Unveiling the Fragrance of Christ(UFC)

Unveiling the Fragrance of Christ(UFC): Daily Devotional

2014-03-17T07:59:00.001-04:00

Unveiling the Fragrance of Christ(UFC): Daily Devotional: Start your day daily with Jesus

2014-02-20T15:22:00.001-05:00

Starting a blog in a deployed location can become overwhelming. The access to Internet connect is limited daily, working, sleeping it all become motionless movement. But we serve a God of life that's moving so have to press forward and work with what we have to glorify Him. Often we have a lot to give but chop it up to be so small and motionless. God the greatest of them all, capable of the impossible still our tiny minds place him in a box (He's not capable of boxing ). Our yielding to move place a mind set of disbelief of what God is capable of doing.

Months ago I was assigned to this jail cell size room, filled with a bunk bed, mini fridge, two wall lockers, 19 inch television and a covered window blocking any sun light from coming in. So I sarcastically complained instantly as we all do , this living space is too small for me. It was like coming from a 2700 sq ft home to live in a jail size room. I was sold into believing I needed something bigger to accommodate me as if I was a queen leaving my castle. God humbled me quickly showing me it's not about me but Him. The Lord showed me when I place Him in the room it's more than enough. I have all the things I truly need to draw close to Him and move through the impossible during my time here.

See to the human eyes we tend to examine our space based off what we have but not by how it can be used. I had to ask myself is it enough for me to bow before our King? Is it enough for me to worship Him in praise? Is it enough for His word to meditate on my heart? The Lord shut me down in clear view revealing how faith goes. This is why faith is so important, it doesn't require our eyes to see, it only desires for us to hope and believe how big God is. If we were really truly able to see how big God is, I fear we would be instantly be blinded from the overload of His greatness. The Lord want us to see things from His perspective and through His eyes not by tangible things that can vanish in the blink of an eye When we have faith in the things unseen we have no expectation and God makes the results more than we could have imagined. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. (Hebrews 11:1-3) When we are weak and tired feeling like there's nothing else let our faith move us beyond what we see or feel but who we believe in.

Lord help us not to place you in a box but to have an imagination like a child giving you credit for everything great and big. Help us to understand the box we place you in only limit us from receiving the blessing you already has prepared for us. Souls are hurting because they can't see or feel you; open their hearts to acknowledge your presence.Thank you for loving us beyond our wants and needs. Move us when we become motionless, nurture us back to you. Amen.

//signed//
UFC

Unveiling the Fragrance of Christ(UFC): Daily Devotional

2014-02-16T14:49:00.001-05:00

Unveiling the Fragrance of Christ(UFC): Daily Devotional: check-in daily to start your day with Jesus

Blogs by Christian Women: Independently Dependent

2014-01-27T17:41:00.001-05:00

Blogs by Christian Women: Independently Dependent: After reading this post last week on our role as women, it inspired me to share what I've learned through my studies about the roles o...

Glamorous v/s Ugly Worship

2014-01-26T13:37:00.000-05:00

Sometimes we as women walk in blindness, shining ourselves with glittery things such as glamorous make-up, jewelry, and fierce clothing to cover up our fear of truly being spiritually broken. As I look at my own life I have to ask myself...Why do I use these things as a covering when I feel less of me? The word broken has become a word of intimidation, fear and deceit,that makes us feel incomplete and unsure of who we believe we can be. All this things covering us from being expose to our ownselves, people and most of all shielding us from seeing Jesus righteously. As women sometimes we become party pleaser to keep peace in our surrounding, meanwhile our identity take the hard hit of these changes.We give ourselves to our husbands, children,friends and families but often we come to God holding back as if He can't see our spirit is desparately calling for peace. Mentally we feel we are giving Christ all we have but really we are giving just what we have left. My desire is that we would become more ugly in our worship with Jesus, by letting Him examine those bruises, excess body fat, and our naturalness. I didn't say, start looking a mess( smile), but therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, (Hebrews 12:28 NIV).

