You Could Use a Little Perfume!

Daily Reading: Proverbs 27

Scripture Focus:  Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel. (Proverbs 27.9)

Devotional Thought:  Alright girls, oil and perfume do indeed make the heart glad! Husbands out there I'm sure can agree! In the wise words of Coco Chanel, "a woman who doesn't wear perfume has no future." Can I get an amen?

As a teenager, I copied my sister's perfume choice every time she bought a new one, figuring that she was saving me a lot of time and effort to have to go pick one out myself!  It got to the point where she would hide what she bought so that I would stop trying to smell like her!!  Ahh sister copying at its finest.  Anyway - the larger point of this is that my aromatic sister always had good counsel for me, and I appreciated that so much.  And, yes, I still copy her perfume choice.

Here's the challenge for you today - are you a friend that brings that sweet fragrance to others?  Do you prayerfully counsel your friends in need, or do you find that you are constantly requiring all of the oil for yourself?  I'm not talking about when you're going through a hard time, but just in day to day life - are you giving to others to the best of your ability?  Covering them with your love and prayer, smothering them with your sweet scent?

My charge to you is going to be the same as the author of this chapter... to be a faithful and constant friend.  We are, after all, "the aroma of Christ... a fragrance from life to life" (2 Corinthians 2.15-16).  So, turn your eyes to the cross - his model of unconditional love, consistency, and faithfulness.  Then, praise Him for the sweetness of a true friend!

Amy Berry

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, Jesus, that you call me your friend.  Thank you, that you are a friend that sticks closer than even a sister.  Help me, to be the kind of friend to others that you are to me.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 16.7-11

7 I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.

8 I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.

10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.

11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.