Corinthians | Prayers and Promises

Do you have a favorite perfume? I think everyone has a favorite. I like Channel – any of them. Yes, every Mommy has her favorite perfume.

It’s funny how a simple fragrance can remind you of someone. The other day I sprayed some Channel on me and instantly remembered my mom’s perfume collection. She liked it too. I was transported back to her walk in closet with the perfumes, all her matching outfits, scarves, shoes, and jewelry. My mom used to Broker a Real Estate office so she always dressed up for work. I miss her, she passed away a few years ago. But that perfume brought me right back there.

What about you?

Do you have a favorite perfume?

What does it remind you of?

I found that the Holy Spirit has a fragrance as well. There are times that the presence of God will come upon you and you can smell it. It’s wonderful. You feel instantly protected and safe. God brings healing and hope in those moments as well.

“Live with love as Christ loved you. He gave Himself for us, a gift on the altar to God which was as a sweet smell to God.” – Ephesians 5:2 NLV

“We thank God for the power Christ has given us. He leads us and makes us win in everything. He speaks through us wherever we go. The Good News is like a sweet smell to those who hear it. We are a sweet smell of Christ that reaches up to God. It reaches out to those who are being saved from the punishment of sin and to those who are still lost in sin. It is the smell of death to those who are lost in sin. It is the smell of life to those who are being saved from the punishment of sin. Who is able for such a work? We are not like others. They preach God’s Word to make money. We are men of truth and have been sent by God. We speak God’s Word with Christ’s power. All the time God sees us.” – 2 Corinthians 2:14-17 NLV

Smelling the Fragrance of God (Charisma News)
The Smell of the Spirit (Jodie Berndt)
Oh How He Smells Us (Christianity Today)

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After my post yesterday on the prevalence of Mental Illness in this Nation, I feel compelled to share the only way that I have found to renew my mind. You see, I could relate to that girl.(Here is the post – THE SEMICOLON PROJECT) I have had those self-destructive thoughts in my mind for years. I hated those thoughts. And I know they are NOT from God. God is not out to destroy me, the Enemy is. The Enemy has come to kill, steal, and destroy. Jesus has come to give us life and life more abundantly.

I have tried the ‘psychology’ fixes to change my thoughts. I have read almost every self-help book out there. But that did not quiet the thoughts in my head.

The only thing that has renewed my mind and shut up the destructive thoughts is the WORD OF GOD.

Think of your house.

You don’t let any old person in do you?

Just because they come to the door does not mean they get to come in and sit down on your couch and move in right?

The same is true with our thoughts. Just because a thought comes to the door does not mean we have to let it in.

Every thought we get to ‘take captive’ and test.

Is that thought true?

Is that thought what God says about me?

Is that thought out to destroy me?

If it is not true or destructive we can close the door and not let it in our house. Instead we can think on good things. God says we are good. God says we are fearfully and wonderfully made. God says that He has a plan and He will never leave us or forsake us. God speaks Truth, and those thoughts bouncing around may be LIES. Don’t let them in.

That is how we renew our minds and heal our mental illness, one thought at a time with the Word of God.

Bible Verses on Renewing Your Mind

And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude], (Ephesians 4:23 AMP)

For though we walk (live) in the flesh, we are not carrying on our warfare according to the flesh and using mere human weapons. For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds,[Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One), (2 Corinthians 5:3-5 AMP)

Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God,even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you]. (Romans 12:2 AMP)

For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them]. (Philippians 4:8 AMP)