Generosity springs from a heart aligned with God's abundance rather than the world's scarcity. Are we giving from obligation or from overflow? This transformative question changes everything about our generosity journey.
Ancient believers understood the spiritual connection between aromatic elements and generous worship. Frankincense and myrrh—gifts to the Christ child—symbolized spiritual devotion, while essential oils were used for temple purification and even as tithes. These sacred scents can enhance our modern devotional practices, grounding us in present-moment generosity rather than distracted obligation. As we incorporate these sensory elements into our quiet time, we create space for the Holy Spirit to reveal areas where scarcity thinking has taken root.
Perhaps most surprising is the essential role of boundaries in sustainable giving. Even Jesus withdrew regularly to pray and recharge. True generosity flows from a well that's continually replenished through intentional rest and communion with God. Setting boundaries isn't selfish—it's stewardship that ensures our giving comes from abundance rather than depletion. With practical affirmations like "God multiplies what I release in faith" and "I live in the overflow of God's goodness," we begin retraining our hearts to trust in divine provision.
Ready to transform your spiritual practices through the ancient wisdom of aromatic devotion? Schedule your Aroma of Christ coaching hour today at paulabehrens.com/coaching and discover how to craft a personalized devotional routine that fits your busy schedule while deepening your connection with God.
Unlock the Aroma of Christ Coaching Hour! 🌿✨
Reserve your transformative coaching hour today. Dive into the incredible benefits of essential oils while enhancing your spiritual journey. Through personalized, step-by-step guidance, you'll create a devotional routine that effortlessly fits into your lifestyle. Discover more at PaulaBehrens.com/coaching
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Paula Behrens (00:00):
Today's show is going to awaken something
powerful inside of you,something joyful, generous and
deeply rooted in the very natureof God.
We will be diving into a truththat transforms not only how we
give, but why we give.
This isn't simply about tithesand offerings.
It's about becoming people wholive in the overflow of God's
love, grace and provision.
(00:22):
Are you finding it challengingto maintain your spiritual
practices or yearning for a morepeaceful, God-aligned day?
I'm Paula and I've been theretoo.
Balancing spiritual habits witha busy life can be difficult.
I longed for a deeperconnection with God, but
struggled with consistency.
Then I found the perfectapproach.
If you seek simple ways todeepen your connection with God,
(00:45):
this podcast is for you.
When I first began my seminarywork while serving two church
congregations full-time,everyone assumed I had my daily
devotional time perfectlyorganized, but, truth be told,
there were mornings I couldbarely find five minutes to
catch my breath, let alone diveinto deep reflection.
One day, as I rushed out thedoor with mismatched shoes, I
(01:09):
realized that even in my chaosthere was a lesson.
Embracing God's grace andself-forgiveness, I realized
that true success in mydevotional life requires
prioritizing my spiritualpractices.
Before we get started, I'd liketo give a shout out to Dizzy
Uber.
She writes, what a greatresource Paula is putting out.
(01:30):
Easy to pop earbuds in and maketime to hear the word and be
encouraged.
Thank you so much, Dizzy Uber,for that wonderful review.
If you'd like to leave a review, we'd truly appreciate it.
On Apple Podcasts, simplyscroll down to the five-star
rating section and click onLeave a Review.
If you're using a PC, open theiTunes app and you'll find the
(01:52):
link near the top.
Share your thoughts with ustoday and your review could be
showcased on one of our upcomingepisodes.
Are you ready to infuse yourspiritual journey with a
peace-filled confidence?
I'd like to invite you toprayerfully consider investing
just one hour to deepen yourfaith and nurture your spiritual
growth.
In your Aroma of Christcoaching hour, you will discover
(02:14):
how to craft a personalizeddevotional routine that will fit
perfectly into your busyschedule and learn tried and
true strategies to experienceyour quiet time with God not not
just as a routine, but as ajoyful journey.
Schedule your call now atpaulabehrens.
com/ coaching.
That's Paula BehrensB-E-H-R-E-N-S .
(02:38):
com/ coaching (no spaces).
All right, it's time to getstarted.
Grab your Bible, dust off yourjournal and cozy up to your
favorite beverage and let's divein.
Let's begin with a foundationaltruth, and that is generosity is
more than an act.
