Calvary Chapel Reno-Sparks September-October 2015 Page �1

fragrant life

Calvary Chapel Reno-Sparks

“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.” 2Corinthians 2:14-15

This is one of my favorite passages in the Bible. It is theme scripture for our women’s ministry here at Calvary Chapel. I find it very challenging to me as a Christian woman, to remember that I am the fragrance of Christ to God.

The imagery here pictures the celebration the town would throw for the victorious Roman Generals as they returned from battle. As the army would march into the town, the town’s people would walk in front of them with large incense diffusers. Other people, to show their appreciation, would throw flowers and wreaths in the path of the oncoming parade and the petals would be crushed under the feet of the horses. As the petals were crushed they produced a powerful fragrance that would fill the city. When you smelled this aroma you knew the victorious general was approaching. When this fragrant aroma reached the palace the king knew that the victors were home.

Vs. 14 says that through us God diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge. How are they

going to know if nobody tells them? We diffuse the fragrance by the message we bring. Vs. 15 says that we are the fragrance of Christ to God. Did you know that our lives can give off a sweet smelling fragrance that makes Jesus recognizable to others and pleases God? As we share the Gospel and live out the powerful life changing truths in His word, we can attract others to Him. They know there is something different about us. Something they want.

Have you ever hugged someone and when they walk away the fragrance of their perfume lingers on you. That is how it should be with Jesus; His fragrance should linger on us after we have spent sweet beautiful fellowship with Him.

What a beautiful picture of what our lives should be like to those around us. Do we reflect Christ’s love, kindness, goodness, and gentleness? Are others attracted to these qualities in us? When they are in our presence do they sense the sweetness of His

peace and His joy? I hope so!

Our purpose is to please God and to bring others to Him. It isn’t just what you say, and it isn’t just how you live, it’s both. My prayer is that as we walk with Christ and allow Him to shape us into strong Christian women we will diffuse His fragrance to all we come in contact with and His fragrance will fill this town.

Love, Sandie

Portraits from Sandie September-October

2015The Pleasing Fragrance of

Christ

2 Corinthians 2:14-15“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the

fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved

and among those who are perishing.”

Question to Ponder:

Who is God leading me to share Jesus with?

Pastor Tom & Sandie Luitwieler

Our desires for Women’s Ministry is to: encourage deeper relationships and spiritual growth for the women in the body of Christ; to provide a place where Women will be encouraged and uplifted to seek God’s best for their lives; to give opportunity to study the Word of God together that Women might grow in the grace and knowledge of Our Lord Jesus; and to equip Women to be lights in their homes, neighborhoods and workplaces, reflecting the love of Jesus Christ to all.

Calvary Chapel Reno-Sparks September-October 2015 Page �2

MINISTRIES

WHERE CAN I

SERVE?1 Peter 4:10

“ A s e a c h o n e h a s received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”

Helps MinistryFood Pantry

Meals MinistryWomen’s Greeters

Women’s ConferencesWomen’s Koinonia’sWomen’s Retreats

Women’s Bible StudyMorning PrayerEvening PrayerMissions Prayer

Prayer ChainChildren’s MinistryWidow’s Ministry

Sharing Lives MinistrySingle Mom’s MinistryJoyful Books Ministry

Fruit of Her HandsWomen’s Newsletter

HousekeepingHome School Co-op

Book StoreWorship Ministry

Home Fellowships

Contact the Church office if you would like to find out

how to be part of any of these ministries.(775) 856-1110

Capilla de Calvario, Tejaro, Mexico (Calvary Chapel Tejaro, Mexico)

Pastor Salomon and his wife Rosario thank you for your continued prayers and support. They ask that you would continue to pray for the children who came to VBS as well as the 4 adults who were saved.

Email: If you wish to email them capilladelcalvariotejaro@gmail.com

Online Financial Support: www.ssmfi.org Account # 4037

By Mail: Shepherd’s Staff P.O. Box 53640, Albuquerque, NM 87153-3640 Account # 4037

HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED AT CALVARY CHAPEL? First: Present yourself to God (Romans 12:1) for confirmation that He has planted you in this fellowship. If so, then discover your gifts and God’s calling in your life. Second: Study to show yourself approved unto God (2 Timothy 2:15). As you grow in your relationship with God, let Him prepare you for effective service. Third: Be doers of the Word (James 1:22). Commit yourself to the work of Jesus Christ in this fellowship, and get involved as a yielded vessel to God’s guiding anywhere He directs.

