Witness

Witness The Aroma
To just come right out and ask somebody what they think you smell like might be offensive to them (or to you-if they give you a candid answer). But most people care deeply about what others think of their particular odor. Americans spend zillions of dollars every year on perfumes (Obsession-$50 for 4 ounces) and cologne (quality gentlemen's foo-foo sells for about $10 an ounce, too). But those products just fix you from the neck up. Deodorants, special soaps, body splashes and powders, breath mints and mouthwashes are also big ticket items for the socially conscious.
If you need a good excuse to buy products that make you smell pleasant, here it is. Now there is a new branch of scientific research called "odor engineering." So far the researchers have tried odor engineering only in the work place.
According to the publication Communication Briefings, one Japanese firm reports that air scented with lavender cut keypunching errors by 21 percent. Jasmine-scented air dropped errors by 33 percent and lemon in the air was even better-this cut errors by 54 percent. They determined that lavender reduces stress, jasmine relaxes and lemon stimulates. Odors do make a difference.
This gives new significance to a Scripture that has always intrigued me. "For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life" (2 Corinthians 2:15-16).
The odor engineers have not done any research as to what happens to people (or a community) when a true believer comes around and gives everybody a whiff of Christ. But Paul says this odor does make a difference. The believer, with the knowledge and life of Christ, emits (in a figurative way) the very smell of Christ's sweet sacrifice (note Ephesians 5:2). We cannot buy it in a bottle. It does not ooze out of our pores. It comes out in our attitudes, actions and words.
That sweet smell affects everybody around us. So it might not be a bad idea to ask yourself, "What do I really smell like?" If you know Christ your life smells good. And you will naturally make a difference in all those around you. Who Changed Tom Brown?
The book Tom Brown's School Days contains a story about a boy who had the courage to stand up to ridicule.
Tom Brown was a student at Rugby Boys School when a new boy enrolled. On his first night in a room with 12 beds and 11 other boys, he knelt to say his evening prayers. Tom turned his head just in time to see a heavy slipper flying through the air toward the head of the new boy.
When the lights went out a little later, Tom Brown thought of his mother, and the prayers she had taught him to say, which he had never done since he came to Rugby. He decided that the next time he went to bed, he, too, would say his prayers.
The next night, the other boys in the room, ready to laugh and scoff at the newcomer who said his prayers, were amazed to see Tom Brown, whom they all respected and feared, kneel down at the side of his bed and pray.
That boy's courageous prayer, in spite of the ridicule, won him the respect of all his companions. He later became one of the most distinguished men of the Church of England.
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God" (Philippians 4:6). The Real Proof of God
Keith Robinson, in The Encourager, writes:
"When God wanted to authenticate Himself to the ancient world, He called His nation Israel as witness. 'You are my witnesses,'He said, testimony that 'I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, and there will be none after Me. I, even I, am the Lord' (Isaiah 48:10). The people of God served as the undeniable proof of God.
"God's people still offer the most basic and best proof of God. A changed life is still the best testimony of God's power. Divine love reflected in a Christian heart which accepts, forgives and loves the unlovable is still the best witness of the nature of God. Hope that will not die is still the best proof of eternal life. Faith which cannot be shaken even in the face of death is still the best demonstration of the immutability of God's promises.
"We who have been granted the imponderable privilege of partaking in the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4), are the witnesses, the demonstration, the proof of the divine presence in the world. Books and lessons and sermons and reason may have their place, but the real test is in the lives of God's chosen people. If that proof is not clear and constant, everything else is just hearsay." Which Am I?
A strong horseshoe magnet may be held over an old rust-eaten, shapeless nail without meeting any response. A bright, ringing nail will leap to the magnet, attract another, and through it draw yet another, until several are attracted.
That is how Christians are. A really genuine, active, shining Christian has a tremendous attraction to Christ, is magnetized by His love and purity, attracted by His power. And through that Christian, Christ can draw others to Him to share the same power and attraction.
But a rusty, unpolished, corroded Christian, cranky, defiled and selfish, has very little attraction, and through him the power of Christ to win the world cannot flow.
God has enough power to wipe out every vice and every evil doctrine in this world, but first of all, there must be conductors. And rusty, untaught, unprepared, and unpracticed church members neither draw others near to God nor are drawn near themselves.
Our religion must be intensive before it can be extensive.

Every Christian Is a Missionary
One day, Mr. Wilfred Grenfell, medical missionary to Labrador, was guest at a dinner in London together with a number of socially prominent British men and women.
During the course of the dinner, the lady seated next to him turned and said, "Is it true, Dr. Grenfell, that you are a missionary?"
Dr. Grenfell looked at her for a moment before replying, "Is it true, madam, that you are not?"