It's a lifestyle.
It reflects the very nature ofGod's heart and, as his
(03:02):
daughters, we are invited tolive out that generosity as we
strive to serve him well.
Generosity is not simply aboutvolunteering or writing a check
once in a while.
For the Christian who seeks tolive out their faith with
authenticity and grace,generosity is a lifestyle.
It's a heart posture thatreflects the very nature of God
(03:22):
himself.
Today, we will be talking abouthow we can cultivate the spirit
of joyful generosity that notonly blesses others but also
replenishes and refreshes ourown soul through the power of
scripture, devotions, boundariesand, yes, even the beauty of
aroma.
Let's begin with a passage ofscripture 2 Corinthians 9:7,
(03:44):
which says, each one must giveas he has decided in his heart,
not reluctantly or undercompulsion, for God loves a
cheerful giver.
Isn't that just a beautifulinvitation?
God doesn't want our giving tobe done out of guilt or
obligation.
He delights in a joyful,heartfelt gift.
Here, the Apostle Paul istalking about so much more than
(04:07):
money.
It includes our time, ourtalents, our energy and our
presence.
What he's talking about here ishow we can develop a rhythm of
life that overflows withgenerosity.
Here's a thought.
Did you know that an attitudeof cheerful giving can actually
transform your faith walk?
It's true, the world oftentells us to be frugal and to
(04:28):
protect our time and to preserveour resources for ourselves,
but God's kingdom operates on amuch different principle.
With God's principles, when wegive, we receive.
When we pour out, we are filled, and when we love others, well,
we reflect the heart of God.
Generosity begins with a heartconviction.
(04:50):
Consider this when you wake upin the morning, is your first
thought all about your needs, oris it rather about what you can
offer the world around you?
As women of faith, we arecalled to reflect Christ's
generosity, not just in what wedo, but in how we think, our
thoughts and how we live thosethoughts out.
(05:10):
And many times it begins in themorning.
It could just be a commitmentof five minutes with God.
I love to incorporate God'sgift of aromas in this special
reflection time with him.
In the early church a romaticherbs and essential oils held
both spiritual and practicalvalue, often offered in ways
that honored long-standingJewish traditions of worship and
(05:33):
giving.
Among these, oils likefrankincense and myrrh were
considered precious commodities.
The wise men's gift to Jesus,gold, frankincense and myrrh
highlight their significance,with frankincense symbolizing
worship and myrrh later used inJesus' burial.
In the Old Testament, God gaveMoses a detailed recipe for a
sacred anointing oil.
We see that in Exodus 30 (05:53):
22 through 33.
These oils were used to cleanthe temple, keep those serving
in the temple healthy, and alsofor ritual purposes such as that
of anointing the priest, forholy service to God, and for
prayer and meditation.
Essential oil references areall throughout the ancient texts
the one we know of today as theBible and they were used as
(06:15):
tithing as well.
Jesus himself referenced thetithing of mint and rue and
other herbs.
We see that in Luke 11 (06:21):
42 and also Matthew 23
These small fragrant offerings,like that of mint, was most
likely used for medicinal andaromatic purposes, possibly
distilled into oils, and theywere part of what people gave.
In the early church believersbrought what they had land goods
(06:42):
and even treasured oils tosupport the community,
demonstrating a spirit ofgenerosity rooted in both
tradition and heartfelt devotion.
These gifts, whether monetaryor aromatic, were expressions of
worship, thanksgiving and trustin God's provision.
Frankincense essential oil,known for its historical and
biblical significance, is awonderful aromatic companion we
(07:02):
can use today as we invite Godinto our morning quiet time.
Its scent helps to ground us inthe sacred.
The next time you're focusingyour heart on God and breathing
in aromas like frankincense,consider what cheerful giving
can look like in your life.
It might be sending anencouraging message to a friend,
offering an intentionalcompliment, or spending a few
(07:24):
quiet moments praying forsomeone who the Holy Spirit has
brought into your mind.
You could even end your quiettime with a positive affirmation
like (07:32):
I give freely and joyfully because God is my
provider.
And then there's Luke 6 (07:36):
38, which says, Give and it will be
given to you, a good measure,pressed down, shaken together
and running over, will be pouredinto your lap.
