Mmmm, You Smell Good

April 16, 2010 — Craig T. Owens

Smell is one of the most potent of our five senses. It is strongly tied to memory and emotion. Maybe that’s why a “smelly phrase” appears so often in God’s requirements for the sacrifices the Israelites would offer Him:

An offering made by fire, an aroma pleasing to the Lord….

As a New Testament follower of Christ, instead of bulls or sheep or goats or birds, I have something more valuable to sacrifice to God: myself.

When I offer myself to God, it’s a powerful aroma that is pleasing to the Lord. Check this out:

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. (Romans 12:1)

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. For we are to God the aroma of Christ…. (2 Corinthians 2:14-15)

Offer your entire self to God and you’ll smell really good to Him.

WARNING: In order for a sacrifice to release its full fragrance it has to go through the fire. It’s especially true in the tough times that you can release the best aroma of Christ. So don’t run away from the challenging times—stay in them and release your God-pleasing aroma.

You are the pleasing aroma, so go smell good today!

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You Can’t Lose

April 15, 2010 — Craig T. Owens

I was really challenged by the message Andy Lapins brought to our youth group.

Andy opened with a simple question, “Have you ever been afraid to tell someone about your relationship with Jesus.” My hand went up, along with just about every other hand in the room.

Andy followed up: “Why? Why are you afraid to share this good news?” The number one answer: Fear of rejection.

Andy then asked us, “If you share the good news of Jesus with someone and they accept what you have to say, is that a good thing or a bad thing?” We all answered, “Good!”

Then he asked, “If you share the good news of Jesus with someone and they neither accept it nor reject it, but you know you have planted or watered a seed, is that a good thing or bad thing?” Again, we all answered, “Good!”

Then he asked, “If you share the good news of Jesus with someone and they completely reject it—they curse you out or tell you you’re a weirdo—is that a good thing or a bad thing?” We all answered, “Bad!”

To which Andy said, “Really?!?” Then he dropped these two Bible passages on us:

  • So be happy when you are insulted for being a Christian, for then the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you. (1 Peter 4:14)
  • Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. (Luke 6:22-23).

Andy followed up, “So what do you think now? If someone rejects you for sharing Jesus with them, is it a good thing or a bad thing?” Now we all answered, “Good!”

You can’t lose when you share Jesus with others!

There are only three possible outcomes:

  1. They accept Jesus = good thing
  2. You plant or water a seed = good thing
  3. You earn rewards in heaven = good thing (cha-ching!!)

I challenged our youth group to write “Cha-ching!” on their status line on Facebook whenever they shared the good news of Jesus with a friend.

Regardless of the outcome, you can’t lose! So go tell more people about Jesus today!

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Generosity

April 14, 2010 — Craig T. Owens

Everyone loves a generous friend. A friend who is not stingy with their time or other resources, but someone who freely gives. Generous gifts build buildings, support ministries, and enrich our lives.

When the Israelites were building the tabernacle, they brought freewill offerings to pay for the construction project. Check out how much they gave:

  • 28,000 pounds of gold
  • 96,000 pounds of silver
  • 67,000 pounds of bronze

Whoa!

Paul may have had this in mind when he wrote to the church in Corinth about giving. He used phrases like:

  • Rich generosity
  • Earnestness
  • Eager willingness
  • Eagerness to help
  • Enthusiasm
  • Generous gifts
  • Generous on every occasion

Where does this sort of generosity come from? The key is in Paul’s opening statement about the Macedonians: “Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity…but they gave themselves first to the Lord.”

They gave themselves first to the Lord.

The ultimate source of generosity is the realization that everything I have is God’s. He owns it all; I’m just a steward.

The more I keep this in mind, the more generous I can be. The more generous I am, the more God can bless me. I am blessed to be a blessing.

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Glowing With God

April 13, 2010 — Craig T. Owens

I’m struck by this passage:

…[Moses’] face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord.

This has got me thinking…

  1. Am I different after I speak with the Lord?
  2. Can people tell I’ve been in His presence?
  3. Do I spend enough time with God, or do I just dash through His tabernacle?
  4. Are people coming near me to hear what I learned in God’s presence?

