What is the aroma of your heart? Is it full of pride, arrogance, bitterness and hatred that makes a putrefied, stinking heart? Or is your heart full of compassion, love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, and goodness that is a pleasing aroma to God? Your attitude determines the aroma of your heart. When your attitude stinks, so does your heart.
Who are Jesus’ brethren?
In Matthew 25:40 Jesus says we are to help the poor and less fortunate people and when we do, it is just like we are doing it for Him. However, there’s a part of this verse that is almost not noticeable. Jesus says, “inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren…” So, who exactly are His brethren? Did He mean the disciples? His half-brothers that Mary and Joseph had after Him? His earthly relatives? If we go over to Matthew 12:50, we find that “Whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.” His brethern are His followers who seek to do God’s will.
How we treat others shows the aroma of our hearts
We should treat His brethern with humble compassion as we recognize they are His servants carrying out His will. How we treat them expresses our love for and commitment to Jesus Himself. But when we treat them harshly, it exposes our lack of devotion to Him. Jesus holds us accountable in how we live our lives. If we claim to live for Christ but our actions demonstrate differently, we need to examine the validity of our salvation.
With Christ living in us, we should be a reflection of His character. Jesus treated others with love, kindness and grace – and so should we. When His character shows through our actions, we put Him on display to the world around us. Jesus commanded in John 13:34-35, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
We are known by our fruit
Jesus will be our final judge and there will come a day when we must stand before Him and give an account for how we lived out lives and how we reflected His glory to the world. Matthew 7:16-20 says, “You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.” Does your fruit stink from decay or does is it a pleasing aroma from your heart?
We are the aroma of Christ
The bitternut tree does not bear fruit every year. It only bears fruit every three years and sometimes only every five years. The beech tree bears fruit every eight years. The white oak can go ten years without bearing fruit. But the champion in delay is the bamboo which bears fruit only every 120 years! Most Christians don’t live to be 120, but if they did, some would still bear no fruit for the Lord Jesus.
When the final judgment comes, will Jesus recognize you by as one of His own by the fruits of your life? Will He see you as a healthy tree or a diseased tree? Will the aroma of your heart be pleasing to Him? Ask yourself: Do I have a real walk with Christ? Do I love others? Does my faith live out in my actions toward others? 2 Corinthians 2:15 says, “For to God we are the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.”
Facing the Giants, Sony Pictures Movies & Shows (c) 2006 written and produced by Alex Kendrick and Stephen Kendrick
Like it is so well said in this clip from “Facing the Giants” movie, our attitudes and our behavior reflects the condition of our hearts. A healthy tree will produce good fruit. When our heart is right, we will reflect the nature and character of Christ and the aroma of our hearts will be pleasing to God.
Now you can enhance your Bible Reading with the Verse Mapping Template
Our Verse Mapping download is FREE and includes 6 pages: 3 pages of instructions for using the template and the 2 page template, plus the cover page. If you’re looking to go deeper into God’s Word, learn more about God and develop a stronger spiritual life, Verse Mapping will help you dig into the scriptures. As you apply God’s Word to your life, you will develop a more intimate knowledge and relationship with God.
God, Love and Marshmallow Wars is a book that includes 365 daily activities and takes you on a guided journey through Biblical principles about Godly marriage that you can then apply to your marriage, as well as helping you talk through concepts that can help you develop a solid relationship. Inside you will find simple, quick activities that include:
Scripture to memorize and meditate on.
Conversation Starters.
Concepts from the Bible on Godly marriages.
Romance Builders.
Relationship Builders.
Personal reflections.
Date ideas.
Group date ideas for you and other Christian couples.
