Never ending housework, family commitments, job responsibilities, promises to friends, and obligations to wonderful organizations…..Sound familiar?I am sure that most of you can relate to that seemingly limitless agenda of daily tasks.
While trying to figure out how to “do it all”, be superwoman, get the kids ready for school, remember practice schedules for three different children, keep appointments, feed my family something other than waffles for dinner and still remember to brush my teeth (only kidding-I try to remember that last one), I realized that I cannot do it all!At least I cannot do it all by myself!
I was reminded of just how crucial it is for me to “push back the demands of the day” (taken from JESUS CALLING by Sarah Young) and realign myself daily with God’s Perspective.He is able to organize my thoughts and somehow provide me the ability to accomplish what is most important.All I have to do is go to Him each day and He will direct my paths.When I put Him first, everything else falls into place and I can relax knowing He is in control.Everything isn’t up to me to accomplish on my own.He is my strength and my source!
With all of the different roles that each of us hold, there is none greater than being a child of the Most High and daily renewing our minds, daily refreshing our spirits, and daily relaxing in His Presence.Will you join me and relax in His Presence today?
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Psalm 32:8 (NIV)
Prayer
Dear Lord,
I come to you and ask you to help us be more aware of Your longing to be in our daily lives and in our daily agendas.We know that without You we can do nothing, but in You we can do ALL things because You give us strength.Help us to remember that You give the renewing, refreshing, and relaxing that we desire.We love You, Lord!
Not that I ever knew this, mind you.I’ve had pierced ears since long before my fifth-grader entered my life.In fact, he loved my earrings so much as a baby that I – as most moms do – had to stop wearing anything that dangled from my earlobes, or suffer the consequences.
Okay, I guess I should clarify.My son doesn’t really mind earrings, it’s the piercing he can’t deal with.But we only discovered this about our firstborn when we started talking about his younger sister getting her ears pierced.
You see, to our great joy, our daughter had professed her personal faith in Christ, going beyond Bible stories and Sunday School lessons to grasping her personal need for a Savior, and she wanted to be baptized.
My husband and I decided that, in honor of our daughter’s baptism – as she became independent in her personal walk of faith – we would allow her to get her ears pierced.
I wrote her a long letter, recalling God’s instructions to servants who wished to commit themselves to their master for life: to have their ear pierced against the doorframe of the house, in front of the town elders (Exodus 21:5-6).
I told our daughter that in the same way, every time she changed her earrings, she would be reminded that she has pledged herself to God, serving and trusting Him as her good and perfect and loving Master.
Now, we knew this would gross her brother out a bit, so we decided to have it done while he was away at camp for a week.Our girl fearlessly presented herself to the woman at the boutique and didn’t shed a single tear – although her eyes grew mighty wide after the first earring punched through!
By the time her brother was to come home from camp, the rest of us had already gotten used to our daughter’s new look.So when we went to camp on pick-up day, we didn’t give the earrings a second thought.
Until he saw her.The second my son laid eyes on his sister, he looked away and moaned.
For the next twenty-four hours, he couldn’t look at her.He couldn’t even be in the same room with her.And it wasn’t out of anger or judgment.He was just so repulsed at even the thought of it that he could not get close to her.
She cried.He cried.And the more she cried at wanting to be with her big brother, the more he cried at his inability to be with her.My son chose to spend most of the next two days in his room, or at least in a separate part of the house.
It was the most gut-wrenching thing I’ve ever seen.
As I helplessly watched this scenario unfold, it struck to me that this was exactly the scene in the Garden.In particular, three things came into vivid focus.
First – like my son, but infinitely more so – the Father was so repulsed at Adam’s and Eve’s sin that He simply could not be near them.Just like one drop of acid would render pure water contaminated, our Holy God simply can’t touch anything imperfect, or His perfection would be compromised.
Because of their sin, Adam and Eve couldn’t even look at their Father’s face anymore.