If I were to answer honestly, I cannot say “yes” to all of these. If I want to glow with God I’ve got to be willing to spend enough time with Him.

I’m working on it. How about you?

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What Your Son Isn’t Telling You (book review)

April 13, 2010 — Craig T. Owens

Here’s a shocker (maybe you should sit down for this one): Boys are different from girls. Gasp! I know any parent who has both a son and a daughter is saying, “Duh!” Here’s the problem though: since girls are typically more verbal, it’s easier to know what’s on their minds. Not so much with boys.

That’s why I so enjoyed What Your Son Isn’t Telling You by Michael Ross and Susie Shellenberger. It’s not what your son is saying, it’s what he isn’t saying that becomes frustrating. Michael and Susie do a great job of demystifying a boy’s brain. From the physiological makeup of the male brain, to the typical coping mechanisms of guys, to the deepest fears and greatest desires that our sons have, this book helps arm Moms and Dads for better communication with their son.

The book is laced with email communications from guys from pre-teen to early-college ages. These first-person insights give real validity to what the authors are teaching. I also appreciated the very easy-to-apply communication tips to help open the door from “isn’t saying” to “saying.”

Although I am blessed to have a great wife who is actively involved with our two sons, I took note of the authors’ advice for single Moms. I was really pleased to see the special attention for a Mom that has to raise a son on her own.

Any parents with sons will appreciate this timely and practical book. I highly recommend it.

I am a Bethany House book reviewer.

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God’s Favor

April 12, 2010 — Craig T. Owens

It’s a well-known story: Moses is on the mountaintop with God while all the Israelites back at camp think he’s dead. They then convince Aaron to make a golden calf to be their god. The True God is ready to bring down His punishment on these idol worshipers when two incredible words stop God’s judgment dead in its tracks…

But Moses.

God was ready to wipe them out and start all over with Moses. Think about it: God offered Moses the opportunity to be on the same level of remembrance with Abraham. Years later people would be saying, “The God of Abraham, Isaac, Israel, and Moses.” What an incredible honor for Moses!

But Moses.

Instead, Moses interceded for his people. Moses sought God’s favor. He knew God to be the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. He could have had it all for himself.

But Moses.

He asked God to forgive the people’s idolatry and betrayal. God replied, “I know you by name and you have found favor with Me.” If you had God’s favor, what would you do with it? Would you ask for great things for yourself? Your family? Your friends?

But Moses.

Moses used this favor to ask God to help him stay in His favor. “If You are pleased with me, teach me Your ways so I may know You and continue to find favor with You.” Moses knew that it was God’s favor that distinguishes one man from the crowd, that sets a man apart as a leader.

But Moses…

just wanted God to be glorified. And God responded: “My Presence will go with you.”

I want to be a “But Craig” leader… one that stands apart as God’s leader; one who only seeks to bring glory to God.

How about you? Do you want to be that “But ____________” leader too?

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Great Reviews

April 9, 2010 — Craig T. Owens

I’ve continued to hear really positive comments about our Easter breakfast drama—Conspiracy!—from those who attended. I thought I’d share a few with you:

  • A fresh way to get the message across.
  • It was great! I hope we do more of it.
  • Everyone did a great job!
  • Very nice approach to a very special day.
  • Great presentation!
  • I really enjoyed this! Thanks for everything!
  • LOVED IT!
  • It was freaking sweet!!
  • Awesome 🙂
  • Very creative and innovative!
  • Great way to illustrate the Easter story.
  • It was great. Enjoyed everything and felt so welcome!

And in case you didn’t hear: 18 people invited Christ into their lives after this drama! That’s the highest compliment of all! I can’t wait to do this again!

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Struggling To Rest

April 9, 2010 — Craig T. Owens

Anyone who knows the Ten Commandments has heard the command to take a Sabbath rest. The charge is to take one day a week to recharge. We take a break from our busyness to refresh ourselves. Sounds good, but I really struggle to take a rest.

