Focal Pointe February 2010 Vol. 1

HOW DO YOU SMELL?

2 Corinthians 2: 14-15 (NCV)
¹⁴ But thanks be to God, who always leads us in victory through Christ. God uses us to spread his knowledge everywhere like a sweet-smelling perfume. ¹⁵ Our offering to God is this: We are the sweet smell of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are being lost.

“Ah…the sweet smell of victory.” No doubt, you’ve heard this phrase before. Of course it’s never been truer than it is for those who walk after Jesus. Paul says that God uses Christ’s victory in us to “spread his knowledge everywhere like a sweet smelling perfume”. I like that! And so the question comes – how do you smell?

It reminds me of a pride-filled children’s worker that was trying to teach kids how to live like Jesus. With his head held high he strutted impressively back and forth across the room. He asked, “Now, kids, why do you think people call me a Christian?” The room was silent for a moment. Then one of the boys slowly raised his hand and said, “Probably because they don’t know you.” Ouch! Paul said, “Our offering to God is this: We are the sweet smell of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are being lost.”

So again, let me ask the question: How do you smell? Or let me ask it another way. What is the fragrance that you’re offering on behalf of Jesus? Prayerfully consider this week how Christ is leading you into victory each day and how it smells to others. Allow his victories in your life to manifest in all your relationships through love and filled with grace! Remember, victory always smells sweet!

Blessings,

Shane

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POWER TO WITNESS

Acts 1:8 (ESV)

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

This is the thematic verse for the entire book of Acts. We know that the Holy Spirit took up residence within us at the time of our conversion. And that same Holy Spirit gives us the power to be witnesses for Jesus. Let’s take a closer look at those two words; power and witness.

• Power comes from the Greek word dynamis, which means strength, power, ability; moral power and excellence of soul. So, “…you will receive [strength, power, ability; moral power and excellence of soul] when the Holy Spirit has come upon you…” (Emphasis mine) Wow! What gifts! Surely we should do something with these.

• The root of the word Witness is found in the Greek word martys, which means to witness a) in a legal sense, b) in a historical sense, c) in an ethical sense.

I recently heard a man say “People want to see Jesus with skin on”. Friends, the Holy Spirit has empowered us to example Jesus in all areas of our lives. What about in our ministries? This week, let’s ask ourselves a question. In our ministries, how are we using the “dynamis” that we’ve received to be a “martys” and help people “see Jesus with skin on?” Always remember, you may be the only Bible some people ever read.

God bless you this week!

Shawn