It is a burnt offering, a food offering, an aroma pleasing to the Lord. Leviticus 1:9
Now we’re in the part of the Bible that talks about sacrifices. The people would bring their offerings (sheep, goats or young pigeons) to be accepted on their behalf as an atonement for them, an “aroma pleasing to the Lord.”
Noah (in Genesis 8:21) was the first to please God with his burnt offering aroma.
I am fascinated by this phrase (used many more times throughout the Bible), and I wanted to know more.
What aroma? The smell of the meat of the animals cooking on the altar? What’s going on?
No way, the burnt offerings must have had a horrible stench. To think of all those animal sacrifices and the atmosphere of the place boggles my mind.
No, God was smelling the aroma of changing hearts, hearts that were human and sinful, now worshipping Him! It’s a picture of men relinquishing wicked ways and yielding their lives to the Father.
“We give to you our all, Lord.”
How refreshing this must have been to the Lord when sincere hearts presented themselves to Him in such a way. How He must have rejoiced at the passion for Him at the center of their being.
Of course, Jesus became THE once-and-for-all, the final sacrifice when He died on the cross, and animal sacrifices were no longer necessary. Hisoffering of Himself was for a sweet-smelling savor to God. (Ephesians 5:2)
As followers of Christ, we lay our own lives down daily as a living sacrifice holy and pleasing to God (Romans 12:1). And all throughout the New Testament we are called a “fragrance of Christ to God, “ as seen in II Corinthians 2:15-16 and many other such verses.
The aroma we give off is the humble, surrendering attitude of our hearts. It is an experience of satisfaction by God. He is soothed and pleased!
I’m discovering that the more I am this sweet aroma to God, I am also so very pleased within myself. I am soothed as well when I’m following His sacred will.
Lord, may the sacrifice of my life bring you rest and peace. Sometimes, it hurts to be here on this earth. I give these burdens, so very heavy, to you. Make me strong and brave to go forward in the things you ask of me, holding nothing back. May my sacrifice be holy and pleasing to you. Thank you that Jesus paved the way for us to know the pleasure of your pleasure as you felt with Him. We want our lives to reflect the changed hearts you have called forth in us. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” Genesis 32:26
As we continue the journey with Jacob, he now leaves the place where he married and bore children to return to Canaan. Facing an age-old fear rooted in a guilty conscience, he prepares to meet his brother, the brother who watched his birthright and firstborn blessing slip from his fingers because of his own folly and Jacob’s deception.
Esau, in a rage of fury, promised to kill Jacob for robbing him of what was rightfully his. But, Jacob took off in a hurried fright to distance himself safely from his brother.
Now, 20 years later, including several encounters with God, Jacob decided to send messengers to tell his brother he was coming home. God had assured him time and again that He would care for him. The messengers followed through and then returned to Jacob with the news, “He is coming to meet you with 400 men!”
Jacob cringed in a dreadful panic. Dividing his flocks, he sent them ahead and prayed with everything in him. He selected and sent gifts to his brother. His family was sent ahead as well.
Now he was alone. And God answered Jacob’s prayers with a mysterious event: “A man wrestled with him till daybreak.” Genesis 32:24
Jacob, weak and emotionally heavy ladened with his guilt of the past, apparently needed to face God (who appeared in the body of a man). Jacob clung to and clenched Him tight in a desperate, helpless grip. The “man” wrenched the socket of Jacob’s hip and exclaimed, “Let me go, for it is daybreak [time to go and face your brother].”
Perhaps God saw a boldyethumbledetermination in Jacob. God seemingly allowed Jacob to ‘conquer’ Him at a strategic moment of intense rassling. Something finally let go of Jacob on the inside. Maybe he was ready to release his deceitful ways for good and cling to God in abandoned, fierceness.
Notice, God did not take from Jacob his momentary triumph, for God had reached His goal: that Jacob would loosen himself of self-reliance and would turn only to Him.
Jacob received victory for that fight but God received Jacob’s heart.
