I was leaving a meeting in a Downtown Office Building the other day and when I came around the corner, I almost bumped into two gentleman that were coming out of the elevator. I figured they were completing some type of repairs because the first one was carrying a medium sized ladder and the second walking behind him. A bit startled, we stopped short in our steps, moved out of each others' way and kept going about our business. As I entered the elevator, I noticed a strong smell of alcohol and medicine or mouthwash.
It was VERY strong. Anyone who knows me well, knows that I have a very keen sense of smell. I was taken aback at first, but I got over it. Made me wonder tho.....
Was this smell of alcohol coming out of someone's pores from the night before?
Was it coming from either of the gentleman that had just exited the elevator at all? Or,
Did someone take a sip of something today and try to cover it up with mouthwash?
I also thought about the potential safety of the gentleman - remember one of them had a ladder.
As I drove back to my office, I really hoped that they would be okay while doing whatever task they were completing. The person obviously believed that whatever they used would mask the alcohol smell - but it didn't take a Rocket Scientist or even a Sharp Smeller (totally made up word!) OR anyone with a nose to notice - that's if we're paying attention.
It's like this with God. We go about our way - doing what we do - masking those things that don't bring Him glory. This = SIN and if it stinks to us, it stinks to Him. Then we often go along with our day with that unpleasing smell...lifestyle, decisions that become actions, thoughts etc., and often go on before him as if nothing happened. God is Omnipresent, which means everywhere at the same time.
Jeremiah 23:24 says:
Can anyone hide himself in secret places that I cannot see him? saith the Lord.
Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord.
There is nothing that we can do that He doesn't already know about so rinsing with spiritual mouth wash does nothing but make US feel better about covering up our sin (and give us a funny smell!)
One definition of perceive is to become aware of, know, or identify by means of the senses. Going back to the scenario, let's presume that a person consumed alcohol at some point previous to entering the elevator, rinsed with mouthwash and went about their day. In their mind, as long as they covered up the smell all was well and the new smell of mouthwash covered the initial smell of alcohol of which smell could potentially get them fired! The thought process was to remove the smell or evidence of the alcohol that was consumed, but in all actuality it was only a cover-up!
Another definition of perceive is to recognize, discern, envision or understand. To the person in the building that is ready to deal with the drinking issue and all of us dealing with this same or other issues in our lives that STINK, it is our responsibility to have this perspective. It's a Kingdom Perspective (Wink;) Much of our sin is covered up whether we profess Jesus Christ or not. It's in our nature to be aware of good and evil. God created us that way. Abiding by this definition means that we recognize and acknowledge that we are covering something up that is not right - not good and although being comfortable in the sin that we are or were in is familiar, there is another way!
When I think about the most beautiful fall scenery - the colorful sunsets - fields of wheat, corn and flowers...the mountains topped with snow caps where beautiful valleys dwell at the bottom - humongous bodies of water, rivers and streams, the literal creator of all these things inhabits all of this at one time and is here to help us! While no one is perfect but Jesus Christ, having knowledge of this is not a pass to sin. We must continually give our flesh as a living sacrifice. While we yet live, we kill those things that make us try to hide behind spiritual mouthwash.
He is our helper, our maker and desires that we live in harmony with him now and in eternity. As it says in Psalms 121:2 - My help cometh from the Lord which made heaven and earth. That same God who is in all places at all times, who created the heaven and earth is here to help is in our strengths and weaknesses.
This is a word of encouragement for all who know that they can and need to do better. We can do it - through Christ who gives us strength! (Phil 4:13 one of my favorites!)
Be encouraged
Be strong
Be confident that you can do it - NO MOUTHWASH NECESSARY....it really doesn't work anyway!
If no one has told you they love you today............I LOVE YOU with the love of Jesus Christ!
Prayer: Lord be the lamp unto our feet and the light unto our path in this life. In the Name of Jesus Christ I pray forgiveness of all things we have done to sin against you, all things that do not give you a sweet fragrance from our lives. To the person that needs to be restored in their relationship with you, we call every heart unto repentance right now and all disobedience devoured with instant obedience. For those that want to walk in relationship with you I pray that they pursue you like never before. Lead them to a place where they can learn more about you, grow and be free from all bondage. I pray that we all can make this day the first of the rest of our lives regardless of our position - we want to do better, know more of you and about you. Let get over our situations, histories and pain so that we can reach back and help our brothers and sisters who deal with those issues. We want to be the living examples of your love redemption and light today. Thank you for your ultimate sacrifice for us - we will not take it in vain. In Jesus' Name we pray - Amen.