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This verse is often used in teaching that we are to help the poor and less fortunate people — and we should. However, there’s a part of this verse that is almost not noticeable. Jesus says, “inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethern…” So, who exactly are His brethern? Did He mean the disciples? His half-brothers that Mary and Joseph had after Him? His earthly relatives? If we go over to Matthew 12:50, we find that “Whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.” His brethern are His followers who seek to do God’s will. We should treat His brethern with humble compassion as we recognize they are His servants carrying out His will. How we treat them expresses our love for and commitment to Jesus Himself. But when we treat them harshly, it exposes our lack of devotion to Him. Jesus holds us accountable in how we live our lives. If we claim to live for Christ but our actions demonstrate differently, we need to examine the validity of our salvation. With Christ living in us, we should be a reflection of His character. Jesus treated others with love, kindness and grace – and so should we. When His character shows through our actions, we put Him on display to the world around us. Jesus commanded in John 13:34-35, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Jesus will be our final judge and there will come a day when we must stand before Him and give an account for how we lived out lives and how we reflected His glory to the world. Matthew 7:16-20 says, “You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit.A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit.Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.” The bitternut tree does not bear fruit every year. It only bears fruit every three years and sometimes only every five years. The beech tree bears fruit every eight years. The white oak can go ten years without bearing fruit. But the champion in delay is the bamboo which bears fruit only every 120 years!
Most Christians don’t live to be 120, but if they did, some would still bear no
fruit for the Lord Jesus. When the final judgment comes, will Jesus recognize you by as one of His own by the fruits of your life? Will He see you as a healthy tree or a diseased tree? Ask yourself: Do I have a real walk with Christ? Do I love others? Does my faith live out in my actions toward others? 2 Corinthians 2:15 says, “For to God we are the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.” Â
Like it is so well said in this clip from “Facing the Giants” movie, our attitudes and our behavior reflects the condition of our hearts. A healthy tree will produce good fruit. When our heart is right, we will reflect the nature and character of Christ.
Facing the Giants, Sony Pictures Movies & Shows (c) 2006 written and produced by Alex Kendrick and Stephen Kendrick
Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. Â
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Our key verse for revival is 2 Chronicles 7:14. “If my people who are called by my name shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land. Our verse last week focused on praying. For the next few weeks, we will be focusing on repentance.
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BOOKING NOW! Be a host site for the NEW God, Love & Marshmallow Wars Book Tour & Couples Conference:
This event helps couples understand why the daily activities found in the book will equip them to build a stronger marriage and the book provides them with 365 intentional activities to take what they learn at the event and apply it on a daily basis. Through the event, couples will discover the Biblical “why” behind the categories of activities found in the book and the “how” these activities are important to building a stronger marriage. Focus points of the event includes :
Howmemorizing scripture together and studying God’s Word together as they study, meditate and apply scriptures related to marriage and life issues will help them develop marriages that honor God.
Why utilizing fun conversation starters that spark meaningful conversations will keep interest alive as they continually learn new things about each other.
Whykeeping romance alive is essential to intimacy and connectivity.
Howmaking memories and working together builds relationship investment bonds and howthese investment bonds can become the knots that keeps them together through the tough times.
Howthey can understand what they are or are not contributing to the marriage as well as howthey might be contributing to problems or potential problems within the relationship through the use of targeted, intentional personal reflections
Whyit is important that couples never stop dating and howgroup dates with Christian friends can be both an encouragement and accountability to their own relationship.
During the event, couples will be given an activity from each focus point to do together, making this event an interactive, fun, and engaging event with practical, hands-on learning. Unlike other couple events that are over when the event ends, couples who attend the GLMW event will be able to apply what they learn when utilizing the book on a daily basis for a year. Since the book is not dated, couples are able to reuse the activities year after year to continue being intentional in strengthening their relationship with each other and with God as they strive to live out God’s design for marriage every day.
Learn more about hosting this event at your church or conference site by clicking here.
About the book: The GLMW book contains 365 daily challenges for couples to strengthen their relationships to each other and with God. Couples will complete activities such as Scripture memory, conversation starters, relationship builders, learning about Biblical marriage, romance builders, personal reflections, and date ideas. Click here to purchase your copy. (This link will open a new widow and take you to Westbow Press’ bookstore.) It is also available at Christian Book Distributors, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble
Looking for a keynote speaker for your next ministry event? Julia is now booking for 2019 and 2020 Christian events for women’s and couples’ ministries for both small and large events. Book with us now.
