The Scent of a Christian

 

 “WE ARE…THE FRAGRANCE OF CHRIST.”

( 2 CORINTHIANS 2:15 )

In ancient times when the Roman army won a great victory, they paraded their defeated enemies through the streets in shackles. As part of the celebrations they burned incense on altars throughout the city, filling the air with perfume.

That way those who couldn’t see the procession knew the army had triumphed because they heard the music and smelled the incense. The scent became symbolic of victory. Are you getting the idea?

Paul says,

“Thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him” (2 Co 2:14 NIV).

Forget Estee Lauder and Chanel No.5! Your life should be so permeated with God’s presence that people around you can pick up the scent of it. After all, you’re the most compelling evidence there is that Jesus is alive and well in His children!

In Florida there’s an elegant cathedral with amazing stained-glass windows, each portraying an important event in the life of Christ. And that’s okay.

But the truth is, God doesn’t need church windows to tell His story – He’s looking for tuned-in, turned-on Christians to do that!

“It’s been said that the longer a husband and wife live together the more they start to look, act and talk alike.” And it’s the same with us. The more time we spend thinking about Jesus, talking to Him, meditating on His Word and basking in His presence, the more people are going to want to know,

“What’s that scent you’re wearing?”

(By Rick Godwin)

Please join us over at The 160 Acre Woods for more Word filled posts!

Direct Dail

Doesn't it seem when we are facing our toughest battles the first thing we run to is our spouses, friends or family for help or advice?

I guess it is just natural for us to reach for that phone before we spend time on our knees.

What we need to learn is how to run to Jesus in our time of need.   Prayer is the best only remedy for any problem we may face. 

Call on Jesus, He is always ready to answer!

Lord forgive me for the many times I run to others in my time of need before I spend time at your feet.  You are so faithful to hear our cries and desire to be our greatest source of comfort, peace, and guidance.  Thank you for hearing me before I even speak.  

Join us today over at The 160 Acre Woods for more word-filled posts!

Helping Hands

It seems these days we are living in a society that is constantly absorbed by its’ own feelings and needs. However, it doesn't take too much effort to notice the multitudes that are struggling in their marriages, finances, health, and with their children.

Unfortunately, many see themselves as a victim, which only perpetuates their pain and denies them from experiencing the freedom that Jesus died to give to all who believe.

For me personally, the quote I choose today has been one of the greatest avenues of blessing in my own life, although I've found this to be true in countless others as well. It is a principal that has been tried and tested since the beginning of time.

Abraham Lincoln, one of the greatest Presidents in U.S. history once said:

“To ease another’s heartache, is to forget one’s own.”

Each and everyday our lives are filled with opportunities to bless and serve others. If we are honest, I think we can all agree that it's not hard to find someone in who is discouraged, without hope and in much greater need than ourselves.

These precious people are in our churches, our schools, our neighborhoods, and even in the line at the grocery store. We see them on the news and we read about them in the paper. For many of us at some time in our lives, we may have been one of these people ourselves, and some kind person came to our rescue.

In the book of Proverbs there is an amazing promise given:

“He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” (Prov. 11:25).

It seems that contrary to our own natural way of thinking, the way to blessing flows from our willingness to become like a fountain of refreshing water, bringing life and hope to those who are discouraged and in need. It is in this giving to others that the door to receiving is opened wide for ourselves.

My eyes were opened to this principal several years ago when my son was diagnosed with a brain tumor. In the beginning, all I could see was our own heartache, anguish, and fear. Our mission was to see our son healed and restored. For the most part that seemed to take all of my strength and energy.

Things began to radically change when we had to move to Memphis and live in the Ronald McDonald House while he was undergoing treatment at St. Jude. Then reality hit me.

We were not alone in this battle. We were surrounded by many other families fighting the same kind of battles, and lots of them were not nearly as fortunate as we were ourselves.

There were single moms with no support; children that had relapsed with little hope of recovery; and some who were at the very end of their battle in great pain.

Saddest of all were those who did not know Jesus and were without hope.

I found that once I was able to allow the Holy Spirit to let me feel their pain, my own problems seemed so different and not nearly as difficult as I once had imagined! By the time I left, I realized how truly blessed I was. I was so grateful for the experience that I had dreaded at first. What I had feared became the very avenue for the greatest blessing in my own life.

The prophet Isaiah was given this very revelation a long time ago as he wrote in Isaiah 58:10-12:

"If you spend yourselves on behalf of the hungry & satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, & your night will become like the noonday. The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs...&...strengthen your frame."

One of the most amazing rewards we have been promised is that it is in giving that our receiving comes. For me there is nothing more empowering.