COME, LORD JESUS(Even So, Come) Passion(Chris Tomlin, Jess Cates and Jason Ingram)

All of creationAll of the earthMake straight a highwayA path for the LordJesus is coming soon

Call back the sinnerWake up the saintLet every nation shout of Your fameJesus is coming soon

Like a bride waiting for her groomWe'll be a Church ready for YouEvery heart longing for our KingWe singEven so comeLord Jesus, come

Even so comeLord Jesus, come

There will be justice

All will be newYour name foreverFaithful and trueJesus is coming soon

Like a bride waiting for her groomWe'll be a Church ready for YouEvery heart longing for our KingWe singEven so comeLord Jesus, come

Even so comeLord Jesus, come

So we waitWe wait for YouGod, we waitYou're coming soon

Like a bride waiting for her groomWe'll be a Church ready for YouEvery heart longing for our KingWe sing

Even so comeLord Jesus, come

Calvary Chapel Reno-Sparks September-October 2015 Page �3

MINISTRIES

Women’sGreeters

1 Thesselonians 5:11“Therefore comfort

each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing”

Do you have a happy heart and a smiley

face? How many of you have been blessed when you have walked in on Sunday morning with a “Happy Hello”?

If you would like to be part of the Women’s Ministry Greeters we would LOVE to have

you!

Please fill out a ministry questionnaire

and turn it in to our Church Office.

You will then be contacted by Hoppy Sanchez who will set up a meeting with you and get you started as

a Women’s Ministry Greeter.

Ministry ContactsSingle Mom’s Ministry: Melissa Crutcher

Widow’s Ministry: Patsy WaltonMeal’s Ministry: Tammy Rimack

Single Mom’s Ministry will be getting together on Sunday, September 13 at 12:30pm and also on, Friday, October 16th at 6:30pm.

HIS FRAGRANCE OF HIS LOVE

As I was thinking about the theme for this newsletter, “The Pleasing Fragrance of Christ”, I began to think about the word “fragrance”. It caused me to think about all the different perfumes and sprays that I have. I then looked up the word fragrance in 2 Corinthians 2:14 “fragrance of His knowledge” and the Greek word is “osme” meaning “a smell or odor”. I also noticed, what I thought was the same word in verse 15, “fragrance of Christ”, which is actually another word in the Greek “eudoia” which means “a sweet smell or fragrance. It stated that it is the efficiency in which the power of Christ Himself is at work and it is well pleasing to God.

I then started to ask myself, “What kind of smell or odor do I leave with others?” What fragrance am I putting on daily? If I am clothing myself in Christ and allowing Him to diffuse the fragrance of Christ, then I am a sweet smell to those around me, suffice to say, if I am not putting on Christ daily, oh Lord what kind of smell or odor am I leaving others with?

God has placed me in a secular job during this season of my life. I am working in a two woman office with a non-believer as my boss. I know that God gave me this job; it is so flexible allowing me to continue to do the ministry that He has called me to with Women’s worship at both the Monday morning and evening studies and it allows me to continue to give guitar lessons rising up the next generation of worship leaders. I also know God placed me there to diffuse the fragrance of His knowledge to my boss and all those I come in contact with at my workplace.

Recently I have undergone a very demeaning time which almost led me to quit, but with much prayer and with God tenderly showing me that my time there is not done, I am reminded by these theme scriptures what my assignment is.

“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing”.

I had to realize that although what was said to me was very hurtful, it was a battle in the spiritual realm and I could not fall for Satan’s tactics. John 10:10 says that the thief comes to steal, kill and destroy, but Jesus has come that we may have life and have it more abundant. God reminded me, through a precious sister, that I was being used to show my boss Jesus. God, through me, was diffusing His fragrance of LOVE. I had to forgive so that God, through my vessel, could continue to diffuse His LOVE to her. Ladies, just a little leaven, leavens the whole lump, yes even a tiny bit of bitterness left in the heart, clogs the arteries and the pure flow of His LOVE is not able to be diffused. If this was left over a period of time, I am sure that clog would cause not only a hideous stench, but would eventually stop the flow. I chose to forgive and God is again able to use my vessel as a vessel of honor for His glory. Verse 16 says, “To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life”. It is not under my control whether one chooses death or life, but it is under my control to allow Jesus to diffuse the fragrance of LOVE through me.