This verse speaks to all of theblessings that will follow a
generous spirit.
The picture here is rich,pressed down, shaken together
(07:57):
and running over.
That's not just a little bit ofblessing, that's an overflow of
blessings.
And it's not a reward for goodbehavior, as some would think,
but it's the natural result ofliving with an open and generous
heart that is in step with theSpirit.
In this world, we often defaultto a scarcity mindset, don't we,
(08:17):
a belief that there won't beenough to go around.
Many times we tend to clingtightly to our time, money, love
or energy because we're afraidof running out.
But scripture reminds us thatour God is a God of abundance.
He owns the cattle on athousand hills and when we give,
we participate in his abundance.
When I think of a thousandhills, lavender comes to mind.
(08:42):
The aroma of lavender is knownfor promoting peace and calm and
it's the perfect choice to pairwith meditating on the truth of
God's abundance.
As you allow its fragrance tosettle you, invite the Holy
Spirit to reveal areas whereyou've been holding back because
of fear.
Ask him to replace that fearwith trust and consider reading
(09:04):
the following affirmation outloud throughout the day, God
multiplies what I release infaith.
Write it down.
God multiplies what I releasein faith.
Take it with you and referenceit throughout the day.
Maybe place a drop of lavenderin your hands and breathe in the
wonderful aroma as you speakyour affirmation out loud, God
(09:26):
multiplies what I release infaith.
As we shift our mindset to oneof abundance, we can better
understand Proverbs 11 (09:33):
25, which tells us a generous person
will prosper.
Whoever refreshes others willbe refreshed.
Now there is something deeplyspiritual about pouring into
others.
It brings connection, joy andpurpose.
God did not design us to bealone.
He designed us to live incommunity, to support and to
(09:56):
uplift one another.
The blessings of generosityisn't just for the recipient.
It transforms us, the giver aswell.
It stretches our faith, itcultivates our gratitude and it
draws us nearer to the heart ofGod.
We live in a fast-paced worldthat often overlooks simple
(10:18):
gestures of kindness andgenerosity, but those are often
the moments where we can feelGod's presence the most.
Smiling at a stranger, payingfor someone's coffee, sending a
simple handwritten note, theseare all small acts that carry
eternal weight.
The early believers understoodthis.
They shared everything, andscripture tells us that there
(10:40):
were no needy persons among them.
If these things don't comeeasily to you, consider using
the aromas God has gifted to usto keep us grounded and present.
When we serve and give from aplace of being grounded,
refreshed and present, ratherthan obligation, we can better
mirror the peace of Christ.
(11:01):
Take a moment now to reflect onhow you can refresh someone
else's day.
What is one act of generosityyou can offer today.
And here's another affirmationto add to your abundance toolbox
.
Repeat it after me, when Irefresh others, I too am
refreshed.
(11:22):
Now let's talk about boundaries,which is an essential yet
overlooked aspect of living agenerous life.
In Luke 5 (11:27):
16 we hear, but Jesus often withdrew to lonely
places and prayed.
Even Jesus took time torecharge.
He recognized the importance ofgetting alone with God,
creating space and refilling hisspirit.
If you and I want to livegenerously, we too must embrace
(11:48):
healthy boundaries.
Not every need is ours to meet.
Not every request requires ayes.
Living in the abundance of God'soverflow means giving from a
well that is continually beingreplenished.
That requires intentional rest.
It means setting boundarieswith grace.
It means saying no withoutguilt.
(12:08):
Your favorite calming essentialoil can be a gentle reminder to
slow down, inhale deeply andinvite God to refill you.
God honors your need for rest.
He is the one who createdSabbath rest, you know.
He invites us to lie down ingreen pastures and walk beside
still waters.
(12:28):
That's not laziness, that'sobedience.
Here's another affirmation, Ihonor God by creating space to
rest and be refilled.
Okay, so scripture tells us thatall the believers in the first
century church were one in heartand mind.
They shared everything they had.
(12:49):
There were no needy personsamong them.
What an incredible testimonythat is.
The early church modeledradical generosity, not because
it was required, but becauselove compelled them.
They were overflowing withgrace and it was evident in the
way they cared for each other.
This kind of community doesn'thappen by accident.
(13:11):
It requires intentionality.