Throughout the Old Testament, the prophets linked two warnings together: honor the Sabbath and don’t turn to idols. Here’s one example:

Also with uplifted hand I swore to them in the desert that I would not bring them into the land I had given them—a land flowing with milk and honey, most beautiful of all lands—because they rejected My laws and did not follow my decrees and desecrated My Sabbaths. For their hearts were devoted to their idols.

For me, work can become an idol. If I don’t take a Sabbath rest I’m really saying, “I can do it all.” Or maybe even, “If I don’t do it, it won’t get done.” By saying this, I’m making my work more important than my acknowledgment that God is in control.

Here’s what I’m questioning in myself: Do I work all the time because…

I’m asking the Holy Spirit to help me see why I struggle to take a Sabbath rest, and He has been showing me a few areas for improvement. I’ll be making those adjustments so that I can take a day of real rest.

I’d love your help on this one:

  • What have you learned about working smarter so that you can take a day of rest?
  • What does a “Sabbath” look like for you?
  • Have you had to deal with this issue? What resolution did you come to?
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Good For What?

April 8, 2010 — Craig T. Owens

Listen to the podcast of this post by clicking on the player below, and you can also subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or Audible.

There is a power in what we say. This is probably most true in what we say to ourselves.

Far too many people are so quick to beat themselves up and run themselves down. Do you ever do that?

  • How could I have missed that? I’m so stupid!
  • Grrr! I forgot my wallet again. I’m so forgetful!
  • I can’t believe I said that! I’m so insensitive!
  • I could never paint like that. I’m so uncreative!
  • I really messed that one up. I’m such an idiot!
  • I can’t seem to do anything right. I’m just a good-for-nothing!

If you talked to your friends the same way you talk to yourself, would you have any friends left?

The things you say to yourself have got to change. The way you think about yourself has got to change.

God made you the way He made you on purpose. In all of human history, there has never been another you. Right now among the nearly 7 billion people on earth, there isn’t anyone like you.

You are you because God made you. He loves what He made. He loves you!

Perfect? No way! None of us are. That’s one of the few things you and I have in common with everyone else.

Unique? You better believe it!

One of a kind? You sure are!

Good for something? Yep! You have the talents and abilities and personality and temperament that God intended for you to have.

STOP BEATING YOURSELF UP!

Look into God’s mirror and let Him reflect back to you just how wonderful you are! Spend quiet time with your Creator, with your Lover. Hear Him whisper to your heart how special you are.

Then be you. The world needs you to be you. The world is a better place with you in it.

►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎

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Let God Choose Your Battles

April 7, 2010 — Craig T. Owens

God wants you to be successful. If you call yourself His follower, why would He want you to ever suffer a defeat? He wants His name to be glorified, so He wants you to be successful.

So let Him choose your battles for you. He knows what you can handle. Let Him pick the time, the place, and the method for your battles.

  • His way might be longer than you would like it to be, but His timing is better.
  • His place may not be your place for battle, but His place is better.
  • His methods might not be what you would choose, but His ways are better.

Check this out:

When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. (Exodus 13:17-18)

I will send my terror ahead of you and throw into confusion every nation you encounter. I will make all your enemies turn their backs and run. I will send the hornet ahead of you to drive the Hivites, Canaanites and Hittites out of your way. But I will not drive them out in a single year, because the land would become desolate and the wild animals too numerous for you. Little by little I will drive them out before you, until you have increased enough to take possession of the land. (Exodus 23:27-30)

God told me, “And don’t try to pick a fight with the Moabites. I am not giving you any of their land. … When you approach the People of Ammon, don’t try and pick a fight with them because I’m not giving you any of the land of the People of Ammon for yourselves.” (Deuteronomy 2:9, 19)

Are you in a battle now? If God brought you to this point, hang in there because He will give you the victory. Don’t try to pick a fight in territory God hasn’t given you. Wait for His timing, His place, and His method of victory.

If you’re in a battle now, let me know, and I’d be honored to stand with you in prayer.

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