So I ask this question to you? Are you being a “bad smell or odor” to those God has put in your path or are you being a “sweet smell of fragrance”? It might be time to change your perfume.

Simply His, Pam Snyder

Calvary Chapel Reno-Sparks September-October 2015 Page �4

Drawing Near to the Heart of God by Cynthia Heald

(Women’s Ministry Book Selection)

“Explore a life devoted to walking with God. As we travel through life’s struggles and joys, we face new crossroads daily that lead to different destinations. It is helpful to have someone prepare and equip you for what to expect and how to make wise choices.

No matter where you are on your journey, best-selling author Cynthia Heald (Becoming a Woman Of . . . series) wants to guide and mentor you in order to draw you closer to the Father’s heart and keep you on the

well-trodden path of past seekers of God. Drawing Near to the Heart of God (formerly A Woman’s Journey to the Heart of God) will encourage you to

keep your hand in His for your lifetime pilgrimage.

By combining personal insights with Scripture and wisdom from some of the great Christian devotional writers, Cynthia engages with you to reflect on where you are now, where you’d like to be, and how far you’ve already come.”

Joyful Books Book Club Ministry:

Joyful Books Book Club Ministry will be meeting on Wednesday mornings from

9:30am-10:30am. @ Starbucks, 5280 Longley Ln.

MINISTRIES

JOYFUL BOOKS

BOOK CLUB MINISTRYMatthew 5:16

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Joyful Books Book Club Ministry is a

group of Women who meet each week to discuss the current

Women’s Ministry Book Selection.

The Book Club is designed to be a time

of fellowship and encouragement as we share examples of how the Lord is growing and changing our hearts to

become more like Jesus.

Anyone is welcome to join at anytime.

Book Club meets at Starbucks at 5280 Longley, about (5) minutes South of Calvary Chapel.

Contact Kelly for more information.

775-843-0650call/text

SLOW  COOKER  APPLE  BUTTER  

INGREDIENTS:  6½  pounds  apples,  peeled,  cored  and  sliced    1  cup  granulated  sugar  1  cup  brown  sugar  1  tablespoon  ground  cinnamon  ½  teaspoon  ground  nutmeg  ¼  teaspoon  ground  cloves  ¼  teaspoon  salt  1  tablespoon  vanilla  extract  

DIRECTIONS:  1.  Place  apples  in  slow  cooker.  In  a  medium  bowl,  whisk  together  the  sugars,  cinnamon,  nutmeg,  cloves  and  salt.  Sprinkle  over  the  

apples  and  stir  gently  to  combine.  Cook  on  low  for  10  hours.  

2.  Stir  in  vanilla  extract,  breaking  up  any  large  chunks  of  apples  that  remain.  Cover  and  cook  for  an  additional  2  hours.  

3.  Remove  cover  and  use  an  immersion  blender  to  puree  the  apple  butter  until  completely  smooth.  (Alternately,  you  could  puree  in  batches  in  a  food  processor  or  regular  blender.)  If  you  want  the  apple  butter  thicker,  you  can  continue  to  cook  it  on  low  with  the  lid  of  the  slow  cooker  slightly  ajar  so  that  steam  can  escape.  

4.  Allow  the  mixture  to  cool,  then  spoon  into  jars  and  store  in  the  refrigerator  for  up  to  2  weeks,  or  freeze  for  up  to  2  months.  

Calvary Chapel Reno-Sparks September-October 2015 Page �5

The Fragrance of Christ by Beverly Chong

I have to admit I have always been one of those ladies that have to complete her daily ensemble with a few sprays of a lovely fragrance. Whether to go out on a dinner date, run errands, or work in my yard, it just doesn’t seem right until I surround myself with a lovely scent. I truly have to laugh at myself, remembering back to my farm days. Just to dress in my farm clothes, getting ready for work on my crops or to care for the hogs, my war paint (make up) and hair-do wasn’t complete without a few sprays! Then, the really funny part is when my children would plead with me not to wear my “pig clothes” (as they put it) to the parent/teacher conferences. Well…my goodness, why not? I had my hair in place, make-up on and I smelled nice, I would tell them! “MOM” they would scowl in horror. Boy, did they shudder with disgrace at times! Are any of you like that or know what I mean? Well, this scenario is somewhat similar to the fragrance of Christ, whom God has dressed up and enveloped us with.

2 Corinthians 2:14, 15, reads “Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. (15) For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.”