We wrestle with God throughout our lives and don’t give up until we find ourselves clinging to the only One who will ever meet our truest desires. We finally let go to all we’ve been holding on, except to be blessed by Him. In the losing of what we thought we wanted, we overcome our real foe in the greatest battle of our lives and God steps up to claim His victory.
Mark 8:35 says, “For whoever wants to save their lifewill lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.”
Jacob clung to the man as he let go of everything else.
What did Jacob feel in those moments of such close fellowship with God (as man), however passionate was the strain? Was he learning that he must wrestle with His Maker before he can face himself and then his brother?
In verses 26-32, Jacob refused to let go until the man blessed him (this time the blessing would not come from deception but from a deep cry to His God).
The man asked for his name and after receiving the answer tells Jacob, “Your name will no longer be Jacob [the deceiver], but Israel [struggles with God or prince of God or fighter], because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.”
Jacob limped away with a physical reminder of his night of wrestling, saying, “I saw God face to face and yet my life was spared.”
Learning God’s truth is a process, an ever-increasing journey as we travel through life. God had been pursuing Jacob for a long time. In each encounter, Jacob came to know God even more.
The story shows us, that God wants us to know Him within our greatest passionate courage. He wants us to pursue Him enough to leave everything else behind (including our sins) and fearlessly win His blessing.
Perhaps, if this event had not occurred, Esau would have come after Jacob with a sword and Jacob would have fought for his rights that he had won so many years ago, however deceptive his tactic.
But something had changed in this most holy interaction. As the sun rose, Jacob, now Israel, armed with a blessing from God and with his thorn of the flesh (for he had been permanently injured by God), stumbled forward, a different man, to meet Esau, in his humbled state. Now, he would be delivered from Esau’s wrath.
These three: Abraham, Isaac and Jacob had to lay down their greatest desires and give all of themselves to God to confirm, in action, their love for Him.
These three remind us of what God asks of us. We have nights (and dark days) of wrestling through hard things (possibly because of sin, but not always). Sometimes, in the trial, God simply wants to call us to a new beginning with a new name.
In our heartbreaking moments when we feel so alone (even when surrounded by others), God sees an opening into our hearts.
Surely, we will strive with Him, not against Him. Yet, in reality, like a dance, the brilliance of God’s light moves in to wrestle with us.
When we are alone, we can lean in, we can listen and truly hear what God is fighting and calling forth in us in the battle. He is waiting to see our willingness to let go of all but Him. He is revealing our weakness and utter failure to fix our own lives. In the apparent loss of strength, we are learning to depend on The One who is mightier than ourselves.
Lord God, we cling to you with all we have and we won’t let go. In our frailest moments, as we limp forward in strenuous, loud cries of prayer, you are free to work your will in our lives. The limp becomes our joy and our blessing. We have no fight in our own strength. Only by your blessing can we proceed forward to conquer the old self, face our struggles in your power and might and become new. Move us during each wrestling event to unshakable faith and to more prayer than ever before. We surrender wholly to you. In Jesus name, Amen.
Run in such a way as to get the prize. I Cor. 9:24
Our lives are typically complicated, involved….busy!
We are in a hurry to get to our tasks and events. We run to our places of employment, to the grocery or to grab a bite to eat. Everything seems so urgent.
Even answering our cell phones in a timely manner holds such pressing importance.
It all has to be done now!
But if you don’t get it done…..What? What will happen? Will the world fall apart? Will you and others in your life survive if you take some time to aim at a higher goal?
I Corinthians 9:24-25 says, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.”
We go into strict training for what reason? To get a crown that will last forever!
Verse 26 says, “Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly.”
The aim is to run in such a way as to get the prize. Getting the prize is not something that happens through carelessness or accidental, haphazard choices.
To aim at something is to be involved and connected (mentally, emotionally and physically). It is a participation in the desired goal with all one’s heart and mind and soul.
What is the prize? Think of it as pursuing our higher calling from God or following after God’s ways and will. I press forward to become like Jesus. I desire to know the Lord God with all I am and all I have.
