Gratitude
2 Corinthians 2:12-17
"But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him."
(2 CORINTHIANS 2:14)
Serving as chaplain with the Sheriff's Office and volunteering in the south county office, I answer the phone, take minor crime reports, welcome visitors and support the law enforcement staff working there. A few weeks ago a local citizen stopped in and said, "I just wanted to come by and say thank you for all you do for us here in the community." It was a simple comment, yet profound and heartily welcomed. It made the day for everyone in the office.
Gratitude, that twin of contentment, is of immense importance to us. Paul breaks from his narrative and offers praise and thanks to God, drawing our focus in verse 14 not to ourselves and what we have done, but to God and His wonderful saving work through Jesus for us. Through our gratitude-filled lives, God spreads "the aroma of Christ." With joyful hearts that are quick to be thankful, the sweet, lingering smell of the grace of Jesus will flood over our families, our homes, our neighborhoods, and beyond. Have you expressed your thanks to God today?
INSIGHT
"SHOUT FOR JOY TO THE LORD, ALL THE EARTH... GIVE THANKS TO HIM AND PRAISE HIS NAME." (PSALM 100:1, 4)
READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
2 Chronicles 13-14
Psalm 14
Matthew 21
2 Corinthians 2:12-17
New International Version (NIV)
Ministers of the New Covenant
12 Now when I went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ and found that the Lord had opened a door for me, 13 I still had no peace of mind, because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said goodbye to them and went on to Macedonia.
14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. 15 For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. 16 To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task? 17 Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God.
IS THE GOSPEL RELEVANT? [PART 5]
with Darrell Johnson
The world is a house under siege and occupied by a strong enemy. Who can rescue us from such an opponent? According to Jesus we need someone stronger to free us from this adversary.
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