I MOVED...

What's Your Fragrance?

" In the Messiah, in Christ, God leads us from place to place in one perpetual victory parade. Through us, he brings knowledge of Christ. Everywhere we go, people breathe in the exquisite fragrance. Because of Christ, we give off a sweet scent rising to God, which is recognized by those on the way of salvation—an aroma redolent with life. But those on the way to destruction treat us more like the stench from a rotting corpse. This is a terrific responsibility."

2 Corinthians 2:14-16 MSG

One of my favorite stores is Bath and Body Works. Even my girls are now becoming quite fond of that store as we shuffle around together smelling each new scent. Some of the fragrances are so accurate that you can picture yourself in the setting. I believe that's the point. When you breath in the sweet smell of Watermelon Lemonade you can picture yourself on your own front porch on a hot summer day eating watermelon and drinking lemonade. Then the scent fresh baked cookies sends you back in time to your grandmother's kitchen with a cold glass of milk and a plate of cookies sitting in front of you. 

We are all putting off our own fragrances with our lives, and as Christians we are called to put off the fragrance of the knowledge of Christ. Our fragrances should accurately depict the victory of Christ in our lives.  

The verse above starts out by stating that God leads us in a victory parade. The amplified version says He shows us off as trophies of the victory of Christ.  He invites the world in to smell the fragrances of His victory.

As the Message Translation sums it up, "This is a terrific responsibility."  It makes me sick to think that there have been times my fragrance was not representative of the knowledge of Christ that would bring those who inhaled it into the setting of His victory. How many times has my life put off the foul smell of bitterness, envy, pride, or selfishness? And I'm wearing God's brand!  He has called me to represent Him better than that!

So what's your fragrance? Is the aroma of your life an accurate representation of the victory of Christ?  If your life was wrapped up in a bottle of perfume, would your label say things like Unshakable Peace, Unspeakable Joy, or Selfless Love?

Everywhere we go, let's make sure people breathe in the exquisite fragrance of Christ's Victory! 

Remember Who He Is and What He Has Done

Last weekend I used my holiday weekend to conquer the tedious task of cleaning out my girls' closets and drawers. I always hate the task, not because it is a chore but because it makes my heart hurt a little bit to pack up clothes that they have so quickly outgrown.

As I folded up each item of clothing my mind would flash back to memories with them wearing the outfit.  Although remembering can be painful at times, there is greater purpose involved.

After all, the Bible commands us to remember at least 148 times. But what is it we should remember?

“But then I recall all you have done, O LORD; I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago.”

-Psalm 77:11 NLT

My oldest daughter, now nearly 4 years old, was an underweight infant, and as a new mom I was overly bothered by that. I would stress and stew over whether or not she was nursing enough.  Each time I would bring her to the doctor or the nursing center for a weight check I would pray, "Lord, please make her grow."  As I placed the lid on the box of 3t clothes she sprouted right out of I remembered how faithful God was to take care of my baby and calm the nerves of an anxious new mommy.

My youngest daughter had us praying for her life in ICU units on two separate occasions.  I recalled the day in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit that I was told that she would be delayed and would not likely develop as a normal child. When I folded up her mud stained clothes, the images of her splashing outside in the mud brought a smile to my face and a glow to my heart. "That's our God!" I thought to myself. 

You see, when we remember what God has done, we remember who He is. When we remember who He was in the past, our faith is strengthened for today. We can be certain that He is powerful, capable, loving and good because He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

Might I challenge you today to stop and remember?  Take just a moment to look back over your shoulder at what God has done for you. Then, with the reminder of who He is in the forefront of your mind, you will have all you need to face the day in faith.

 

Father God, You have done so many wonderful things that the Bible says if we were to list them all, the world would be filled with books.  And that’s not even including all the details of your marvelous ways in my life.  My faith is strengthened when I think of all you have done.  Please help me to stop and remember who you are today so that I may walk forward with an unshakable faith that you are who you say you are.  Thank you, Lord, for your miracles and wondrous deeds.  I love you.  In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

3 Steps to Choosing Faith Instead of Fear

I came home from work the other day to a story from my three year old about how she was playing outside and fell and got a fat lip.  Then, when she smiled an adorable little smile I realized the fall caused much more than a fat lip.  Her two front teeth were damaged as well.  

In a panic, I called the dentist and he told me since it had happened earlier in the day it was too late to move the teeth back into place.  Instead, I would have to take her to see a pediatric dentist the next day and have them gas her and move the teeth back into place by force.  

My heart sank at the thought of how painful that would be for her.  All evening, my mind raced with endless worries regarding this situation…

She would be starting school in a few weeks.  What if they can’t fix her teeth and kids      make fun of her? 

            

 What if her permanent teeth are damaged? 

          

What kind of pain is she going to be in?

             

What if my husband forgot to add the kids to the dental plan and we have to pay for all   of this out of pocket? How much will it cost?

It didn’t take long for Skylar to see right through me.  Every time she smiled at me with her front tooth sticking out awkwardly between her lips, she would ask me, “Mommy, why are you looking at me like that?”  Oops, I guess I wasn’t hiding my fear at all.  At that moment I had a choice to make.  Was I going to be a model of faith or fear?

 

Heartfelt prayers for my daughters to develop an unshakable faith have been at the top of my prayer list lately, and at that moment, staring at the crossroads between faith and fear, I knew that choosing faith would lead Skylar down the road of developing faith.  

We are all faced with this choice daily.  There are scary things happening all around us, and the world is watching.  What will we model?  Faith or fear?  

That day, as I turned my back to fear and walked the path of faith, I learned that modeling faith is as easy as choosing to replace the what ifs with three simple steps.  

1.      Pray!

Once I had resolved to walk the path of faith, I started praying. We prayed as a family with Skylar and asked Jesus to go before her into the dentist and to take care of every detail.   We can run to Jesus with all the what ifs, fears, and concerns.  I believe that, and I want my kids to believe that as much as I do!

2.      Take God at His word and proclaim it.

The morning of Skylar’s appointment God led me to Deuteronomy 33:27 which says, “The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.”  As we drove to the dentist office, I started proclaiming that verse out loud so that Skylar could hear me, and I believed that He would be holding her the whole time.  Picturing our loved ones in the arms of the Everlasting leaves no room for fear!

3.      Walk it out.

As we pulled into the dentist office I put on my brave smile, grabbed my girl by the hand and led her into the dentist office in full faith that Jesus had this all under control.  The coolest thing about it, aside from the fact that He did in fact have it all under control, was that I witnessed Skylar walking in strength, courage, and, most of all, faith.  Faith is contagious.

Are you at a crossroad between faith and fear today? If so, I challenge you to turn your back to fear, and take those three simple steps to modeling faith.  I can tell you the path to faith will take you a lot further than fear will.  Fear ends in a dead end.  Choose faith!