Thanks be to God who leads us, wherever we are, on Christ’s triumphant way and makes our knowledge of him spread throughout the world like a lovely perfume! 2 Corinthians 2:14, Phillips.
There is no hope for the success of any religious organization where criticism is cherished as a fine art, and called spiritual discernment. Men might far better be blind to others’ faults than to be inspired by that keen, detective spirit that will watch for defects in those whom the Lord loves, and through whom He works. We all need to humble ourselves, not to have an exalted idea of self….
Lose sight of all others except Christ. We want Christ in our humanity, and Christ wants to abide in us. We are human and fallible, every one of us, and unless Christ is formed within, the hope of glory, we shall make wonderful blunders in estimating our fellow workers according to our pattern and measurement. God sees beneath the surface. He sees all the good, and He marks all the evil. Leave to Him the work of passing judgment on your brethren.
Have a care for the young men and young women who are now forming their characters. Converse with them, and help them all you possibly can. Let no one educate the young men and young women in the science of picking flaws. Let not the youth hear you finding fault with those who do not please your fancy. The youth are Christ’s servants, to be cared for, to be encouraged in good, pure, holy thoughts. They need no lessons in evil surmising. Satan stands ready to instruct them in this line. Teach them to be kind, to respect and love one another as Christ has loved us. Keep the perfume of Christ’s character in your own words and actions. Let querulous complaints forever cease. Then there will flow into your heart the sunbeams of the righteousness of Christ. God will bless you, and make you a blessing….
It is the character, not the placing of our names on the church books, that makes us Christians. What manifestations will appear when Christ, abiding in the heart, is shining in the faces of those who love Him and keep His commandments. Truth is written there. The man is transformed into Christ’s image. A worldling may pass by and not mark the change, but those who have had communion with Christ discern the expression of Christ in word, in spirit. The influence upon the heart is seen in a habitual gentleness, a more than human love. The sweet peace of heaven will be in the soul, and will be revealed in the countenances.—Letter 6, January 14, 1899, to “Brethren and Sisters in Camp Meeting at Ballarat.”
The Upward Look p. 28
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Prayer Requests
—-I am asking for prayer for Ty who is in her 80’s. she is suffering with a lot of pain. please pray for some relief for her and may she find Jesus as her healer. Also pray for Amber she has not talked to her mom in two years. R
—-please pray for Jacob who has had a stroke has bleeding in the head doctors are saying he will not survive, but God has the last word. Becky
—-Umar needs prayer for his wife, she is been hospitalized. Also pray for Lisa who is fighting for her life in ICU. Arlene
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Dear Friends,
When Esther Marie was not quite a year old, we moved from the coast of North Carolina to the middle of the state. Until we could find a place to live, we camped at a private campground for a few weeks. It was a quiet campground with an open area for RV’s and a wooded area for tents. We pitched our large canvas tent in a nice spot under the trees on the shore of a small lake. It seemed like an ideal spot. The campground was not crowded, so we looked forward to a happy time while we got settled into the new area.
Unfortunately, all was not happy. There was a group of Canadian geese that had taken up residency in that same campground. For some reason, a large gander took an immediate dislike to Esther Marie. We never could figure out why. No matter where her ten-month-old feet took her, he was after her with his head down, wings outspread, and hissing loudly.
If we decided to take a swim, that goose was there spoiling our fun. If we went for a walk along the trail, he was there. If we just stayed around our camp, we had to be very watchful as he would try to sneak up on our baby girl. She was too little to be afraid, but we knew the danger of the situation. Indeed, I had worked with a man who, as a child of four years, had been deafened by a goose.
One day, as we were walking along a path that circled the small lake, Mr. Goose, with threatening pose, came rushing toward us. Ron lost his patience with that mean, old goose. He had chased that goose away so many times without success that he felt like he had to do something drastic. Ron gave him a hard, swift kick right in the breast. Mr. Goose rolled over and over down the hill and into the lake. From that moment, we had no more trouble with him. He always kept his distance.
Just as that mean old goose was constantly after us, so we have a much greater enemy that is continually trying to harm us and is always harrassing us no matter where we go. Just like Esther Marie, we are not always aware that anything is wrong, but he is there seeking to destroy us just the same. This is why Peter warns us, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith.” 1 Peter 5:8,9 We must be very watchful for the evil one lays many snares for our feet. We must be constantly on our guard lest we be overtaken by the enemy. We cannot be off our guard for a moment, as he often sets his traps where we least expect them.
Our Great Redeemer does not leave us without a weapon against the great foe. He has given us His Holy Word, that we may recognize our danger and flee into His Great Arms of Love. When in the wilderness of temptation, Our Great Exemplar fought the evil one in through the Word. “It is written” was His defense: “It is written” must be ours. “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” Ps 119:9-11 “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication.” Eph 6:13-18 “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”2 Tim 2:15
“Let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.” Let us put “on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.” 1 Thes 5:6,8 Let us declare as did Jeremiah, “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.” Jer 15-16
Rose

The Perfume of Christ’s Character in You