In His Word Wednesday- Sweet Smelling Aroma

2Corin. 2:15 "For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing..."

Aroma is defined in a couple ways. Here is one I found, and thought appropriate. Aroma- a distinctive odor that is pleasant .

If we are to be an "aroma" for Christ, are we over the top? Are we in people's faces? Are we pointing fingers? Or do we keep secret what we know? DO we just hope that people will notice Christ in us? The "aroma" is distinctive. That means people will take notice, like there is "just something about them!". And it is "pleasant"- pleasing, agreeable, or enjoyable; giving pleasure.

Are we enjoyable? DO we give others pleasure by just being around them?

As a woman, we need to restrain those lips (Prov. 10:19), we need to be ready with a good word (Prov. 12:25) and a wise tongue (Prov. 12:18). We need to keep our answers soft (Prov. 15:1) and our words sweet (Prov. 16:21, 24). Remember~ idol chatter, leads to poverty (Prov. 14:23). SO keep busy doing the Lord's will!

All of these verses and more, I have highlighted in my Bible in pink. Everything in Pink in my Bible is for me, as a woman. So then, when I flip through, I can be reminded to look at each of those words and be reminded what kind of Aroma I am to be as a woman.

For other words of encouragement & prayer requests, join us IN His Word.

You Can Be a Minister of God

Once, a person who I love dearly told me that they trusted the teachings of another person because they (the person I love dearly) weren't as knowledgeable in the Word. I told the person, at the time, that they didn't HAVE to be more studied then this person they were listening to. At the time I used 1 Corinthians 1:27-29, which states:


"But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God."

God chooses the underdog! Thank you, Jesus! Because in the grand scheme of things, I am nobody. I stay-at-home with my kids, I try to make life better for my family, and try to treat my husband the way he should be treated. In Hollywood standard, I am a hillbilly, I am middle America, I am blue collar... nobody.

BUT!!! TO GOD, I am someone! I am beautiful, I am a part of His Kingdom, I am raising up children to spread the gospel to even more people in this world, I am weak- but HE is my strength, I am poor- but HE is my treasure, I am nothing- but to HIM I am EVERYTHING! I myself am empty, but in Christ, I am FULL of the HOLY SPIRIT! God uses people like me and like you, to bring down the elect! We don't need all of that book knowledge, we need the only thing that can bring true knowledge- GOD! His strength is made perfect in our weakness (2 Cor. 12:9)!

Then last night at our Bible study, these verses stuck out to me:

2 Corinthians 3:5-6 "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life."

God is our sufficiency! He has made us MINISTERS of the new covenant!!!! We are ministers??? WOW! God wants us to go and preach the new covenant! Not because WE are sufficient, but because HE IS! So what is the new covenant? Let's start with the old covenant. The old covenant is the covenant made with Moses on Mt Sinai, which is the 10 Commandments. The NEW covenant is God living in us, the Holy Spirit, so that we can go directly to God. We no longer need a mediator ( like when they used to have to go to the High Priest, and then the High Priest would go to God for them, often offering a sacrifice for the sin). The New Covenant was sealed with the blood of Jesus, who was the spotless lamb, offered as a sacrifice for our sins.

So if we are the ministers of the new covenant, what does that mean? A minister is "one who serves". So, we are doing some footwork for the Holy Spirit! Everyone already has the Holy Spirit, but we need to tell the Good News of Jesus and what He did for us, and then help people realize that they too can have a relationship with God. Going to Him daily, walking with Him, talking with Him.

Isn't that awesome news? The dear person I told you about in the beginning may not be knowledgeable according to some people's standards, but according to God, there is no better person to talk to then this dear person! Not that knowledge of the Bible is bad, because it is not bad! We should be reading daily, and absorbing daily! BUT, God wants us to be meek, pure in heart, peacemakers, merciful, poor, slow to speak, loving... because in our shortcomings... THAT is when the Lord gets to SHINE!

Let HIM be seen, and not us.

Giving with Liberality

I was on my way home today from getting my baby immunized (he's a tough boy!), and I was listening to the Christian radio station in our area. I think the program is called Money Wise. It is put on by Crown Financial.

Anyways, I had no idea it was a "money" show, or I probably would have flipped it! I like to listen to music in the car! Anyways, for some reason, I listened.

The speaker was a Mr Robert Morris, a pastor from Texas. He was talking about giving. He referred to Romans 12. In Romans 12, it talks about the gifts of the church body. And I have read the parts like, those who have the gifts of prophesy, let us prophesy. For those who have the gift of ministry, minister. He who exhorts, exhortation. But then there is a part, verse 8 says "... he who gives, with liberality..."

After listening to Mr. Morris's giving, and listening to how the Lord had blessed he and his family beyond what he could have ever imagined, I was inspired. First, I shed tears for how awesome God really is. How when we listen to Him and His call for us, He will "pay it back" 10 fold, and more. Mr. Morris has given his home, many vehicles, and cleaned out his bank account on many occasions, and the Lord is faithful to keep His promises. He has taken care of this man and really blessed him.

Can you imagine, the Lord asking you to give your home, your 2 vehicles, and all of the money in your bank accounts... And then you say "OK, Lord." And then, you do it!?

