Job 28-30, 2 Corinthians 2:12-17, Psalms 42:1-11, Proverbs 22:7

What God said to me – When you are at a barbeque the smell of meat roasting is wonderful if you love steaks or ribs or chicken but to the vegan or vegetarian it is offensive – it depends on who they are if they like the smell or not and there is nothing you can do to make it palatable short of not cooking or changing the menu.  The same is true of your life as you interact with unbelievers.  My children have a sweet aroma because of Christ in their lives.  While your aroma is pleasing to Me and to other believers, to non-believers it is offensive.  My Son was a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense for those who refused to believe and as you walk with Me and begin to look more like Him, your aroma will be offensive to unbelievers unless you change the message to make it more palatable.  You must be faithful to My word and choose daily to walk so that the sweet aroma of Christ permeates your life for it is a soothing aroma that is acceptable to Me.

Job 23-27, 2 Corinthians 1:12-2:11, Psalms 41:1-13, Proverbs 22:5-6

What God said to me – Have you ever spent a small fortune on Christmas gifts for the kids and after all the gifts were opened they ended up playing with the boxes?  You spent so much time and money searching for and buying the “perfect” gifts and in the end, it seemed like such a waste.  The things you thought were so important were soon forgotten or broken or discarded but the times playing and laughing and sharing you’ll remember forever.  It’s the difference between focusing on the temporal or on the eternal in your daily life.  One of the things about walking consistently with Me and seeking Me earnestly is that I direct you to things that have an eternal impact.  I change the way you pray as you seek My will to be done in people’s lives.  I change the way you spend money as you surrender all to Me and give as I direct.  I make the things you do and the ministries you participate in have a lasting impact as you walk in obedience as I direct.  Keep your eyes on Me and you will keep your focus on things that make an impact for eternity.

Job 20-22, 2 Corinthians 1:1-11, Psalms 40:11-17, Proverbs 22:2-4

What God said to me – They say hindsight is twenty-twenty.  As you reflect back on your life you see the many trials and heartaches and difficulties that you experienced.  While you wouldn’t necessarily want to go through them again as you look back now you can see how I provided and how I worked and how I comforted and how I taught you and how I brought you safely through.  They were life-changing and faith-building experiences even though they were difficult at the time.  They were for your good and for My glory, but they were also not just for you.  The things I taught you – the ways I provided for you – the ways I comforted you and brought you through were so you could come alongside others who are experiencing trials and difficulties and comfort them with the same comfort and share about My faithfulness and presence throughout it all.  You went through the things you have experienced for a reason – look for opportunities to share and to minister and to comfort – be My hands and feet.