14But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. 15For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing,
WE ARE GOD’s AROMA! His fragrance!
What a beautiful reality and privilege that we may be the aroma of Christ to the world. Truly it is a fragrance from life to life and for some death to death.
1 Sam 12:24 Above all, fear the Lord and worship [serve] Him faithfully with all your heart; consider the great things He has done for you.
Waiting, praying, hoping, believing for God’s timing for something which seems impossible. Vs. 24–fear, worship, and consider. Requires my eyes to be ON JESUS.
–In awe & fear of Him, in reverence, aware of His holiness and sovereignty.
–Worshiping Him, serving Him, delighting in Him in my daily tasks. That my life would be a living sacrifice (Romans 12).
–Considering what He has done, recounting His faithfulness to fulfill His promises in the past (to Israel and to me!). He is not done being faithful. He will complete what he has started (Phil 1:6).
Reading about Israel demanding a physical king was very interesting and challenging. First the turned to Baal as a created thing, next the want a created thing, man, to rule over them. It was a choice against faith, developing trust and total dependence on their unseen God. It’s such a great irony that God told them it wasn’t his will or for their good, but they ignored him. And yet even in choosing their king they looked for God’s help to disobey him. I wonder where I have that kind of audacious rebellion in my life?
By reading Samuel, I Have become very aware of how desperately the Israelites wanted an earthly king. They were told all the reasons not to ask for a king to be set over them, and they were warned what would happen if they chose an earthly king over God who was supposed to be their only king. Yet, they persist in their begging. God ultimately gives them what they want. It makes me think of the New Testament and realize that the Israelites had such high expectations of Jesus as their earthly king. They expected someone to fight their battles and rule over them as victorious. But Jesus came to seek the lost and love all people. He did not meet their expectations at all which made it easier for the crowds to turn on him and beg that he not be released but be crucified. The Israelites hearts were set on ruling on earth and not on the heavenly kingdom in the OT and in the NT.
1 Sam 12:20-21 “Do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty”. Many things that we pursue in life are only empty pleasures. They don’t last. And ultimately they will not satisfy b
I knew this truth before, but through heartache, now I KNOW this truth. John 6:68 “Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” There is NO PLACE else. There is NO ONE else. God is God alone and He made us for relationship with Him.
“Because of Christ, we give off a sweet scent rising to God. Everywhere we go, people breathe in the exquisite fragrance—an aroma redolent with life.” MSG translation of 2 Corinthians 2:15
This is so beautiful to me, as well as very motivating. Christ uses US to draw others to HIM, which is an eternity-altering thing for those who are lost. It motivates me to make sure that I have that “sweet smell rising to God” because for some, it may be the only exposure of Christ in their life.
17 For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.
Let us make note here that we are not peddlers of God’s word. We are not salesmen, and the gospel isn’t something for us to convince others to buy. This should be a RELIEF, because God is doing the work for us. We are to be sincere about our faith, and to speak in Christ.
“6 The Spirit of the Lord will come powerfully upon you, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be changed into a different person.”
Wow…changed into a different person. That is strong uncompromising language. What a wonderful reminder of the God’s awesome power to change us completely. We will always stumble and have work to do in our lives but he has promised to change us. Thank you Lord for transforming us!
22 For the sake of his great name the Lord will not reject his people, because the Lord was pleased to make you his own. 23 As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right.
His love amazes me. Even though, throughout history, our struggles remain the same. What unspeakable comfort it brings to know that it pleased The Lord to have a people of His own… And He NEVER changes. We live in a cycle of sin, but His mercies are so great. His love will always be greater than the messes we make. And what a great reminder for His children- that we should PRAY. Pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ. Those who need salvation. Pray for our nation and leaders. Pray for His kingdom to come to this earth! We should see how very important it is for us to be constantly in prayer!
Such an overwhelming sense of security in our Father after today’s reading in 1 Samuel… I cannot begin to fathom how anyone could live their life apart from God. My husband recently thanked me for upholding my Christian values after a slight hiccup in our marriage and I said, “How could I not? If you choose to live your life any other way, you’ll absolutely fail.” I can’t imagine going through trials of this life without having the Lord to guide me and comfort me. Just like when the Israelites screwed up time and time again (as we all do), they could call on God to deliver them. And we have that opportunity everyday. What do people do who don’t have God in their hearts? How do they endure the struggles and hardships that are inevitable? I am so thankful for His faithfulness and for those who came before me and led me to Him. I say, bring it on world! I have a God who is bigger and stronger and faithful to deliver me!
I’ve thought this as well. I am blessed because I know I’m loved by an almighty God! I lived most of my life without this knowledge, and I would not go back to the old me, who lived unaware of my value in Jesus Christ.
Sara it’s so true. I think of this often. I have close friends who do not have a relationship with the Lord and I truly think they must be ten times the woman I am because I feel like I can’t survive without God! For me, this is also the open door to talking about my relationship with Christ. Though, admittedly, I don’t do it nearly often enough. I am very nervous and feel weird about proselytizing but talking about my personal reliance on my relationship with Christ has been a way that I can share without feeling uncomfortable.
“22 For the Lord will not forsake his people, for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for himself. 23 Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way. 24 Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you.”
15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, 16 to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?
Beautiful his mercy for us inspite of … yes you have done wrong, but don’t fret, or be afraid just love and serve him with all of your heart! “Perfect love drives out all fear”
Even though they rejected God even after warning them that they would be in another form of slavery he did not leave them, he gave them Samuel to intercede for them.
19 And all the people said to Samuel, “Pray for your servants to the Lord your God, that we may not die, for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask for ourselves a king.” 20 And Samuel said to the people, “Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. 21 And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. 22 For the Lord will not forsake his people, for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for himself. 23 Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way. 24 Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you.
Asking God to help me pray for those that have hurt me and to help me forgive.
We are commissioned by God
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24Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you.
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15For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing,
Do people have a pleasing smell when they think about God when they’re near me or does it smell foul?
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22For the Lord will not forsake his people, for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for himself.
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8So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him. 9For this is why I wrote, that I might test you and know whether you are obedient in everything. -ellie
14But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. 15For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing,
WE ARE GOD’s AROMA! His fragrance!
What a beautiful reality and privilege that we may be the aroma of Christ to the world. Truly it is a fragrance from life to life and for some death to death.
24Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you.
1 Sam 12:24 Above all, fear the Lord and worship [serve] Him faithfully with all your heart; consider the great things He has done for you.
Waiting, praying, hoping, believing for God’s timing for something which seems impossible. Vs. 24–fear, worship, and consider. Requires my eyes to be ON JESUS.
–In awe & fear of Him, in reverence, aware of His holiness and sovereignty.
–Worshiping Him, serving Him, delighting in Him in my daily tasks. That my life would be a living sacrifice (Romans 12).
–Considering what He has done, recounting His faithfulness to fulfill His promises in the past (to Israel and to me!). He is not done being faithful. He will complete what he has started (Phil 1:6).
Reading about Israel demanding a physical king was very interesting and challenging. First the turned to Baal as a created thing, next the want a created thing, man, to rule over them. It was a choice against faith, developing trust and total dependence on their unseen God. It’s such a great irony that God told them it wasn’t his will or for their good, but they ignored him. And yet even in choosing their king they looked for God’s help to disobey him. I wonder where I have that kind of audacious rebellion in my life?
Chilling commentary. You are so spot on. Lord that we would examine our hearts!
By reading Samuel, I Have become very aware of how desperately the Israelites wanted an earthly king. They were told all the reasons not to ask for a king to be set over them, and they were warned what would happen if they chose an earthly king over God who was supposed to be their only king. Yet, they persist in their begging. God ultimately gives them what they want. It makes me think of the New Testament and realize that the Israelites had such high expectations of Jesus as their earthly king. They expected someone to fight their battles and rule over them as victorious. But Jesus came to seek the lost and love all people. He did not meet their expectations at all which made it easier for the crowds to turn on him and beg that he not be released but be crucified. The Israelites hearts were set on ruling on earth and not on the heavenly kingdom in the OT and in the NT.
