Salt Of The Earth Church

09/08/2026

THE COST OF LIVING
By Dr. Mark September 8, 2026

In most categories considered in the Cost of Living, there is a big difference between the costs in 1980 and thus year, 2026. Money Lion did some research from a number of reliable sources and what they report presents us with comparisons for many categories. If you are a middle-aged adult or older, you already know that the big difference is on the increase side of the ledger and not the decrease side. Nevertheless, let me share three of their findings with you. Then, I will share some good news with you before closing out this edition of Mark Writes.

Median home costs in 1980 were $47.200. In 2026, median home costs are $436, 412. The average price for a new car was $7, 579 in 1980. In 2026, the average price of a new care is $49,353. Let me give you one more comparison; one that drive-thru coffee drinkers can use to explain the increase in their daily, on the way to work spending to purchase a grande size cup of black coffee or coffee-lattes, coffee javas, or caramel- mocha lattes. In 1980 a pound of coffee was $3.20. In 2026, a pound of coffee cost $9.61 per pound.

Look I did want to depress you with too many comparisons, that is why I wanted to share some good news about the cost of living. There is a cost where nothing has changed from the time of Jesus Christ’s death on a cross to today’s times. You should know this by now, but let me share the proof with you, evidence that substantiates the good news about the cost of living, really living. Here we go! “For the wages of sin is death, but the gracious gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23 NASB).” “…if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved…” (Romans 10:9 NASB).” Now, resist thinking about your money this morning, and rejoice for a moment, realizing that the cost of real living; living in eternity, is a free gift. Then, after rejoicing, share the link to this meditation to someone who is unsaved. Yes, I am recruiting you to be a part of personal evangelism, in obedience to the Lord’s Great Commission. Have a great day! Be blessed!

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV)

Committed to the climb,

Mark L. King
https://markwritesdaily.com

09/07/2026

THE TALE OF TWO BROTHERS
By Dr. Mark September 7, 2026 1 Comment

This is your Monday Short meditation, “The Tale Of Two Brothers.” Their brothers’ names were Kevin and Keith. Both of them were young adults, living at home while seeking degrees at a local university. They came from a Christian home, and up to this point in their lives, attending church on Sunday was not optional. It was mandatory. Kevin opted to stay in the church as a young adult student; not merely attending but serving. On the other hand, Keith opted out and either he did not come home on Saturday nights or he found other activities to participate in on Sundays during the hours of worship.

On a Monday morning, not that long ago, the two brothers got in their old cars, suitable for non-working students, to go to their respective classes. Kevin started his car with not one issue and began his drive toward campus. Keith’s car would not start. He checked the battery, and it was okay. He checked for any disconnected wires, but he did not find any. He was puzzled. The twins’ father looked outside and saw the frustration on Keith’s face, as he kept looking at his watch, getting in and out of the car trying to get it started. The father goes outside and tells Keith, “Let me have the keys and see what I can do.” As he put the key in the ignition and saw that everything lit up when he turned the key, the father’s eye’s opened wide and he began shaking his head back and forth. Without any hesitation, he told Keith, “You are out of gas. You didn’t fill your tank yesterday like you r brother, Kevin.” Compassionately, the father went into the garage and got a gas can that he had just filled to fuel his lawnmower. Unselfishly he poured the gas into Keith’s car. He told Keith, “This is enough to get you to the gas station. Go ahead and start your car.” The car started. Keith was ready to rush out, but the father said, “Wait son, I need to tell you something.” Keith looked at his dad, knowing a lecture was on the way.

But listen, it was not a lecture at all, but it was a lesson, a lesson inspired by the situation that had just been solved. The father says, “Kevin filled up yesterday, twice! He got filled with the word at church and he filled his tank yesterday too, on the way home from church. The pastor had preached on the subject, ‘Don’t Wait Until Tomorrow.’ “Son,” the father says, “don’t wait too late to come back to church. You will miss out on a filling for the soul.” And please don’t wait until next Sunday, after church to put off filling your tank of your care until Monday morning.” The father did not wait for a response.

This story made me think about you. Did you go to church and get filled yesterday? If you did, using Kevin and his fast-starting car experience as an example or a metaphor; if you did, you ought to have a better start to your day and it should carryover through most of the week. But along the way, fit will be necessary to fill up as often as you can by reading and studying the word of God. My friend, remember this “Tale of Two Brothers.” Be blessed!