Example and Teaching
What ingredients go into creating the environment of a truly Christian home? Some would say it is teaching our children right from wrong, belief in God, and respect for their fellowman. But can one truly "teach" such fundamental truths as these? Rather we must live these truths each and every day so that our children are irresistibly drawn to the right and the good life by our continual example. The Wife's Example Made the Difference
A young man finally came to Christ and was baptized after years of indiffernce. Many talked to him about the Lord, but were not able to sway him. It is not known what finally moved him, but for years his faithful wife went to every service of the churchl, Sunday morning and evening, Bible Study on Wednesday night. Sometimes he went with her. Sometimes he was working or out of town, but she went. They had one, then two and finally three children. She went on with her children rain or shine. On one instance, it was raining so hard that one could hardly see. The wind was blowing. This good Christian mother drove up, got out of her car and carried one baby into the church building and then started back for another one when a man came forward to help her out on that last trip. It was her husband who was baptized, and we all probably know the sermon that converted him.

Let It Shine
Benjamin Franklin wanted to interest the people in Philadelphia in street lighting. He did not call a town meeting nor try to persuade the people by talking about it. He acted upon what he considered a good idea. He hung a beautiful lantern on a long bracket in front of his house. He kept the glass polished and carefully trimmed and lit the wick every evening at the approach of dusk. The lamp helped the people see the pavement ahead; made them feel more secure at night. Others began placing lights in front of their houses. Soon Philadelphia recognized the need for street lights.
Be the one today to light up your neighborhood with the light of life. Let it shine. Let your light shine TODAY!

Salt Creates Thirst
At a missionary meeting some young people were discussing the text, "Ye are the salt of the earth."
One suggestion after another was made as to the meaning of "salt" in this verse.
"Salt imparts a desirable flavor," said one. "Salt preserves from decay," another suggested.
Then at last a Chinese Christian girl spoke out of an experience none of the others had. "Salt creates thirst," she said, and there was a sudden hush over the room.
Everyone was thinking, "Have I ever made anyone thirsty for the Lord Jesus Christ?" Does Your Behavior Make Others Behave?
In a cemetery, a little white stone marked the grave of a dear little girl. On the stone were chiseled these words: A child of whom her playmates said, "It was easier to be good when she was with us." It was one of the most beautiful epitaphs ever heard of.

Godly Influence
Around the turn of the century in rural Tennessee an old man crippled with arthritis was very faithful in his assembling with the saints. Twice on Sunday and on Wednesday nights a little girl watched from her window as the old man with his cane painfully made his way down to the little church on the corner. One Sunday morning following a snow storm, the little girl ran to her window and looking out exclaimed, "Surely the old man will not go to church this morning." But there he was, right on schedule, plodding very cautiously through the snow.
The little girl could not contain herself any longer. She just had to visit the little church to see what possibly could be there that would bring the old man out on such an inclement morning. The rest is history. The little girl was impressed by the services there that morning and a short time later became a Christian. After high school she enrolled in a Christian college and while there she met a fine young Christian boy whom she later married. To this union a son was born who was to become one of the finest gospel preachers. This brother during his ministry has literally led thousands to Christ.
The old man went to his reward never realizing just what an impact he had made for the cause of Christ. Because of his godly influence many will go into heaven with him. There can be no greater joy than to reach heaven and to her someone say, "I am here because you have shown me the way."

"Thou Shalt Not Steal"
A young man, employed by a Sunday school board, was invited at the last minute to preach at a church in Nashville. On a sudden impulse he used as his text, "Thou shalt not steal."
The next morning he stepped on the bus and handed the driver a dollar bill. The driver handed him back his change. He stood in the rear of the bus and counted the change. There was a dime too much. His first thought was, "The bus company will never miss this dime." Then quickly came the realization that he could not keep money that did not belong to him. He made his way to the front and said to the driver, "You gave me too much change." Imagine his surprise when the driver replied, "Yes, a dime too much. I gave it to you on purpose. You see, I heard your sermon yesterday, and I watched in my mirror as you counted your change. Had you kept the dime, I would never again have had any confidence in preaching." The Power of a Smile
One day as a woman was crossing a street at London station, an old man stopped her and said, "Excuse me, Ma'am, but I want to thank you."
"Thank me?" she exclaimed.
"Yes'm. I used to be a ticket collector, and whenever you went by, you always gave me a cheerful smile and a good morning. I knew that smile must have come from inside somewhere. Then one morning I saw a little Bible in your hand. So I bought one too, and I found Jesus."