Julia is CEO of Wellspring Christian Ministries, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping people and couples develop a passionate relationship with God. A public speaker, conference trainer, event planner, and blog writer, Julia is a two-time graduate from Grand Canyon University with a bachelor in Psychology and a masters in Professional Counseling. Saved as a child and raised in church and in a Christian home and private Christian School as a Pastor’s kid, Julia has taught Sunday school, led music, played the piano, served as Children’s Director, and engaged her gifts in many other areas of church life. Previously employed with the Florida Baptist Convention, Julia organized events and led conferences for church ministry assistants. Today, Julia enjoys sharing her journey as a growing Christian with others looking for a deeper connection with God. Through Bible study and her own life experiences, God has given Julia a passion to help couples understand God’s design for marriage while they learn to place God first in their marriage, cultivate meaningful relationships, build intimacy, and address the tougher issues that come in every marriage so that they can experience a marriage that honors and glorifies God. Julia also loves mentoring, teaching, and working with women to help them learn to live as Godly women.
With her history and experience growing up in both small and large churches, Julia enjoys bringing top level quality events to churches of all sizes. Her father largely pastored small churches and therefore she understands that these vital parts of the believing community need to be good stewards of the resources God provides them with. This knowledge inspires her passion for being available with a fresh perspective for those who want to provide their congregations with meaningful spiritual growth opportunities, regardless of size.
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Check out these items from Christian Book Distributors.
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Mr. and Mrs. stoneware mug set includes one each white mug for the bride and black mug for the groom, each embellished with swirl motif and accented with quote from bestselling marriage sentiment “Marriage Takes Three”.
A marriage that follows God’s plan
Takes more than a woman and a man.
It needs a oneness that can be
Only from Christ-
Marriage takes three. Beth Stuckwisch/Dicksons ®
Praying couple sculpture in lifelike detail, cast stone on circle base with protective felt backing. Handpainted with engraved Scripture verse on plaque; Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. Ephesians 4:2-3. 6″ x 6″ x 4.5″. Boxed. Devoted Sculpture Series.
There’s no doubt that marriage is hard work. Yet it can also be one of the most fulfilling relationships you can experience, outside of your relationship with God. However, many marriages leave God outside of the relationship. Godly marriages do not happen without cultivating it, investing in it, and putting God first in your individual lives and in your marriage.
This book includes 365 daily activities and takes you on a journey through Biblical principles about Godly marriage that you can then apply to your marriage, as well as helping you talk through concepts that can help you develop a solid relationship. Inside you will find simple, quick activities that include:
• Scripture to memorize and meditate on
• Conversation Starters
• Concepts from the Bible on Godly marriages
• Romance Builders
• Relationship Builders
• Personal reflections
• Date ideas
• Group date ideas for you and other Christian couples
Decorative and functional coasters for your car or truck fit into the cup holder to protect your vehicle from drink spills.
Set of two, ceramic absorbent coasters with distinctive art design. Designed with a slanted edge and can be easily removed for cleaning. Each coaster is 2.75″ in diameter.
Farmhouse Collection of framed wall art pairs natural stained pine frames with artisan typography, artfully detailed with careful attention to the wood texture as well as the placement of each word. Handcrafted in the USA.
20.25″ x 13.75″ high
Beveled wood frame
Scripture
I have found the one my soul loves. Song of Solomon 3:4
Wall plaque captures the everyday appeal of reclaimed wood as a backdrop for special words and inspiring sentiment, in a heart-to-heart gift you’ll love to give.12″ tall x 5.5″; boxed gift; keyhole hanger. New Horizons Collection; mounted print on wood product with the look of rustic wood. Artisan typography completes the trending look. Made in the USA.
Marriage gift idea
Marriage Prayer Lord, help us to remember when we first met and the strong love that grew between us. Help us love in practical ways so that nothing can divide us. May our words be kind and our thoughts gracious. May we remain humble enough to ask for forgiveness and wise enough to freely give.
Rustic wall art makes a statement of warmth and inspiration in your home; 14″ x 24″, on vertical pallet slats; a primitive natural look with distressed finish.Distressed finish; 10 Ways to love…Listen without interrupting…Speak without accusing…Give without sparing…Pray without ceasing…Answer without arguing…Share without pretending…Enjoy without complaint…Trust without wavering…Forgive without punishing…Promise without forgetting. Love never fails.Typography lettering.
