John 11:38
This passage will forever remind me of my Children; when it came to nappy changing My cry would be “He Skinketh” (AV version)
Lazarus, came out of the tomb to people crying, cheering to people saying “wow” maybe some running fearing he was a ghost (as did the disciples in the boat)
He also came out with a very bad smell lingering in the air.
To some it was the smell of death; to the others the fragrance of life.
THE SAME SMELL DIFFERENT RESPONSES
You have Heard it said “Life Skinks” because every body has got;
1. Stinking Problems to content with. Sad n Bad things happen to Christians. Some major some minor but they are all an inconveniences to life being sweet. Problems are here and they are here to stay. James 1:2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
You can’t wish them away, Confess them away, sometimes you can’t even pray them away. (if God has allowed them for a reason & a season) You can’t give God a Gift to buy your way out of them.
Paul says “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” and then he goes on to say Thanks for sharing in my troubles” Phil 4:13-14 I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
Life Stinks for some Christians because they have bought into and are bound by the LIE the Christian life should be free from troubles and problems.
Jesus said to His Disciples Luke 22:28 You are those who have stood by me in my trials. If Jesus had Trials then so will you
It’s a lie, and preachers who preach it are telling lies.
It comes from the Father of all Lies, Satan,
A trouble/problem occurs and he is the first to whisper “Thought God Loves you, you have been obedient, why is this happening to you, non Christians better off than you”
When these stinking lies come to mind we can respond with;
2. Stinking Thinking, Elijah had stinking thinking when he sat under the broom tree saying “I want to die” 1Kings 19.
Disciples had Stinking thinking when they went back to fish, when they denied the Lord. In hearts thinking Its over, Jesus is Gone. There is no one to help us.
Acts 27:20 “Gave up all Hope of Being Saved”
Jesus knows our stinking thinking, knows when we accept defeat, when we give up give up hope. Fail to take captive this thinking and make it obedient to Jesus.
He knows when reason replaces faith. When Self reliance replaces Dependence/Trust in God
Stinking Thinking gets to our hearts Romans 1:21For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.
We are Called to better way of thinking Ephesians 4:17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.
The Word of God is to 2 Peter 3:1 Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking.
Finish with this Ps 19:14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
It so easy because of Stinking Thinking to have;
3. Stinking Confessions, that deny God, His Love, Grace, His Plan, Protection.
If the Word of God can stimulate your thinking / meditation of your heart, then the words of your mouth will be pleasing to the Lord.
Positive Confession is not about saying the right thing, its about thinking the right thing.
Romans 10:9 – 10 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
We all have skinking problems but we don’t need to respond with Stinking think & Confessing.
Because Peter believed He Confessed You are the Christ the Son of the Living God
Because Paul believed He Confessed; I can do all things through Christ who Strengthens me.
Because James believed He could say “Consider it Joy”
You can also listen to this message at www.preaching.co.nr (November)