Father, set before me the right path to get this prize, the most important goal of my life. Show me your plans for me. Give me balance for everything else, but a passion for this one thing. My heart seeks to one day have that crown that will last forever. Show me the way. In Jesus name, Amen.
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33
Jesus was talking to His disciples about the hardships they were about to face.
No man escapes trouble. As followers of Christ, we want to learn to face these troubles well in the higher life we live with Him. Hardships are what show us what we’re made of. They test our true faith in God.
Each trial we go through seems to strengthen us for the next if we let it. Somehow the difficult circumstances turn into something productive and good in our lives. We come to a place of rest and trust in the Father. We experience His concern and care, no matter how long the wait.
In my old neighborhood, a large ash tree still stands in majestic splendor. We were told by the neighbors of an arborist they hired to save the tree from being destroyed. The tree was 300 years old and survived the borer insects that were killing the ash trees in the surrounding area. It survived not only the damage of the pesky insects but many more storms that came it’s way.
These wonderful trees along with the oaks, maples and others of solid, sturdy quality go through such blows and blasts in their great lives. They set their roots deep into the ground, making them stand stronger. Watch the trees during a storm. They bend, and then, once the storm is over, they bounce back, looking as if nothing has happened. They stand as does that 300 year old ash tree down the road (though, it needed a bit of help along the way).
So it is with us. When bad things happen because we are following Christ (who is our help) and not the world, we have the opportunity for so many things. We can: Let our roots grow deeper in Him. Aid our faith to be refined. Know He is holding us up in times of storm. Cry out more in our anguished prayers. Love those He puts in our paths. Stir us to a greater passion and zeal for His work. Serve His people and even our enemies.
Jesus knew that the disciples would soon be going through persecution because of Him. There would be many who would come against His people, but He told them to,
“Take heart! I have overcome the world!”
One day the persecution would all come to an end, and His followers would be with Him in eternity. In the mean time, we, as did the disciples of old, live in a world that will have sorrow, but the sorrow will be blended with joy and peace (found only in Jesus) and of knowing that He has already won the victory. This peace is offered to us freely to receive if we so choose.
Why does the world need to be overcome?
Because it pulls at us to leave our position in Christ (to our own detriment). It works secretly, hidden in places we would never suspect. It calls us to come just as Jesus calls us to come. The world ways seem attractive, luring us to participate in what would seemingly make us ‘rich,’ ‘powerful’ and ‘beautiful,’ though our true riches, strength and beauty are found in Christ. It makes us feel we need to be part of it and included in its deception.
Yet, may we pull away from the world’s hold and pull all people towards Jesus, surrounding and saving ourselves in His protection from things that would tempt us. May we bear His name proudly as unashamed pilgrims who walk this earth, for a time, and lead many to Him.
Lord, your son, Jesus, lived His life in perfect harmony with you. Though He was pulled just as we are towards earth, He stayed close to His Heavenly Father and drew many to Him. He gave us an example of how to reject the world’s standards and to remain in communion with you. His death on the cross defeated Satan and therefore brought victory to all of us. We claim that victory and the peace He gives. Help us to remember how He has overcome the world and how to die to ourselves and to what the world has to offer. In Jesus name, Amen.
“They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” Matthew 14:16
Jesus and His disciples had been ministering to the people throughout the day. Evening commenced and everyone was tired and hungry. Naturally His followers were ready for the crowd to disperse and find their own food and shelter. However, Jesus had an outrageous idea: “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”
Stunned, His disciples responded, “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish.”
I can see it in their eyes.
“Jesus, come on! Look at the facts. We can’t possibly feed even a few people, let alone this large crowd!”
Still, the story continues and Jesus, shattering the facts, miraculously multiplies the small meal for everyone (especially His followers) to see. By the end of the event, the entire assembly was fed. That means 5000 people, not including women and children, were “satisfied.”
How might such a message speak to us today?
What are our excuses, our rationale, our facts, our “we have onlies” when the going gets tough and everything points only to what evidences we see with our eyes or hear with our ears?
Jesus calls us to faith.
