A Sweet Aroma – Heaven is Calling Lesson 12
Hello Everyone! Welcome to lesson 12 in the Bible Art Journaling Challenge series, Heaven Is Calling! I am here wrapping up (with this last lesson), what has been a really meaningful series of connecting with a good God. You can start, or keep accessing this full series here on my blog for free.
The 2017 Bible Art Journaling Challenge series
Before we start with this last lesson… if you have watched, or enjoyed, any of my previous Bible Art Journaling Challenges in the past, would you do something for me? Firstly, sign up below so that I can make sure you get information about the next series I’ll be releasing in the new year. I do hope you’ll consider joining me. I can email you with details as I pull plans together and even share sneak peeks! 🙂
Secondly, will you pop into the comments section below and briefly share your experience of the Bible Art Journaling Challenge? I’d love to hear your story and it will also be helpful to those wondering if they should participate in any way.
Heaven Is Calling Lesson 12
And now, let’s get started with this lesson!
Page Prep
My in-depth online course Page Prep, is about the spiritual and practical foundations of Bible journaling. I mentioned in my video that I’ll be opening enrollment in late January and the only way to get the early-bird discount is to register your interest (which gets you free page prep tips). You can head to PagePrep.com and if you want to learn more. There are nearly 300 students in session currently and we’ve had such a wonderful time growing in God together!
Scripture
I used my Single Column ESV Journaling Bible, for this lesson and the scripture for this challenge is 2 Corinthians 2:14-15 which I’m sharing with you here from the NASB translation…
14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. 15 For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing;
A sweet aroma
In the video lesson, I read to you in the ESV translation. Each Bible translation says things slightly different to the next one, but the point is the same. The apostle Paul, was writing from a place of pain about a conflict that had been bad enough to cause him to want to postpone a visit to the church he was writing.
I urge you to stick on a pot of coffee, tea, hot chocolate… whatever… and read the FULL 13 chapters of the book in one sitting. If you can, try reading the 1 Corinthians book in the same way the day before. It’s 16 chapters long. Or, just commit to read the whole two over 4 days. Just get it all in during a short space of time to grasp a fuller picture. Read it knowing that Paul was writing to the church in Corinth and addressing various things. There is SO MUCH valuable wisdom to learn from this corner of the Bible when seeking to grasp what Paul was hoping that those in Corinth could grasp.
In this section of scripture, there are MANY ways which different parts of Christendom would translate things. I always prefer to keep things simple to understand and applicable to daily life.
In that thread of thinking… there is but one thing for me to say about this section of scripture. We MUST live in a way that produces the aroma of Christ. Last time I checked, His fragrance brings life to the dying. If my scent is not doing the same, I am not reflecting Him properly. We must ask ourselves the hard question and be very truthful with ourselves. Are we releasing the aroma of Christ? Or are we stinking up our environment?
Why does this matter when we’re talking about connecting with a good God in this Heaven Is Calling series? Because the only (and I do mean only), way that we can be a sweet aroma of Christ, is by being in His presence. Have you ever sat next to a wet dog? Give yourself a couple of brief minutes next to them and you’re likely to have people nearby holding their nose the rest of your day. Why? Because smell sticks to what it’s around. Cook and your clothes and hair will smell like dinner.
When we sit in God’s presence and embrace His friendship so He can encounter us with His goodness, it rubs off on us and the aroma is sweet to anyone who we come into contact with. That sweet aroma is a byproduct of being with God and I simply MUST make it my responsibility to be the breath of fresh air that wafts Jesus across a room with such beauty that everyone wants a bigger sniff of who I’ve been hanging out with. Let us all make that our goal. To simply enjoy Jesus so much that it transforms our lives and thus, the lives of those around us.
I’d love to hear from you in the comments below! If you’re new here, we have lots of helpful people in our community who pop into the comments and share ideas and thoughts you may want to check out. If you’ve not seen lesson one yet, I encourage you to start at the beginning so we can go on a journey together in this free 12-part devotional series. It’s not too late to join in, (it never is!) and I’d rather you start anywhere, than not at all.
Bible journaling supplies featured today
As promised, here are the supplies I featured, in this lesson. I hope they help you find anything you may want to try out. All links will lead to my affiliate partners, Dayspring (DS), Scrapbook.com (SB), Amazon (AZ), Simon Says Stamp (SSS), and United Kingdom Suppliers (UK), with the exception of other links provided freely to support your process. These supplies are purely optional and you are free to participate with whatever you have, using the devotional for this lesson. Thanks for your support!
