Colossians-I & II Thessalonians

Today is Tuesday.  It is still dark outside, but soon it will be growing light.  I have a few meetings today and then a treadmill test at the hospital to check out my heart.  I'm thinking it will be fine.  I have enjoyed reading this morning.  It is getting to the last of the month, and because of that getting through the Bible once again.  This will complete the fifth time I have read through the Bible this year.  Soon, I will start through the sixth time.  Here are some thoughts about what I have read today: 1) SALT SHAKER CHRISTIANITY- Col. 4:6 says: "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man."  We ought to salt our words and actions.  Salt adds flavor, a spice!  Salt prevents decay; Salt purifies; Salt changes the chemical make up of what it is added to;  Salt can combine with some chemicals to make a completely different chemical. We too can make these differences when we use some salt of the Holy Spirit on our words and deeds!!  Decide today to use your words as salt to season someone's life.  Let your words be a blessing to others all around you today.  2) YE ARE OUR JOY- I Thess. 2:19 says: "Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? (vs. 20) For ye are our glory and joy."  The idea is that part of the joy of Heaven is who we have helped to get there!!  Christ paid the debt, and Christ does the saving, but we are instruments through which He chooses to use.  When we get to Heaven, how many will be standing around you?  How many will be in Heaven because of your one life?  I think of my Father and Mother who influenced me for Christ, certainly they have a great reward because of the results God has blessed their son and his ministry.  I think of Charlie Vest, leaving for the mission field in his fifties and investing his life's savings to reach a people for Christ and the multiplied thousands who have been saved... they will be his joy in Heaven!!  I think of Dr. Hyles now in Heaven, but His influence lives on in us who are still winning the lost to Christ each week.  What a thought that in Heaven, people will be around us who we have influenced for Christ!!  Hey... it's worth the effort... Hey, it's worth the sacrifice.... Hey, it's worth giving to and living for!! 3) YE OUGHT TO- Paul says in II Thess. 3:7- For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us:  for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you:"  Leadership is earned, not given to, but once earned, Paul is saying he deserves for them to follow him.  Notice he says;  "yourselves know how ye ought to follow us".... a. They knew what they should do; b. It was their obligation "ye ought"; c. They should "follow"; d. It was Paul they should follow "us"  WHY... "we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you:"  To have a pastor is to put yourself under the authority of a leader who is called of God.  We are just human, but have been given a supernatural call and a supernatural ability to help people IF they will but follow our example and learn as we preach and teach God's Holy Word.  Paul says when it comes to following your pastor... "ye ought to".