“Do You Smell Like Christ?”

2 Corinthians 2:14-16, “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in victory through Christ. God uses us to spread His knowledge everywhere like a sweet-smelling perfume.  Our offering to God is to be the perfume of Christ that goes out to those who are being saved and to those who are being lost. To those who are being lost, this perfume smells like death, and it brings them death. But to those who are being saved, it has the sweet smell of life, and it brings them life...” (ERV)

Anyone who knows me knows how much I love perfumes! Some of my favorites are: “Flowerbomb” (Viktor & Rolf); “Euphoria” (Calvin Klein); “Daisy” (Marc Jacobs); “Jimmy Choo”; “Light Blue” and "The One" (Dolce & Gabbana); "Black Opium" (Yves Saint Laurent); "Candy" (Prada); "Gucci Bamboo"; "Rogue" (Rihanna); “Cashmere Mist” (Donna Karan); “Fancy” (Jessica Simpson). Just to name a few…in case you so happen to see it and think of me…lol!

But, for many years my absolute favorite scent of choice was “White Diamonds” (Elizabeth Taylor). You didn’t have to ask me what I was wearing, because that was all I wore! In fact, I remember leaving work early one day and coming home. By the time my kids got in from school, they immediately went in their room and turned on the television. I assumed they had no idea I was home early. So I stayed in my room, still quietly reading a novel and relaxing for a while longer. Then, I decided to pick on the kids. I thought I would just randomly open their bedroom door and scream “boo!” I just knew without a shadow of a doubt that they would be scared to death! And so I made my big attempt to scare them. I snatched the door open, jumped in the room and screamed “boo!” However, both of them turned and looked at me as if I had lost my entire mind. My oldest daughter said, “mom, are you okay?” And then my youngest daughter added, “yeah ma, because you look a little crazy”. I asked, “didn’t I scare you?” They both responded “no”. I asked, “why not?” My oldest said, “mom, we already knew you were home.” I said, “how is that possible? I didn’t tell anyone I was coming home early.” My oldest responds yet again? “ma, you don’t have to tell anyone you’re home, we can smell you.” LOL! I thought that was the most comical remark I had ever heard. Even if they didn’t SEE me or HEAR me, they could SMELL me. They knew my SCENT because I was never without it!

That comical memory reminded me of 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 - sort of a perfume verse if you will. It opens with: "But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession…" (NIV) Now, I don't know what you're going through right now, but that's got to be a great verse for whatever it is! Because no matter what we face from day-to-day, God, "…ALWAYS leads us in triumphant procession in Christ." And one of the favorite words in that text is “…ALWAYS…” Why? Because "...ALWAYS..." is defined as: "On All Occasions; At All Times; Forever; Repeatedly." So, we never have to be concerned about God forgetting about us (no matter how we feel or how bad things become). He will “…ALWAYS…” lead us in triumph (ON ALL OCCASIONS; AT ALL TIMES; FOREVER; REPEATEDLY!) Even if it’s getting the best of us now, it won’t always! Therefore, be encouraged! Victory is not just possible for the believer, it’s Inevitable. And that wonderful word “inevitable” means “certain to happen; unavoidable.” Its Latin Origin “inevitabilis,” from “in” (‘not’) and “evitare” (‘avoid’). In other words, you will not be able to avoid victory! It is certain to happen! Your victory is unavoidable! I reiterate, Be Encouraged! 

But then God goes on to say, "…and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of Him everywhere." (NIV). I'm pretty sure you know someone who is sort of preceded by the aroma of their cologne or their perfume. Much like I was with my kids and my “White Diamonds” perfume. You kind of know they're coming before you see them; because you can smell them. And even after they're gone, the aroma still lingers.

Well, church, the impact of our life here is described as a fragrance, somewhat of a parable (something we, as women, can most certainly relate to in our everyday life). The knowledge of Christ is what we're supposed to leave behind us, no matter where we go, or how long we stay. That means that people are thinking about Jesus even after we’ve long passed them by and left their presence. We in essence, create a Jesus atmosphere around us. Now, modern Christianity measures our influence by our actions - the words we speak, the groups we lead, the good deeds we do, the people we helped, the activities we support. But our greatest influence doesn't come through any of that. Our greatest influence comes through the atmosphere we create while others are in our presence, and more so, once we’ve left.

