2 Corinthians 2 14-16 Amp Bible
But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us spreads and makes evident everywhere the sweet fragrance of the knowledge of Him. For we are the sweet fragrance of Christ [which ascends] to God, [discernible both] among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the latter one an aroma from death to death [a fatal, offensive odor], but to the other an aroma from life to life [a vital fragrance, living and fresh].
This morning I woke up seeking God for a message of hope, peace justice, gratitude, forgiveness, and redemption. It’s a message that does not give solace to only those that love the LORD in truth and in spirit, but for those who are hanging on by a tethered thread, or who are still standing on the outskirts of grace.
As you all know, I have faced a great deal of adversity lately, the latest was being threatened by my son’s principal to be banned from his school. It was a threat meant to silence me from speaking up and against unethical conduct among the staff. I was not shaken, but stirred up to seek justice. I did not want my son being in an environment where the leader did not exemplify her position with dignity. Everything I did was not meant to cause harm, but change, change that would shake off the stench of the political aroma to get back to a partnership mentality that valued the greater good over pride and prejudice.
My efforts were not in vain. You see, I was not ignorant to how the enemy plays the game. I did not expect a natural consequence for all who played a part in setting the stage, directing the scene, and calling the shots. I simply expected to triumph over the enemy and his snares.
Beloved, our victories are not contingent upon a natural consequence for others, nor is it always on display for the natural eyes to see, because the LORD is not glorified in that. He is not glorified by repaying evil with evil. GOD is GLORIFIED when we allow him to lead us to spread the knowledge of him by our actions, our convictions and bravery. The written or spoken word from man has no effect on our lives, because it is powerless against the full armor of GOD. "We use God's mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments."-2 Corinthians 10:4 We also forgive.
I am fully convinced that sometimes our victory is our willingness to tear down barriers that are meant to keep us captive by allowing ourselves to be an instrument change. "God called us to be the salt of the earth to season it with affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity, a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We add a desire for others to be loyal, not needing to force their way in life, and the ability to marshal and direct their energies wisely".-Galatians 5
We are the light of the world, and our light exposes the darkness without effort.
Friends, I encourage you to examine your heart and your means of choice to obtain a victory. It is not beneficial to focus on one or two adversities due to your vantage point. It also is not prudent to seek malice disguised as justice. Remember, we reap what we sow. Instead, seek God for the RIGHT perspective.
You may have already triumphed! Selah!
In His Love and In His Service,
Pastor Aisha Laws
2 Corinthians 10 Message Bible
3-6 The world is unprincipled. It’s dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn’t fight fair. But we don’t live or fight our battles that way—never have and never will. The tools of our trade aren’t for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture. We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity.
But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us spreads and makes evident everywhere the sweet fragrance of the knowledge of Him. For we are the sweet fragrance of Christ [which ascends] to God, [discernible both] among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the latter one an aroma from death to death [a fatal, offensive odor], but to the other an aroma from life to life [a vital fragrance, living and fresh].
This morning I woke up seeking God for a message of hope, peace justice, gratitude, forgiveness, and redemption. It’s a message that does not give solace to only those that love the LORD in truth and in spirit, but for those who are hanging on by a tethered thread, or who are still standing on the outskirts of grace.
As you all know, I have faced a great deal of adversity lately, the latest was being threatened by my son’s principal to be banned from his school. It was a threat meant to silence me from speaking up and against unethical conduct among the staff. I was not shaken, but stirred up to seek justice. I did not want my son being in an environment where the leader did not exemplify her position with dignity. Everything I did was not meant to cause harm, but change, change that would shake off the stench of the political aroma to get back to a partnership mentality that valued the greater good over pride and prejudice.
My efforts were not in vain. You see, I was not ignorant to how the enemy plays the game. I did not expect a natural consequence for all who played a part in setting the stage, directing the scene, and calling the shots. I simply expected to triumph over the enemy and his snares.
Beloved, our victories are not contingent upon a natural consequence for others, nor is it always on display for the natural eyes to see, because the LORD is not glorified in that. He is not glorified by repaying evil with evil. GOD is GLORIFIED when we allow him to lead us to spread the knowledge of him by our actions, our convictions and bravery. The written or spoken word from man has no effect on our lives, because it is powerless against the full armor of GOD. "We use God's mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments."-2 Corinthians 10:4 We also forgive.
I am fully convinced that sometimes our victory is our willingness to tear down barriers that are meant to keep us captive by allowing ourselves to be an instrument change. "God called us to be the salt of the earth to season it with affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity, a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We add a desire for others to be loyal, not needing to force their way in life, and the ability to marshal and direct their energies wisely".-Galatians 5
We are the light of the world, and our light exposes the darkness without effort.
Friends, I encourage you to examine your heart and your means of choice to obtain a victory. It is not beneficial to focus on one or two adversities due to your vantage point. It also is not prudent to seek malice disguised as justice. Remember, we reap what we sow. Instead, seek God for the RIGHT perspective.
You may have already triumphed! Selah!
In His Love and In His Service,
Pastor Aisha Laws
2 Corinthians 10 Message Bible
3-6 The world is unprincipled. It’s dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn’t fight fair. But we don’t live or fight our battles that way—never have and never will. The tools of our trade aren’t for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture. We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity.
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