#LetYourLifeShine #HisWordHisPerspective
It was VERY strong. Anyone who knows me well, knows that I have a very keen sense of smell. I was taken aback at first, but I got over it. Made me wonder tho.....
Was this smell of alcohol coming out of someone's pores from the night before?
Was it coming from either of the gentleman that had just exited the elevator at all? Or,
Did someone take a sip of something today and try to cover it up with mouthwash?
I also thought about the potential safety of the gentleman - remember one of them had a ladder.
As I drove back to my office, I really hoped that they would be okay while doing whatever task they were completing. The person obviously believed that whatever they used would mask the alcohol smell - but it didn't take a Rocket Scientist or even a Sharp Smeller (totally made up word!) OR anyone with a nose to notice - that's if we're paying attention.
It's like this with God. We go about our way - doing what we do - masking those things that don't bring Him glory. This = SIN and if it stinks to us, it stinks to Him. Then we often go along with our day with that unpleasing smell...lifestyle, decisions that become actions, thoughts etc., and often go on before him as if nothing happened. God is Omnipresent, which means everywhere at the same time.
Jeremiah 23:24 says:
Can anyone hide himself in secret places that I cannot see him? saith the Lord.
Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord.
There is nothing that we can do that He doesn't already know about so rinsing with spiritual mouth wash does nothing but make US feel better about covering up our sin (and give us a funny smell!)
One definition of perceive is to become aware of, know, or identify by means of the senses. Going back to the scenario, let's presume that a person consumed alcohol at some point previous to entering the elevator, rinsed with mouthwash and went about their day. In their mind, as long as they covered up the smell all was well and the new smell of mouthwash covered the initial smell of alcohol of which smell could potentially get them fired! The thought process was to remove the smell or evidence of the alcohol that was consumed, but in all actuality it was only a cover-up!
Another definition of perceive is to recognize, discern, envision or understand. To the person in the building that is ready to deal with the drinking issue and all of us dealing with this same or other issues in our lives that STINK, it is our responsibility to have this perspective. It's a Kingdom Perspective (Wink;) Much of our sin is covered up whether we profess Jesus Christ or not. It's in our nature to be aware of good and evil. God created us that way. Abiding by this definition means that we recognize and acknowledge that we are covering something up that is not right - not good and although being comfortable in the sin that we are or were in is familiar, there is another way!
When I think about the most beautiful fall scenery - the colorful sunsets - fields of wheat, corn and flowers...the mountains topped with snow caps where beautiful valleys dwell at the bottom - humongous bodies of water, rivers and streams, the literal creator of all these things inhabits all of this at one time and is here to help us! While no one is perfect but Jesus Christ, having knowledge of this is not a pass to sin. We must continually give our flesh as a living sacrifice. While we yet live, we kill those things that make us try to hide behind spiritual mouthwash.
He is our helper, our maker and desires that we live in harmony with him now and in eternity. As it says in Psalms 121:2 - My help cometh from the Lord which made heaven and earth. That same God who is in all places at all times, who created the heaven and earth is here to help is in our strengths and weaknesses.
This is a word of encouragement for all who know that they can and need to do better. We can do it - through Christ who gives us strength! (Phil 4:13 one of my favorites!)
Be encouraged
Be strong
Be confident that you can do it - NO MOUTHWASH NECESSARY....it really doesn't work anyway!
If no one has told you they love you today............I LOVE YOU with the love of Jesus Christ!
Prayer: Lord be the lamp unto our feet and the light unto our path in this life. In the Name of Jesus Christ I pray forgiveness of all things we have done to sin against you, all things that do not give you a sweet fragrance from our lives. To the person that needs to be restored in their relationship with you, we call every heart unto repentance right now and all disobedience devoured with instant obedience. For those that want to walk in relationship with you I pray that they pursue you like never before. Lead them to a place where they can learn more about you, grow and be free from all bondage. I pray that we all can make this day the first of the rest of our lives regardless of our position - we want to do better, know more of you and about you. Let get over our situations, histories and pain so that we can reach back and help our brothers and sisters who deal with those issues. We want to be the living examples of your love redemption and light today. Thank you for your ultimate sacrifice for us - we will not take it in vain. In Jesus' Name we pray - Amen.
#LetYourLifeShine #HisWordHisPerspective
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