“Remember the word to Your servant, upon which You have caused me to hope.”
Psalm 119:49

Ever have one of those days (weeks, months) when you feel like you are floundering, like things are in disarray, disjointed, or jumbled? Perhaps there are things in your world that just don’t mesh; or make sense. Ever feel like you have your back against the wall and don’t know which way to turn? Ever feel overwhelmed and anxious?

STOP!

Take a moment to take your eyes off of your situation or circumstances and remember the Word. Allow the Holy Spirit to recall to your mind the soothing words of Scripture. “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” Colossians 3:2 There is something comforting about seeing life from God’s perspective which we get from the Scriptures. We can “get our knickers in a knot” (as my husband used to say) when we dwell on our circumstances focusing on the horizontal. Yet, we can have hope when we remember the Word focusing on the vertical. Like a cool breeze on a hot day, our souls can be refreshed. Our hope is renewed as we meditate on the truth of the Scriptures and the faithfulness of the Author.

Diane

Do you have anxious thoughts? We say no, we are just wondering, just being concerned, or thinking out loud.

Scripture tells us in Ps. 94:19, “When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Thy consolations (love, comfort) delight my soul”.

There is much in life today to be anxious about (humanly speaking), but for the Christian we can turn those “anxious thoughts” over to Him….when they begin. Better yet, we are told to “be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God, and the peace of God which passes all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:6-7

May your anxious thoughts turn into praises of thanksgiving.

b.shoppy

Has anyone given you an assignment, a challenge, or opportunity and you immediately responded….sure, I can do that….no problem!? Full of confidence you trek forward in your own strength. However, the end result is that we often fall flat on our face.

Paul tells the Corinthians, in 2 Corinthians 3:5, that “we are not adequate (sufficient, competent, capable, able) in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God.”

He tells us in Philippians 4:13 that “I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me.”
We must yield our talents, ambitions, strengths, training, education etc. to Him, and dying to our selves He will produce actions, assignments, challenges and opportunities that will in the end bring glory to Him (God) I Cor. 10:31 “Whether therefore you eat or drink, do ALL to the glory of God.”

B. shoppy

I want to offer again to send my Victory Call friends a set of the messages that Dr. Jimmy De Young has presented at America’s KESWICK this past week on Bible prophecy. It is a timely series in light of all that is taking place right now in the Middle East. We ask that you consider a special summer gift to help us with our summer conference expenses. Respond to this email to let me know you want the CD’s and be sure to include your mailing address. If you’d like to make your gift on-line, you can do so right from our home page: http://www.americaskeswick.org. Mark your gift “Prophecy Series.” Your help at this time will be greatly appreciated.

Releasing the Fragrance (Part 3)

I always hate it when people tell me to live Christ… but fail to give me action steps. I am a very hands on kind of person. Philosophy and teaching is great, but help me to make application. That is what I love so much about scripture… it not just tells me about God and his plan, but it is a HOW TO… book about living out the teachings.

So, let’s follow-up our discussion about being the aroma of Christ by seeing what scripture says about how to release the fragrance in our world.

We need to HONOR and WORSHIP Him. Remember from the first devotional that in the OT fragrance was a way to worship him. Do people see you living worship? Do you verbally praise Him and give Him the credit for what happens in your lives? This means for the good times as well as the tough times.

We must live in LOVE and OBEDIENCE to Him. SOS 4:10 says that “Love is more pleasing than the sacrifice of incense” Do we walk in Love? (I John 4)

God tells us to find out what pleases Him and DO IT. (Eph. 5:10, James 4:17 and Romans 12:2). We must always do our faith and not just say our faith.

We need to live a life of THANKFULNESS. Israel offered animal sacrifices, Romans offered incense in thanks to their gods. Malachi 1:11 tells us to have a pure attitude of thankfulness for what He has done in our lives. Often we say we are thankful, but we don’t always really mean it, or we are always wanting more and not thankful for what we have.

God calls us to FORGIVE. Ephesians 4:32 – tells us to be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ forgave you. You want to blow someone away, forgive them – before they ask for forgiveness. You want to live a life not riddled with bitterness – forgive and let go. What a testimony when others see that in our lives.

When we give our WHOLE LIFE to Christ we are very fragrant. Let God use you… let Him take the gifts He has given you and make His glory known (Romans 12). God doesn’t want you to put on His perfume only occasionally He wants you to display His aroma at all times.

One of the greatest demonstrations to others that we have something unique and special is when we WALK in JOY. See, God has anointed you with the oil of gladness (Psalms 45:7-8), His perfume “rejoices the Heart” (Proverbs 27:9) and Paul tells us in Philippians 4:4 that this joy is to be demonstrated at all times.