Let There Be Light
A young girl once consulted with her minister. "I cannot stick it out any longer. I am the only Christian in the factory where I work. I get nothing but taunts and sneers. It is more than I can stand. I am going to resign."
"Will you tell me," asked the minister, "where lights are placed?"
"What has that to do with it?" the young Christian asked him rather bluntly.
"Never mind," the minister replied. "Answer my question: 'Where are lights placed?'"
"I suppose in dark places," she replied.
"Yes, and that is why you have been put in that factory where there is such spiritual darkness and where there is no other Christian to shine for the Lord."
The young Christian realized for the first time the opportunity that was hers. She felt she could not fail God by allowing her light to go out. She went back to the factory with renewed determination to let her light shine in that dark corner. Before long, she was the means of leading nine other girls to the Light. The Chameleon
Some of you have seen a lizard called the chameleon. Certain chameleons can quickly change color, and even develop spots and streaks that seem to be part of their background. They can turn green, gray or brown if they are standing on a green, gray or brown background.
Those of us who love the Lord Jesus should "show our colors"-let others know you belong to the Lord. Do not be like the chameleon who changes color with his surroundings. If you have to be with unsaved girls and boys at school and in other places, do not act as they do and do naughty things. Let others know you are different because you have a new life! The Christian's Gauge
If you visit any large foundry where the boilers are kept going at full force, you would never be able to look into a boiler to tell how much water there is in it, but you would be able to tell how much water the boiler contains by an instrument which is attached to the side of the boiler. Alongside is a small glass tube which has some fluid in it. If this glass tube is half full of liquid, then there is an indication that the boiler is half full of water; if the glass gauge indicated that there is no water in the glass, then we can depend that there is no water in the boiler. The little glass gauge is the indicator for the large boiler.
How can people tell whether we love God, our fellowman, or even ourselves? They can never look within our hearts and get the answer; it is only by our outward actions, the works that we do as Christians that people are able to tell how much or how little our religion amounts to. Our love for God is indicated by the works of love in which we engage. There are people who are constantly looking at the Christian's gauge. A Youth's One-Time Visit
"I refused a date to the movies, choosing rather to go to the Wednesday night prayer meeting.
"When I arrived, I looked for several people who were important to me.
"I looked for my Sunday school teacher-but he was not there. I looked for the familiar faces of a couple of deacons whom I knew-but they were not there. I looked for several of the members who seemed to be spiritually real and who had greeted me warmly at the Sunday morning services-but they were not there.
"Perhaps, these Christian friends do not think the Wednesday night services are so very important. I guess next Wednesday night I will go to the movies."
Was this young man from your church? The Way Your Child Should Go
Abraham Lincoln's comment, made when talking to a father who was chagrined and embarrassed because his 17-year-old son had begun to indulge in liquor, is most convincing: "Well, there is just one way to bring up a child in the way he should go, and that is to travel the way yourself." A Christian's Reputation
The story is told of Gordon Maxwell, missionary to India, that when he asked a Hindu scholar to teach him the language, the Hindu replied: "No, Sahib, I will not teach you my language. You would make me a Christian."
Gordon Maxwell replied, "You misunderstand me. I am simply asking you to teach me your language."
Again the Hindu responded, "No, Sahib, I will not teach you. No man can live with you and not become a Christian."
Gordon Maxwell's reputation as a Christian preceded him. His very lifestyle attracted people to Christ. And so it was with the Apostle Paul and his two missionary companions, Silas and Timothy. Saint Francis of Assisi captured their philosophy of evangelism when he said, "It is no use walking anywhere to preach unless we preach as we walk!" A Drunkard Speaks to a Drinking Christian
A young lady went to a rescue mission to help out with the inquirers who would respond to the Gospel. As she approached one derelict in order to help him make a decision for Christ, he said to her, "Do you play cards, or dance, or go to the theater, or drink socially?" "No, not now," she replied. "Well, then you may talk to me; but I will not listen to one word from you fine Christian folks who are doing on a small scale the very things that brought me a poor wretch to where I am." This young Christian woman later confessed that she had greater joy in leading that young man to Christ than the exercise of all the pleasures that many Christians hold on to simply because they have not yet been ruined by them.