Join me in this Bible Art Journaling Challenge
You can find answers to most any question you may have about participating in this challenge, on the Bible Art Journaling Challenge page and learn more about this devotional series, on the Heaven Is Calling page which holds the lesson archive, supplies list and and how to join in!
Be sure to head over to our Facebook group or Google+ Community, to chat about this Bible Art Journaling Challenge and get started on your own creativity!
Many of you ask if it is okay to share these posts with your friends. Please share! It is a simple way you can partner with me to impact lives. And remember, you can join this challenge any date you wish. The community is always growing and you are welcome to participate whenever you want!
Additional Resources
I regularly get requests for advice on choosing a Journaling Bible and this free complete guide, is my answer to all the questions. It even has a free checklist for choosing a Journaling Bible.
I also regularly get questions about supplies I recommend for Bible art journaling. I’ve created linked recommendations on my Bible Art Journaling Supplies page, to make your starter choices easier.
Lastly, you can find a general supply list for this Heaven Is Calling, Bible Art Journaling Challenge devotional series, here.
If you have not done so yet, be sure to subscribe to my emails, so you can be first to know when I release new content!
Thanks for joining me. Please take a moment and comment below! I’d love to hear from you!
You are loved. x
*Scripture quotations taken from the NASB © The Lockman Foundation, used with permission.
*Artwork completed in the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
*Links take you to my affiliate partners, Dayspring (DS), Scrapbook.com (SB), Amazon.com (AZ), Simon Says Stamp (SSS), and Amazon.co.uk (UK). And, occasionally to other shops whom I am not an affiliate of. When you find deals which I’ve recommended through my affiliate partners, I get supported. This has no effect on you and makes a real difference for me. You may view my affiliate and product disclosure for more info on how this works. Thank you, I so appreciate your support, which helps me support your creative journey with God!
(2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
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Dec 1, 2016 @ 7:29 pm
What a beautiful journey this has been! I only started with you in June of this year. I had never done Bible Art Journaling and I cant remember how I found you…was definitely a Spirit led discovery! I admit that I jump around your lessons and don’t always do the same artwork, but use the technique and that is really the bonus part for me. Your reflections are what keep me coming back and you have opened up Scripture to me in a whole new and incredibly gratifying way! I have even branched out and have done a few passages all on my own and through the art, God truly reveals so much more to me because the art part calms me, creativity is such a God-given gift!! THANK YOU for reaching across the ocean (I am in Pennsylvania, USA), thank you for keeping the real reason you do this so evident! AND thank you for the links as well – so very helpful. God’s blessings to your ministry 🙂 Now, to dive into this lesson…
Dec 1, 2016 @ 11:15 pm
I love this page. I found the single extra fine tip pen on Amazon here in the US. Maybe after Christmas. LOL
Dec 1, 2016 @ 11:28 pm
I absolutely agree with Cindy’s comment, it has indeed been a beautiful journey with you. I came across your Bible art journaling quite by accident and it has given me the confidence to journal in my own Bible. It is not just the art and useful hints that I look forward to but the devotions are what I love the most. In your videos you talk honestly and with a very evident love for our Lord and Saviour. It is almost as if you are sitting across from me at my own kitchen table. What a beautiful ministry you are doing and I am glad that I chanced by you. I have shared your devotions with others (I am in New Zealand) and showing others my creative Bible (when they ask about it), gives me an opening to sharing God’s Word.
Dec 2, 2016 @ 4:20 am
Have done all your challenges and classes. Have so grown under your tutelage and further in my walk with God
Dec 2, 2016 @ 6:42 am
Hi Rebekah
Thank you so much for you wonderful posts both the art tutorials/vidoes and the devotionals. I have found the art information very helpful as I knew nothing about the materials you have suggested. Page prep tremendously useful -various pens markers to use etc In the past the creativity was there but bad results due to inadequate information as to what to use. Now so much better
Your devotionals are great too! As I am an avid Bible reader, I love to /find/work in threes eg -God is love light life – which I find useful for quick creative ventures.
You have transferred to UK – I too am transferred from Canada- here 12 years now -marriage. Thank you again for sharing your talents with all of us our here in
“web land”
Dec 2, 2016 @ 1:08 pm
I am really new to bible journaling. I thank you so much for taking the time to show us how you interpreted each study with your art. I wouldn’t know where to start and would definitely have had blank page syndrome, if I had not followed some of the tutorials. I am also really enjoying the bible study part tremendously, I can relate to what you are saying and it’s a blessing.