Today, in the midst of your own heartaches, troubles, or difficulties, why not ask God to show you another person’s needs today? Then when He does, don’t be afraid to let your life become that fountain of refreshing for them.





If you are participating in Tuesdays, In "other" Words, please leave your link below:

Friday Funnies

Where does the time go?  It’s Friday, and I’m ready for some laughter!  Hope you enjoy this Bubba joke, I thought it was hilarious.  Have a blessed day my friends.

Bubba had Shingles

Those of us who spend much time in a doctor's office should appreciate this!

Doesn't it seem that more and more that physicians are running their practices like an assembly line?

Here's what happened to Bubba:

Bubba walked into a doctor's office and the receptionist asked him what he had. Bubba said, Shingles. So she wrote down his name, address, medical insurance number and told him to have a seat.

Fifteen minutes later a nurse's aide came out and asked Bubba what he had. Bubba said, Shingles. So she wrote down his height, weight, a complete medical history and told Bubba to wait in the examining room.

A half hour later a nurse came in and asked Bubba what he had. Bubba said, Shingles. So the nurse gave Bubba a blood test, a blood pressure test, an electrocardiogram, and told Bubba to take off all his clothes and wait for the doctor.

An hour later the doctor came in and asked Bubba what he had. Bubba said, shingles. The doctor asked, Where?

Bubba said, "Outside on the truck. Where do you want them??"

 

Please join us over at The Homesteaders Heart for more laughter today!

Please join me!

Hi Ladies,

I'd love for you to join me on Tuesday March 24th as I will  be hosting In Other Words. 

“In Other Words” was developed for writers to share what God was teaching them around quotes chosen each week.  

The Quote I have chosen to write about is from Abraham Lincholn.  

“To ease another’s heartache
is to forget one’s own. ”

Please think about this and then join us on Tuesday as we share our thoughts and insights on this topic. 

I’ll look forward to reading your posts!

A Good Investment

 

 

On a cool breezy night last month my husband and I attended a formal dinner at  an elegant country club here in our town.  All the ladies were dressed so beautifully in their long flowing gowns, and the men looked so handsome in their sharp black tuxedo's!   We were treated like royalty from the moment we arrived.

If you would like to know more about that special night and what God showed me about Matthew 25:21, then please join me over at the Cafe today!

For more Word Filled Wednesday posts that I know you will enjoy join us today at The 160 Acre Woods.

 

Thought Attacks

What would happen if we stopped lamenting about the fifty things we can’t control and focused our attention on the fifty thousand things we can control? What would happen if we stopped whining about things we have the power to change and finally took charge of our lives and changed them? What would happen if we stopped borrowing sorrow from tomorrow? If we got in the habit of asking ourselves, “What’s on my plate today?”

(Chocolatherapy: Satisfying the Deepest Cravings of Your Inner Chick, by Karen Scalf Linamen)

*********************************************************

Nowadays we hear so much about “Heart Attacks”, but have you every experienced a "Thought attack".  I don't know about you, but I've experienced almost all of the symptoms mentioned above. Whining, complaining and worrying seem to come so natural.  I don't think we realize how much this kind of thinking can contribute to our mental anguish.  The sooner we break their hold on our mind, the easier it will be for us to re-group and get back on track.

Paul admonished us to, “take EVERY thought captive, making it obedient to Christ!”.  (2 Corth. 10:5)

Many times this may seem like a very difficult command to follow, but what is the alternative? Would you rather just let fear control you, and surrender your joy and peace to the enemy?

Thoughts are powerful, and if we are ever going to win the battle over them, then we must be willing to submit our thoughts to the authority of Christ and the Word of God.

Let's not be like our ancestors who whined murmured and complained in the wilderness, even though God was providing for them daily.  Jesus has given us His grace, wisdom and strength to face any circumstance, but we must remember the manner only lasted for one day. Why are you so worried about tomorrow – tomorrow will take care of itself. Trust God and live one day at a time.  I’ve got a long way to go, but I knowing He’s there IN CONTROL, always.  Thank you sweet Jesus!

Lord, forgive me each time I take my eyes off of you and start focusing on my problems.  Give me the faith to place my future in your hands where it is safe with you.  Let me be a witness to your faithfulness, and glorify you in my speech, my thoughts, and in my testimony.

Patricia over at Typing One-Handed is our host today.  Join us!

Coffee With Jesus

(please remember to mute my player first, thanks!)

Does this look familiar?

I’m going to repent now!

Friday Funnies

The Importance of Walking as Exercise

I recently start taking a walk in the evening with my husband.  I desperately really need to get in shape!  When I received this  email I had to laugh.  Hope you enjoy these great benefits for walking!

 

 

♥ Each time you go for a walk, you can add minutes to your life. This enables you at 85 years old to spend an additional 5 months in a nursing home at $7000 per month.

