OUTLINE:

Perspective!
When's the last time you thanked the Lord for taking the lead in your life?? Even when you don't see Him working, He IS working on your behalf. He is the only and original Master of the universe, and of our own lives. Thank God for His faithfulness towards us.

A Godly, Righteous Attitude
It's not only one of humility, but one of compassion towards our fellow man.

The Patience of Fine Speech
Fine, gracious speech is one major way we contribute to bringing others along into the kingdom of God.

Gracious Words Show Love!
We must ask for His Spirit to fill us and guide us into His steadfast love. In this way, we can operate as the preserving "salt of the earth" that we were designed to be as born again believers.

Having Salt Means Living Righteously
God can, and will, empower the humble to live righteously. Only He can set us free from our sinful slaveries, so that we live righteously to His glory.

"Have Salt In Yourselves"
God allows difficult situations and even discipline to help us out of our wicked ways, that we might slow down and think about things and repent towards Him from the heart, even on behalf of our own people!

"Have Salt In Yourselves"
Let's pay attention as to why there is suffering in our lives, both personally and as a country. God just might want us to repent and stop living for ourselves and instead to act as salt on behalf of our people.

Mk 7:20-23
And he said, "What comes out of a person is what defiles him.  21 For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery,  22 coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness.  23  All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person."

Eze 33:31
And they come to you as people come, and they sit before you as my people, and they hear what you say but they will not do it; for with lustful talk in their mouths they act; their heart is set on their gain.

Whom Do You Love?
We each should ask ourselves; what has our heart been set on lately?? Are you regularly setting your heart on the Lord, or on yourself and the things of this world??

Whom Do You Love?
Why do we expect Him to be with us when we are honoring other things above Him in our hearts?

"Have Salt In Yourselves"
We are to recognize and turn from our wicked ways, and be salty again, preserving the land. What a great privilege and responsibility... to ultimately bring God's patience and deliverance to our nation so that more may come to Christ over time! Dan 9

"Have Salt In Yourselves"
When we choose to have this humble, aggressive approach before the Lord, crying out for His mercy for ourselves, our families, and our people as a whole... we might actually hear from the Lord and receive a vision from God. When's the last time you considered that??

"Have Salt In Yourselves"
Are we so busy living for self, doing whatever is necessary to maintain our comfort level, that we ignore our calling to be the salt of the earth??

"Have Salt In Yourselves"
Why aren't we eagerly and passionately praying for our people (like Daniel did)?  
Do we not love them???

Fine Speech
Truly encouraging words can protect and even help preserve the hearts, and faith, of others… whether believers or unbelievers.

Our Lord's Fine Speech
Jesus masterfully reached out to sinners with gracious words, and He added reminders of the truth of their sinful situations to help them be humble going forward.