Am I THAT strong in my faith? Could I DO that? Could you???

I looked to the verse in Romans that Mr. Morris referred to. And read the words "giving, with liberality". Do I have that gift???

Liberality means broadness or fullness, generosity, bounty, or a state of being generous. When we give, do we give with bounty? Do we give with fullness?

In Proverbs 31:20, it says of this woman of God, "She is generous to the poor and needy."

In 2 Corinthians 8, it says "Our friends, we want you to know what God's grace has accomplished in the churches in Macedonia. They have been severely tested by the troubles they went through; but their joy was so great that they were extremely generous in their giving, even though they are very poor. I can assure you that they gave as much as they could, and even more than they could. Of their own free will they begged us and pleaded for the privilege of having a part in helping God's people in Judea."

I know we are beyond the "time of year for giving". And times are very hard for lots of people, probably even including you. But the Macedonian churches, gave even when they were very poor...

Or the poor widow in Mark 12:41-44... The poor woman gave more then the people who had lots of money.

Do make excuses for ourselves? "Well, what if times get bad and I NEED all of this stuff.... " Do we not trust the One who is in control of all of Heaven and Earth? Why do we put a limit on what God can accomplish?

This is enough of me ranting, but I have been convicted today. And I have somethings I need to take another look at. I also have a storage area or 2 that is getting very filled with blessings the Lord has given us. Time for some early Spring cleaning, people! Is anybody with me?

Lord- Thank you for opening up my eyes, my ears and my heart today so I could hear what YOU want for me. Thank you for being so faithful that You take care of Your people, when they heed Your call. Please, take these items that we are "cleaning out" today, and use them to bless someone. Please continue to keep our hearts soft, so You can continue to speak, and we can continue to obey Your call. I love You, Jesus. ~Amen

Who is in Control?

Who is in control of YOUR life?

Daily things happen. Laundry. Dishes. Phone calls. Running Errands. Jobs. Kid's homework. Sick kids. Bills in the mail. Spouse is late coming home. You forgot to buy something at the store that you needed YESTERDAY. Not as much income coming in. The list goes on and on...

You have piled things too high on that plate of yours and now, it's all coming down around you. Stress sneaks in and we allow fear to take over.

As one thing after another thing happens, as we continue to get hit from all directions, what do we do? Keep putting out fires? Hunker down and wait for it all to blow over?


Psa 57:1 To the Chief Musician. Do not destroy. A secret treasure of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave. Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me; for my soul trusts in You; yea, in the shadow of Your wings I will make my hiding-place, until these great troubles pass by. 2 I will cry to God most high, to God who does all things for me. 3 He shall send from Heaven, and save me from the scorn of him who would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth His mercy and His truth. 4 My soul is among lions; I lie among those on fire, the sons of men whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword. 5 Be praised above the heavens, O God; let Your glory be above all the earth. 6 They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down; they have dug a pit before me, they have fallen into it. Selah. 7 My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise. 8 Wake up, my soul! Wake up, harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn. 9 I will praise You, O Jehovah, among the peoples; I will sing to You among the nations. 10 For Your mercy is great to the heavens, and Your truth to the clouds. 11 Be exalted above the heavens, O God; let Your glory be above all the earth.

Lets remember, as days pass and stresses come in and out of our lives, who is in control. We choose- Who will you have in control of YOUR life? Will you choose to take the leade? Or will you choose to hide under the wings of the One who is ALWAYS in control. If you are choosing God today to be in control, Praise Him. Not just behind the doors in your home, not just in your church. Praise Him in front of EVERYONE! Praise Him to all nations! May the Lord's glory be shown in our lives!

In those times of trouble call on His name, but do not forget to be praising Him ALWAYS.

Worship

Psa 40:1-5 For the choir director; a psalm by David. I waited patiently for the LORD. He turned to me and heard my cry for help. He pulled me out of a horrible pit, out of the mud and clay. He set my feet on a rock and made my steps secure. He placed a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see this and worship. They will trust the LORD. Blessed is the person who places his confidence in the LORD and does not rely on arrogant people or those who follow lies. You have done many miraculous things, O LORD my God. You have made many wonderful plans for us. No one compares to you! I will tell others about your miracles, which are more than I can count.

Our worship is not for others. It is not to make us look good or to make us even FEEL good. Worship is honor and reverence paid to God, for all that He is and all that He was and will be.

We should not be ashamed to sing out praise songs in our cars while others can see you, or while we are in our homes while our children are watching and we should definitely NOT be ashamed while we are in church. For who do we worship? When we get to heaven, will we look at a screen, and read the words? Will we bury our face in a hymnal? Will we nervously sing to God because there are others watching?

With God looking straight into our eyes, and us looking straight back into His eyes, will we be ashamed? Or are we going to praise and worship with all of our might! How awesome it will be to be in His presence someday!

Wait.... Someday? SOMEDAY??? He will be present if we are worshiping Him. TRUE WORSHIP. Are we really bringing honor to Him?

Don't be ashamed. This is for the Lord ONLY. If we would all remember that and just worship like we were looking straight into His eyes, how awesome would our worship be?

I can't wait for that day!

One of the Blogs I love, recently had this post. Watch the video, Be encouraged.