You see, when we invite Jesus to come into our lives, being filled with His love and bathed in His word, we become infused with the alluring fragrance of Christ, which pleases our God. Once infused, He uses us to draw close to one another, uplifting, helping, encouraging and loving our fellow Christian sisters and brothers. And, the more we fall in love with Him, yielding to His Will and direction in our lives, the more fragrant we become. A similar reaction happens with someone who doesn’t know Christ. Your spiritual pheromone will magnetically draw someone to you, especially when they see the peace and joy you display while living in a world that has none; a world that is growing more corrupt daily, by the minute, a world tormented and manipulated by Satan himself, our enemy. Your Christ infused fragrance will cause them to want to know what makes you so vibrant. They will become curious and wonder, and possibly inquire what your secret is, which will allow you to share Jesus with them. In the same token, for the one that absolutely does not want anything to do with our Lord and Savior, or pooh hoo’s God all together, your spiritual fragrance will be extremely offensive.

God gave everyone a will; a choice to desire and choose Him over eternal death and separation from the One who created and holds our whole being together, or to refuse His gift of eternal life through Christ. How sad indeed, but because He is a gentleman, He will not force anyone to choose what they don’t want. Have a blessed “Exude your Fragrance” kind of day.

MINISTRIES

WOMEN’S

BIBLESTUDY

2 Timothy 2:15“Be diligent to present

yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed,

rightly dividing the word of truth.”

Calvary Chapel Women’s Ministry Bible

Study meets in small groups on both

Monday mornings at 10am and Monday

evenings at 6:30pm.

Short devotionals taught by various

teachers are preceded by a discussion of the weekly lesson within

the small groups.

Child care is provided during the Monday morning Bible study

only.

Please Contact Sandie Luitwieler or

DiAnn Wolfe for more information.“…Things that Matter...”

Saturday, October 17, 2015 Calvary Chapel Reno-Sparks Women’s Conference

Visit: https://www.youtube.com/user/CalvaryRenoSparks

Radio: 87.9FM & 103.3FM in the Reno Area “Pure Milk of the Word”Saturday’s 1:00PM

Calvary Chapel Reno-Sparks September-October 2015 Page �6

Sharing Lives,a Bible study for young adult women, meets Thursday evenings

6:30-8:30 at Calvary Chapel in the 3rd & 4th grade classroom. This is an ongoing study for young adults who are currently not married and do not have children. You are invited to join us any time. We base this ministry on Titus 2:3-5. For more information, please call Kimmie at 775-745-5688.

MINISTRIESChildren’s Ministry

Proverbs 22:6“Train up a chid in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.

Conversation Starters

Today God helped me at school when…I showed someone God’s love today when I…I experienced God’s power today when…I trusted God today I know God loves me because today…

HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED IN CHILDREN’S MINISTRY? Once you have attended Calvary Chapel Reno-Sparks for at least 6 months, and you have made this church your home, you will need to fill out a Children’s Ministry questionnaire and turn it in to the church office. Pastor Juan will then contact you.

Yes, God’s Fragrance is on the Move in England!! by Diana Bickford

People just love stories. I saw this in the face of those inquiring regarding my visit home to Yorkshire, England, this summer. Many were asking, especially my precious sisters in the Lord who know the eagerness with which I desire to take the marvelous love of Christ back home and spread it around as He so leads.

So I’d show pictures, describe the beautiful rolling hills and dales of Yorkshire, the rugged coastline, and the flowers – so many beautiful flowers! And more importantly, how and where God provided Divine Appointments!

I met Shalini Lobo, a beautifully gracious sister from India who lives and serves in Putney, London. We spent a day out that she had planned for us in London and did lots of walking! I mean she went all out! We didn’t have the time in one day to do all that she had hoped we might. What a delight. I was not a Christian upon leaving England in 1978, so returning now with ‘new eyes’, it is such a treat to be shown some Christian Heritage sights I’ve not before seen myself.

We had lunch at the Salvation Army Headquarters where outside, the large glass windows of the building have scripture painted all around. How many bustling business people might not even stop or notice the words of life written there.

However, after lunch how uplifting it was to be taken to hear the Aldersgate Talks at St. Bartolph’s Church, which dates back to the 1600’s. I was encouraged to see businessmen seeking God through hearing speakers on various topics of His Word over their lunch hour! And afterwards to stroll the garden and see the monument of John Wesley!