“…you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.” Exodus 33:20 NIV
Second – like my daughter – mankind has longed – ever since the exile from the Garden – to be close to the Father again, to have Him look lovingly upon us.But it just isn’t in Him.And so we grieve deeply.
In fact, as I watched my children walk through that mess, it was very easy for me to relate to my daughter’s despair.How many times in my early life did I feel the chasm between me and God and long to jump across it?
And what inexpressible joy when I found that, once I wrapped myself in Christ, all the Father saw was perfection, and that He can now gather me up in His lap whenever I approach Him.
But even as a believer, walking through painful seasons of life, my spirit groans at being separated from God’s pure, holy, unadulterated Presence.We are still separated from our perfect home and the Father’s visible Face.So often, when I look at life on this earth compared to what ultimately awaits, it weighs me down with sadness.
But to see the anguish on the other side is one I hadn’t imagined before.And it was painful.
That was the last, and most powerful thing that struck me.Because, to be honest, I’d never in my life thought about our separation from God from the perspective of His heart.But, you know, it’s absolutely true.
It wasn’t so much that the Father was angry with Adam & Eve.It was the fact that they’d pierced His heart.Because of what they had unleashed, He couldn’t walk and talk with them again – ever.
If it didn’t actually pain God to be separated from His children, He wouldn’t have done anything about it. He would have just walked away, shaking the dust from His feet, and left us to our own devices.
But the Father loves us – loves you and loves me – so much that separating Himself from us causes Him great anguish.How do we know?Because He was willing to go to such anguishing lengths to remedy it – sending His Son to pay the price of our sin.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 NIV
Watching my children suffer through their inability to be reunited was not something I ever want to repeat.And yet, as we celebrated Valentine’s Day yesterday I was thankful for that difficult parenting experience.
Because, for the first time, I think I’ve finally begun to understand both the curse of my sin and the great depths of God’s love for me – and for you.
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! 1 John 3:1 NIV
The LORD appeared to us in the past saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with lovingkindness.” Jeremiah 31:3 NIV
Prayer
Lord, thank you that Your love of me is greater than my sin.Thank you that You are not a distant judge but a loving, compassionate Father.Help me to know and experience the deep, abiding, love that You have just for me.Amen.
The delicate, perfectly formed white flowers shone from the cover of the winter magazine and I couldn’t wait for my own paperwhite bulbs to bud. Each day I checked on the progress of the green shoots sprouting in the dish on the ledge. Much to my delight, the snowy blooms finally opened and were every bit as beautiful as the ones featured in the article.
The next day, though, I detected a nasty odor somewhere in the room. The stink intensified within a few hours and it appeared that some varmint had managed to get into the house, crawl into a corner, and die. I peered inside every cabinet, closet and drawer, checking under everything, even inspecting inside the heating vents, to no avail. While I was relieved a putrefying carcass had not been discovered, I remained mystified as to the source of the stench. My husband and daughter were similarly stumped. Dusting the next day, however, I reached onto the ledge and when I moved the paperwhites, the fumes nearly knocked me over. Much to my surprise the exquisite blooms were the culprit, emitting the noxious smell.
Wow. If something as stunning as paperwhites could have made such a nauseating odor, what must even our very best dressed lives “smell” like to God? And, what must they “smell” like to others?
Jesus decried the hypocrites of His day, saying, “You are like white washed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.” (Matthew 23:27b-28, NIV)
Are our lives simply painted white on the outside, perhaps with the appearance of good deeds done? Or, are we allowing God to work in us, daily cleaning out the rot and filling us with His fragrance?
Paul said, “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:2, NIV)
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. (2 Corinthians 2:14-15, NIV)
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you that you sent your Son to die as the once-for-all sacrifice, the perfect One to cleanse us from our sins. Help us to present ourselves to you daily for continued washing even in the most hidden recesses of our lives, and please fill us with your fragrance so that our lives are a sweet-smelling aroma of You to those around us. In Christ’s precious name, Amen
As this New Year began I was contemplating, once again, what we had accomplished as a ministry in 2011. But even closer to home, what have I personally accomplished that has value for eternity? That is a sobering question and one I have asked myself many times over the years.