Everywhere we are we're creating some kind of atmosphere; some kind of aroma; some kind of fragrance; some kind of smell; some kind of scent. But the question is: What kind?

Think about it: When you walk into your home, do you bring stress with you, or gentleness, affection? Coldness or warmth? Peace or Chaos? Happiness or misery? What kind of atmosphere does your presence, and absence, leave behind? Are people happy to see you come, or happier to see you go? Do you make them smile or frown? Do you make them feel loved or unwanted? What kind of atmosphere accompanies you at work; at school; at church; in the laundromat; in the supermarket; stuck in traffic; at the doctors office; when you're in pain? Do people walk towards you or away from you? 

I guess after all is said and done, people won't remember much that you said or even a lot of what you did. But they'll remember the atmosphere you set when you arrived and when you left. They'll remember how they felt when you were around.

As believers, there are certain characteristics and traits that should daily be our trademark. That word “trademark” is defined as “a symbol, word, or words, legally registered or established by use as representing a company or product; a distinctive characteristic or object.” What then is the believer’s trademark? “But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23 AMP) This is the sweet smelling fruit people should smell in us when we’re in their presence, and long after we’ve left. They should never smell the rotten odor of a bad attitude. As believers, we are Christ’s representatives, we are the image and likeness of the God-Head; we are billboards of what heaven looks like; we are called by the very name of Christ, therefore, most certainly people look for us to look, act, and sound just like Him. After all, how can He be unconditionally loving, compassionate, patient, forgiving, caring, gentle, and healing…and we, called by His name, be the contrary opposite?  

Matthew 23:3, “so practice and observe everything they tell you, but do not do as they do; for they preach [things], but do not practice them.” (AMP). Do you really want this to be descriptive of you? That you can lead someone in the right way, while you, yourself continues in the wrong? Be used of God to help someone else, while hurting yourself in the same process? We can’t be called by Him, and not conduct ourselves like Him. We have to preach AND practice!

John 13:15, “For I gave you [this as] an example, so that you should do [in turn] as I did for you.” (AMP);

John 14:12, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, anyone who believes in Me [as Savior] will also do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these [in extent and outreach], because I am going to the Father.” (AMP)

This is the expectation Jesus has of us! To do as He did and to do even greater….not less; even better, not worse!

Listen: Maybe your actions - your good actions even - are canceled out by the atmosphere of stress, or criticism, or negativity, or insensitivity that you create while you're doing all of those good things. You see, it's the atmosphere that really makes the difference. For instance, would you want someone who’s always bitter, resentful, angry, jealous, mean-spirited, and malicious, to walk up to you in your hour of need and say to you, “can I pray with you?” How silly does that sound? You would run in the opposite direction as fast as possible, because whatever they have on them you most definitely don’t want transferred to you! Which takes us back to our text: “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in victory through Christ. God uses us to spread His knowledge everywhere like a sweet-smelling perfume.  Our offering to God is to be the perfume of Christ that goes out to those who are being saved and to those who are being lost. To those who are being lost, this perfume smells like death, and it brings them death. But to those who are being saved, it has the sweet smell of life, and it brings them life...” (ERV)

For one, “…GOD USES US TO SPREAD HIS KNOWLEDGE EVERYWHERE…” That means in church, in our homes, on our jobs, at the gas station, in the library, in traffic, in the presence of friends, family and foes…EVERYWHERE! The word “everywhere” is simply defined as “in or to all places.” Meaning, we as Christians, are never off-duty! Our scent should never fade! We should smell like Christ even when they cut us off or curse us out; even when our hair and nails didn’t come out like we asked and paid for them to; even when we’re being deliberately provoked; even when we’re talked and gossiped about; even when the rumors are threatening to destroy our reputation; even when we’re not supported and encouraged. Our aroma should never be altered because of someone else’s funky attitude! Everywhere we go we are to smell like the Fruit of the Spirit, not like Rotting Flesh! Remember the Scripture: “…God uses us to spread His knowledge everywhere like a sweet-smelling perfume…” NOTE: That says “Sweet”, not “Sour”!  

Then it goes on to say: “…Our offering to God is to be the perfume of Christ that goes out to those who are being saved and to those who are being lost. To those who are being lost, this perfume smells like death, and it brings them death. But to those who are being saved, it has the sweet smell of life, and it brings them life...” (ERV)

Believe it or not, but “offerings” are not always about money! I know, who knew?! But it’s true, says this Scripture. “…Our OFFERING TO GOD is to be the PERFUME OF CHRIST…” it may not be money, but it is certainly of great worth, and valued in the eyes of God. To smell like Christ is an offering to God. So, have you been giving God this offering, or one that doesn’t smell quite as sweet?

Then we come to the last of the Scripture: “…Our offering to God is to be the perfume of Christ that goes out to those who are being saved and to those who are being lost. To those who are being lost, this perfume smells like death, and it brings them death. But to those who are being saved, it has the sweet smell of life, and it brings them life...” (ERV) Despite what you may see in many churches today, there should still be a distinction between them that are saved, and them that are not! And the two should never find themselves so comfortable, and compatible with one another that you can’t tell the difference between the two!

2 Corinthians 6:14-18, “Don’t become partners with those who reject God. How can you make a partnership out of right and wrong? That’s not partnership; that’s war. Is light best friends with dark? Does Christ go strolling with the Devil? Do trust and mistrust hold hands? Who would think of setting up pagan idols in God’s holy Temple? But that is exactly what we are, each of us a temple in whom God lives. God himself put it this way: “I’ll live in them, move into them; I’ll be their God and they’ll be my people. So leave the corruption and compromise; leave it for good,” says God. “Don’t link up with those who will pollute you. I want you all for myself. I’ll be a Father to you; you’ll be sons and daughters to me.” The Word of the Master, God.” (MSG)

There should be a distinction People of God! Unbelievers should come in our presence and smell the scent of death. If you don’t get right, hell is your heritage. And believers should come in our presence and smell the scent of life! We should look, act and sound like heaven, hope and healing. No matter where we go (or as the Scripture puts it, everywhere we go) we should smell like the Fragrance of Christ. There should always be a distinctive scent about us. We should make believers feel encouraged, and unbelievers, feel uncomfortable. They need to see the wide gap between having Christ and not having Him. They should wonder about our joy in the midst of turmoil. How do we keep our faith, how do we continue to smile, how do we continue to serve, how do we continue to hope, to trust, to believe for better, even while enduring the worst. They should smell victory in our presence, and in our absence. Our Fragrance of Christ, the Fragrance of Life should follow us and linger behind us.

So, about our aroma, yeah, it's there longer than we are, and the aroma that we should be leaving is the finest of fragrances. We should leave behind us a trail of joy, and peace, and blessing, making people feel important and listened to, and cared about. Actually, what you should leave behind is the essence of Jesus. 

So church, before you go shopping for your favorite fragrance, take some quiet time to yourself and inhale, do you have on the most important scent of all? Do you smell like Christ? Do you smell like love, understanding, comfort, belief, change? Do you smell like life? If not, going to the store may get you a fragrance that people can smell in your presence and absence. However, you can’t purchase the Fragrance of Christ that changes lives. It’s not bought, borrowed, lent or stolen. It’s Lived! It’s Shared! It’s Sweet! It’s Long-Lasting! A perfume bought from the store will change the scent of an atmosphere for a little while, but the Fragrance of Christ will change the scent of an atmosphere, and a person’s entire life for an eternity. 

Therefore, of the two, which do you think God deems the sweetest scent?

Dare I ask you again family, Are You Wearing the Fragrance of Christ?

P.S. The more consistent you wear His fragrance, the more known you’ll become for it. Like me and my white diamonds, my children knew I was home by the scent I always wore. So, let that be your testament too, that you always smell like the fragrance of Christ, even when people can’t see or hear you, they always smell your sweet scent of LIFE…EVERYWHERE YOU COME AND GO!

Much Love, Dr.Shermaine #InformativeRead #PleaseShare #HealthyBodySoulAndSpirit

"It's Not Selfish to Love Yourself, Take Care of Yourself and to Make Your Happiness a Priority. It's a Necessity." (Mandy Hale)

"Self-Care is Not Selfish. You Cannot Serve From an Empty Vessel." (Eleanor Brown)

“The Consequences of Two Women Who Chose to Ignore God!”

Acts 24:24-27, “A few days later Felix and his wife, Drusilla, who was Jewish, sent for Paul and listened to him talk about a life of believing in Jesus Christ. As Paul continued to insist on right relations with God and his people, about a life of moral discipline and the coming Judgment, Felix felt things getting a little too close for comfort and dismissed him. “That’s enough for today. I’ll call you back when it’s convenient.” At the same time he was secretly hoping that Paul would offer him a substantial bribe. These conversations were repeated frequently. After two years of this, Felix was replaced by Porcius Festus. Still playing up to the Jews and ignoring justice, Felix left Paul in prison.” (MSG)

A daughter of Herod Agrippa and the younger sister of Bernice, Drusilla, a professing Jewess, may have been named for Emperor Caligula’s sister. Her great-grandfather, Herod the Great, murdered Jewish baby boys in his effort to destroy the newborn Jesus, the promised Messiah.

When only fourteen years old, she married King Azizus of Emessa. A year or so after her marriage, Felix, the Roman governor of Judea, persuaded Drusilla to leave Azizus and to marry him illegally.

Mentioned only once in Scripture, Drusilla was present when the imprisoned Apostle Paul gave his defense of the Gospel before Felix. She heard firsthand the Good News of Jesus Christ. “Several days later FELIX AND HIS WIFE DRUSILLA, who was Jewish, went to the place where Paul was kept under guard. THEY sent for Paul and LISTENED while he spoke to THEM about having FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS.” (Acts 24:24 CEV). Drusilla, however, did not respond to Paul’s message. And the apostle’s words so frightened Felix that, to please the Jews, the governor returned Paul to his confinement under house arrest.

Drusilla lived a shameful, wasted life. Before her forty-first birthday, she died a horrible, violent death. While she and her only child, Agrippa, were in Pompeii, Mount Vesuvius erupted, burying under burning lava Pompeii and Herculaneum as well as Drusilla and her son.

Drusilla’s name means “watered by the dew”.

Acts 25:13-17, “A few days later King Agrippa and his wife, Bernice, visited Caesarea to welcome Festus to his new post. After several days, Festus brought up Paul’s case to the king. “I have a man on my hands here, a prisoner left by Felix. When I was in Jerusalem, the high priests and Jewish leaders brought a bunch of accusations against him and wanted me to sentence him to death. I told them that wasn’t the way we Romans did things. Just because a man is accused, we don’t throw him out to the dogs. We make sure the accused has a chance to face his accusers and defend himself of the charges. So when they came down here I got right on the case. I took my place in the courtroom and put the man on the stand.” (MSG); 

Acts 25:23, “The next day everybody who was anybody in Caesarea found his way to the Great Hall, along with the top military brass. Agrippa and Bernice made a flourishing grand entrance and took their places. Festus then ordered Paul brought in.” (MSG); 

Acts 26:30-32, “The king and the governor, along with Bernice and their advisors, got up and went into the next room to talk over what they had heard. They quickly agreed on Paul’s innocence, saying, “There’s nothing in this man deserving prison, let alone death. Agrippa told Festus, “He could be set free right now if he hadn’t requested the hearing before Caesar.” (MSG)

As the daughter of Herod Agrippa I and the older sister of Drusilla, Bernice was born about A.D. 28 into a racially mixed family. At age thirteen she was married to Marcus, the son of Tiberius Julius Alexander. Marcus died, and she next married her uncle, Herod of Chalcis. They had two sons, Berniceanus and Hyrancus. Widowed again about A.D. 48, Bernice was the subject of incestuous scandal when she became a consort of her own brother, Agrippa II. Years later, she married a third time to Ptolemy, king of Cicilia. The marriage, however, did not last, and she returned to her brother. She was later the mistress of the Roman emperors Vespasian and his son Titus.