When the bills are too high and the income is low. When the spouse is shutdown or the quarreling is too much. When the illness gets worse. When the friend lets us down. When the neighbor curses us.
Jesus calls us to faith.
Yet, many times, we give Him the rational excuse. “We only have…” But, Jesus, we only have a little money. But, I can only do so much for my marriage. But, I only have the facts the doctor has told me. But, I only have silence from my friend. But, I only have a neighbor who is spreading rumors about me.
Our “onlies” could go on for hours. We talk a mile a minute to the Lord in order to state our defense.
And He proceeds steadily forward to give us different eyes and ears to see and hear.
He teaches us to trust Him! He frees us to think in terms of His higher thoughts and ways. Jesus wants us to stretch our minds to the broader possibilities! He wants us to believe and know that with Him all things are possible and all problems can be brought to His feet.
There is a peace in taking on faith. When the reasonable excuses fall to the side and all that’s left is a passion for Christ and His ways, our lives blossom into how they were intended to be lived, fully leaning on the Lord, knowing that He will get us through.
How does He solve our problems?
Sometimes, He will simply provide what we need (the exact amount of money, the exact cure for the sickness or the perfect amount of food, like He did in today’s story). Other times, He gives us creativity and energy to go forward in the midst of a hard situation that we might learn from it. Sometimes, the situation brings immense pain and sorrow and He provides His people to come along side us to bring comfort. We might have to walk through terrible seasons, but He still wants us to lay everything at His feet and trust Him that everything, in the end, will be alright.
Jesus still calls me to faith.
Father, sometimes, it doesn’t even occur to me to come to you. The situation is so ridiculously, obviously unsolvable that I tend to turn to my own lack and quit. Help me to remember that you are God, and with you, nothing is impossible. Open my eyes. Give me a stronger faith. In Jesus name, Amen.
Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Eph. 4:30-32
Today we will look into another aspect of steering away from our wrong choices (even when we are antagonized). We will learn more about how discernment is really a strong desire to hear God’s Holy Spirit.
This past week my family lost a dear loved one, 89 years old, and of all people who exemplified this strong desire for the Spirit of God, it was her. Her whole life she followed Him. In this, I too, want to take in all I can to grasp how to follow the same path.
The first point I’ll make according to today’s verse is that sadly, we all have it within us to grieve or even quench (I Thess. 5:19) God’s Spirit and thus make terrible decisions. Today’s verse explains some of the ways we do that through our bitterness and anger.
When I use my emotions to hurt or discourage God’s people, the Spirit may be even more grieved than when I fail to perfectly carry out His guidance in discernment (which we’ve studied all this time). In fact, how we spend our time discerning the way we treat His people is probably more important than any other decision.
Before going further in this post, take a moment to read through the entire fourth chapter of Ephesians. List ways the Holy Spirit guides us in discernment in our relationships with others. Write down what discernment is and is not and list qualities you discover that would better define the word itself.
Here is ‘my’ list:
Discernment is urgent, humble, gentle, patient, loving, unified, peace-filled, grace-filled, works- of-service-oriented, joined, building each other up; not dark, not hardened; puts on the new self; not false but true, not speaking unwholesome things; doesn’t grieve the Holy Spirit; not bitter, raging, angry or gossiping, but kind, compassionate and forgiving.
The chapter you just read is all about relationship. In our connections with each other, wisdom tells us that the Spirit may prompt us like He did in the past. But, He may also lead us to take an alternative path, way out of our comfort zones. In other words, yesterday’s discernment in a situation may be different from today’s discernment and then a whole new way of handling it tomorrow. Knowing this helps us to be flexible with how the Spirit leads us in relating to each other and in emptying ourselves of expectations of what we think God wants us to do.
We ask ourselves questions like, how much is too much to speak? What is the right amount of confrontation or revealing of my feelings? Sometimes, the less words the better. We learn to want, more than anything else, what the Spirit wants because of our faith in His goodness. Once we make a decision through the Spirit of God, we don’t look back. In faith, we keep our eyes on Him and go forward.
