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Monday, November 7, 2005

"How Do You Smell Today?"

"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.  To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task?"  (2 Corinthians 2:14-16).

Autumn SceneWe have had a beautiful autumn here in rural Pennsylvania. We had a storm come through yesterday evening but this morning it's crisp and clear with blue skies and a bright shining sun. Here's the view from my window today as I prepare this message.


We have several different odors here in the country. Most of the time it's just fresh country air and that smells great!  But periodically we get a whiff of the pork producer about half a mile away with 3,500 squealing pigs.  And some days we are blessed with a chocolate smell from the chocolate factory in town that is just like Grandmas's chocolate fudge!

But this morning we are getting another "treat". About twice a year we can count on the farmer fertilizing the fields across the road.  He uses a natural product readily available. A couple of days ago I looked out and observed the spreader dispensing the fertilizer; liquid animal manure.
Manure spreader

Since these fields are west of us and generally the winds come from this direction you may get some idea of that odor, although many of you who have never lived in the country can only imagine.  We have learned to just accept this periodic malodorous intrusion and it sure makes you appreciate fresh air! *

Yesterday I preached on Christ's call to be the light of the world (Matthew 5:14). I had the entire church sing the old children's song "This little light of mine", motions and all.  That was a great sight. I hope that you let His light shine through your life today.  

But did you know that we as Christ's followers are also emitting a fragrance?  Paul uses a rather unusual metaphor in our daily text to describe this aspect of ministry. "God … through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him."

God has ordained that His people spread the fragrance of the knowledge of Him everywhere.  The Greek word for fragrance is "osme" and is the same word used when Mary washed our Lord's feet with expensive perfume and the fragrance filled the house. 

This fragrance is detectable to both the saved and the unsaved.  However their reactions are entirely different.  To the unsaved we are the stench of death, to the saved we are the fragrance of life.  This contrast is similar to a theme found in John 3 regarding reactions to light.  Some love spiritual light, others hate it.

I'm intrigued by Paul's closing question to this thought; "And who is equal to such a task?"  He was aware of the awesome responsibilities that this placed upon himself and other believers.  Today, I urge you to spread everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him. May this fragrance be pleasing to God and the fragrance of life to many!


Be encouraged today,


Stephen C. Weber

Brooksyne's prayer – God, I am thankful for the sense of smell.  Depending on what I am smelling it can bring about a pleasant response where I just want to linger taking in more and more of the pleasing scent.  Today, I pray that the spiritual fruit from my life would emit such an aroma.  First, I want to offer to You the sweet smelling sacrifice of a life that is completely surrendered to You.  Secondly, I pray that those whom I see today would find interaction with me to be a very uplifting part of their day.  May I bring encouragement through pleasant conversation and by taking a personal interest in others.  May the fruit of my labor be helpful and pleasing to those whom I work with today.  Safeguard my lips from bitter complaining and destructive gossip.  Lord, keep me mindful throughout this day that I am to You the aroma of Christ.  You've entrusted a great deal to me so I will rely on You to bring about divine appointments throughout my day.  In Jesus' name I pray.  Amen.


* The farm odor really only lasts a couple of days and we just consider it part of the country experience. The rain causes it to saturate into the soil.


PS from Brooksyne:  The chocolate smells are the most pleasant aroma around here and sometimes it is extremely hard to resist picking up a chocolate candy bar when you get such a strong whiff as you're about to enter a store in Mount Joy.  Sometimes the air smells just like a fresh batch of chocolate fudge just waiting to be sampled from the Wilbur Chocolate Factory, which makes the chocolate that goes into such fine candies as Godiva.  When you go to our neighboring town, Elizabethtown, you get the smell of chocolate from M&M/Mars Factory.  And Hershey is only about 14 miles from here!

 

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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission; and the King James Version.

Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."

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