Salt & Light Ministries

09/03/2026

Daily D

Ecclesiastes 3:12-13

I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live.
That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.

I
I think we don't often have this view as we head out to work each day, but our work that we've been given to do IS a gift from God. Each of us has been graced with talents and skills and an opportunity each day to use these gifts to bless others, encourage others, to provide for our families. and to give to those in need as well. I hope each one of you has a great work day tomorrow and will enjoy some rest this Labor Day weekend....God bless.....♥️

09/02/2026

Attention Fathers and Sons! Join us for a fall retreat and weekend of fellowship, fire pits, and some fun. Sponsored by Treign Up. Oct 23-25, 2027

09/01/2026

Daily D

1 Chronicles 4:10
“Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!”

Even though Jabez's name literally means "pain", Jabez didn’t play the victim. He didn’t dwell on his pain—he prayed for blessing. He believed God could use his pain as a platform for His purpose.
A.W. Tozer once said, “It is doubtful whether God can use a man greatly until He has first hurt him significantly.” Your setback can be a setup for God’s blessing. God didn’t remove Jabez’s name, but He changed his story. And He can do the same for you.

(notes from Liberty Live Church)
....and that's the end of the Prayer of Jabez......♥️♥️♥️

Deborah J Smith
Exceptional Education Teacher
Meadowbrook High School
(804) 743-3675

08/31/2026

Daily D...
“Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, ‘Oh, that you would bless me and expand my territory! Please be with me in all that I do, and keep me from all trouble and pain!’ And God granted him his request.” (1 Chronicles 4:10, NLT)

Here is the heart of the whole prayer. Jabez isn’t asking for blessing and enlargement so he can walk away and manage it himself. He’s asking for God’s abiding presence in it. Without this line, the prayer would be self-serving ambition. With it, the prayer becomes total dependence.

A great prayer to begin a new week and new year. I also want to share an update about our colleague, Deborah. Her cancer treatments are finally over and she is back at school; however, feeling very tired. Would you continue to lift her up in prayer as she begins a new school year, for continued strength and healing?

God bless you all! I pray you have a wonderful first day of your work week!!

08/28/2026

Daily D

Whatever your need......He is ABLE to meet your need today...have a wonderful day and weekend! (P.S. The video is based on a true story)

Official Music Video for “My Jesus” by Anne WilsonListen to song h...

08/27/2026

Daily D...

“Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, ‘Oh, that you would bless me and expand my territory! Please be with me in all that I do, and keep me from all trouble and pain!’ And God granted him his request.” (1 Chronicles 4:10, NLT)

Jabez wasn’t asking so he could compete with the Joneses. Because of his relationship with God, he knew every good and perfect gift comes from God (James 1:17), and he wanted more so he could give more, serve more, and reach more people for God’s kingdom.
♥️

08/26/2026

Daily D

Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, ‘Oh, that you would bless me and expand my territory! Please be with me in all that I do, and keep me from all trouble and pain!’ And God granted him his request.” (1 Chronicles 4:10, NLT)

Jabez did not feel guilty asking God to bless HIM. Jabez didn’t hesitate. He asked God to bless him, plainly and directly, no hedging.
Jabez begins not with a plan, but with a plea. He doesn’t ask for something small so it feels safer to request. He asks for real blessing — the kind that only God can give — and he asks first. Before strategy, before self-sufficiency, he goes to the source.

Do we ask BIG?? If you're like me, you probably don't....but let's remember the scripture below and allow it to stir our faith and find the strength to ASK ASK ASK!

Ephesians 3:20 "God is able to do “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine”

08/25/2026

Daily D

“Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, ‘Oh, that you would bless me and expand my territory! Please be with me in all that I do, and keep me from all trouble and pain!’ And God granted him his request.” (1 Chronicles 4:10, NLT)

As we begin the year it is most important to bathe it in prayer. The "Prayer of Jabez" from Chronicles is a beautiful example:

"Notice what Jabez did first. He didn’t spiral into worry. He didn’t run to figure it out on his own or talk it through with everyone else before he talked to God. He called out to God first." (from warrior women blog)

Let's commit to praying FIRST, before we do anything else!

Have a wonderful day!!!

08/24/2026

Daily D

Good morning!
I pray each and every one of you has had a restful summer, with lots of fun thrown in🙂
As we welcome in another school year, I am thinking of all of you preparing and planning, hoping and trusting that the Lord will use you to influence those in your care. For those of you, like me, who wonder if we can do this one more year, and if we have what it takes to be successful, I hope these Daily D's will help you keep your eyes on the ONE who KNOWS YOU BEST. And on this note...
1 Corinthians:28 says the following:
"He chose what the world thinks is unimportant and what the world looks down on and thinks is nothing in order to destroy what the world thinks is important."

In other words, God loves using the seemingly insignificant for His glory!
So if you are feeling "insignificant" today or any day, remember that God has chosen you to be an influence in your place of work, in your "sphere" of influence.

A friend recently reminded me of this old Amy Grant song.....I hope it helps you REST in who God made you.....you don't have to be ANYTHING of ANYONE else!!!

All I Ever Have to Be; Amy Grant

God BLESS YOU!!!!♥️♥️

Deborah J Smith
Exceptional Education Teacher
Meadowbrook High School
(804) 743-3675

05/29/2026

Daily D...

Numbers 6:24-26
“The Lord bless you
and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.”
My favorite verse to end the school year....May God BLESS each and every one of you.....have a very restful and peaceful summer...ENJOY HIS PRESENCE

Editor's Note: That is the final daily devotion for the school year ending in 2026! Fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith!" See you in late August.