Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Sweet Incense


 

Our Worship to God is as Sweet Smelling Incense
 

Our Bible Study opened with a printed call to worship, inspired by Ephesians 4:1-16 - “Lead a life worthy of the calling to which you are called.  Rejoice in the Oneness of Christ’s Body.”  I took notes and present an edited message here.

Our teacher was reminding us of the altar of incense in the tent tabernacle and that our worship is as incense to our God. 
 
We look for ways to help us to enter into His presence.  Focus on Jesus and come with a thankful heart reminding yourself of what He has done for you.  Allow your gratitude to create an atmosphere of God’s presence.  Build a sanctuary within your spirit for God.

In life things happen that are not pleasant, but He is able to meet our needs in spite of the circumstances.

The Song of Solomon is a love story and also an allegory of Jesus and our relationship with him as the bride of Christ.  We are reminded that marriage is holy.  Song of Solomon 1:3 Your ointments have a goodly fragrance; Your name is as ointment poured forth;

The church is spoken of as an altar of incense. 

2 Corinthians 2:15  For we are a sweet savor of Christ unto God, in them that are saved, and in them that perish;

We are a sweet fragrance as Christ indwells us.  We have the responsibility to be sincere and to walk holy before God.  
 
We are to be loving and attractive with the Gospel.  Some react badly to the Gospel because the light illuminates their pride and their sin.  John 3:  Darkness does not like the light, and the gospel may not agree with their opinion of being good enough to reach heaven on their own merit.

Remember - - It is the Holy Spirit who draws us to Christ. 

Exodus 30:7, 10  And Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense every morning: when he dressed the lamps, he shall burn incense upon it.  And Aaron shall make an atonement upon the horns of it once in a year with the blood of the sin offering of atonements: throughout your generations: it is most holy unto the LORD. 

Every morning the sweet incense was to be burnt, and God said, “I will meet you there.”  This was to be a daily routine of worship.    The aroma went out to the congregation and they became involved in the worship. 

The carefully chosen spices were crushed and then blended into a precious oil to be burnt daily.

Jesus shed His blood for us, and it pleased the Father to crush and bruise Him as the sacrifice for our sins.

God was pleased with Jesus and He has been elevated and exalted and given a Name above every Name.

Psalms 141:2  Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

Take time daily to pray and worship because your prayers are pleasing to God and are as incense.  Lift up your hands and praise God for his marvelous blessings to you. 

Affirm your worship to become a rhythm of life and your communication and relationship with him will increase. 
 
Be faithful and grateful and understand that God is Good and Worthy of our worship and of our praise.
 
 
 

2 comments:

caryjo said...

Thank you for sharing much of this. AND I'm focusing on Jesus! Bless you!!!

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