“There is a right time for everything.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1 The Living Bible)

Committed to the climb,

Mark L. King
https://markwritesdaily.com

09/06/2026

DON’T LET YOUR ISSUES HINDER YOU!
By Dr. Mark September 6, 2026

“And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any, came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched. And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me. And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately. And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.” (Luke 8:43-48 KJV)

An article published in August 2025 by The American Issue of Stress included the following statement, “The American Psychological Association’s Stress in America survey found that about 75% of U.S. adults report physical or emotional symptoms related to stress.” While combining studies by many researchers, one could easily say that over 50% of people living in our country have some type of stress. Personally, I think that while we may not all have what would be consider or classified as anxiety issues, I think we all have issues. Being transparent, “we” includes me. So, you be transparent too. Everybody has issues! For you see, that includes even the most righteous of the righteous. Attributed that to Satan, self, the secular world, and specific experiences that a person has to endure or had to suffer through, simultaneously while overcoming indoctrinated, reinforced, unconscious impacts, radical misbeliefs, or conditioned thinking developed over years of living.

Let’s face it! Issues can bother us for a long time. But on this Sunday morning, based purely on what I can take away from the text above, I am happy to provide you with two things that will keep you from letting your issues hinder you. First, don’t let your issues hinder you from coming to Jesus. Yes, be like the woman described above. Don’t wait until your issue is resolved or you are relieved of the stress or that stubborn disappointment that accompanies your issue. I suggest you come to Jesus now, right away, while you have time. Take an opportunity to do that this Sunday. Jesus has the power, the prescription, and a prompt way to fix your issue or release the hold that your issue has on you. Second, when you come, come in faith for your peace will make you whole again too!

One last thing: Don’t think about it this morning! Head out to church and take your issue to Jesus. Have a better day than yesterday, my friend. Be blessed!

Committed to the climb,

Mark L. King
Markwritesdaily.com

09/06/2026

“It Only Takes One”
Esther 4:13-17
Pastor Marcus R. King
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09/05/2026

CHANGING PRIORITIES, PLANS, AND THE PLACES WE GO
ByDr. Mark September 5, 2026 0 Comments

“They went to Phrygia, and then on through the region of Galatia. Their plan was to turn west into Asia province, but the Holy Spirit blocked that route. So they went to Mysia and tried to go north to Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus wouldn’t let them go there either. Proceeding on through Mysia, they went down to the seaport Troas. That night Paul had a dream: A Macedonian stood on the far shore and called across the sea, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!” The dream gave Paul his map. We went to work at once getting things ready to cross over to Macedonia. All the pieces had come together. We knew now for sure that God had called us to preach the good news to the Europeans.” (I Corinthains 16:6-10 The Message Bible)

How often do we let self, so-called friends, or sensational, perceived to be, happenings or special events change our priorities, plans, and the places we go? How often does the comfort of our beds or the compensation that comes from working voluntary overtime change our priorities, plans, and the places we go? I still have questions, but I’ll just limit it to one more. How often do we let the things embraced by our generation, or the generation before us that modeled the false truth that church was optional and one does not have to hold God in the highest esteem, change our priorities, plans, and the places to go?

In the text above the Apostle Paul had priorities, He had some plans. He had some places that he wanted to go. But Paul’s priorities, plans, and the places he wanted to go were re-directed by the Spirit of the Lord. Read the text again if you don’t believe me.

There is a point to this meditation. On this Saturday morning, I hope you are already planning on being in the house of the Lord tomorrow, However, if not, I pray that you will let the Spirit of the Lord move you to be in the assembly of the saints. You will see that you will benefit! Your family will benefit! Those who unconsciously are persuaded by what you do will benefit! The community will benefit! The world will benefit!

Go worship the Lord tomorrow and do so earnestly, sincerely. I’ll continue praying that the Lord changes your priorities, plans, and the places you might have wanted to go, and you will enter the house of the One who has blessed you all week long, and better than that, your whole life. Be blessed!

Committed to the climb,

Mark L. King
Markwritesdaily.com

09/04/2026

TGIF
By Dr. Mark September 4, 2026

In those days Hezekiah became mortally ill. And Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, came to him and said to him, “This is what the Lord says: ‘Set your house in order, for you are going to die and not live.’” Then he turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, saying, “Please, Lord, just remember how I have walked before You wholeheartedly and in truth, and have done what is good in Your sight!” And Hezekiah wept profusely. And even before Isaiah had left the middle courtyard, the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “Return and say to Hezekiah the leader of My people, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of your father David says: “I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; behold, I am going to heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the Lord. And I will add fifteen years to your life, and I will save you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will protect this city for My own sake and for My servant David’s sake.”’” Then Isaiah said, “Take a cake of figs.” And they took it and placed it on the inflamed spot, and he recovered.” (2 Kings 20:1-7 NASB)

Thank God it’s Friday! Thank God, not because it is the last workday of the week for many people and the long Labor Day weekend is just hours away. But thank God that I still have a chance to give you my Sunday Share meditation.

