Sweet Smelling Fragrance

As I'm sitting here at this moment writing this post...my entire house smells like cinnamon apples! It's almost an overwhelming aroma. No, I'm not baking, even though that's what it smells like. I was browsing through the store yesterday when I came across some of those scented bottles with the sticks coming out...you've seen them, I just don't know what you call them??? Anyway, there was a box of cinnamon apple scented two for $4.00 package, so I grabbed it up, brought it home, and strategically placed them at opposite ends of the house. Now, you can smell the sweet scent drifting up the stairs, filling almost every room of the house.

Don't you think a sense of smell is the most under appreciated of the five senses? Everyone wants to taste good things, I for one wouldn't enjoy life nearly as much if I didn't get to taste chocolate! I have to be able to hear, because after all, faith comes by hearing, the Word of God...seriously, I would never want to lose the ability to hear worship songs, or a sermon, or the sound of my family telling me they love me. It's a proven fact that we need touch...I was told that babies who were born in an orphanage in the Ukraine and never picked up or loved on were observed to have lost the ability to have any emotion, other than perhaps anger. I couldn't imagine losing my eyesight! Not only could you not watch your children as they grow and change, or see a beautiful sunset or the majesty of God's creation, be able to drive...but I'm certainly NOT going to trust my wardrobe & hair to my husband and boys! It was bad enough when I depended on them to help me get ready while my arm was broken! Did you know that we put off a smell as a Christian? No, it's not anything like holy body odor, LOL

2 Cor. 2:15-16 says "Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this?" (NLT)

I want my life to be a sweet smelling offering to the Lord, and nothing else matters. My husband and I recently tried to befriend a couple who's son is friends with our oldest. We knew they were unbelievers, and we didn't have a whole lot in common, but we enjoyed their company and were just beginning to build a friendship...or so I thought. Then it was cut off abruptly for no apparent reason. They won't talk to us, or even look our way when we pass by. I couldn't imagine what brought on this change, until I started thinking back over what all had taken place before this new attitude toward us. It all became very clear to both myself and Bobby....their son was spending the night one weekend. He's very into rap music, and rather than have him bringing some of those bad lyrics into my house, I suggested he listen to Toby Mac, a Christian rapper. My boys taught this friend of theirs a Christian rap song. I didn't explain any of the lyrics, hold a Bible Study, try to have an alter call in my house, or anything! All I did was introduce him to a song that had a good beat, and wasn't filled with filthy language, violence, or sex. It was shortly after that, the parents did an about face and we haven't seen them since.

I'm sad about this incident, but I make no apologies for the aroma I put off, as long as it's pleasing to the Lord. If it smells sweet to some, and they are drawn closer, praise God! If it's offensive to others, then I can not do anything but still praise God.

Psalm 20 - A Psalm of David

(According to my NKJ Study Bible, this Psalm was thought to be a congregational prayer used with sacrifices offered just before going to war)


1 "May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble;

(many of us are facing a 'day of trouble')

May the name of the God of Jacob defend you;

(The God of Jacob refers to the fact that God delivered Jacob in times of distress - read Gen. 35:3)

2 May He send you help from the sanctuary, and strengthen you out of Zion

(may we get help from others, especially the Church body in our time of need)

3 May He remember all your offerings, and accept your burnt sacrifice.

(Our offering now is our time, talent, tithe, and of course, our worship, which is done in spirit and in truth.)

4 May He grant you according to your heart's desire, and fulfill all your purpose.

(I LOVE this! He wants us to abide in Him and He in us so that we can ask whatever we wish, and it will be given to us. He knows that if we abide in Him, we want ask frivolously, but according to His will because our hearts will desire what pleases Him.)

5 We will rejoice in your salvation, and in then name of our God we will set up our banners! May the Lord fulfill all your petitions.

(They are rejoicing over their victory before the battle is even fought! They are asking God to answer all their prayers)

6 Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven, with the saving strength of His right hand.

(This is showing confidence and trust in God's ability and willingness to save His children)

7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember (some translations say "boast") in the name of the Lord our God.

(Because of confidence in vs. 6, they are able to trust in the Name of the Lord to save them. While their enemies have more advanced weaponry, and chariots & horses to advance against them, the people of God boast in their ultimate weapon, the Name of the Lord Most High!)

8 They have bowed down and fallen; but we have risen and stand upright.

(People of God don't hang their head in defeat, or get lost in despair. They raise their heads up and claim victory of their enemy!)

9 Save, Lord! May the King answer us when we call."

Thank you Lord that in our day to day battles, some big and some small, You are defending us. We thank You that while the world grasps for different "weapons" to fight their battles, we gain victory in no other weapon than trust in Your mighty Name. Thank You in advance for granting us according to our heart's desire (vs. 4) and that we WILL fulfill all our purpose, in Jesus name I pray.