect behaviors, input, outcomes, insight, and knowledge from them that is particular to our purpose and calling. And, we get disappointed when they cannot live up to what we are asking. There's a simple solution.... 

It's not for everybody, it's for you.

   In the book of Acts 15:36-41, there is much of the story of the friendship of Paul and Barnabas. They are friends, co-workers, church-planters, and they have a very interesting story within their relationship. They started several ministries (churches) and projects together. They ministered together and often traveled together. But, they had to go their separate ways. It's not that they didn't love each other, but as humans do from time to time, they had contentious moments... a disagreement. And guess what, the quarrel was about doing God's work. That's right, they fought about the ministry team. Sound familiar? The bible says (v. 39) that the contention was so sharp that they parted. They had different paths to travel.  And different people with whom to travel.  But, that's okay. They both continued to do ministry, they both continued to preach the word of God, and they remained good friends. But not together, and not the same way. They had similar missions and purposes, but not the same. They both were designed by God to do very important things for His Kingdom, but not the same way, same places, or at the same times.

   God has designed you for an important assignment as well. That's your job, not mine. Nor is it your friend's, or pastor's, or even you wife's job. We should not expect this of others. It puts undo pressure on them. Frankly it gives them a job to do that the Lord has not equipped them for. Those people may be involved with or work with you on the same project, and may have even started the project with you, but their job is for them, and your job is for you.  If a person is held onto for too long, a part of their true mission might be hindered. Think about our example. If they had not gone their separate ways, the gospel would not have spread as it did. If they had not separated, churches and ministries may not have begun. They would have been out of place.  And so will you.

We love you and we are praying for you.

Sis. Pinky’s Prayer:

Father, help us to stay in our own lanes in life and fulfill our mission and not in someone else’s!

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

Test and Testimony

Test and Testimony

Test and Testimony 

I know that you have heard the saying, "there is no testimony without a test."  That certainly can be true, however it is also true even if you fail the test. In that case, you will more than likely have to retake that test.

God is an awesome teacher, and He teaches and molds us through experiences. He is the great Potter (Isaiah 64:8). We must be pliable and porous enough to learn from the experiences and people that God places in our lives. Don't be rigid clay! Allow the Master's hands to shape you into the vase, vessel, pot, or kettle that He desires for you to be. And, don't try to be a kettle if He made you to be a ladle! Glory in the fact that God made you to be a ladle with a particular purpose. 

Don't fail the test and have to retake it. (We have ALL failed a few). But don't worry, either way you will have a testimony to share. You don't have to pass the test to learn the lesson. 

We love you, and we are praying for you.

~Pastor Erroyl and Sis. Pinky

SALT

Sis. Pinky’s Prayer:

Thank you God for being a patient teacher with us. Help us to be porous, pliable, and willing vessels for the kingdom! We love and praise you Lord.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen

Throw your hands in the air!

  In Acts 27 - Paul, other prisoners, and sailors find themselves in the midst of a great storm. There came a point when the winds were so strong that the sailors could only take their hands off of the wheel (v 15), lest the ship be tossed and broken. 

There are many lessons to be learned from this event in history. 

1.Listen to advice from Godly people to avoid the storm.

2. Don't follow the majority simply because they make logical sense.

3. Some storms can be avoided.

4. If you wind up in the storm, lighten the load - extra baggage does you no good in a storm.

5. Know whose you are. There is an abundance of knowledge, protection, relationships, opportunities, and blessings just from that knowledge alone.

The lessons that you can get from this scripture go on and on (The WORD is rich y'all)!

Primarily, but briefly, I want to focus on this one fact;  You cannot drive a ship well while in a storm. Even though smaller storms are easier to navigate through, and the repercussions are not as great, a small storm can seriously injure.  The size of the storm, and severity of the repercussions from the outcome, typically have a directly proportional relationship. In other words, the bigger the storm is, the more damage it can do... potentially. 

The ship in the scripture example represents your life. As with the ship, your life has a purpose, route, and a destination. They both have a captain, a crew, and passengers.You, your family and friends, and those folks that are just along for the ride. They both have luggage, and baggage. Some things you need, and some you do not. And, they both WILL encounter storms.  

Knowing that there are storms coming can be scary. But, knowing that they are coming also gives us the opportunity to prepare for the storms, and the opportunity to learn what to do while in the storm. Here the crew tried everything to make the situation better. Eventually it was realized that the best thing to do was take their hands away from the wheel, and allow the storm to drive them. We have to get to a point, sooner or later, when we realize that God is in control of everything, that includes the storm!  Prov 16:9  says that a man makes plans, but God makes the way. We must realize that the storm was designed by God to accomplish a purpose. Maybe to get your attention, maybe to warn you, maybe to begin or end a relationship, or maybe to call you home to glory. Regardless though, we have to take our hands off and let Him guide. Trusting Him while in the storm might be difficult, but it is vital. We tend to, just like the crew from the scripture, try everything first and eventually release the control. This surrendering is what God wants. It’s obedience. God honors this, and this is when we are in His divine will. Let go of the wheel!

By the way, while your hands are off the wheel go ahead and raise them a little bit higher and give God some praise.

We love you, and we are praying for you

~Pastor Erroyl and Sis Pinky

SALT

Sis Pinky's prayer

Father, 

Help me to take my hands off the wheel in every aspect of my life. Help me to surrender and praise You for being Alpha and Omega! 

In Jesus’s name we pray, 

Amen