It all began several years ago as I visited our youth prayer room. There were notes and scripture everywhere that the students had taped on the walls or shelves. There was a cross with notes attached to it asking for forgiveness. It really touched my heart to see the hurts and requests that were so apparently genuine in their cry for help. Then, as I moved around the room, there was a note that pierced my heart. “Why do I do so much that has no eternal value?” Now why would this question be right at my eye level? I believe God placed it there for me to ponder as a wake up call.
I began to think back over my day and examine what I had done in the course of that day. Sure, I was busy all day, (like Martha), but what was of any eternal value. I have written that question on an index card and have it on my bathroom mirror where I am faced with it daily. It has changed my perspective on my activities of each day. If I keep that question foremost on my mind it totally changes my priorities for the day.
Take your own personal survey. Examine the time you have spent today, last week, last month, or since 2012 began! What have you accomplished this year that will have eternal value? Before you know it the year will be gone and what activities will have been of value for eternity.
For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 1 Corinthians 3:11-14 (NKJV)
Now that passage alone should cause us to reflect on our actions each and every day. Those actions will be revealed one day. Jesus is our foundation and we are to build on Him with precious stones, gold, and silver. The wood, hay, and stubble will be burned up by God’s discerning judgment. Wouldn’t it be a shame to get to the throne and watch everything we did here on earth burn to a crisp? That’s why it is wise to examine our motives and actions on a daily basis. Here are some reflection questions:
How have you invested in another persons’ life today?
How much time have you spent at Jesus feet in this past week?
Have you looked for divine appointments throughout your day?
Did you speak a kind word of encouragement or assist someone with a heavy load?
Did you jot a note to a hurting friend or do something special for them that lets them know you are thinking of them?
Did you go and just sit with someone who was grieving a loss in their life?
Did you smile at someone who seemed especially down hearted today and acknowledge you care about their troubles?
Did you write a letter to someone who is in prison?
I remember as a teenager setting the field on fire behind our house as I burned the trash one day. That dry grass caught fire and took off. We had to call the fire department to come put it out before it burnt up the whole field! I think of that incident when I read about the wood, hay, and stubble being burned up. It won’t take long to see those things obliterated before our eyes. Are you storing up treasures worthy of Christ or are your works all wood, hay and stubble which will be devoured by His wrath?
Prayer
Dear Abba Father, we ask you to take away anything that is not of value. Show us now Lord, before we waste our time with frivolous activities and watch them be incinerated right before our eyes. We want so much to lay before you gold, silver, and precious stones. You are worthy of no less! Teach us to reach out beyond our needs to help those who are hurting Lord, just like You did. We love you Lord. Amen.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. (NIV)
Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly. (The Message)
Do you sometimes feel like everything is on your shoulders?
Keep up the relationships that are meaningful to you?
Use your gifts and abilities in helping and ministering to others?
The list goes on and I’M ALREADY TIRED!
This New Year brought an interesting perspective for me. Each year I spend a little time in prayer and thought asking the Lord if there is some kind of resolution I should make. I don’t always make New Year’s resolutions but some years it just seems like the right thing to do.
This year I found my heart getting heavier and heavier as I looked toward the New Year and all it might hold for me. I found myself not wanting to make plans or commit my time, energy or talents to hardly anything. This is typically NOT my personality. I’m typically a “doer” and a “go-er”.
During one of my prayer times I believe the Lord revealed to me that I was facing the year with fear. l remembered that last year I made some resolutions I was not able to keep and I didn’t want to do that again. It feels like failure.
I realized that my resolutions were really a way of trying to have more control over my life. And last year several things happened that were way beyond my control—my husband was diagnosed with prostate cancer, two of my children moved, our youngest son got married, two friends lost their young sons to tragic deaths. How do you plan for all of that?!