God allows things to be broken or be out grown by us to allow Him to fix, tailor, or to remove them completely out of our lives. For an example how long have you kept old clothes hoping one day they will fit again or recreate a fashion trend, a picture because it holds so many memories, and/or jewelry because the glimmer is so hard to part with, often believing it makes the outfit? What about the friendships and relationships we only hold on to because of time invested but has no growth to us? You are the outfit, God's perfect design and fit at this moment, Jesus is the best investment of time you'll ever make. To truly be broken is to let go of the things that make us comfortable, reminisce, or that's pulling you back to what God has placed in our direction. We have to break to the small voice in our head that says we no longer need those relationships, things that consumes or requires the bulk of our time. Evaluate what's hindering us from being spiritually broken to experience The Lord wholeheartedly.

Often, we alter our praise and worship to a time of convenience and circumstance without notice, putting aside our needs because of the fear of being selfish. One of the chief purposes of worship is to communicate with Jesus, having a one-on-one dialogue seeking The Lord to fix the things that are broken in us ,meanwhile building a personal relationship.Our worship is a precious place of fellowship and intimacy with The Lord to grow and transform us into being individuals after Gods heart.Let our worship not be a time of going through the motions with Christ, viewed as vain or half hearted but a time of filling the Jesus substance it needs.‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” (Matthew 15:8, 9 NKJV). Let our hearts and lips sync as one in front of Jesus, He loves when we are spiritually broken, crying out to Him to be restored. Sometimes after my worship just to see what a mess my tears have made of me,I look in the mirror but rest in the peace that came out of it.There are times I have been guilty of this myself and had to ask for repentance for my worthless praise to Him. The Lord knows when our hearts suffer purity, and await our request for spiritual breaking. Today, I encourage you to rid yourself of whatever it is that is keeping you from being spiritually broken, by going to Jesus with no covering and provide your offering. Love your girlie accessories but don't let them over accessorize you from your Heavenly King.

Lord we give you thanks for all that you do,even when we come to you half heartedly. I pray your forgiveness for our disobedience. Help us to be like Abraham,willing to give our offering wholeheartedly. Even when the sacrifices are the things we hold dear to us. As Abraham had to take his son Isaac up on a mountain to offer him as a sacrifice, let us too be reminded of your promises. Lord , direct our path in the process that we not do these things looking, acting , or asking you to stop us but to change us to be what you have already ordered our steps to be. As we go through our transition, I pray we will wait and not stop all that you are doing.Amen! Be blessed

//signed//
UFC

Hunger...

2014-01-15T10:47:00.002-05:00

Hunger in Thirst Daily
Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” The woman said to Him, “Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw.” (John 4:13-15 NKJV)

My heart has a continuous thirst for worship. It drinks morning, noon, and night yet the need to drink is a fulfillment that brings more than hydration to the heart but to the body that will vanish without it's replenishment. Often the taste becomes bitter and hard to swallow, due to contamination from air born particles that leap in during the expose of uncovering. Without covering my thirst is quench but deterioration is slowly in attack. Let my thirst be fill with pure Godly nutrients to fight off the viral exposure during my temporary uncovering. Let me thirst daily so I'll never take my ability to drink for granted.

//signed//
UFC

Walk in Love

2014-01-14T11:04:00.001-05:00

At The Foot of The Cross Lyrics Kathryn Scott YouTube

2014-01-13T11:13:00.003-05:00

Please allow the words of the song minister to you....

This is my first time listening to this song and it trusty left me in a state of continued worship and gratitude. I am thankful for a given God and one that can read my heart when it's breaking. Grateful that I can lay all my burden down at the foot of the cross and trade my ashes for beauty. This song really unveiled all that God has for us and want from us. Questions of the Day: How did this song minister to you? What does it mean to you to trade ashes into beauty? Have you left your burdens at the foot of the cross today? Why not?