I shared with Shalini, how encouraged I had been also the previous week as I’d visited the North of England, my hometown of Hull, Yorkshire. Many have commented that much of Europe is in the dark as regards faith in God. I know that is true in many regards, and how I’ve prayed for the light of Christ to sweep across my home city. Knowing our Lord desires that none should perish.

During my Yorkshire trip I had managed to attend the Calvary Chapel of York. It’s a beautiful campus,

very close to the Castle Wall. Welcomed by Pastor Dave Sylvester from Arizona, and his congregation, I was thrilled and so thankful to hear that they had been praying for my city of Hull for quite some time! They have plans to plant a Calvary there, and/or College classes!

Is there anything more exciting than being where God is on the move? I don’t think so. So in eager anticipation of what God is doing, we wait and we pray.

Calvary Chapel Reno-Sparks September-October 2015 Page �7

Aroma of Victorious Love by DiAnn Wolfe

My daughter-in-law, Lauren, introduced me to essential oils after discovering on Pinterest the many ways these oils can be of benefit to us. Apparently there are a variety of ways to apply the oils, one being aromatherapy where you disperse the oil into the air through a diffuser. Diffusers disperse essential oils as a fine vapor throughout the air so they can be absorbed gently into the body through the respiratory system. The diffuser is simply a way of distributing and spreading the contents into the air.

This is an interesting application that helps us understand the powerful truth of 2 Cor. 2:14 “Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.” Here are two compelling truths. One that… God…..who always….leads us…in triumph…in Christ… (I broke it down to emphasize each thought) and the second powerful truth; “and ….THROUGH US….diffuses…the fragrance…of HIS knowledge…in EVERY PLACE.”

The image Paul is illustrating would be meaningful to those believers in the Roman city of Corinth who were familiar with the parades celebrating the triumphant victories of battle. Incense burners were being carried in the front of the parade amongst the honored commander and his troops. The fragrance of incense being released through incense burners represented to those who inhaled its sweet perfume a reminder of the Roman victory and the victorious men who were marching before them.

As we look at the preceding verses in chapter 2 of 2 Corinthians we gain further insight to what led up to Paul’s statement in verse 14. The city of Corinth was a hub for immorality in the Roman Empire and in Paul’s previous letter to the church at Corinth he found it necessary to correct and instruct

the believers regarding this lingering immoral influence that this wicked city had on the church, as well as doctrine. It troubled him greatly “out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you, with many tears.” Paul had not heard back from Titus, who he sent to deliver the letter to the Corinthian church and was anxious to know how those in the church responded to it. Did they receive his correction and repent and have a heart to change? Paul had “anguish of heart”, he agonized hoping they “might know the love which I have so abundantly for you.” It says in verse 4.

Paul diffused the aroma of Christ, wherever he went, to some it would be the “aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life,” verse 16.

Do you recognize the fragrance of Christ? Have you inhaled it while in the presence of believers? It permeates to the depths of the soul, the heart, the emotions, the thoughts. It is the sacrificial love of Christ you are inhaling and it is the sacrificial love of Christ you are diffusing to those around you. Christ is the oil, we are simply the vessel.

“And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.” Eph. 5:2 The use of the word aroma in various scriptures throughout the bible, is the aroma of the sacrificial offering that rises up to the nostrils of God; it is a pleasing fragrance to God. It is the fragrance of victory, victory over sin and death, victory our enemy and God’s adversary Satan. Jesus, is the aroma of His love for us, His love for His Father in submitting to His will.

We are the living diffusers of Christ’s oil of victorious love to others. To a world bound by sin and darkness it can disperse life and light and the way to heal their broken souls. To our brothers and sisters in Christ love is an aroma which can give comfort, forgiveness, encouragement, and as we witness in Paul’s ministry, a correction when delivered in love can heal and restore.

MINISTRIES

FRUIT OF HER

HANDS Proverbs 31:31

“Give her of the fruit of her hands,

And let her own works praise her in the gates.”

Fruit of Her Hands is a giving ministry that meets at the Gardner home 4 times a year for fellowship and a

simple craft of sewing, quilting,

painting or cooking.

Many of the things we make we give to family, friends or our

community.Our meetings are

typically scheduled for the 2nd Saturday of the

months of:

March

May

September

NovemberFRUIT OF HER HANDS MINISTRY

Fruit of Her Hands Ministry is collecting FLEECE blanket material to make blankets for the Veteran’s at the VA hospital and for

Christmas on the Corridor. If you would like to donate please contact Kelly Gardner

775-843-0650 call/text

Calvary Chapel Reno-Sparks September-October 2015 Page �8

MINISTRIES

Widows Ministry

James 1:27“Pu re and undefi led religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, [and] to keep oneself unspotted from the world.”

