How do I smell?
But 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. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task? Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God.
~ 2 Corinthians 2:14-17
16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,[a] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.John 3:16 NIVI know this is a verse we see over and over again, but I think it is worth revisiting. Especially during this Easter season, it is important to remember the sacrifice God made. God gave up his Son so that we could have eternal life with Him. He is our Savior. Sometimes I just need to let that resonate in my heart and mind.
Psalm 16:8-9
I have set the LORD always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope. (NKJ)
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:2
“[The Armor of God] Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.”-
Ephesians 6:10-11
Understand
Ecclesiastes 11:5
As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother's womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.
The sooner we accept this the better.
Seek
And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity. Jeremiah 29:13-14
KJVHe should be our number one focus. Daily choose to seek Him. With the Lord first everything else will seem to just fall into place. It may not be in our timing, but in retrospect or through divine revelation you'll understand why.
vine and the branches
1"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. John 15:1-2We are constantly growing and changing. By God's masterful hand, we are being transformed. Inwardly, day after day, God cuts away the parts of us that are destructive. That process, although painful, is for our benefit. So we can display His glory better and brighter.
He knows.
For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.
Hebrews 4:15
Praise God! May this verse be a comfort to you as it has me. There is someone who completely understands what you are going through and have to confront in the future.
No take backs
Romans 11:29
For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.(NKJ)
God's gifts and God's call are under full warranty—never canceled, never rescinded. (MSG)
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6
I am leaning pretty hard on this passage because I am at that stage in life where my future is uncertain. I want so badly to glance down the road a few years from now, and know exactly what my future holds. But I can't see that far, and I have to trust in God no matter where His path takes me. I know he has been faithful to me, and will continue to be as I venture out.
Stronger
“Is not my word like fire," declares the LORD, "and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?” ~Jeremiah 23:29
There is no doubt in my mind that diamonds are not stronger than God's word. After this verse why would there be any second guessing?
On and FYI note: The infrequency of blogging on my behalf has been due to the fact that my computer was stolen 1.5 weeks ago and therefore
Internet access isn't as easy to come by. I have decided cancel my home
Internet and not to repurchase a computer since I will be leaving for
The World Race in less than 3 months!
Also be advised, I like to backdate!
AMEN!
My Christian brothers, you should be happy when you have all kind of tests. You know these prove your faith. It helps you not to give up. Learn well how to wait so you will be strong and complete and in need of nothing.
James 1:2-4
This is my life right now...full of mini tests...in preparation of needing nothing in June. Thankfully, my tests are mini and nothing too horrifying has happened.
Only 1 example
To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
1 Peter 2:21
I had a friend fairly recently express her frustrations with the actions of fellow Christian friends. She felt confused by their example and therefore felt they were hypocritical, questioning the worth of their friendships. It is her choice what to do about the friendships, however, I wanted to share with you my thoughts in responding to my friend. I didn't have the words to share with her then, but as I've thought about it...the impression I got from her was that she was looking to them as her example...however, we as Christians need to understand and be reminded,
we are to only follow Christ's example! My other suggestion is to talk to our friends about the behaviors she feels is hypocritical. We
are to hold each other accountable to our actions so that we reflect Christs example as best as we can.
Faith through Love
The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. ~Galatians 5:6
How true is this? I LOVE IT!! It's a challenge to love all people, but we have to put our faith in God that by loving the hard to love changes will happen. Changes that will bring glory to His name and add to the Kingdom of Christ.
be still
This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says:
"In repentance and rest is your salvation,
in quietness and trust is your strength,..."
Isaiah 30:15
We're being told how important it is to slow down, reflect and change from our ways of sinfulness. I think this is especially important during Lent or any time of fasting. So many people give up something, making a small sacrifice in acknowledging God's ultimate sacrifice of his son Jesus Christ. My question is, what are we doing instead? With that time that we now have from giving up a favorite TV show? or from eating at home instead of restaurants? Are we using that time to repent, rest, be quiet, and still?
Even outside of Lent and fasting, with the world being so fast paced...it seems this passage is even more relative to our lives. We need rest and quiet, we need our time to be still and trust in God so our strength can be renewed and our salvation appreciated.
Hope
3Not only so, but we[
a] also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
Romans 5:3-5
14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Psalm 19:14
I've found that my words and thoughts are a direct reflection of what is going on in my heart. The Bible talks about this a lot. What we say is an overflow of what is stored up. When I feel disconnected from God, my personal time is lacking, or I feel bitterness, my thoughts reflect it. But, when I am in tune with Christ, my words and actions seem to be in line and uplifting. More than that, I want what I say to please God.
Infants Praise!
Nursing infants gurgle choruses about you;
toddlers shout the songs
That drown out enemy talk,
and silence atheist babble.
Psalm 8:2 (the message)
I just really love this verse, infants, so small and tiny that often as adults we don't acknowledge their spiritual strength... Their songs drown out the enemy!!
Spiritual Gifts
12The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. 13For we were all baptized by[
c] one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
1 Corinthians 12:12