The second point is simply a few links to help us better understand the Spirit of God. The following links will take you to a few of the devotions in the words of Oswald Chambers – My Utmost For His Highest. They both speak of our desire to follow God’s Spirit.
Of course, there are wrong reasons to desire God’s Spirit. This is my third point. In Acts 8:9-25, Simon wanted the gift of the Holy Spirit so he could learn more magic. He wanted power. He was pursuing miracles more than he was pursuing God. Acts 8:18 speaks of how Simon wanted to buy the Holy Spirit for the excitement of the miracle.
Is it possible to confuse my desire for discernment with my desire for a magical experience so that I can gain attention? It is very right to share testimonies, but for only one reason, to glorify God.
We must ask ourselves what our motive is when we share our stories.
Fourth, in the times we feel ‘called’ by God’s Spirit, it is not a moment to enjoy (though we will have pleasure in following the Him), but to work. It is not an opportunity to be comfortable.
When you receive a birthday gift from your best friend, what does that look like? The kindness brings a smile to your lips and makes you feel special and loved. However, the Holy Spirit is not a birthday gift to make you smile. His gift is calling you to a higher plane.
This leads us to the fifth point. After writing in I Corinthians 12 about gifts of tongues and other such things, Paul ends in verse 31 by saying, “Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.” What follows is the famous chapter on love. I Corinthians 13 says that the gift of tongues and prophecy are great, but greater still is the gift of loving one another.
As we become aware of our God-given talents, we must remember that the greatest way to expend our energies is to love what is unlovable. We are choosing to be on a higher plane when we love what is hard to love.
We are most alive when we are loving and actively giving. It is the way God made us. When we choose such lives, the Spirit of God moves and acts in and through us in ways that, on our own, we are not capable. Love is our purpose for living. Love promotes godly discernment.
As we continue to fervently feed our desire to become more like Christ and bend with His Spirit for the sake of God’s kingdom and not for our own benefit, Gal. 5:22,23 reveals to us, through the Spirit’s fruit, a way to know that we are truly listening, which is the sixth point. The fruit that speaks of our oneness with Him is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (many of the things we just listed from Eph. 4). Every moment we live, when we lean on the Holy Spirit for truth, His fruit will be brought about in our lives.
The seventh point in the Christian walk and of the Holy Spirit’s presence and fruit within us is to come clean about how much we really want, deep in our souls, to have His rule over our lives. When we are at our wit’s end for guidance, the Holy Spirit can show us the way. But how can He lead us when we are still well-supplied with all sorts of answers of our own.
Our hearts are full of self. They must be emptied.
Discernment is the willingness to start over, start from scratch, to be flexible to hear something different or new and be empty so we can be filled with His wisdom.
When I have no more answers and have come to the end of my rope, it is time to stop thinking, to sit before my Father and simply cry out His name and worship.
Here are the new additions to the Discernment Wheel from last week:
Discernment is:
Luke 18:31 Following this verse as an example of Jesus calling His disciples to a new place Using love to cast out a spirit of fear Knowing that some confrontations or truth may better be heard from others, not me Overseeing a heart of faithfulness vs gossip Not a promise of great results (or calm), yet I know that I have done his will Not free from battles (Jesus quoted scripture) *Doesn’t mean passive; it is important during a conflict to pause (for a time to regroup) in order to have a chance to come to truth and then relay it; then, I speak it with passion *Not my ability to figure it out *Not followed through by my power *Not necessarily about having good feelings
[*These additions aren’t in previous lessons, but added through comments.]
Father, in all my dealings with people, whether loved ones or strangers, lead me through your Spirit. Show me the way to love. Give me the fruit I need in order to show everyone who you are. In my decisions, help me to pause and consider your Holy Spirits guidance in all things. In Jesus name, Amen.
Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. 1 Chronicles 16:11
There is something about these words that if I let them deep enough into my mind, soul and heart, they perfectly revolutionize every issue and concern I have.
This whole week, I have spent time on each individual word. Here is the first one followed by the rest:
“Look”
This is an intentional action, something I do with the eyes of my heart, something or someone I focus on. