Memory Verse Week 17

Throughout the week I wasn't sure I was really getting the verse from last week. The memorization wasn't coming as easily as some of the verses do for me. As I worked on it though, I just grew to love the verse and what it says.

One of the things that came to mind was this question: what fragrance does my life give to those around me? Fragrance is a sweet word with a positive connotation, and I associate it with things like flowers, lotion, bubble bath, and perfume. It makes me think good thoughts and think of pleasing things. Is that how my life is to others when I'm around them? When I'm gone do they think happy thoughts after I've left the room or finish a conversation with them on the phone? Or am I more of just a smell or odor? When I think of the word smell I think of things that turn up my nose, like skunks, burning food, and something rotting away. I don't have the same pleasant thoughts when I think of those things.

This has been a great verse for me to think of this week and consider if my life is pleasing to God. It made me smile this morning when our preacher mentioned this verse in his message about living as children of light. He brought out Ephesians 5:1, 2 which says:

"Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."

I love that Christ was the fragrant offering for us. Thank you, God. The note in my Bible referred back to the Old Testament when the people brought sacrifices for their sins and a sacrifice was referred to as a "pleasing aroma." (One example is in Exodus 29:18--"Then burn the entire ram on the altar. It is a burnt offering to the LORD, a pleasing aroma, an offering made to the LORD by fire.") We are to be like Him so we are to be a fragrant offering, which is exactly what last week's memory verse says.

This week's verse is found in Romans 8:13-15--

"For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, 'Abba, Father.' "