A Fragrant Aroma

A Fragrant Aroma


John 12:3
3 Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

2 Corinthians 2:14-15
14 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. 15 For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.
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Yesterday, I shared the story of me spelling a heavenly aroma at my friends home which in turn prompted me to ask what is was. In using "fabuloso" as a comparison again to today, I want to point out that we are not limited in our expression of how we use something.

A couple of weeks ago some of you came to our lake home to retreat away from the city and to share our God stories. A dear heart questioned me about the scent that was lingering more prominently in my bathroom. When I shared with her that it was simply a lavender scented cleaner, the initial response was disbelief. "No way Shelli, your kidding." I went and got the fabuloso and showed them all that it was not an extravagant plug in nor was it an expensive candle. We all were giggling and laughing as I shared how something about the smell just motivates me to clean, I actually want to clean so I can smell the fragrance. A few days later I spoke to the dear heart that had asked me what it was and bubbling over with excitement she shared that she had gone out and picked some up. I began to share with her the different ways I use it. Again lots of girlish giggling as I explained how I pour a cap full in my fountains, saturate then squeeze out a paper towel to place in my air return vent, a cup full in the tub with an inch of steamy hot water, pour some in the toilet tank etc....She said WOW!!! you are creative.

She may of even thought "a little over board with the stuff too."

In the John 12 we are given the account of how one disciple thought Mary had gone overboard in the way she had chosen to express her love and passion for the Lord. As he spouted off, the Lord shut Him down with "leave her alone!"

We all express our love for the Lord in different ways, remember Martha was expressing her love for Him by preparing and serving this dinner that was in honor of the Lord. Martha was infusing the place with the aroma food and Mary with the aroma of expensive perfume. Notice how both activate the sense of smell. When we are in the presence of hearts that are set on God there is a sense of sniffing out so to speak that something is different about this person. Some will be drawn into it and others may not like the scent at all, and that's ok the Lord knows what He is doing through you. The important thing to me here is that we are the aroma of Christ and how we express that is unique to each of us. We all have our own story to share as to why we Love Him. It is through us that the knowledge of Christ spreads. Sharing our story spreads the knowledge.

When I think about the gospel accounts of how Jesus did things, I note that He was creative in all He did. If your heart is full of passion and love for the Lord, don't be afraid to express it for Him in the creative ways that He has intended for you, even if there is a Judas in the background sounding off that you should be doing it differently, the Lord will take care of that.

May His fragrant aroma linger in the air around you drawing others in to His Garden of Delights.
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Keep in Prayer:
Please keep Ashley Tomlinson and those with her in your prayers this week as she is on a mission trip in Haiti.
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Comments of others regarding previous Delights are below. As always, I Thank you and welcome all responses...
Comments:

RE-Charging the Atmosphere
I'm so glad "Fabuloso" is a gift to you. You and all your sweet kind delights are truly a gift to me and my family. God has blessed me with a friendship for which I am so grateful. "A bit of fragrance always clings to the hand that gives you roses" And your hands are smelling so good...Sister!!! God bless you and all your gifts!! With love,G.
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RE- An Appointed Time
WOW that is truly WOW, thank you so much.
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RE-Charging the Atmosphere
I love this!! It so reminded me of the story I sent you. We do put off an aroma to some that is death, and to those that are being saved is life! I guess it is worth the chance of doing it either way. Speaking His Word.
I LOVE THIS -Jeremiah 20:9
"...His word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot."
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"Today's Delights" are personal reflective journal entries written and shared by Shelli Schulte. They are shared with the intention to encourage, uplift and unite others in Christ. Shelli respects all men and women in God ordained positions, however, Shelli believes that there is one person ultimately responsible for her faith and the guarding of it. That person is her. Shelli encourages others to be responsible for their own faith through an intimate relationship with the Lord. Others are encouraged to put to action the wisdom of the Berean's...Measure all things said and done pertaining to the things of God against the Word of God, our plumb line.

Where there is no revelation people cast off restraint... Proverbs 29:18a

*Revelation comes through the word of God, the word of God is Christ, relationship with Christ brings revelation. A life without relationship with Christ is a life that is wondering aimlessly without direction. Shelli Schulte
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