The Lord and I had a dialogue that went something like this:
Me: Lord, is there something I should resolve to do this year? I’m afraid I will over commit and I will be tired and worn out. What if I organize and plan and it’s “too much”?
Jesus: You can quit. You are not stuck!
Me: Yes, I don’t like to quit and not follow through. But I could back out of some things if it’s the right thing to do. But what if I’m spiritually tired and don’t have anything from my heart to give? What if there is no overflow?
Jesus: Well then, can you just show up?
Beth: Yes, I can show up.
Jesus: Can you trust me to give you all the energy, insight, overflow that you will need when the time comes? Can you trust me to be there when you are weak—for I am strong?
Beth: Well, since you put it that way—Yes! You mean we are back to that same old thing that I keep forgetting—You are with me and in me. You will never leave me or forsake me. You and I are in this together. We are co-laborers together in life.
Why do I keep forgetting that? His yoke is easy and his burden is light. Jesus is referring to a yoke used to link oxen together to accomplish hard work—work that would be very difficult for one oxen but not for two.
Dear sisters, remember you are yoked with the One who could do ALL the work—but he invites us to be yoked with Him and join in. Only then will our journey find rest. Only then will we find joy. Only then will the task fit us perfectly. Only then will we learn the unforced rhythms of grace, to live lightly and freely.
Prayer
I ask you, Jesus, to be our teacher. You know how to be human. Please show us the way.
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 (NIV)
It began with a stomach ache. For several days, my eight-year-old complained of increasing discomfort in his tummy. When he doubled over in pain one night, we rushed to an urgent care clinic. The on-call physician attributed Nathan’s aches to a virus and sent us home. Yet, over the next few days, more troubling, inexplicable symptoms emerged. He became confused by simple instructions and avoided eye contact. He rarely slept and his arms and legs began to twitch and flail involuntarily.
Our pediatrician was perplexed. Desperate for answers, I scoured the Internet searching for a possible diagnosis and praying for guidance. Meanwhile, Nathan’s condition only worsened. He became “afraid” of food and refused to eat. He winced at undetectable sounds and claimed to see people walking around our house.
My son was slipping into an abyss of mental and physical bondage and it was horrible to watch. My husband and I began to pray specifically for healing for Nathan’s body and mind. We also asked God to point us toward someone who could speak truth into our situation.
Out of His incredible grace, God directed us to a veteran neurologist. After a brief battery of tests, he confirmed that Nathan’s symptoms stemmed from an undiagnosed case of Rheumatic Fever. Better yet, it was treatable with antibiotics!
After nine months of suffering, I’m happy to report that Nathan is on the road to recovery. Watching him emerge from the effects of this frightening disease has been both humbling and joyous. The constant pain is gone, the imaginary people have disappeared, and we are once again graced with Nathan’s beautiful smile each morning. And when he happily ate his entire Christmas dinner, we marked his victory with hugs and cheers.
When I knelt at our church’s altar this Christmas Eve, my tears flowed freely as I recalled the darkest moments of my son’s struggle. I thanked God for answering our prayers and prayed for an opportunity to encourage others with Nathan’s story. A verse immediately came to mind—Romans 12:2. (see above)
I thought of the neurologist’s explanation of how Nathan fell prey to Rheumatic Fever and its terrible side effects. Through a weakness in his immune system, this ugly disease slipped in and essentially hijacked his mind. As a result, Nathan’s perception of the world around him was temporarily altered. In this confusing state, he could no longer distinguish between reality and falsehood.
I began to see the life application for myself, and perhaps for some of you. Although I accepted Christ as a child, I have spent periods of my life paralyzed by grief, blinded by depression, and enslaved to fear. In this vulnerable state, I allowed the Enemy to invade my heart and mind, bringing with him a host of doubts and deceptions.
Even with the freeing truth of God’s Word readily available to me, I have often mistaken Satan’s whispers for reality. As a former chronic worrier, I used to spend hours fretting over difficult situations when a dose of biblical truth would have quickly resolved my problems. This is precisely why God gave us this incredible verse in Romans. It reminds us of our vulnerability to mental attacks and instructs us to continually renew our minds with God’s truth.
