I am astounded, awed, afraid that I am not always worthy of God's love, that perfect gift from our Heavenly Father. There are days I wonder how I can go on, but then I remember who my real Father is and I am filled with Hope. His immaculate, perfect love makes all things possible.
I am too small a mind to understand His mysteries. It's not a cop out, not an excuse... how can I understand the Infinite. When we consider all the Universe we know of even today, and I believe we will discover more and more each new day, I sometimes am overwhelmed that the God who created all this vast universe, with its billions of galaxies, then there are billions of stars in our own galaxy, and then we are but a small planet in our solar system... and I am not even a speck of dust on this planet... wonder of wonders that God can hear me, care for me, and love me... yet I know He does. Praise God.
Today's mediation by Bob Hoekstra:
April 25
A Fragrance of Christ to God
"Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge . . . For we are to God the fragrance of Christ." (2Co_2:14-15)
In addition to the characteristic of triumphant living, God also wants to mark our lives with the fragrance of Christ. "Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge."
Just as there are physical fragrances that can be noticed by our physical senses, there are also spiritual fragrances that can impact us spiritually. If a person partakes of food that is heavily seasoned with garlic, others will notice the fragrance of garlic. If a person consistently presses on to know the Lord, others will be impacted by the "fragrance of His knowledge." This is described as the "fragrance of Christ." This is that spiritual aroma that wafts forth from the lives of those who are getting to know the Lord. It is a validating reality that the Lord Jesus Christ is dwelling in their lives and is being evidenced through their lives.
As we are getting to know the Lord more and more, this spiritual aroma of Christ is even impacting God Himself. "For we are to God the fragrance of Christ." Yes, God is the first one who is impacted by this Christlike fragrance. "For we are to God the fragrance of Christ ."
Our ministry and testimony is always primarily unto the Lord. We who believe in Jesus Christ are called to be "proving what is acceptable to the Lord" (Eph_5:10). We are not here on earth to please ourselves. "Do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a servant of Christ" (Gal_1:10). We are here to please our God. "Brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God" (1Th_4:1).
What ultimately pleases our heavenly Father is His beloved Son. When the Father looked down from heaven at the baptism of His Son, He exclaimed, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" (Mat_3:17). When our Father looks down today upon our lives, He wants to enjoy the fragrance of His Son emanating forth from our lives. "For we are to God the fragrance of Christ."
Heavenly Father, I long to bless You by the fragrance of Christ through my life. I am sorry that the stench of selfish flesh is what often emanates from me. Lord, help me to get to know You more and more, so that the knowledge of You can produce the aroma of Christ in and through me, in Jesus name, Amen.
May the love of God fill you, may the Holy Spirit overflow from your life so that you please God each moment.
Have a blessed day.
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