Mighty God,

I pray these things of this song, for all those that search of your beauty. I pray that you would break and release chains that are still burdening hearts today. Lord I give you thanks that I can come to you in brokenness, fearful, and a mess with confidence you will make me whole again. I love that you loved me enough to get on a cross to allow me to be forgiven. In return I give you all of me with nothing left today and everyday. Your love runs deeper for me than my imagination could think and eyes can see, Lord let your aroma cover me...Amen

//signed//
UFC

Breaking with Fragrance

2014-01-13T09:44:00.000-05:00

Though this blog is still under construction and I have had moments that I looked to God with many questions, but he steady reminds me it's not about me :-)

To further encourage me I found two cards that I had intentions to open on Christmas Day but forgot until yesterday. God is amazing after reading this one card, I was in tears. My duty hours here is very limited with spending time with people, I'm going to work when everyone else is just falling into a deep sleep. This one sweet female , I exchange shifts with was starting her countdown upon my arrival here. The most time I spent with her was less than an hour, but she left me a card , heavenly sent for me prior to leaving. As I opened it up and read the body of the handwritten card said, "I enjoyed working with you, our conversations, I will miss you and you are amazing ".

One may wonder why we're you in tears? Nothing about me scream amazing. I read this letter in the middle of my crying out...Lord I can't do this it's beyond me, why blogging, but after reading this card it brought me back to this blog. Not only that my first thirty days I was lonely, blinded, missing my friends and family as if we'd never see each other again ,until I refocused on Jesus. See unveiling the fragrance of Christ forces you to cry out to Jesus instead of lashing out to man. It allows others to see Jesus through you even when you are going through. It pricks your heart to love others you don't know. It turns your stumbling into a walking. We have to invite Him in whenever time permits and the little smiles that you place on others face is a reflection of what He is doing in your life daily. I became filled with tears because His fragrance on me fill the room enough for someone who may have been hurting to have peace again.

This week we will dive in a little deeper on our breaking as we unveil His Fragrance.

Questions of today:

Where are you breaking/lashing out is it for all to see? Or is it during worshipping at Jesus feet?

Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:31, 32 NKJV)

Is your scent pulling people to God or away?

For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things? For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ. (II Corinthians 2:15-17 NKJV)

Has forgiveness kept you from carrying a Jesus like fragrance ? Forgiveness is for our sake.It releases and free our hearts and hands from the sin of anger by turning it over to Jesus.

And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” And they came again to Jerusalem. And as he was walking in the temple, the chief priests and the scribes and the elders came to him, (Mark 11:25-27)

Oh, Lord, search us today, you know our every way, help us to be a light of love for others who are struggling with forgiveness. Help each of us to take on your frangrance even while we are going through our own breaking and Help me to draw others into Your presence that they too would be set free from the bondage and darkness and unveiled in your presence. Amen

// signed //

UFC

Put on Christ

2014-01-12T10:33:00.000-05:00

And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts. (Romans 13:11-14 NKJV)

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2014-01-08T09:08:00.005-05:00

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How did I get here...

2014-01-07T17:43:00.000-05:00

Back in March 2013, I was determine to organize/facilitate a Women's Empowerment Brunch with a few of my sisters in Christ ,in attempt to get women of our age group to find enjoyment in Jesus by shredding the things that was consuming them from truly seeing Jesus. This was my proposal:

" The title will be SHRED IT ! the theme will be “Alabaster Box” I would like the woman to find whatever it is for them that’s in their alabaster box, to be written on paper and shred it. My desire is for this to be a time of reflection, relaxation, good food, sharing , laughter, and spiritual growth. Encouraging them to share intimate discussion, fears, goals and wants in creative ways. Cover financial responsibility, relationships (married, single, or divorced ), spirituality and self motivation and a woman’s worth. I not only want this to be a one time experience,but a seed that is planted and grows. There maybe a few tears ,emotional break through, and many may hearten their hearts against what God will have us do, but the idea is for everyone to leave with a desire to find their purpose fulfillment."

So today, I sit in awe of how He was preparing me at that time and place for where I am today. That process never turned out because I was busy praying on what my heart desired neglecting to hear what He was telling me to do. Even in the mist of trying to glorify Him, I stop listening to the Holy Spirit.

Let this be a testimony to you, His plans are not our plans. God had a purpose for me to glorify Him in a continuous way that will reach miles away. He knows my heart more than I could ever show. Many that know me, will tell you I have a heart for helping, but I tend to shy away from the glory.

