by Pastor Afolabi Oladele

The imagery of absolute and total dependence commanded by the Lord in Matthew 6:28-30 includes the reality that some lilies (flowers) will be broken, bruised or crushed before they emit any fragrance (Isaiah 53:5,10-11).

Can or will you allow 2019 to be your year of surrender, to His crushing that you may emit the fragrance? (2 Cor 2:14-15)

======
But thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing.
2 Corinthians 2:14‭-‬15 NLT
======

But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. But it was the Lord ’s good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants. He will enjoy a long life, and the Lord ’s good plan will prosper in his hands. When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins.
Isaiah 53:5‭, ‬10‭-‬11 NLT