After yesterday’s writing I still have fire on my mind. Today, I thought of this scripture found in Leviticus 2:9 which says, “It is an offering made by fire, a sweet aroma to the Lord.”
In Genesis 8:20-21, we see Noah, after the flood, offering a sacrifice to the Lord. “Then Noah built an altar to the Lord and took of every clean animal and of every clean bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar. And the Lord smelled a soothing aroma.”
I began to think about offerings and how God sees them. In those days, all offerings were made by fire. In other words, the men of God built a fire, placed the sacrifice on it and the smell of it burning arose to God and He knew someone, somewhere was offering something to Him. Someone somewhere was worshipping Him.
Philippians 4:17-19 says, “Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. Indeed, I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
And finally, Ephesians 5:2; “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.”
Someone somewhere was worshipping Him.
This scripture tells us that Jesus Christ, Himself, was an offering to God…a sweet-smelling aroma. In lieu of the article from yesterday, I believe we too are offerings to God. Especially when we are walking through the fire.
If we are going through a really hard time, yet we take the time to thank God for who He is in our life and worship and praise Him – in the midst of it – I firmly believe it arises to God as a sweet-smelling sacrifice.
Acts 10:4 says, “Cornelius stared at him in fear and asked, “What is it, Lord?” The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have ascended as a memorial offering before God. “
Our prayers and worship, ascend to God. They rise to Him. And when those are a sacrifice, they produce a sweet-smelling aroma to God, just as they did in days of old.
The same is true when you give an monetary offering to God that is hard to give. When you find yourself in lack financially yet you honor God with your tithe – that is a sweet-smelling sacrifice. When God asks you to give an offering to someone at the very time you really need that money – that too is a sweet-smelling sacrifice.
Those times you gave out of simple obedience. Or those times you gave because you loved God so much you had to give…they arose to Him, as a pleasing, sweet-smelling aroma…one that pleased His heart.
Just as the woman who washed Jesus’ feet, then perfumed them with a sweet-smelling aroma was showing her love for Him. In the same manner, when you give, or when you worship and praise God in the midst of difficulties, you show your love for God. It is pleasing to Him. He savors it. It is an endearing scent of your love to Him. One He cherishes.
That is what He is showing me today. Each time I give to Him, each time you give to Him, it is a pleasing aroma – a sweet smelling sacrifice. Whether we are giving financially or giving our praise to Him.
Philippians 4:19 in speaking about this sweet-smelling aroma of giving, goes on to say… “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
My prayer for you today is this; “May your gifts, your offerings, your alms, arise unto God today, ministering to Him a sweet-smelling aroma. As that happens, may my God supply ALL YOUR NEEDS, according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. This very day. Amen and So Be It.”
Appoint My Days
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me today. Father, your anointing is on me. It breaks yokes off the oppressed, causes blind eyes to see, deaf ears to hear, hearts to open and understand. It causes the sick to be healed, needs to be met, and it draws full attention to Your Word. Father, Your Word is alive in me today! Revelation knowledge flows out of me every day. I operate in the gifts of the Spirit as the Spirit wills today.
Luke 4:18, Isaiah 61; I Cor. 12