It requires a heart tuned tothe needs of others and a
willingness to act.
It's rooted in our identity asthe body of Christ, called to
bear one another's burdens andbuild each other up.
I invite you now, if you can, totake a few moments to breathe
in the aroma of frankincense andreflect on ways God has poured
(13:33):
into you this week.
What prayers have been answered?
What blessings have youreceived?
What needs have been met?
Write them down along with thefollowing affirmation, I live in
the overflow of God's goodness.
I live in the overflow of God'sgoodness.
(14:00):
Let us pray.
Lord, make us into instrumentsof overflow.
May our lives be continualoutpourings of your grace, joy
and love.
Teach us to live generouslywith our time, our words, our
gifts and our presence.
Fill us daily with your spirit,so that we never give from
emptiness, but always from theabundance of your love.
(14:22):
Amen and amen.
Okay, let's do a little recap.
Generosity is more than afinancial decision.
It's a spiritual discipline anda reflection of God's heart.
Through devotions anchored inscripture, supported by positive
affirmations and enhanced bythe use of essential oils, you
(14:42):
can create a rhythm of faiththat will bless both you and
those around you.
From cheerful giving and anabundant mindset to the
willingness to serve Godfaithfully while honoring
healthy boundaries, you areinvited into a lifestyle of
God's overflow.
You don't need to earn God'sfavor.
You don't need to prove yourworth through endless doing.
(15:05):
You simply need to abide in hispresence and allow his spirit
to overflow from your heart intothe lives of others, giving
cheerfully, living abundantly,refreshing others, resting
intentionally and overflowingwith God's grace.
You are not alone in thisjourney.
God is with you, his Word willguide you, his Spirit will
(15:29):
empower you, and this communityof faithful Christian women
walks with you.
Until next time, breathe deeply, give freely and walk boldly in
(15:52):
faith.
Thank you for tuning in today.
And remember, just like settingbiblical boundaries, it's okay
to say no to things that don'tserve you well, like that third
piece of cake at the churchpotluck.
If you've enjoyed this episode,we would truly appreciate it if
you would take just a fewmoments to follow the show and
leave a review.
Also, prayerfully, considerinvesting just one hour to
deepen your faith and nurtureyour spiritual growth.
In your Aroma of Christcoaching hour, you will discover
how to craft a personalizeddevotional routine that will fit
(16:15):
perfectly into your busyschedule, incorporate essential
oils into your spiritualpractices, create an easy to
follow tracking plan forconsistency, and learn tried and
true strategies to experienceyour quiet time with God, not
just as a routine, but as ajoyful journey.
Schedule your call now at PaulaBehrens.
com/ coaching.
(16:37):
That's Paula BehrensB-E-H-R-E-N-S .
com/ coaching (no spaces).
Be sure to check the show notesfor all the links.
Join us next week as wecontinue to discover how to live
on purpose in Christ.
Until then, keep leaning intoHim and walking in His wisdom.
(16:58):
See you next time.
Today's show is going to awaken something
powerful inside of you,something joyful, generous and
deeply rooted in the very natureof God.
We will be diving into a truththat transforms not only how we
give, but why we give.
This isn't simply about tithesand offerings.
It's about becoming people wholive in the overflow of God's
love, grace and provision.
(00:22):
Are you finding it challengingto maintain your spiritual
practices or yearning for a morepeaceful, God-aligned day?
I'm Paula and I've been theretoo.
Balancing spiritual habits witha busy life can be difficult.
I longed for a deeperconnection with God, but
struggled with consistency.
Then I found the perfectapproach.
If you seek simple ways todeepen your connection with God,
(00:45):
this podcast is for you.
When I first began my seminarywork while serving two church
congregations full-time,everyone assumed I had my daily
devotional time perfectlyorganized, but, truth be told,
there were mornings I couldbarely find five minutes to
catch my breath, let alone diveinto deep reflection.
One day, as I rushed out thedoor with mismatched shoes, I
(01:09):
realized that even in my chaosthere was a lesson.
Embracing God's grace andself-forgiveness, I realized
that true success in mydevotional life requires
prioritizing my spiritualpractices.
Before we get started, I'd liketo give a shout out to Dizzy
Uber.
She writes, what a greatresource Paula is putting out.