♥ My grandpa started walking five miles a day when he was 60. Now he's 97 years old and we don't know where he is.

♥ I like long walks, especially when they are taken by people who annoy me.

♥ I have to walk early in the morning, before my brain figures out what I'm doing.

♥ I joined a health club last year, spent about 400 bucks. Haven't lost a pound. Apparently you have to go there.

♥ Every time I hear or say the dirty word exercise, I wash my mouth out with chocolate.

♥ I do have flabby thighs, but fortunately my stomach covers them.

♥ I know I got a lot of exercise the last few years, just to get over the hill.

♥ We all get heavier as we get older, because there's a lot more information in our heads. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

♥ They say you can't really know someone until you walk a mile in their shoes. I say if they've got itsy-bitsy feet or some kind of foot disease, I don't wanna know 'em!

Join us today over at The Homesteaders Heart for more fun and laughter!  (Don’t we all need it?)

I Choose Life

 

(picture of my beautiful grandson Cole!)

In making a covenant with His people, God made an interesting statement. He said, "I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live . . ." (Deuteronomy 30:19). It's amazing that some people consciously choose death.

 But that is essentially what we do when we decide to go against God and His Word.

I must admit to you that sin can be very appealing. Because of the short-term pleasures sin brings, we often don't think of its long-term repercussions. I ask you right now, is your sin forgiven? Or are you without that hope, without that knowledge that your sin is forgiven? Until you deal with your sin, it's as if you have erected a wall between you and your God. There is an old saying, "If you feel you are far from God, guess who moved?" God hasn't gone anywhere. But perhaps we have. Perhaps we have let our sin separate us from Him.

We may pray, we may try to draw close to the Lord, but the sin we have not dealt with must be confessed before we can find the forgiveness God wants us to experience. God does and God will forgive sin. He can and will forgive your sin. Choose forgiveness, choose life.

(By Pastor Greg Laurie)

Join us over at the 160 Acre Woods for more Word Filled posts!

Friday Funnies

 

 

♥  Thank God for our church secretaries.  Here is some more funnies that were printed in church bulletins, hope you enjoy a good laugh!  Happy Friday!

♥   Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of
those  things not worth keeping around the house. Don't forget your husbands!

♥  The peacemaking meeting scheduled for today has been canceled due to a conflict.

♥ Don't let worry kill  - let the Church help.

♥  Miss Charlene Mason sang "I will not pass this way again," giving obvious pleasure to the congregation.

♥  Next Thursday there will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the
help they can get.

♥  Barbara remains in the hospital. She is also having trouble sleeping and requests tapes  of  Pastor Jack's sermons.

♥  A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall.
Music will follow…

♥ Potluck supper Sunday at 5:00 PM - prayer and medication to follow.

♥  Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church.  Please use large double door at the side entrance.

♥  Please join us today at Homesteaders Heart for more laughter!

 

Calm and Content

 

“Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself,
like a weaned child who no longer cries for its mother’s milk.
Yes, like a weaned child is my soul within me.” Psalm 131:2

On this Word Filled Wednesday (WFW) I thought I'd share a verse with you that really got my attention as I was studying Psalm 131. I'm now half way through my Stepping Up bible study by Beth Moore.

I am truly enjoying our study of the Psalms of Ascent. It is amazing to think how the Jewish pilgrims sung as they made their way up to Jerusalem to observe the feasts of the Lord. In this psalm the singers proclaimed that they had found true contentment by renouncing pride.

I don't know about you, but over this past year I've battled with trying to understand what God is doing in our nation. I've felt anxiety and unrest as I watched those debates, and now the evening news brings more bad news every night with all of the problems facing America.

I think we can all agree that there is plenty to feel anxious about in today's world.

When I read this verse, the first thing I thought about was how a baby that is not weaned behaves. I recently had my beautiful grandson, Cole, over on Sunday. He is just the happiest baby you have ever seen. However, when it comes time to eat, he will let you know he is hungry in a big way! Now, once his bottle is empty, you have to quickly put a pacifier in his mouth, to keep him satisfied. Cole has not yet learned to know when he is full. Neither has he learned to know how to be patient and trust that all of his needs will be taken care of.

However, David paints a very different picture with a weaned child.  He used this illustration to compare how the needs and passions of a believer can be totally satisfied by the Lord.  He no longer has to try and figure out God. God has made Himself known to all of His children, and because of His presence, we can rest in peace. It's a picture of total trust, and contentment. 

If we can grab hold of God's promises, and refuse to be moved away from them, we can find the calm and quiet that our soul truly longs for. Yes, even in the middle of the battles, we can rest in the arms of the Master and be content, just like a child that has been weaned.

Please join us for more WFW at The 160 Acre Woods.