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Be Open To Correction

'…They did not respond to correction….' Jeremiah 2:30 NIV

How do you respond to correction? By taking offence? By interpreting it as rejection? By getting defensive? By shooting the bearer of bad news and making sure they never get to you again? By keeping scores and saying, 'In comparison to what I've accomplished in life, you've done nothing? By giving in to self-pity and thinking how hard your life is because people don't understand or appreciate you? We need people who'll be honest with us. Why? Because we're too easily blinded by our egos! When God sends somebody to correct you, it's because He wants the best for you. His willingness to correct you actually demonstrates how much He cares for you. 'If you are not disciplined… you are illegitimate children and not true sons…' (Hebrews12:8 NIV). So check your spiritual certificate! People who are open to correction generally exhibit these four qualities: 1)Vulnerability. When they're wrong they're capable of admitting it--even before they're confronted. 2) Teachability. They're willing to hear, quick to learn, and always open to counsel. 3) Availability. They don't try to avoid you. 4) Honesty. They are committed to the truth, regardless of how much it hurts. You say, 'That's a high standard.' You're right! It's a standard pride resists and fragile egos run from. There's something in each of us that would rather look good than be good. So when God sends people into your life who love you enough to be straight with you--be open to them. Your personal growth and success depends on it.

Jeremiah 10-13 Matthew 27:57-66 Psalm 38:13-22 Proverbs 8:24-26

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The Scent of Christ


'...We are...the aroma of Christ...' 2 Corinthians 2:15 NIV

‘We are…the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved, and those who are perishing. To one, we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life…’ (2 Corinthians 2:15–16 NIV)

When the Roman army won in battle, they paraded their defeated foes through the streets in chains. And as part of the celebration they burned incense on a series of altars throughout the city. That way those who couldn’t see the procession knew the army had triumphed because they could smell the incense.

The aroma was symbolic of their victory—and there’s a lesson here for you. As followers of Christ we’ve been called to carry with us ‘…the fragrance of the knowledge of Him…’ (2 Corinthians 2:14 NIV) Forget Estée Lauder and Chanel No. 5; your life should be so permeated with God’s presence that people around you sense it. After all, you are the most compelling evidence that Jesus is alive and well in His children.

In the great cathedrals of Europe you’ll see beautiful stained glass windows portraying important events in the life of Christ. And while it’s good to appreciate such craftsmanship, God doesn’t need church windows to tell His story. He uses born–again, tuned–in, turned–on believers to do that. Have you ever noticed that the longer some husbands and wives live together, the more they begin to talk and act alike? It’s the same with us: the more time we spend with Jesus, talking to Him, meditating on His Word and basking in His presence, the more people are going to ask, ‘What’s so different about you?’


SoulFood: Jer 22-24, Luke 22:63-71, Ps 31, Prov 8:34-36



This is The Word for Today