Bernice, a woman of strong opinions, was once a dauntless defender of the Jewish people. Some sources report that she even risked her own life to intercede on behalf of the Jews. So strong was her faith that history records at one time she shaved her head and walked barefoot in keeping a vow to God. However, her lifestyle pulled her away, and Bernice evidently abandoned her Jewish faith.

When Agrippa and Bernice went to Caesarea with Festus on state business, Agrippa agreed to hear the case of a prisoner, the apostle Paul. Bernice heard Paul argue his case for Christ; of Jerusalem. 

Bernice represents all those women throughout history who have heard the gospel, yet have chosen to reject Christ. She embraced a sinful life that caused the deterioration of her character – a character that could have been changed by Jesus Christ, making her useful in the Kingdom.

Bernice name means “victorious” or “carrying off victory”

Many may not understand why I chose these two women, but let me explain. I truly believe that you can learn from bad examples just as well as you can learn from good ones. And these two women indeed set bad examples for us as Women of God to learn from today.

I find it so amazing that Drusilla has a name that means “watered from dew” (which comes from heaven); and Bernice’s name means “victory or carrying off victory”, and yet neither of these women lived up to their names or their faith.

I’ve come to discover that we’re often quick to talk about unsaved women, or unbelieving women, but what about the ones who Know what the Bible says and live contrary to it anyhow? Are we really any better than they?

Drusilla sat with her husband Felix and listened as Paul talked about, “…right relations with God and his people, about a life of moral discipline and the coming Judgment…”, and according to the Scripture, “…these conversations were repeated frequently. After two years...” (MSG) Can you believe it? Listening to the Gospel being proclaimed frequently for two years straight, and still living contrary? No conviction, no change, no transformation. Nothing. They’re guilty, yes. But so are we (that’s the part we don’t want to talk about). But can we be honest? God has spoken to us sisters about many things that are sinful and wrong in our lives, and truth is, we’ve still not addressed a single issue. Whether it’s adultery, fornication, lying, stealing, gossiping, bad attitudes, cursing, procrastination, laziness, or bad habits, we have a ‘justifying excuse’ ready at the drop of a hat. We sit Sunday-after-Sunday listening to the Word of God going forth (preached from the pulpit and taught in Sunday School, and sung through the choir); we’ve heard it week-after-week taught in Bible Study, and declared in prayer service, and still we’ve fallen quite short on adhering to the admonishment of the Lord. 

However, sisters, Drusilla was without excuse, and so are we. She listened as Paul discussed the importance of morals, discipline and the coming Judgment, and still she deliberately decided not to change a thing about her lifestyle. And if we are to be brutally honest, many of us have responded the same way. Because had we adhered, we would no longer be in that relationship, drinking that, smoking that, thinking that, saying that, speaking that, feeling that, acting or living secretly like that. We would instead be able to show forth the fruit of repentance, the actual manifested evidence of a changed life, behaviors, attitudes, thoughts, speech and deed. But like Drusilla, it’s been years later and still many of us remain the same.

In addition, Drusilla’s life reminds us to marry well. Not wealthy and rich, but Well. Marry a man who knows the voice of God, hears and heeds it. A man of conviction for himself, his wife and children. A man that lives by faith. A man of wisdom, who makes wise decisions. A man that even when he is wrong, is sensitive enough to the Holy Ghost to repent, turn, change and get it right. A man that doesn’t risk the eternity of his family because he’s too stubborn to change, or too scared of public peer-pressure and opinion. And might I add, getting close enough to change, or being ‘bothered’ a little by what he hears preached/taught, is not enough. Felix LISTENED to Paul FREQUENTLY, for TWO YEARS, and still did NOTHING to better himself or his household. Sisters, you have no one else, but yourself, to blame if this is the man you say ‘I Do’, to.