But there’s more good news in this verse: when we submit to this mental renewal, we are given a great gift. The second half of Romans 12:2 says that this transformation will equip us to “test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” With minds unleashed from deception, we are free and clear to discern God’s will.
Are you seeking God’s will for your life in this New Year? Have you allowed the evil one to hijack your thought life? If you are tired of living in bondage to troublesome thoughts, dangerous deceptions, and painful patterns, there is hope for you today. Simply accept the gift of renewal God offers through the absolute truth of His Word. With renewed minds, we can move forward in His strength and power to accomplish great things in His name.
Prayer
Father God, I confess to you that I have allowed feelings of fear, worry, guilt, and unforgiveness to invade my heart and mind. I submit those thoughts to you right now and ask you renew my mind with your transforming truth. Fill the void in my heart with the satisfaction and peace that come from trusting you with all of my worries and cares. I pray this in Jesus’ name.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012, 7:00 at Calvary's Central Campus - “Praise Instead of Despair”
Speakers: Sarah Bush and Keena White
Life in a fallen world brings many reasons to despair. When we enter into a relationship with our Creator, we find that He replaces our shame, failures, and insecurities with hope, purpose, and true acceptance. Finding our identity in a relationship with God can result in our despair being replaced by praise.
My husband and I love to take our little boat out into the Bogue Inlet Bay waters around Swansboro, North Carolina. There are so many beautiful little islands inhabited only by birds, just waiting to be explored.
We also enjoy throwing a hook or two into the emerald blue water. The sea is usually clear and calm. However, when the wind kicks up and the tide flows, these calm waters can grow choppy.
When fishing in rolling swells, you’d better keep your eyes on something in the distance. To focus on the edge of the boat and each surge in the water is asking for a wave of nausea or worse.
When I focus on my circumstances, problems and concerns, they tower over me, making it difficult to see the big picture. I become so focused on my difficult situation that I lose my view of how big God is. Doubt and fear threaten to seep into my heart and drown my faith. Praise and grateful words are replaced with grumbling and complaining.
When this happens, it’s time to adjust my focus and lift my eyes. Maybe your focus needs an adjustment, too. Here are some things I do – I hope this list helps you, too.
List my concerns one by one and offer the list to my Heavenly Father and leave my anxious thoughts in His Hands.
Ask for a grateful heart.
Read a Psalm each day during my quiet time.
Meditate on a specific attribute of God and write a prayer of thanksgiving.
Search for scriptures that praise Him. Write one on an index card and place it in my pocket to read over and over as an exclamation of praise.
Take a slow walk and enjoy nature. Thank Him for everything that captures my attention.
Put away my prayer request list and cease asking for one day (or more). Praise Him and thank Him from sunrise to sunset.
When I focus on God’s faithfulness and goodness even in the face of adversity, I can stop telling God how big my problems are and start telling my problems how big my God is.
From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised. Psalm 113:3 (NIV)
Prayer
Lord, I know You see me and the circumstances surrounding my life. Lord, help me lift my chin, turn my eyes to You and praise You. You are worthy of all praise. Amen
Okay, it’s only January 4, and I already miss the lights.
I’ve always loved Christmas lights. Even as a young Jewish girl who had no desire to celebrate Christmas, I still loved Christmas lights. White lights and multicolored lights. Blinking bulbs and steady strands. Simple lines and extravagant displays.
When I came to faith in Jesus, I was thrilled to be able to celebrate The Light while enjoying the lights. In fact, I was baptized that December, with the whole town lit up!
Now in my forties, I still love Christmas lights. And this year I discovered a new kind. They are huge outdoor ornaments – the size of basketballs – that light up in a vast array of colors and patterns. Maybe they’ve been around for awhile, but I’d never seen them before.