(01:30):
Easy to pop earbuds in and maketime to hear the word and be
encouraged.
Thank you so much, Dizzy Uber,for that wonderful review.
If you'd like to leave a review, we'd truly appreciate it.
On Apple Podcasts, simplyscroll down to the five-star
rating section and click onLeave a Review.
If you're using a PC, open theiTunes app and you'll find the
(01:52):
link near the top.
Share your thoughts with ustoday and your review could be
showcased on one of our upcomingepisodes.
Are you ready to infuse yourspiritual journey with a
peace-filled confidence?
I'd like to invite you toprayerfully consider investing
just one hour to deepen yourfaith and nurture your spiritual
growth.
In your Aroma of Christcoaching hour, you will discover
(02:14):
how to craft a personalizeddevotional routine that will fit
perfectly into your busyschedule and learn tried and
true strategies to experienceyour quiet time with God not not
just as a routine, but as ajoyful journey.
Schedule your call now atpaulabehrens.
com/ coaching.
That's Paula BehrensB-E-H-R-E-N-S .
(02:38):
com/ coaching (no spaces).
All right, it's time to getstarted.
Grab your Bible, dust off yourjournal and cozy up to your
favorite beverage and let's divein.
Let's begin with a foundationaltruth, and that is generosity is
more than an act.
It's a lifestyle.
It reflects the very nature ofGod's heart and, as his
(03:02):
daughters, we are invited tolive out that generosity as we
strive to serve him well.
Generosity is not simply aboutvolunteering or writing a check
once in a while.
For the Christian who seeks tolive out their faith with
authenticity and grace,generosity is a lifestyle.
It's a heart posture thatreflects the very nature of God
(03:22):
himself.
Today, we will be talking abouthow we can cultivate the spirit
of joyful generosity that notonly blesses others but also
replenishes and refreshes ourown soul through the power of
scripture, devotions, boundariesand, yes, even the beauty of
aroma.
Let's begin with a passage ofscripture 2 Corinthians 9:7,
(03:44):
which says, each one must giveas he has decided in his heart,
not reluctantly or undercompulsion, for God loves a
cheerful giver.
Isn't that just a beautifulinvitation?
God doesn't want our giving tobe done out of guilt or
obligation.
He delights in a joyful,heartfelt gift.
Here, the Apostle Paul istalking about so much more than
(04:07):
money.
It includes our time, ourtalents, our energy and our
presence.
What he's talking about here ishow we can develop a rhythm of
life that overflows withgenerosity.
Here's a thought.
Did you know that an attitudeof cheerful giving can actually
transform your faith walk?
It's true, the world oftentells us to be frugal and to
(04:28):
protect our time and to preserveour resources for ourselves,
but God's kingdom operates on amuch different principle.
With God's principles, when wegive, we receive.
When we pour out, we are filled, and when we love others, well,
we reflect the heart of God.
Generosity begins with a heartconviction.
(04:50):
Consider this when you wake upin the morning, is your first
thought all about your needs, oris it rather about what you can
offer the world around you?
As women of faith, we arecalled to reflect Christ's
generosity, not just in what wedo, but in how we think, our
thoughts and how we live thosethoughts out.
(05:10):
And many times it begins in themorning.
It could just be a commitmentof five minutes with God.
I love to incorporate God'sgift of aromas in this special
reflection time with him.
In the early church a romaticherbs and essential oils held
both spiritual and practicalvalue, often offered in ways
that honored long-standingJewish traditions of worship and
(05:33):
giving.
Among these, oils likefrankincense and myrrh were
considered precious commodities.
The wise men's gift to Jesus,gold, frankincense and myrrh
highlight their significance,with frankincense symbolizing
worship and myrrh later used inJesus' burial.
In the Old Testament, God gaveMoses a detailed recipe for a
sacred anointing oil.
We see that in Exodus 30 (05:53):
22 through 33.
These oils were used to cleanthe temple, keep those serving
in the temple healthy, and alsofor ritual purposes such as that
of anointing the priest, forholy service to God, and for
prayer and meditation.
Essential oil references areall throughout the ancient texts
the one we know of today as theBible and they were used as
(06:15):
tithing as well.
Jesus himself referenced thetithing of mint and rue and
other herbs.