The Widow’s Ministry meets on

Saturday 11am-1pm once a

month.

For more information contact

Patsy at 775-686-0655.

“The sweet incense of faith was released when her life and will were crushed.” (A Lineage of Grace; Francine Rivers. 2001)

Dear Sisters,

I’ve been going through a rough patch lately. Can any of you relate? God, who is sovereign, has allowed some big challenges into my life. In the midst of them, and after many months of testing and trials, I felt that God was asking, “Do you trust Me? Do you really trust that I “have plans for you . . . to give you a future and a hope?” (Jer. 29:11) “Yes Lord, I trust you.” “But do you trust Me with your life?” “No Lord, here is my limit. I find that my life is more precious to me than my absolute and complete trust in my You.”

More months, testing and trials . . . “Do you trust Me?” “Yes Lord, you know that I do.” “Even with your greatest worries, fears, and burdens? Can you give them to Me?” “Yes Lord, I will try to lay these down. “You know that I’ve told you to come to Me with your heavy burdens and I will give you rest.” (Mt. 11:28) “I’m trying Lord, truly. But I find that my worries, fears, and burdens have been my constant companions these many years. How do I leave them behind me as I travel this road?” “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.” (Mk. 8:34)

Some months, testing and trials later . . . “Do you trust Me?” “Lord, though You slay me, yet will I trust You.” (Job 13:15 paraphr.)

Ah, now we’re getting somewhere.

I am sure than many, if not most of my sisters in Christ have been on this journey in one form or another. It is part of the sanctification process as we learn to die to self and seek God’s will instead of our own. Our heavenly nature does not come easily. It must be contended for as we set aside our own agendas, plans, and wants, and exchange them for God’s higher purposes. Simply put,

Jesus “must increase, but (we) must decrease.” (Jn. 3:30) Our decrease, that is, subordinating our desires in obedience to Christ and learning to trust in Him completely, is the only way we will ever produce the kind of spiritual fruit that glorifies God and “diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.” (2 Cor. 2:14)

Our flesh cannot produce the fragrance of Christ. And what is this fragrance, exactly? It is no less than the power of Christ’s resurrection presented through the gospel message. Truly, it is life for all who call on the name of the Lord. (Rom. 10:13) In 2 Corinthians 2: 14-15 Paul speaks about “fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.” As Paul and Timothy and the early believers spread the gospel message, they shared Christ with those who had “an ear to hear.” (Mt. 11:15) When unbelievers hear and respond to His call, it is away from death to life, and that is sweetness indeed.

Jesus endured the crushing trial of the cross and separation from the Father for our benefit. When I think about what Jesus went through, it certainly puts my own trials in perspective. I have found that there is fellowship with our Lord in the pressing down of suffering. (Phil. 3:10) Granted, my trials are not related to suffering for Christ as Paul’s were, but I believe that God draws us closer to Him through our times of great need and dependence. This is when we see how big God is – and do we ever need a big God - and how we are but “the sheep of His pasture.” (Ps. 100:3)

“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (Jas. 1:4)

“Do you love Me?” “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” (Jn. 21:17)

Submitted by D. Walker

Calvary Chapel Reno-Sparks September-October 2015 Page �9

Sharing the Scent of Jesus Christ by Mary Jane Robinette

It should be our daily prayer for the fragrant scent of Jesus Christ to bathe us lavishly. We should completely surrender our mind and our heart to our Lord and Savior asking for His cleansing of anything within us that is not of Him, so that our prayers, the way we live our lives, can both be a sweet smelling aroma to Him. We should ask for a pure heart and a clean mind so that His Spirit can fill us to overflowing.

In 2Corinthians 2:14-15 NLT we read, “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.” We should pray these two verses everyday over ourselves and over those we pray for to come to know Jesus.

We are charged as Christians to share His fragrance with those who are seeking His presence and for those who are yet to be saved. Starting our day in prayer saturates the very air we breathe filling it with the sweet smelling aroma of Jesus and the love

and grace He freely gives to us. Prayer is our direct line of communication with God through Jesus Christ, our mediator and our hope. Not always do we get the opportunities to share verbally with others the message of salvation, but we can pray names, and we can pray our petitions and supplications to God.