1 Sam 12:20-21 “Do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty”. Many things that we pursue in life are only empty pleasures. They don’t last. And ultimately they will not satisfy b
I knew this truth before, but through heartache, now I KNOW this truth. John 6:68 “Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” There is NO PLACE else. There is NO ONE else. God is God alone and He made us for relationship with Him.
“Because of Christ, we give off a sweet scent rising to God. Everywhere we go, people breathe in the exquisite fragrance—an aroma redolent with life.” MSG translation of 2 Corinthians 2:15
This is so beautiful to me, as well as very motivating. Christ uses US to draw others to HIM, which is an eternity-altering thing for those who are lost. It motivates me to make sure that I have that “sweet smell rising to God” because for some, it may be the only exposure of Christ in their life.
17 For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.
Let us make note here that we are not peddlers of God’s word. We are not salesmen, and the gospel isn’t something for us to convince others to buy. This should be a RELIEF, because God is doing the work for us. We are to be sincere about our faith, and to speak in Christ.
So good! The freedom and mercy in this is overwhelming
“6 The Spirit of the Lord will come powerfully upon you, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be changed into a different person.”
Wow…changed into a different person. That is strong uncompromising language. What a wonderful reminder of the God’s awesome power to change us completely. We will always stumble and have work to do in our lives but he has promised to change us. Thank you Lord for transforming us!
22 For the sake of his great name the Lord will not reject his people, because the Lord was pleased to make you his own. 23 As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right.
His love amazes me. Even though, throughout history, our struggles remain the same. What unspeakable comfort it brings to know that it pleased The Lord to have a people of His own… And He NEVER changes. We live in a cycle of sin, but His mercies are so great. His love will always be greater than the messes we make. And what a great reminder for His children- that we should PRAY. Pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ. Those who need salvation. Pray for our nation and leaders. Pray for His kingdom to come to this earth! We should see how very important it is for us to be constantly in prayer!
Thank you for the reminder to be in constant prayer. For me, when I have a more prayerful life I have a more peaceful life as well.
Such an overwhelming sense of security in our Father after today’s reading in 1 Samuel… I cannot begin to fathom how anyone could live their life apart from God. My husband recently thanked me for upholding my Christian values after a slight hiccup in our marriage and I said, “How could I not? If you choose to live your life any other way, you’ll absolutely fail.” I can’t imagine going through trials of this life without having the Lord to guide me and comfort me. Just like when the Israelites screwed up time and time again (as we all do), they could call on God to deliver them. And we have that opportunity everyday. What do people do who don’t have God in their hearts? How do they endure the struggles and hardships that are inevitable? I am so thankful for His faithfulness and for those who came before me and led me to Him. I say, bring it on world! I have a God who is bigger and stronger and faithful to deliver me!
I’ve thought this as well. I am blessed because I know I’m loved by an almighty God! I lived most of my life without this knowledge, and I would not go back to the old me, who lived unaware of my value in Jesus Christ.
Sara it’s so true. I think of this often. I have close friends who do not have a relationship with the Lord and I truly think they must be ten times the woman I am because I feel like I can’t survive without God! For me, this is also the open door to talking about my relationship with Christ. Though, admittedly, I don’t do it nearly often enough. I am very nervous and feel weird about proselytizing but talking about my personal reliance on my relationship with Christ has been a way that I can share without feeling uncomfortable.
“22 For the Lord will not forsake his people, for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for himself. 23 Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way. 24 Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you.”
Love this.
15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, 16 to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?
I love this image! As Christ followers we are a light, an aroma, a voice of hope! Through the Holy Spirit we are given so many ways to reach people
Beautiful his mercy for us inspite of … yes you have done wrong, but don’t fret, or be afraid just love and serve him with all of your heart! “Perfect love drives out all fear”
Even though they rejected God even after warning them that they would be in another form of slavery he did not leave them, he gave them Samuel to intercede for them.
19 And all the people said to Samuel, “Pray for your servants to the Lord your God, that we may not die, for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask for ourselves a king.” 20 And Samuel said to the people, “Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. 21 And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. 22 For the Lord will not forsake his people, for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for himself. 23 Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way. 24 Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you.