We see that in Luke 11 (06:21):
42 and also Matthew 23
These small fragrant offerings,like that of mint, was most
likely used for medicinal andaromatic purposes, possibly
distilled into oils, and theywere part of what people gave.
In the early church believersbrought what they had land goods
(06:42):
and even treasured oils tosupport the community,
demonstrating a spirit ofgenerosity rooted in both
tradition and heartfelt devotion.
These gifts, whether monetaryor aromatic, were expressions of
worship, thanksgiving and trustin God's provision.
Frankincense essential oil,known for its historical and
biblical significance, is awonderful aromatic companion we
(07:02):
can use today as we invite Godinto our morning quiet time.
Its scent helps to ground us inthe sacred.
The next time you're focusingyour heart on God and breathing
in aromas like frankincense,consider what cheerful giving
can look like in your life.
It might be sending anencouraging message to a friend,
offering an intentionalcompliment, or spending a few
(07:24):
quiet moments praying forsomeone who the Holy Spirit has
brought into your mind.
You could even end your quiettime with a positive affirmation
like (07:32):
I give freely and joyfully because God is my
provider.
And then there's Luke 6 (07:36):
38, which says, Give and it will be
given to you, a good measure,pressed down, shaken together
and running over, will be pouredinto your lap.
This verse speaks to all of theblessings that will follow a
generous spirit.
The picture here is rich,pressed down, shaken together
(07:57):
and running over.
That's not just a little bit ofblessing, that's an overflow of
blessings.
And it's not a reward for goodbehavior, as some would think,
but it's the natural result ofliving with an open and generous
heart that is in step with theSpirit.
In this world, we often defaultto a scarcity mindset, don't we,
(08:17):
a belief that there won't beenough to go around.
Many times we tend to clingtightly to our time, money, love
or energy because we're afraidof running out.
But scripture reminds us thatour God is a God of abundance.
He owns the cattle on athousand hills and when we give,
we participate in his abundance.
When I think of a thousandhills, lavender comes to mind.
(08:42):
The aroma of lavender is knownfor promoting peace and calm and
it's the perfect choice to pairwith meditating on the truth of
God's abundance.
As you allow its fragrance tosettle you, invite the Holy
Spirit to reveal areas whereyou've been holding back because
of fear.
Ask him to replace that fearwith trust and consider reading
(09:04):
the following affirmation outloud throughout the day, God
multiplies what I release infaith.
Write it down.
God multiplies what I releasein faith.
Take it with you and referenceit throughout the day.
Maybe place a drop of lavenderin your hands and breathe in the
wonderful aroma as you speakyour affirmation out loud, God
(09:26):
multiplies what I release infaith.
As we shift our mindset to oneof abundance, we can better
understand Proverbs 11 (09:33):
25, which tells us a generous person
will prosper.
Whoever refreshes others willbe refreshed.
Now there is something deeplyspiritual about pouring into
others.
It brings connection, joy andpurpose.
God did not design us to bealone.
He designed us to live incommunity, to support and to
(09:56):
uplift one another.
The blessings of generosityisn't just for the recipient.
It transforms us, the giver aswell.
It stretches our faith, itcultivates our gratitude and it
draws us nearer to the heart ofGod.
We live in a fast-paced worldthat often overlooks simple
(10:18):
gestures of kindness andgenerosity, but those are often
the moments where we can feelGod's presence the most.
Smiling at a stranger, payingfor someone's coffee, sending a
simple handwritten note, theseare all small acts that carry
eternal weight.
The early believers understoodthis.
They shared everything, andscripture tells us that there
(10:40):
were no needy persons among them.
If these things don't comeeasily to you, consider using
the aromas God has gifted to usto keep us grounded and present.
When we serve and give from aplace of being grounded,
refreshed and present, ratherthan obligation, we can better
mirror the peace of Christ.
(11:01):
Take a moment now to reflect onhow you can refresh someone
else's day.
What is one act of generosityyou can offer today.
And here's another affirmationto add to your abundance toolbox
.
Repeat it after me, when Irefresh others, I too am
refreshed.
(11:22):
Now let's talk about boundaries,which is an essential yet
overlooked aspect of living agenerous life.
In Luke 5 (11:27):
16 we hear, but Jesus often withdrew to lonely
places and prayed.
