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!