How long has it been since you were so close to Jesus in prayer that your quiet inner self became infused with His aromatic fragrance bringing tears to your eyes? Prayer blesses us with the sweet scent of Jesus in our actions and details of our daily lives. We should pray like this…….

Father God, it is my privilege to come before Your throne of grace and kneel at Your feet in prayer. Cleanse me of anything that is not of You so that there is nothing within me hindering the sharing of Your message of salvation with those that I’ve been praying for, and for those You choose to put before me. I thank you for your constant instructions through Your Word and guidance in the knowledge of Your Son Jesus Christ. I pray that You will reveal through me the saving knowledge of Your Son to those who are awakening to His call and to those who are perishing. Receive these names ………. I bring before you now, as I pray for their salvation. Let Your fragrance through Your Holy Spirit pour from within me and spill over onto those I meet so that they can see the joy I live in knowing, loving and serving You. Through Your Son Jesus Christ I pray.

MINISTRIES

PRAYERPhilippians 4:6

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by

prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known

to God;”

Have you had a chance to PRAY

today? One the most joyful parts of being a Christian is the time spent in prayer. This special relationship

between you and the Father is an important part of your growth as you get to know the

Father’s heart.

At Calvary Chapel there are several

opportunities to get together with other believers and pray

corporately. Please consider taking the time and joining in

prayer for the body of Christ as well as for

our Missionaries.

Women’s PrayerWednesday Evenings

6:00pm

Thursday Mornings10:00am

Missions Prayer1st Sunday of the month after 2nd

service in the foyer.

Our August Women's Koinonia by Mary Jane Robinette

What an awesome time of fellowship, delicious food both physically and spiritually we shared today at the Women's Koinonia at Calvary Chapel Reno/Sparks. Our speaker Sandie Luitwieler, gave a excellent message on Growing in the Lord and how our walk reflects to others just how much our lives are dedicated to loving and serving our Lord Jesus Christ. We need to spend as much time with Jesus in prayer and in reading His

Word as we do spending our time on worldly incidentals. She reminded us that how much time we spend with Jesus is all up to us. We all desire to leave a legacy of some sorts, so it should be our daily goal to build a

legacy in our walk that will inspire those who come behind us. Everything we need to grow in life spiritually and to make our worldly life to glorify the Lord, is in our bibles. Thank you Sandie, you message was inspired by the Holy Spirit. We cannot live daily in the world and be a godly woman who is growing in the Lord, unless

we stay in prayer and in the Word and have more of Christ in our walk and less of ourselves.

Home School Co-Op: contact Heather at calvarychristianhomeschool@gmail.com or 775-475-0998

Calvary Chapel Reno-Sparks September-October 2015 Page �10

If you would like to have a copy of this newsletter emailed to you, so you may print in color or share with friends and family, email your name to gardner.joyfullbooks@gmail.com.

CALVARY CHAPEL Reno-Sparks

1 Peter 2:2“as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the

word, that you may grow thereby”

220 Edison Way, Reno, NV 89502 (775) 856-1110 Church Office www.calvarychapelreno.org

Calvary Chapel Pastors Tom Luitwieler, Senior Pastor Rob Wolfe, Admin Pastor Juan Rodriguez, Youth Pastor Scott Cresta, Worship Pastor Leonard Sanchez, Missions/H.S. High Pastor

Church SecretaryKimmie Bowser

Pastors’ WivesSandie LuitwielerDiAnn WolfeJulie RodriguezHoppy Sanchez

PRAYER CHAIN

Ann (775) 673-1238 Eileen (775) 972-1790

CHURCH SERVICES

Sunday 9am &10:45am Wednesday 7:00 pm.

Iphone App https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/calvary-chapel-reno-sparks/id1023708440?mt=8

Android App https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=hr.apps.n206898398&hl=en

Do you want to know Jesus? Did you know you can take this time right now and invite Him to be your Lord and Savior, but most of all your best friend.

The first step to inviting Jesus into your heart is to admit you are a sinner and you desperately need him. The Bible tells us in Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” This means before we can come to know God we have to recognize we are a sinner.

Once we have recognized we are in need of a Savior the Bible tells us in Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” and in Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Finally, the Bible tells us in Romans 10:13 “For whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” and in Romans 10:9-10 “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes to righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made to salvation.”

Pray this prayer right now, “”Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.” Now go and tell others the GOOD NEWS of Jesus Christ!