[Faith-talk] FW: [thefamilyoffaith] The Aroma of Christ - Girlfriends in God - March 2

Sat Mar 3 02:52:16 UTC 2012


Original Message: 
From: "thefamilyoffaith" <TheFamilyofFaith at tampabay.rr.com>
To: <thefamilyoffaith at yahoogroups.com>,
<INTERCESSORS-ALLNATIONS at yahoogroups.com>,
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Subject: [thefamilyoffaith] The Aroma of Christ - Girlfriends in God -
March 2
Date: 
Fri, 2 Mar 2012 08:25:23 -0500


                 March 2, 2012
                                The Aroma of Christ
                                Mary Southerland 

                                Today's Truth
                                But thanks be to God, who always leads us
as captives in Christ's triumphal procession and uses us to spread the
aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are to God the pleasing
aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are
perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an
aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task? (2 Corinthians
2:14-16, NIV).

                                Friend to Friend
                                I tend to be a creature of habit in many
ways - a fact that impacts all areas of my life - even when it comes to
smells. I know. A little strange but let me explain.  

                                While teaching third grade at an
elementary school in Texas, I habitually took the same route to work every
morning. The elementary school was only a 15 minute drive from our home,
and there were several different and even shorter routes I could have
taken. However, the one I normally took went by a bakery at the precise
time they were gearing up for the day. The aroma of fresh bread was like a
magnet that lured me in to grab a hot cinnamon roll or blueberry muffin to
eat on my way to school. Scrumptious! In fact, I eagerly volunteered to
provide goodies for the teacher break room because it gave me an excuse to
stop at the bakery. And all the other teachers just thought I was being
nice! Interestingly enough, if I was dieting, I took a different route in
order to avoid that tempting smell. 

                                I am also a creature of habit when it
comes to candles. I love candles. In fact, everyone who knows me can
testify to the fact I have a "thing" for candles. I burn them continually
for any or no reason other than the fact I enjoy their aroma. When I walk
in my front door, the fragrance of a burning candle often triggers
wonderful memories and instantly draws me in. And the aroma of just-baked
cookies or a pot of coffee brewing just makes me feel good. I have to say
that fragrances are important to me. 

                                Unfortunately, life is filled with both
pleasant and not-so-pleasant fragrances. One of my least favorite smells
comes from a litter box. We have had cats on and off for many years. Never
just one cat mind you. Oh no. At one point, we had two adult cats that both
had kittens within a month of each other for a grand total of nine cats.
And did I mention the fact that I hate litter boxes? When I walked in the
front door of our home and was greeted by that toxic litter box odor, I
flew into high gear lighting candles, emptying the litter box and . well,
you get the idea. An aroma can be appealing and inviting or it can be
offensive and unpleasant. That same principle can be applied to our life in
Christ.

                                A life without Jesus Christ is filled
with the aroma of death but the fragrance of Jesus Christ at work in a life
is pleasing and winsome. The knowledge of Christ is a compelling and
magnetic fragrance that draws the broken heart and wounded soul to a place
of restoration. When God looks at one of His children, I am convinced His
heart beats with love, giving off the beautiful aroma of grace and hope. 

                                2 Corinthians 2:14-16 (NIV) "But thanks
be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ's triumphal procession
and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we
are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and
those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to
the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task?"

                                How about your life? Do you live in such
a way that people are drawn to you and the pleasant aroma of Jesus Christ
and His truth at work in you? Does His transforming knowledge compel others
to take a second look at your life and want what you have? I so want my
life to be one that is winsome like Jesus was. I want others to see Him in
me and be drawn to the fragrance of His love and mercy that save me and
give my life purpose. I want to be the aroma of Jesus Christ to the broken
and wounded people who cross my path every day. 

                                Let's Pray
                                Father, I want others to see You in my
life. I want to live out Your truth and knowledge in such a way that the
lost and broken are drawn to Your love and mercy in me. Teach me how to
saturate my life with Your truth and then share that truth with those
around me. Let me be the sweet aroma of You to my family, friends, and
neighbors . everyone You send my way. 
                                In Jesus' name, 
                                Amen.  

                                Girlfriends in God
                                P.O. Box 725
                                Matthews, NC 28106

                                info at girlfriendsingod.com
                                 www.girlfriendsingod.com


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