Sawtooth hanger for secure wall display; pine slats from actual pallets are attached to two cross beams; ready to hang on your wall.
What is pallet art?
It is a top trend in wall decor, created of dried-out pine with authentic rustic finish and the look of age and distress. It is the same wood that is used to create shipping pallets, and contains knots and knot holes, rough spots, irregular edging, and a rough, raw natural look- from the heart of America.The roughness and texture behind the artwork gives each piece a unique look of its own.
Pallet art is highly desirable and fits well with Country, primitive decor, contemporary suburban designs, and the open, back-to-nature style that is so appealing. Sawtooth hangers are affixed to the back for easy hanging on the wall.
Create a warm and casual atmosphere with distinctive pallet wall art in every room.
Rustic wood wall sign of natural pine slats, with inspirational sentiment; simple yet refined accent for your home.Constructed in similar fashion to an actual shipping pallet, skid sign includes sawtooth hanger on the back, easy to hang on the wall. Handcrafted in the USA.
Artisan lettering
17″ x 23.5″ high
Love
I love you a bushel and a peck, and a hug around the neck.
Willow Tree ® figurine Promise, from the Relationship Collection by Susan Lordi. Hold dear the promise of love, 9″ high. A sculpture commemorating your love and a gift to give for special events: proposal, wedding, anniversary or your special day.Willow Tree celebrates loving relationships between friends and family.
Slender ribbon of sterling silver shapes a keepsake heart necklace engraved with the beloved words of Scripture Love is patient, love is kind. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. and on the reverse I Corinthians 13:4-8. An exquisite design, a reminder of true Christian love; on 18″ sterling silver chain with secureclasp. 1.5″ x 1.5″; in classic jewelry gift box.
Extend your necklace with 2″ sterling silver chain extender; Order Sku 392633
Ceramic gift mug in red with white lined inside. 11 ounce mug; microwave and dishwasher safe; engraved with heartfelt sentiment, Your love is the greatest gift. Love, and personalized with the names of your choice. 4.75″ x 3.75″.
Also comes in pink for her.
Personalized at no additional cost on the premises at Christianbook.com.
Gift mug shares your love in fun design with red heart trim.Red interior and conversation sentiment I love you. I love you more! I love you the most!16 ounce capacity; stoneware.Boxed; designed by Lorrie Veasey for Our Name is Mud.Fun and functional gift for the one you love. Safe for microwave and dishwasher; 4.5″ tall.
Classic sterling silver poesy ring is richly detailed with Hebrew sentiment I am my beloved’s ; taken from the Song of Solomon. Wedding ring favorite in timeless beauty and rich design.Hebrew engraving ani l’dodi; modern Hebrew quote from Song of Solomon 6:3. Created using lost-wax casting, an ancient method of fine jewelry production; a beautiful ring: romantic, meaningful, and everlasting. Elegantly boxed with explanatory enclosure. Made in the USA.
You are in the process of becoming. Every day is an opportunity to be shaped and formed by what moves your heart.drives your thoughts.captures your gaze. Is it any wonder that where you direct your eyes and your heart matter in your day-to-day?
We become what we behold when we set our hearts and minds on Christ and His redemption story here in the details of our daily lives. Not just on Sunday, not just on holidays, not just when extraordinarily hard or wonderful things happen.but today
Bestselling author and artist Ruth Chou Simons invites you on a new journey to Beholding and Becoming. With more than 850 pieces of intricate, original artwork, Ruth encourages you to elevate your gaze to the One who created all things.
Today is an opportunity for God to demonstrate His love and His faithfulness in the midst of your mundane. No circumstance is too ordinary or too forgotten for Him to meet you there in worship. His transforming grace turns your “everyday ordinary” into a holy place of becoming.
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BOOKING NOW! Be a host site for the NEW God, Love & Marshmallow Wars Book Tour & Couples Conference:
Check out these items from Christian Book Distributors.
