Spread love everywhere you go: First of all in your own house... let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. (Mother Theresa)
back it up with bible
Matthew 5:14-16 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven.
Judges 5:31b Let them that love Him be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might.
Isaiah 60:3 And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.
John 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples, if ye have love one to another.
1 John 2:6 He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked.
core christianity
What’s that smell?
2 Corinthians 2:14-15 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish.
Our little Elianna, now almost three, loves flowers. Every time she sees one, she has to get down and take a whiff. It’s so adorable.
Did you know that back in the days of the Roman Empire fragrances were all the rage? They would celebrate their victories with huge parades and burn incense on the altars, which would fill the entire city with its sweet-scented aroma. Even those who could not be part of the celebration would smell the incense from afar and know their army had been victorious!
This is the very effect we should have on the world around us. Our lives should be burning the sweet smell of righteousness, holiness, love, and victory! Our fragrance should be so strong that people can smell it from afar and know that we are victorious in every circumstance through the atoning work God has already done!
Let’s get on fire for Him again today! The world is hungry! Smelling that delicious aroma will get them motivated to grab a bite!
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – there’s so much work to be done! (Worthy Devotions)
previously published
…If you want a life that affects others for great good, that makes a positive memory and influence in others’ futures, then you need to start realizing that what you do does affect others, that what you say and how you react does influence others. You need to start living with the realization that you are not your own, but all that you do is like playing music in a public place--it enters the ears of all who pass by. You’re not an island.
And even if you were stranded on an island, away from all civilization, even there your life could still be affecting others--through your prayers, your praises, and your faith. You are becoming a man or woman of character. But it takes passing through the daily grind of life again and again and again. Yes, there are moments of greater impact. Each person has those at certain points in their lives. But what truly defines you is how you live through the mundane times, how you fight through the lonely struggles, how you let your light so shine even when you feel that no one is watching.
One day you’ll see that some soul saw your light and it was the means by which they held on. Maybe nobody in your immediate circle seems to need the little light that you shine. But what about that someone beyond your doorstep, that someone you rarely see or mingle with. Your light and smile and love could be making the difference for that one soul. In your life, you must remember that your goal is not necessarily to be noticed or admired or even loved. Your goal is to be someone who leaves a positive effect on others, a lifter-upper of another’s burden, a positive influence in each life that you touch. That’s your goal: to give and live love….It’s such a beautiful goal too, one definitely worth striving and living for. (Xn 132)
Perhaps you’re discouraged & think, Well, who am I? What can I do?” It all seems so hopeless & impossible! It looks like there’s nothing that one person can do to change things for the better, so what’s the use of trying, what’s the use of doing anything?” Well, although you may not be able to change the whole world, you can change your part of the world! Don’t ever think because there’s so much darkness, that it’s no use to have just a LITTLE light, because even one candle can be seen a mile away when it’s dark! (Mat.5:14-16.) Everybody has influence—your life is bound to affect others! “No man is an island!” Everybody’s influencing somebody--even when you seem to be all alone! “For none of us liveth to himself, & no man dieth to himself.”--Rom.14:7. Whether we live or die, we have some effect on others & the World.--You’re either going to pull people up to your level or drag them down to yours--one or the other! It’s up to you!
And the place to start is with you!--Your own heart, your own mind, your own spirit, your own life….The place & the very atmosphere around you will be changed if even you change yourself by the power of God’s Love! (New Life!--New Love!)
make it personal
Ask the Lord: What is something “small” that I don’t often realize is a part of my influence on others? Please tell me some ways that I can spread Your beautiful fragrance today in the little things that I do.
