Saturday, December 26, 2009

SWEET SMELLING AROMA

Tomorrow is Spiritual Sunday, and like the rest of you I am sure, I have been very busy with family and celebrations this last week, and this is really the first chance I have had to go through my "library" of devotions I have written in the past to chose one for tomorrow. I found myself reading through so many possibilities, and yet finding a hard time settling in on one. Ephesians has always been one of my very favorite books of the Bible and I LOVE this verse. There is so much packed into this single verse and several different areas within it to focus in on and dwell on for our lives. Thanks to Charlotte and Ginger for hosting this event. To read the other bloggers who have praticipated, click HERE.


Esphesians 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling aroma...

All through the scriptures, Jesus is our example of love, and is Who we are striving to be like in our Christian lives. He gave Himself to us as the "perfect" sacrifice to God, and He was the sweet smelling aroma. As we give ourselves in acts of love to others, we can be that sweet aroma to God. I was thinking about this and wondering to myself, what is this kind of love really, and more importantly, how do we demonstrate it? To be able to practice love, we need to know what it is biblically. Throughout Scripture, love is characterized as an action. First of all, love teaches the truth to others and ministers to their needs. It sets an example by serving others and stimulating them to grow. It covers other people's faults and forgives. Love also endures the problems and idiosyncrasies of others and sacrifices on their behalf. Self-sacrificial love gives spiritual truth, help, and concern to those in need...that's the heart of Christian living, and it's the magnet that can attract the world.

I was also thinking about that "sweet smelling aroma" that Jesus is...Anyone who truly knows me well knows of my love of a really nice fragrance or perfume. It is seldom that I venture into a department store without going to the counter where it is all displayed and sold and spraying samples onto the little cards to enjoy the many different varieties of smells. It attracts me and satisfies my senses HUGELY for some reason. So for me, I love to think that Jesus is that sweet smelling aroma for God, and that we too might be that "sweet smell" to Him with our lives and love for others.

Again, all of this is so much easier said than done. To love others in this way is what I of course strive to do, but often find myself falling so short. As we have been going through this Christmas season I have been reminded that one of the main things I love most about this time of year is the love that is in the air and the desire on the parts of many to demonstate that love to others. How wonderful would it be if we all really did all we could to put it all into practice all year long? And yet as Christians, that is exactly what we are suppose to do. I hope everyone had a very blessed Christmas Day and is enjoying this time spent with family and friends.

41 comments:

  1. Blessings, hugs, and prayers,
    andrea

    ReplyDelete
  2. Nice post. Thanks for the reminder that we are the aroma of Christ. I love your header. Beautiful.

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  3. Thank you for that post. I was looking for a certain scripture about this, but could not find it. I did find this one:

    Pr 27:9 -
    Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel.

    I used to love perfume, but can't wear it now because of allergies and asthma.

    Blessings,
    Cathy

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  4. May all we do and all we say be a sweet aroma to our Father!

    Bless you Debbie and thank you so very much for your prayers and love!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I enjoyed this post. I was given a sweet fragrance for Christmas, called BEAUTIFUL. The beautiful name of Jesus is like an ointment poured forth!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Debbie, I'm glad you posted this today. What a great message that we need to be reminded of.
    God Bless,
    Ginger

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love the book of Ephesians, too! That love walk is a hard one, isn't it? Just when I think I've got it down and I'm just about to pat myself on the back, some ugly emotion comes out of me that I thought I'd overcome. UGH!
    PS Hope you had a wonderful Christmas!

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  8. right on post and I fall short so many times too. Good reminder to never stop trying to be what He is to me...constant, love, gentle. accepting. Sarah

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh Debbie sweetie...
    What a beautiful post this was today. I so love this bible verse, and yes I too love aromas. I believe you are right on about the sweet smelling aroma being Jesus for God, and we must all strive to be that sweet smell to "Him" with our daily lives in the way that we live them and the love we have for God in our hearts.

    I have spent Christmas wondering what Amy saw this year, what blessings she celebrated at the great table with God. Our earthly lives have been shattered knowing that we cannot touch her or talk to her, or visibly see her until we all meet in heaven one day, but I know she is happy and pain free again. She has a voice again and can laugh and sing. What a happy day that was for her.

    Have a beautiful day sweet friend. Thank you for blessing me with this verse today. I needed this.

    Country hugs and much love...Sherry

    ReplyDelete
  10. How beautiful and what a revelation! Thank you for sharing this wonderful truth. Blessings to you and your family!

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  11. Thanks for a good reminder, Debbie. Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Good thoughts. I think everyone appreciates "good" aromas. I love those department store perfume counter smells too. and if you're anywhere close to a Cinnabon store in a mall, the aroma calls out to you. Thank you for this timely post.
    Have a wonderful new year.
    Charlotte

    ReplyDelete
  13. I think loving like this is a great goal to always strive for. I can feel the love of God on this blog! Bless you.

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  14. Debbie, this is a very good post. I love Epehsians, too. Thank you for always visiting my blog and commenting. Happy New Year!

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  15. Such a good post Debbie! Wouldn't it be nice if the love and joy that we give and receive around the holidays lasted all year long?? Think about what the world would be like! A completely different place!

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