Even Jesus took time torecharge.
He recognized the importance ofgetting alone with God,
creating space and refilling hisspirit.
If you and I want to livegenerously, we too must embrace
(11:48):
healthy boundaries.
Not every need is ours to meet.
Not every request requires ayes.
Living in the abundance of God'soverflow means giving from a
well that is continually beingreplenished.
That requires intentional rest.
It means setting boundarieswith grace.
It means saying no withoutguilt.
(12:08):
Your favorite calming essentialoil can be a gentle reminder to
slow down, inhale deeply andinvite God to refill you.
God honors your need for rest.
He is the one who createdSabbath rest, you know.
He invites us to lie down ingreen pastures and walk beside
still waters.
(12:28):
That's not laziness, that'sobedience.
Here's another affirmation, Ihonor God by creating space to
rest and be refilled.
Okay, so scripture tells us thatall the believers in the first
century church were one in heartand mind.
They shared everything they had.
(12:49):
There were no needy personsamong them.
What an incredible testimonythat is.
The early church modeledradical generosity, not because
it was required, but becauselove compelled them.
They were overflowing withgrace and it was evident in the
way they cared for each other.
This kind of community doesn'thappen by accident.
(13:11):
It requires intentionality.
It requires a heart tuned tothe needs of others and a
willingness to act.
It's rooted in our identity asthe body of Christ, called to
bear one another's burdens andbuild each other up.
I invite you now, if you can, totake a few moments to breathe
in the aroma of frankincense andreflect on ways God has poured
(13:33):
into you this week.
What prayers have been answered?
What blessings have youreceived?
What needs have been met?
Write them down along with thefollowing affirmation, I live in
the overflow of God's goodness.
I live in the overflow of God'sgoodness.
(14:00):
Let us pray.
Lord, make us into instrumentsof overflow.
May our lives be continualoutpourings of your grace, joy
and love.
Teach us to live generouslywith our time, our words, our
gifts and our presence.
Fill us daily with your spirit,so that we never give from
emptiness, but always from theabundance of your love.
(14:22):
Amen and amen.
Okay, let's do a little recap.
Generosity is more than afinancial decision.
It's a spiritual discipline anda reflection of God's heart.
Through devotions anchored inscripture, supported by positive
affirmations and enhanced bythe use of essential oils, you
(14:42):
can create a rhythm of faiththat will bless both you and
those around you.
From cheerful giving and anabundant mindset to the
willingness to serve Godfaithfully while honoring
healthy boundaries, you areinvited into a lifestyle of
God's overflow.
You don't need to earn God'sfavor.
You don't need to prove yourworth through endless doing.
(15:05):
You simply need to abide in hispresence and allow his spirit
to overflow from your heart intothe lives of others, giving
cheerfully, living abundantly,refreshing others, resting
intentionally and overflowingwith God's grace.
You are not alone in thisjourney.
God is with you, his Word willguide you, his Spirit will
(15:29):
empower you, and this communityof faithful Christian women
walks with you.
Until next time, breathe deeply, give freely and walk boldly in
(15:52):
faith.
Thank you for tuning in today.
And remember, just like settingbiblical boundaries, it's okay
to say no to things that don'tserve you well, like that third
piece of cake at the churchpotluck.
If you've enjoyed this episode,we would truly appreciate it if
you would take just a fewmoments to follow the show and
leave a review.
Also, prayerfully, considerinvesting just one hour to
deepen your faith and nurtureyour spiritual growth.
In your Aroma of Christcoaching hour, you will discover
how to craft a personalizeddevotional routine that will fit
(16:15):
perfectly into your busyschedule, incorporate essential
oils into your spiritualpractices, create an easy to
follow tracking plan forconsistency, and learn tried and
true strategies to experienceyour quiet time with God, not
just as a routine, but as ajoyful journey.
Schedule your call now at PaulaBehrens.
com/ coaching.
(16:37):
That's Paula BehrensB-E-H-R-E-N-S .
com/ coaching (no spaces).
Be sure to check the show notesfor all the links.
Join us next week as wecontinue to discover how to live
on purpose in Christ.
Until then, keep leaning intoHim and walking in His wisdom.
(16:58):
See you next time.
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