So now I’m going to slowly add to my art supplies ( and drop large Christmas hints to my family) and work through the complete study. I look forward to the next one too.
Dec 2, 2016 @ 5:38 pm
Ive followed along for 2 years now with Rebekahs bible journaling. i havent gotten them all done, but they have introduced me to the world of bible art journaling. it has made doing devotionals easier and more pleasant, and really helped me connect with Jesus and immerse myself in the word. i now look foreard to delving into His word on ab almkst daily basis. Thank you Rebekah for doing this so selflessly, you have enriched the biblical life of hundreds of thousands of us!
Dec 27, 2016 @ 1:40 am
I just watched your “Heaven is Calling” video (last one) again. I realized that I have watched several of your videos more than once. I keep telling myself that I want to try journaling in my Bible and I recently bought one for myself for that purpose. I haven’t begun yet. I wanted to share with you though, your words as to a “good God” and His love have helped me through a difficult year.
Dec 28, 2016 @ 11:17 pm
Hi Rebekah, I found your Bible Art Journalling challenge when you were just beginning and I have loved it ever since. I have been thoroughly blessed by your blogs and tutorial videos. You have helped me to meditate, to chew over Gods word in new ways and I have enjoyed your insights. The art tutorials and lessons on how to use various products have been amazing. I have always loved to create in whatever way I can find and I feel like your lessons have opened new doors to me. Life has been so challenging this year I have not had the time I wanted to put into the discipline of meditating and Journalling but I look forward to beginning fresh this year. I pray many blessings on you and this ministry. This has been a fresh way I can share Gods word with friends and others.
Jan 18, 2017 @ 11:40 am
I loved the Lesson 12 message!! <3 Thanks for the challenge. It really spoke to me xx
Jan 22, 2017 @ 5:38 am
I am just finishing lesson 12 and have been blessed by the whole series. I have never done any Bible art journaling before, so I have been using a sketchbook. I love the idea of combining Scripture and art.
Jan 24, 2017 @ 10:47 pm
I dont get around very good in social media, but you said in the video on King Josiah, that we should let you know if we like to hear you teach. I very much enjoy listening about the story you are journaling. I havent gotten a journaling Bible or started all of this but have almost all the supplies because I make greeting cards so i am a paper crafter already. I have been a Christian for 41 years and am going to love this new creative journaling. Thanks for explaining how to get started. I was being hesitant about where to get what. God bless you and your ministry.
Jan 29, 2017 @ 3:26 pm
Rebekah, first I want to thank you for this entire series, I have learned so much and had extraordinary fun along the way. I love these lessons as I did the first challenge. I am looking forward to the next you are doing “Deeper Still!” Blessings to you and please continue!
Sep 13, 2017 @ 11:42 pm
I just finished doing my tulip drawing with Prismacolor Premier colored pencils. Instead of coloring directly on my Bible page, I colored on a 7″ x 2″ matte white sticker, which I plan to adhere to the margin of my page. You did not mention anything about a fixative; do I need to spray my colored pencil work with a fixative in order to keep it from smudging once my Bible is closed?
Oct 6, 2017 @ 11:40 pm
I can’t get any of your free traceable to download. It appears they may be made with Dropbox? It sort of flashes something about Dropbox on the screen then it stays blank. Any ideas as to how I can get these beautiful tulips? Thanks so much. I have enjoyed so much and learned so much that I am embarrassed to ask for more from you. Linda
Nov 3, 2017 @ 3:34 pm
I appreciate so much all these “challenges” and studies! Your heart shines and you are one of those people I love to be around (even if it’s only via the internet), I am so blessed by you and your love of our Jesus!
Dec 5, 2017 @ 4:31 pm
when you finished the background and “spritzed” the page, what did you use?
Jul 5, 2019 @ 10:00 pm
Another awesome lesson!
This course was so amazing…drew me closer to the Lord.
Thank you for all your hard work, and long hours you put into this series.
Jan 14, 2020 @ 7:20 pm
Hi, Rebekah ~ I found your YouTube video. What beautiful work you do. I am unable to download the tulip drawing. I’ve tried several different browsers – none could open it. Is there any other way?
Thank you so much.