Until one evening, driving home from my son’s basketball game. Seemingly suspended in mid-air, these beautiful lights literally took my breath away.
I was entranced. I thought about those pretty ornaments all week. I began comparing all other displays to these sparkly new lights. None came even remotely close.
The next week, I drove by that house again. But this time, it wasn’t at night. And in the mid-day sun, instead of a brilliant display of sparkling orbs, all I saw was a tangled mess of ropes and extension cords.
The mystique was shattered. The magic gone. Behind all the beauty was an ugly mess.
As I mulled over my disappointment, it struck me that our lives are just like those ornaments.
We may try to make people think otherwise, but our lives are a mess. They are filled with the pain of broken relationships and broken bodies.
Yet, somehow, someway, God is able to bind up our fractures in ways that bring blessing. Blessing for us as we walk through our brokenness with Him by our side, and blessing for others as they watch us put one persevering foot in front of the other.
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:6-9 NIV
The key is to not get tangled up. To know that there is more than what we can see. To trust that God will ultimately weave the pain and frustration and brokenness together with His marvelous light to produce the most unique and brilliant displays.
When you finally get to that place of restoration and beauty, you will not – and should not – forget the tangles that have woven you into the person you are. And eventually, when ugly knots form again, you will be able to trust that “the One who began a good work among you will keep it growing until it is completed…” (Philippians 1:6 CJB)
In fact, without the jumbled mess of ropes and extension cords, there would have been no Christmas light to entrance me in the first place. It’s not beauty in spite of the mess. It is beauty because of the mess.
So don’t let the tangles of your life prevent you from shining forth – they are, in fact, what make your light shine so beautifully and so uniquely.
And another thing. If you – like me – often look at someone else’s beautiful, shiny, perfect life and think that they must have no idea what deep pain and disappointment feels like, consider this: behind their bright smile is probably a web of scars that have woven them into the person you see today.
Surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish. In your love you kept me from the pit of destruction; you have put all my sins behind your back. Isaiah 38:17 NIV
No training seems pleasant at the time. In fact, it seems painful. But later on it produces a harvest of godliness and peace. Hebrews 12:11 NIRV
Maybe 2011 was a year of messy, ugly cords for you. Maybe you’re still tangled up. Or perhaps God has redeemed your time of crisis, and now you are able to shine unhindered.
Wherever you are in the midst of life’s tangles and knots, know that ultimately – whether you have a chance to see it on this side of heaven or not – God is weaving it all together to make a breathtakingly beautiful display.
We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 NRS
Prayer
Lord, as I walk through the disappointments and afflictions of this life, help me trust that You can see the light at the end. And help me to never forget that the wounds of my past are what make me uniquely beautiful. Amen.
Several months ago my daughter and I were sharing childhood memories. She shared something that really surprised me - smelling peanut butter reminded her of me! When she was around 4 years old, I would sit on the patio eating peanut butter and watch her ride her tricycle. Periodically she would run over to give me a hug and then run back to ride again - this precious time together was linked with the smell of peanut butter!
There are so many aromas during the Christmas season that remind me of past events - evergreen trees, peppermint, cinnamon, apple cider, wood burning, and hot chocolate just to name a few. Some are reminders of powerful and sweet memories and others are reminders of difficult and hurtful events.
As I was contemplating the power of this association I began to question my aroma to those around me. Do I treat others with kindness in my words and actions that give a pleasing fragrance? Is there an association between my aroma and Christ’s love for others? When I am busy with the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season in the malls, while driving, in the grocery store, decorating with my family, making cookies with my grandchildren - do others associate my actions with the love of Christ?
I had no rest for my spirit, not finding Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I went on to Macedonia. But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for these things? For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God. 2 Corinthians 2:13-17 (NASB)
Prayer
Father God, thank you for my salvation. I pray that this Christmas season will be focused on the celebration of your birth and a reminder that your birth, death and resurrection is the gift of my salvation. In honor of you, may I be a sweet fragrance of Christ to those around me.