I could go on and on, but those are challenges enough for me, yet I must add one more final thought because without this people will not come to know our CHRIST. We need to SPEAK THE WORD of God. In 2 Cor. 2:17, the fragrance is released as Paul speaks, God’s word has the power to reveal Christ. Let us not be afraid to speak of Him. It’s easier to talk about many things in life – often we find talking about Him as the most difficult. Many times it is because we are afraid of what people will think. Romans 1:16 reminds us not to be ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation. People come to us for our opinion on things – next time don’t give your opinion… say well let’s see what God says. It’s not about my words – it’s about the power of the word of God.

Try it… Every day when you are getting ready for the day, put on the fragrance of God and wear him into the world. You will make a difference!

LDJ

Releasing the Fragrance (Part 1)

Today as Women we come into contact with all kinds of fragrances/aromas in our lives. From food, to cleaning agents, to perfumes, lotions and candles we are bombarded with fragrances. On TV alone fragrances are being sold to us as solutions to all kinds of problems or to gain things in our lives ~ money, respect and relationships.

Did you know that the Bible is full of references to fragrances? The terms smells, aromas, oils and incense are just a few of the words that we find through out scripture. Let’s look at what the Bible tells us about fragrances.

1. Fragrances were used to worship God. In Genesis 8:20, 21 we are told that the smoke of animal sacrifices were an “odor of sweet smell” to God. Incense was burned in the tabernacle and the temple (Ex. 30) to cover the stench of sin when God’s people approached Him.

2. Fragrances were a way to make atonement for our sins. In Lev. 16:12,13; and Numbers 16:46 and 47 we are told how the releasing of incense would keep God’s wrath from visiting upon the sins of the children of Israel.

3. In the Song of Solomon, especially in Chapter 4, spices, oils and fragrances were a full demonstration of pure Love.

4. Spices and Incense trade was a major economic source. It represented wealth (2 Kings 20:13) and status, and was used regularly as precious gifts.

5. Fragrances were also a known source of healing. Throughout scripture we are told of the different oils that were used for specific medicinal and therapeutic purposes. That’s why James 5:14 and Mark 6:13 talk about using healing oils when praying over someone for healing.

What fascinates me about all this is that through the use of fragrances in scriptures we are being pointed directly to Christ. “Christ has given himself for as an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor” Eph. 5:2.

See: 1. Because of Christ and through Christ we can fully Worship God.
2. He makes full atonement for us before God.
3. Christ represents a pure love relationship
4. Christ is the ultimate Gift and brings us much “wealth”.
5. Christ heals us physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Next time you put on perfume, light a candle, or smell the flowers ~ remember Christ and all He does for YOU!

LDJ

“I entreated Your favor with my whole heart; be merciful to me according to Your word.” Psalm 119:58

“With my whole heart.” Frequently when I see that phrase…with my whole heart… I try to imagine what it looks like to do something with my whole heart. The first great commandment is: “And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.” Mark 12:30 Oh, I yearn for the day when I will genuinely love the Lord my God with ALL my heart. My best efforts are feeble at best and my heart is often divided between loving God and loving myself, of which I am not proud, but realistic.
Permit me a stroll down memory lane for a moment, as I recall visiting in the home of a wonderful, godly woman I consider my mentor – Joann. I distinctly remember being in her bathroom when my eyes fell upon an open Bible resting on the side of the tub – It was open to Psalm 86; “Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.”(vs.11) NIV “Yes, Yes” my heart shouted. “I want that Lord…an undivided heart.” It is interesting to me that so many years later, I still remember that moment, that verse. I have been reminded of it often.
“I entreated Your favor with my whole heart,” (NKJV) “I have sought your face with all my heart;” (NIV) “I beg you from the bottom of my heart:” (The Message).

Oh, Lord, give me an undivided heart that I may love you with all my heart soul, mind, and strength.

Diane

Releasing the Fragrance (Part 2)

“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 Cor. 2: 15-16

This analogy was used by Paul to the Corinthians because it gave them a vivid picture of how as Christians we are to make sure people can “smell” Christ in us. You see this verse refers to the Romans and how after a victory they would march through Rome in a victory parade (think of our Ticker Tape Parades in NYC). The entire city would show up, incense would be burning and flowers were thrown at the soldiers’ feet. This created quite the smell throughout the area and if you weren’t there, you would know exactly what was going on by the aroma in the air around Rome. So, to the Romans it meant victory and life for the Roman Empire, to the captives they paraded through the streets they knew it meant certain hardships or death. There land had been conquered – it was over for them.

So, what does this mean to us…?

See, God leads us in a continual victory march and as we go through life we are to let it be known that Christ gives LIFE and frees us from DEATH and DESTRUCTION. We are to be Christ to the world… at work, play, in church, in our neighborhoods, everywhere we go….

