Ellen Banks Elwell does it again!

Matthew 5:13-15
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 by men.

You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.

I've often been inspired, challenged, and encouraged in my faith through Ellen Banks Elwell's, The One Year Devotions for Moms. Today, she's done it again! In the October 12 entry, Ellen shared from her heart about the power of our witness. Using Scripture from Matthew as the point of the lesson, she captured a story about her enthusiasm for the relatively insignificant compared to the glorious riches in Christ.

"Why is it, I thought, that I'll call a friend and share good news about a sale on sweaters at Gap, but sometimes I'm not as quick to share good news about gifts that Christ has given to me?"

Elwell's convictions echoed deeply in my heart. She has the gift of profoundly capturing Biblical truths and thereby leading us right back into Jesus' arms. If you're looking for a consistent reminder to return to the Word of God and a challenge to open yourself up to the working of the Holy Spirit, you should pick up this book. Nothing replaces God's Word nor the single-focused study of Scripture. It is a challenge to keep from depending on others, including books, for our spiritual nourishment. Of course, go to Scripture first and finally. Yet this book, left in your bathroom, by your bedside table, or on your kitchen counter may just provide the right-thinking and refocus toward the Lord on a regular basis! We must choose to fill our minds with His truth and this is just another tool in that effort!