Devotions Update Hi Salt (and friends), Tim Canosa here. For the past year we have been doing Salt online devotions and it has been great. I’ve loved hearing stories of people being impacted as they engage with God’s words to them about Jesus. However, with lots of good things happening at Salt (and a drop-off in readership) – it seems like a good time to take a break from this format. Variety can be a helpful thing when it comes to devotional material. So, to be clear, for Term 2 of 2021 – we won’t be sending out any daily devotions. However, can I point you to some resources that can keep encouraging you to engage with God over the ...

1 Corinthians 15:20-22   20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. One thought: As we look on Christ’s resurrection, we should see our own   Three questions: What does this passage suggest about life outside of Christ?   Do you know you are alive?   Rejoice in life today – you are truly alive in God Prayer: Praise God that He is the living God who gives life through His Son to all those who believe. ...

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 15 Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. 3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, One thought: Any proclamation of Jesus without His death or His resurrection – is not good news. Three questions: Can we trust that Jesus ...

Matthew 9:3–5 3 At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!” 4 Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? 5 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?   One thought: For the Son of God, the forgiveness of sins is as easy as breathing.   Three questions: What is blasphemy?   Do you come to Jesus for forgiveness?   Bring your sins to Jesus’ today   Prayer: Praise God that He is merciful to sinners. Give thanks that Jesus has the power and authority to forgive sins, even ours. Ask God to help you + someone ...

Matthew 9:1–2   9 Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. 2 Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”   One thought: For the convicted sinner, Jesus is a beacon of light in an otherwise dark pit   Three questions: Why does Jesus have the authority to forgive sins?   Have you taken heart?   Reflect on the forgiveness of your sins today   Prayer: Praise God for sending Jesus to save sinners. Give thanks that Jesus has forgiven you and others through the work of the cross. Ask God to help ...

Matthew 8:31–34 31 The demons begged Jesus, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.” 32 He said to them, “Go!” So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water. 33 Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. 34 Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.   One thought: Who said the Bible was boring?   Three questions: Have a read of this – https://au.thegospelcoalition.org/article/the-world-we-cannot-see/   How does this ...

Matthew 8:28–30 28 When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. 29 “What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?” 30 Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding.   One thought: Even the demons know His name.   Three questions: How should we think of demon-possession in the Bible?   Do you believe in demons?   Check out ‘The Chosen’ for a helpful impression of the times of Jesus   Prayer: Praise God that He is good ...

Matthew 8:25–27 25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” 26 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. 27 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”   One thought: Matthew gives us no option to see Jesus as just a teacher   Three questions: How does Jesus calm the storm? What’s the significance of this?   Who do you see Jesus as?   Pray for three people who need to see who Jesus is.   Prayer: Praise God that He ...

Matthew 8:23–24 23 Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24 Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping.   One thought: When you truly trust in the sovereignty of God, you can sleep through just about anything   Three questions: Youtube storms on the sea of Galilee   What stops you from sleeping?   Reflect on the sovereignty of God   Prayer: Praise God that He is in control of all things and that ultimately all things will be for His people and His glory. Give thanks for Christ who trusted in His Father enough to come to earth and go to ...

Matthew 8:18–22 18 When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake. 19 Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” 20 Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” 21 Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” 22 But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”   One thought: If there is no cost to your Christianity – you might want to question that Three questions: What principle is Jesus’ stating about ...