Another lesson ladies: Drusilla perished…WITH HER SON! Please know, what we do and leave undone, affects our children. It’s important to keep them physically safe, but we are also charged to keep them spiritually safe. Think about it, how far away could their son have been from the voice of Paul’s teaching, since he was a child in the same household as his parents? Can you imagine the impact on a child to hear his parents hear the Good News of the Gospel, to hear what thus saith the Lord, to hear the lifestyle that you’re supposed to live, AND YET, he sees the very opposite in this his own parents lives. Makes you wonder, are we setting the proper example in our homes before the eyes and ears of our children? In our absence, if asked, would our children be able to honestly say that who and what their parents are in church, is the same at home? Is our leadership the same? Is our beliefs the same? Is our conduct, speech, and habits the same? Is our dress attire the same? Is our marital relationship the same? Is our reputation, character, integrity and spirit of excellence the same? Or are we dysfunctionally functioning spiritually bipolar in private than we do in public?

Drusilla was of Jewish descent, and yet her faith died. Drusilla, died. Her son died. Her husband died. And yet her name means “watered by the dew”, yet she died in spiritual drought. Sisters, don’t let this be your legacy!

Now, as for Bernice, she is yet another piece of work. And to start, let me say these are 2 SISTERS. In other words, all this mess is in the SAME FAMILY and in the SAME HOUSEHOLD. Which admonishes us sisters, not only to look out for the well-being of ourselves, and our own personal households, but to look out for the welfare of our FAMILIES AS A WHOLE. 

I taught my daughters as babies, you two are responsible for you two. I don’t care how many friends, best friends, or boyfriends you have, you are your sister’s keeper. When she’s wrong tell her; when she’s mean, tell her; when she’s lying, tell her; when she’s being stupid, tell her; when she’s making bad decisions, or has a bad attitude, tell her. She doesn’t have to agree, but she will not be left in the dark. Expose her to herself, before she hurts herself further or someone else. My daughters, as sisters, were to keep each other in check and in line. After all, that’s what sisters do. We don’t sit on the sideline and watch our sisters lose at the game of life. No, we let her know when she’s acting immature, crazy, childish, spiteful, or even sinful. Too bad Drusilla and Bernice didn’t have that kind of relationship or concern for one another’s well-being. 

And might I add, let’s do this not just for our NATURAL sister’s sake, but for our SPIRITUAL sister’s sake as well.

Furthermore, Bernice didn’t exactly get the whole marriage thing quite right. And let’s be honest sisters, many of us haven’t. If that were not the case, many would not be on their 2^nd, 3^rd, and 5^th marriages right now. And some of us even on the first one, are struggling to keep it afloat! But Bernice was something else! She failed in her marriages, failed in incestuous relations with her brother, and then failed further in becoming the mistress of a father/son duo. And they think reality TV is something crazy!

With that said, women, please regard yourself and your BODY better. You are not KFC, no man should be coming to you for legs, thighs, and breasts. You are not a HOTEL, men should not be coming to you checking in and out at their convenience. You are precious, valuable, special, and treasured. And above all else, you are the personal, private property of God and the residence of the Holy Ghost! Know this, never forget this, and always treat yourself like this. Don’t discard your self-respect, self-worth, self-value and self-esteem. You are worth much, in fact the price paid for you was made in blood and life, therefore, do not lower yourself for a pennies worth of a man’s attention. The more you give pieces of yourself away, the cheaper you’ll feel each time you do. And when something continues to cheapen, it eventually has no value left and therefore it’s discarded as garbage. Don’t you dare allow something like that to happen to you as God’s Kingdom Daughter!

And not only that, but Bernice was much like her sister Drusilla. She heard Paul, and worse yet, the Scripture says in, Acts 26:30-32, “The king and the governor, along with Bernice and their advisors, got up and went into the next room to talk over what they had heard. They quickly agreed on Paul’s innocence, saying, “There’s nothing in this man deserving prison, let alone death. Agrippa told Festus, “He could be set free right now if he hadn’t requested the hearing before Caesar.” (MSG) 

Let me highlight a portion for you, “…THEY QUICKLY AGREED ON PAUL’S INNOCENCE, SAYING, “THERE’S NOTHING IN THIS MAN DESERVING PRISON, LET ALONE DEATH…” 

Bernice (much like Drusilla) were in prominent positions, mostly because they came from a family of prominence, and thereby married into prominence. They were, as we would say today, in leadership positions. Which makes them very dangerous when they have the authority to make decisions concerning someone else’s life, or they have the privilege to be a part of that decision making process. When the Scripture says “…THEY QUICKLY AGREED ON PAUL’S INNOCENCE…”, that included Bernice. She heard him, agreed that there was nothing guilty about him, and yet did nothing. In fact, once this is all said and done, Bernice disappears from the pages of Scripture altogether.