Though I started this blog kicking and screaming , saying Lord this is beyond me, timid from failure, not sure if I had enough biblical knowledge to expose myself his grace is preparing me. We have to be good stewards of moving when God speaks. The primary way God commands us is through His Word. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). If Scripture commands something of us, there’s no need to hesitate and wonder if it’s really God’s will for us, we have to allow Him to use us. He cares so much about us that He prepared a instruction manual to life for us to follow – the Bible.

Lord, you've brought on this journey to share with your women the fragrance you want us to have so desperately. You've pushed me through brokenness, the criticism, the discouraging looks of those around me, but I'm here today to follow your every command. Let your wisdom guide me and the ladies that read this. You heard my prayers, you wiped my tears, now I rest wanting to do nothing but magnify you in the best. Help us to always remember you are here with us and even when we have plans to glorify you, not to neglect to here you speaking in every direction. Amen!

//signed//

UFC

Sitting at His feet

2014-01-07T10:03:00.000-05:00

Unveil the Fragrance of Christ in you (UFC )
By breaking your alabaster box, pouring your love for Christ, and sitting at His Feet

What's Your Special Scent?

2014-01-07T06:00:00.001-05:00

What's the perfume that make you feel pretty?

Every girl has a favorite scent, from cotton candy to clean linen. What's your special scent? For me it's Marc Jacobs, not too strong, very soft on my skin, just a delightful fragrance in my opinion. Maybe your signature scent is not in the attached image ,but you have on that gives you serenity when you enter a room, the smell of it puts a smile on your face, if you 're married it catches your husband attention, if you're single it's the gentle touch that makes you blush.

The other day I received package of fragrance in the mail, the beauty of this scent left me speechless. It was a Candy Apple fragrance by Bath & Body Works. Currently I'm deployed here in the desert so truly I have no need for scented lotions and body sprays, but I couldn't resist bypassing this scent. First, I rubbed a little of the lotion on my hands, then I sprayed a small portion on my wrist. In no time the smell filled the room. Suddenly, my co-workers turned to find the scent, next they asked what was the scent, then they started to talk about how they love the taste and smell of candy apples.

For a moment the excitement that came over this was overrated, but I was reminded immediately that the taking on the fragrance of Christ should have that same impact on their lives. With His fragrance it doesn't take much, people will smell the sweet aroma of Him from you, which will encourage them to want to know more Jesus . So again, I ask what's your special scent?

Question of the Day:

Does your scent make people hold their breath when you enter the room? Or does your scent make people follow you to find out the sweet aroma that's covers you?

Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. (II Corinthians 2:14, 15 NKJV)

Read: Esther :Chapter 12 then re-read v/s 12-17 then seek The Lord in prayer.

Lord, I pray that you would be the fragrance of the person reading this message. Let you be noticed when they walk into a room. Like Ester help us to shed our old skin for new skin to give off your scent, by drawing closer to you thing reading of your word, prayers ,and worship. We thank you
Father that at anytime we can take on the fragrance of Christ to be the aroma to those around us.

//signed//
UFC

Wouldn't you love for Him to say to you "Your faith has saved you; go in peace" ?

2014-01-06T07:39:00.000-05:00

God used many women in the Bible,want you be one that He uses today. He wants all of us to be able to pour ourselves out like the woman with the alabaster box did. The Lord wants to be able to change each of us into someone new but we have to come to Him breaking wholeheartedly holding nothing back.What are you holding back? The song Alabaster Box says:

I can't forget the way life used to be. I was a prisoner to the sin that had me bound
I spent my days pouring my life without measure.
Into a little treasure box I thought I found. Until the day when Jesus came to me
And healed my soul with the wonder of His touch.
So now I'm giving back to Him all the praise He's worthy of .
I've been forgiven and that's why I love Him so much.

Wouldn't you love for Jesus to say to you "Your faith has saved you; go in peace" ?

Lord, Help us to pour all we have, all we are, all we hope to be on You! Make us like Mary with the alabaster box, coming to you broken but leaving whole. May You change us in a way that our fragrance would fill the room with the image of you. You are the Potter and we are the clay. Father help us to break and seek your face daily. We ask these things in Jesus' name, Amen!