Many of you like me have jobs that mean we interact daily with non-Christians and people that do not know Christ as Savior. Now, I can go to work and do my job and that’s it, or I can go to work and through my words, actions, and attitudes make my faith in Christ known. It is a challenge and often very hard – it is easier to be silent. Paul reminds us that people should know who we belong to and that we have victory through Christ. Each day I have to ask myself self: Who did I smell like today? Christ or my sinful and selfish self? How about you?

Ladies, Bloom where ever God has placed you and let the fragrance of Christ be known.

LDJ

“We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he
says, he is a perfect man (woman).” James 3:2

Again from the Beth Moore study “Believing God”. In the lesson on ‘The
Power of the Tongue”, Beth encourages, “Let’s ask God to help us form
holy habits to replace carnal ones.” (p. 120) This is the page where we
are to journal, and I’d like to share mine with you today, as God has
been working on “kindness” in my thoughts, words, and attitude.

As I read the sentence about forming “holy habits to replace carnal
ones”, I wrote, How appropriate! My thoughts as I got out of bed this AM
were, “I’ve always been ‘a good person’ with a lot of bad habits!” I’ve
thought of myself as good (kind) and want others to think of me as good
(kind) and nice, but this lesson has shown me it’s not who I am in
public with others that’s as important as my thoughts, words, actions,
and attitude about people in my “private” world. These are the things
that hinder my ministry and how God is able to use me in my “public”
world, and that’s an obstacle to God’s empowerment in my life and His
Word speaking to others through me. I’ve never been able to fully grasp
Philippians 4:8, and practice it in my life, but I think I’m beginning
to get it!! As my thoughts are centered on the true, the noble, the
right, the pure, the lovely, the admirable, the excellent, the
praiseworthy, my attitude and actions, as well as my thoughts and words,
will develop and display “holy habits to replace carnal ones”.

I’m thankful that God doesn’t give up on seeking to mature and perfect
us to be the witnesses He has chosen for us to be in serving Him.
(Isaiah 43:10)

So that is my prayer ~~ that God will continue to form “holy habits” in
me to replace the “carnal ones”.

Djm

“Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers (and
sisters), this should not be.” James 3:10

Luke 6:45 says that the mouth speaks out of the overflow of what is in
the heart. So that leads us to consider what is in our heart!!

Recently, well I guess just a week or two ago, while doing a lesson on
the power of our words and the tongue in the “Believing God” study by
Beth Moore, I was challenged by the following thoughts she expressed,
“Ideally, our faith can become voice, and our voice can become power
when we’re operating in God’s will. When we’re actively trying to do
what God says we can and we don’t get the results God’s Word says we can
expect, we need to ask what might be wrong….What if we are doing
everything we know to do and yet what we voice through faith often
proves ineffective? Unbelief may not be our primary obstacle on this
issue.”(p. 116) The goal of this lesson was to “identify and remove
hindrances to practicing the powerful voice God’s Word tells us we
can.”(p.116) As some of the misuses of the tongue were listed, the one
that jumped off the page to me was “rudeness or unkindness”. As I
thought on this and considered the ways the misuse of my tongue could
hinder me being a vessel God can use to display His power, I realized
how often unkind criticism of others in private comes across my lips
exhibiting “a misinterpreted sense of superiority” (p.118), and how it
effects my attitude toward a person, even if they are said only in the
privacy of “me, myself, and I”, in my mind, or in the privacy of my own
home, as well as affecting the attitude of anyone else that hears those
words. “Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor,him I will destroy; the
one who has a haughty look and a proud heart, him I will not
endure.(Psalm 101:5); “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth,
but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to
the hearers.” (Ephesians 4:29) After being convicted of this improper
use of my words, and confessing to the Lord, I prayed for forgiveness
and to be changed to be truly kind in my thoughts, words, and attitudes
not just on the outside in public, but on the inside in private. For God
looks on the heart, and nothing is hidden from Him. My desire is to be
using my words in the power of the Lord, “to the praise of His Glory”.

My challenge would be to you as Beth Moore challenged through this
lesson, “Let’s allow the Holy Spirit to alert us to misuses of the
tongue that can diffuse its spiritual effectiveness: Gossip, Lying,
Profanity, Rudeness or unkindness, Inappropriate humor, misuse of God’s
name.” (p. 117)

Djm

Do you get discouraged? Do you think no one cares? No one wants to
hear my problems….oh yes there is someone who does……

Matthew 11:28 The Lord Jesus tells you to “Come unto me all ye that
labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” That means He
wants to hear what is bothering you and causing you to be
discouraged….

In I Peter 5:7, we are told to “Cast ALL of our care on Him (the Lord
Jesus Christ) because He cares for you.” That is a personal invitation
to cast

-Our failures

-Our fears

-Our foes

-Our future

Today, may He give you the strength to take the smallest, most
insignificant or the largest difficulty you face to Him knowing HE
CARES.

b. shoppy