Little Things Mean a Lot
Dr. W. H. Lax was a Methodist minister in the East End of London for 38 years. He learned that an old man was gravely ill, and Dr. Lax called on him. However, he was an unwelcome visitor, for as soon as the sick man caught sight of Lax's clerical collar, he turned his head and refused to utter a word.
While trying to sustain a conversation, Dr. Lax noted the dreariness of the room and the pitifully small fire; he suspected that provisions had run low. When he left the patient, Dr. Lax stopped at a butcher shop and had two lamb chops sent to the house.
He called again a few days later, and though the old man was still far from talkative, he was a little more friendly. On the way home another order was left with the butcher. By the third visit, there was a pronounced change in the patient. He was congenial and even outgoing, and before leaving, Dr. Lax was even able to pray with the man.
A preaching engagement took Dr. Lax out of London for a few days, and when he got back he was informed that the old gentleman had died. At the end when he was hardly able to speak, the patient had gasped, "Tell Dr. Lax it is all right now. I am going to God; but be sure to tell him that it was not his preaching that changed me. It was those lamb chops." Who Wants to Be a Square?
In Mark Twain's day, "square" was one of the best words in the language. You gave a man a square deal if you were honest. You gave him a square meal when he was hungry. When you got out of debt, you were square with the world. And that was when you could look your fellow man square in the eye.
Then a lot of characters ran down the word. Result: A square today is a man who never learned to get away with it; a Joe who volunteers when he does not have to; a guy who gets his kick from trying to do something better than anyone else can; a boob who gets lost in his work.
This country was discovered, put together, fought for and saved by "squares"-Nathan Hale, Patrick Henry, Paul Revere, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin. We need to get back to this nation's old beliefs in such things as ideas, pride, patriotism, loyalty, devotion-even hard work. The Gift He Never Received
Billy Graham relates the story of a wealthy father who provided well for his only son.
One day, the boy came to his father and said he was dropping out of school and leaving home.
Asked why, the son said, "Well, Dad, the truth of it is, I hate you."
The father was stunned and demanded, "Why, son, why? I have given you everything, have I not?"
"Well, that is just it. You have not. You may have thought you bought me everything, but you have not given me anything to believe in."

I Saw God Today
I saw God today-
As a tearful child found comfort in your arms.
I saw God today-
As an old man's face was lit with hope by the grasp of your hand.
I saw God today-
As a smile etched the lips of the stranger you greeted on the street.
I saw God today-
As you stopped in the midst of a busy schedule to listen to a burdened soul.
I saw God today-
As I spent the day with you, my friend, and
Though the hours have flown and night draws near,
Today will linger on, with memories so dear,
For as we shared each hour's array,
I met God through you today.

If Christ Has Really Done Something for Us, We Should Tell Others
A little fellow in the hospital had had a piece of deformed bone removed from his arm. He got well, but before he left the place he sent for the doctor. "You wish to see me, Willie?" asked the doctor. The little fellow reached up his hand and laid it on the doctor's shoulder and said, "My mama will never hear the last about you." I think that if we fully realized what Christ has done for us, we would say to Him, "My friends will never hear the last about You."

How One Life Affects Others
The unfilled spiritual tank is an invitation to disaster, and many of us have known that awful moment when, like a car out of gas, we seem to cough and sputter and pull over to the shoulder, out of service, not able to go any farther.
We have all seen the car out of gas in a long tunnel or on a narrow bridge at rush hour. Thousands of people are potentially affected by the clogged-up mess that follows. And it can happen in spiritual life also. One empty spiritual tank can affect a score of other people. It has happened more than once.

Reputation
What kind of reputation do you have? When people speak of you, are they saying kind things? Jesus honored that unselfish woman who anointed him with perfume by including mention of her good deed in the gospels. She was well thought of by her Lord. She had a good reputation.
How others perceive us is usually established by our consistent behavior. We need to live such honorable lives that even when someone speaks ill of us, others will not believe it of us. We also need to conduct our lives in such a manner that it will be easy for others to say kind words to us.
There are people who make life difficult for others. One such a person lives such a life that it will be hard for the speaker at his funeral to find something about his life worthy of mentioning. Sad.
Even Christians can live such distraught lives that they are looked on as trouble makers, boat rockers and negative knells. Though we study our Bibles, worship our God, and pray fervently, just how do neighbors and friends consider us? Are we known for being faithfully involved and supportive of the church's work, or do we have the reputation of being hard to please and a terror to live with?
If someone were asked to deliver a eulogy for you, what could easily be told "in your memory"? "He (or she) was a warm, gracious, faithful, zealous, dedicated, caring, thoughtful Christian," or "He (or she) was anxious, unhappy, critical, selfish, uninvolved, bitter, unloving, opinionated and socially obnoxious"? One cannot build a noble reputation on what he intends to do some day. One's reputation is affirmed and established daily.