//signed//

UFC

The Story Alabaster Box in Song

2014-01-04T04:11:00.001-05:00

Imagine yourself as Mary in this video:

After watching this video, my emotions run wild just thinking of being in the presence of Jesus. From research, this Alabaster was a stone commonly found in Palestine. It was a hard stone resembling white marble and is referred to as one of the precious stones used in the decoration of Solomon’s Temple (1 Chronicles 29:2). In Song of Songs, the beloved man is described as having legs like “alabaster columns” or “pillars of marble”. So the container she used to carry the perfumed oil was made of a white, marble-like substance. Ointment, oils and perfumes used to be put in vessels made of alabaster, which kept them pure and unspoiled. The boxes were often sealed or made fast with wax, to prevent the perfume from escaping. When Mary broke open her alabaster box/ flask the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume” (John 12:3). Alabaster was a strong enough substance to keep the oil or perfume completely contained until the time of its use. during this period of time , when a young lady reached of marriage her family would include in her property a family gives the husband when the wife marry into their culture such an alabaster box. {B/S1}
She would fill this box with precious ointment to be used to anoint the feet of her future husband to show him honor, but instead she poured it all for Jesus. Soon we will dive deeper into more of this story through UFC online bible study. So stay tuned to the blog messages until then respond to the blog daily questions :-)

Questions of the Day:

Strictly focusing on Mary actions in this video ,please respond to study below.

1) Imagine one day you arrived at a place your sins are well known (church, work, family reunion...etc). Upon your arrive you notice Jesus sitting among the people in the room. Would you feel worthy enough to stumble your way to His feet?

2) How did you identify/ compare to Mary repentance and actions?

3) Do you feel you are still clinging on to your own alabaster box selfishly from Jesus?

4) Have you humbly come to Him with brokenness and submission giving all of you to Him?

Scripture Reading and Prayer :

Read Luke 7:47 , John 13:12-15 then seek The Lord in prayer.

May you see the added blessings to your life today!

// signed//
UFC

Happy New Year 2014

2014-01-02T06:34:00.000-05:00

The ball dropped at 2014, I was sitting at Jesus feet ~ Sing Lord You Are Good ~
I was like the woman in Luke 7:36-50 breaking all that was left in me. Though this time I wasn't shouting with the crowd Happy Year's meanwhile still feeling empty inside or crying Lord complete me. I was sitting in awe of Jesus blessings to me this past year. I had nothing but thanks to pour out to Him for breaking me in 2013. As the pastor preached the excitement of experiencing a new life journey with Jesus flashed before men. The final days of 2013 became refreshing and hard for me as Jesus showed me my prayers and fasting had been heard, the seeking of His face had taken place. A life time experience of me acknowledging Jesus revealing Himself to me and my own unveiling to myself and Him.

Reflecting on the unveiling, I begin to see how He has transformed me and my thinking from being a Christian to living a Christian life style. Taking me out of my comfort zone in order for us to truly be alone, allowing me to hear His voice when He spoke to me. He strategically placed me in a desert place to rekindle Himself in me, showing me this time alone was to empty me of the distraction that consumed me from what He always had for me.

During this breaking I learned to love Godly, the features on forgiveness, starting with forgiveness of myself to except forgiveness of others, taking on the pain of others, the need to go deeper. Finally, I was able to see the Son in the middle of darkness, flashing before me my past became a blur; appearing as if I never suffered through these life experiences. Never had I acknowledge my tragedies, miracles, and blessing as my existing purpose or testimony until he revealed these things and unveiled me from captivity to allow me to help others who need to be broken and restored at His feet. In a sermon I recall the Pastor saying, "worship is the act of sacrificially giving to Jesus something that is precious to you". My worship became a transition as I enter this new year His fragrance I bow to wear.

In this New Year of 2014, Do you have a thirst to take on the fragrance of Jesus ? And of what percentage are you willing to sacrifice to unveil yourself to sit at Jesus feet ?