A Five-Star rating is usually the highest, right? The Merriam Webster Dictionary says, “A five-star rating is commonly used to indicate something of first-class quality or superior performance.” Well, preaching from the text (Don’t you love it?), Pastor M.R. King preached a Five-Star” sermon this past Sunday. It was entitled “Know your Role.” Listen to the entire sermon on the Salt Of The Earth (Indianapolis) Facebook site or visit its home page to hear it…or hear it again! After listening to it in it’s entirety, you will see the value of praying to God, trusting in God, and surrendering to God. Of course, carrying it further, you will be blessed by God. I’m going to merely share the three points and let you listen to how the preacher preaches around these points found “in the text.”

The three points: (1) You’re the patient not the physician. (Stop diagnosing and start depending on God.). A side note: Crisis will come, and a crisis does not need an appointment. But if you depend on God, better is coming. (2) You’re the child and not the parent. (Stop demanding and start trusting.) As a side note, Pastor advised that we do like Hezikiah and turn to the wall and shut out the stuff, and start focusing on a dialogue with the Lord. A second side note counsels us not to appeal to God looking for a bargain but look to Him for a relationship with Him. (3) You are the witness and not the writer. (Witnesses need to wait, because we are not the writer.) As a side note, when God “writes” He does it with specificity.

There is so much more to draw from each of the points above. So, I suggest that you go to the church’s page or website to hear and digest the whole specifically, sent message. There is something in it specifically for you.

Let me go a step further! In advance of holiday, I will do something I have not done in 10 years of writing daily Mark Writes meditations. I will invite you to visit our church this coming Sunday at 4915 West 36th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46224. Our worship service begins at 9:50 a.m. Of course, if you are looking for a church, Salt Of The Earth is a loving church where lives are transformed by the word of God.

It’s a blessing to see another TGIF day! Praise God! Be in His house Sunday and be blessed to be in His special presence. Praise Him, again! Be blessed!

Committed to the climb,

Mark L. King
Mark writes

Learn a new word every day! The Dictionary.com team of language experts carefully selects each Word of the Day to add some panache to your vocabulary.

09/04/2026

YOUR SECRET TO HANDLING YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES
By Dr. Mark September 3, 2026

Good morning! Sometimes the counselor has to seek help from the Counselor. I’m being transparent right now. Here is what He brought to my mind” The secret to handling your circumstances is to focus on the “U” in your circumstances. Of course, He was meaning, “YOU’ as represented by the letter “U.”

When the Lord speaks, I really have no need to validate it, for if He says that is what you have to do, then I just have to comply. Yet, for those who think it’s impossible to focus on the “U,” let me see if there is any evidence in the scriptures that can substantiate this for you. Please note that I am not going to try to provide you with examples in a chronological way or have you believing that my examples comprise an exhaustive list on this page. The word is full of multiple examples. Let me just share a little about a few people who focused on the “U” in the Bible.

Jesus: He faced the circumstance of Calvary, but He focused on the “U,” so that in obedience to the Father He said, “Not my will, but Thy will be done.” The impact: Millions have been saved, but there is still room for more!

Sarah laughed about the message that she would bear a child in her old age, but she had to change the “U” in her circumstance and accept the fact that nothing is impossible with God.

The four lepers, camped outside the besieged city of Samaria, asked the question, “Why do we sit here until we die?” Then they decided to change the ”U” in their circumstance and march toward the camp of the Syrians and God intervened and they found the camp vacated. They had all that was left behind. But that’s not all! They changed the “U” in their circumstance and said, “The thing that we are doing is not right.” Used by God to fulfill a prophecy, they took the good news to the king and, to make a long story short, a measure of fine flour was sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, according to the word of the Lord.

Daniel faced the lions’ den because of his continued praying to our God. He focused on the “U” in his circumstances, because he was loyal, faithful, and true to his devotion to the true and living God. Consequently, no Daniel overcame the circumstances.

The Woman at the Well, changed the “U” in her circumstance, and went from being a prospect to a prospector, telling the men in the city about Jesus. Many believed because of her focusing on the “U” in her circumstance.

The Woman with the Issue of Blood, changed the “U” in her circumstance. After trying everything else, she reached out an touched the hem of Jesus’ garment. Of course, she was healed by the power of the Lord!