However, I would be remissed if I didn’t also include that also like Drusilla, Bernice was a mom. She had two sons. Which is why I must reiterate women, it is vital that we protect our children physically and spiritually. Think about it: What must her sons have thought of all they heard and saw in their mothers day-to-day behavior and lifestyle choices? Likewise, what must our children think of all they hear and see in church, but see and hear the very opposite lived out in our lives at home as leaders?

Drusilla died a violent death, with her son, unchanged. Bernice dies from off the pages of Scripture with nothing else to be said concerning her. Sisters, do you really want this to be what’s left of you when life is all said and done?

It is my prayer that today, women, you’ll allow Drusilla and Bernice to teach you to be good women, good wives, good mothers and good leaders. I pray today that you self-exam, and self-evaluate, and make changes where you know they are needed. Ask God to show you what you’ve either been blind too, or deliberately shielded your own eyes from.

Today challenge yourself to be better than yesterday, and better tomorrow than today. Don’t die having had the chance to change, but refusing it. Tomorrow is not promised to any of us, so today is the best day to make change the order of your day.

These were 2 women who willfully, deliberately ignored God. And the word ‘ignore’ is defined as, ‘to disregard intentionally; to fail to consider something as significant.’ Can you even imagine someone treating God and His Word like that? To intentionally disregard Him and fail to even consider Him and His Word as something significant. However, ladies, we treat God like this every time He says stop but we say go; every time He says don’t but we do; every time He says wait but we proceed; every time He says he's not the one and yet we say 'I Do'. Every time we go against the Word of God we are willfully and deliberately choosing to ignore God and will end up no better than Drusilla and Bernice as a result of our disobedience. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want this to be the closing chapter on my life told as a horror story for future generations. And I’m certain you don’t either. So ladies, let today be the day we check ourselves (and our sisters) when necessary. Which means, no more straddling the fence; no more living with one foot in heaven and one foot in hell; no more compromise; no more falling short; no more disregarding God as insignificant. 

If we are to be known for anything, let us be known as Women of Faith; Women of Prayer; Women in the Will of God; Women Who Help Other Women; Women of Fasting; Women of Obedience; Women of Excellence in Wifehood, Motherhood and Sisterhood; Women of Discipline; Women of God!

Sisters, Drusilla and Bernice went down in history, but for all the Wrong reasons. Let’s make sure our legacy goes down in history too, but for all the Right reasons!

“Never ignore a nudge or whisper from God.”

“We live in a generation where people ignore God and then blame Him for the chaos that results.”

“When God says ‘No’, don’t ignore Him. He knows what you don’t know. You will rejoice later.” (Marcus Gill)

“To be entirely safe from the devil’s snares, the child of God must be completely obedient to the Word of the Lord. The driver on the highway is safe, not when He reads the signs; but when He obeys them.” (A.W. Tozer)

“We may ignore, but we can nowhere evade the Presence of God. The world is crowded with Him. He walks everywhere incognito.” (C.S. Lewis)

“Ignoring the Signs is a good way to end up at the wrong Destination.”

“One never Accomplishes the Will of God by Breaking the Law of God, Violating the Principles of God, or Ignoring the Wisdom of God.” (Andy Stanley)

“Sin is not only a series of actions, it is also an attitude that ignores the law of God. But it is even more than a rebellious attitude. Sin is a state of heart, a condition of our inmost being. It is a state of corruption, of vileness, yes, even of filthiness in God’s sight.” (Jerry Bridges)

Much Love, Dr.Shermaine #InformativeRead #PleaseShare #HealthyBodySoulAndSpirit

"It's Not Selfish to Love Yourself, Take Care of Yourself and to Make Your Happiness a Priority. It's a Necessity." (Mandy Hale)

"Self-Care is Not Selfish. You Cannot Serve From an Empty Vessel." (Eleanor Brown)