One more! The three Hebrew boys faced the fiery furnace, but they focused on the “U” in their circumstance and declared that even if God does not save them, “He’s able!” You know the rest of the story, or you surely know the words to the song, “Stepped in the furnace, long time ago, Shadrach and Meshach and Abed-nego. But they weren’t worried. This I know. They knew that Jesus would fix it afterwhile.”

The Counselor was dealing with me when He put this on my mind, but I’m positive that He wants me to share this with you, regardless of the circumstances you are facing or will face, or even the ones from the past that linger in your unconscious waiting for Satan to bring them to the forefront of your mind. In short, He wants me to tell you to focus on the “U” in your circumstance. But also, remember, you are not in your circumstance alone. Be blessed!

For God has said, “I will never, never fail you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5b The Living Bible)

Committed to the climb,

Mark L. King
Mark writes daily.com

09/03/2026

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and the One who rescues me; My God, my rock and strength in whom I trust and take refuge; My shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower—my stronghold. [Heb 2:13]” Psalms‬ ‭18‬:‭2‬ ‭AMP‬‬

09/02/2026

HE NEVER GAVE IT A THOUGHT!

By Dr. Mark September 2, 2026 1 Comment
“And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35b New King James Version)

Two men were having a conversation regarding giving out of a generous heart, in one fashion or the other, to support or help somebody. One of them pulled a portion from the verse printed above, the portion embedded in his childhood collection of memorized scriptures., “It is more blessed to give that receive.” The other man said, “I know the verse. But have you ever thought that the verse does not say, “It is more blessed to give and never receive.” The man who offered the extract from the verse written by the Apostle Paul says, “I never gave it a thought.”

The man who spoke second said, “In my opinion believers who give their all sometimes get disillusioned, diverted from the work of ministry, and even depressed because they are always on the giving end and not the receiving end.”

Today is your opportunity to be more blessed and simultaneously bless someone who will receive what you have to give. What they receive from you may be a compliment, a communicate of attaboy, or perhaps a call to see how they are doing, rather than waiting to call you and see how you are doing. What they receive from you may be an unexpected helping hand or a unusual, honorable remark. What they may receive is a listening ear and not an immediate lecture.

My friend, keep giving, but remember to think about the person who needs some receiving. Have a great day. Be blessed!

Committed to the climb,

Mark L. King
Markwritesdaily.com

09/01/2026

THE HANDS

By Dr. Mark September 1, 2026 0 Comments

Perhaps the two most famous pictures of hands are “Praying Hands,” also known as “Study of the Hands of an Apostle,” a pen-ink drawing by Albrecht Duer, created in 1858, and Michaelangelo’s “Creation of Adam,” painted on the Sistine Chapel ceiling, completed during the years 1508 and 1512.

I looked what you just read after looking at my own hands one day, as I sat quietly in a chair, noticing the difference that the years have wrought. But not only did I notice the big and little details of my hands; I also noticed the unique message being conveyed by the physiological changes of my hands. I pondered about the 77 ½ years that my hands have been through. Oh my! They have been through various things, everything, and a variety of eventful circumstances and everyday changes over the decades. My hands borrowed a part of David’s words, “I once was young, but now I’m old…” Smile!

These hands of mine have labored hard, lifted heavy weights, landed on courts and playgrounds, and they have loudly played. They have been folded as I privately prayed and patiently endured the various seasons of the calendar year, as well as the progressive seasons of life. By the grace of God, I still, as we say in church, still have the activity of my hands. Thus, these hands of mine are a picture, perhaps not as iconic as the two mentioned in the paragraph above, but certainly they present a portrait that tell multiple stories; a story filled with God’s love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, cleansing, and a plethora of chances to get it right.

Now stop right now! Stop looking at these hands of mine and takes some time and look at your hands. What story do they tell? Do they shout out about the goodness of God? Do they tell of the creative, incomparable abilities of our Almighty God based on what experiences your hands have been through? Are they being used in kingdom building for God in multiple, many, or any possible ways? What does the picture of your hands communicate to you?

Think about it, my friend! Then, after meditating, raise your hands and say, “Praise the Lord!” Make where you are standing a sanctuary, and “Lift your hands in your sanctuary! Lift your hands and give God some praise! Lift your hands and be a witness for the Lord! Have a great day! Be blessed!

“…aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands…” (I Thessalonians 4:11 English Standard Version)

Committed to the climb,

Mark L. King
Markwritesdaily.com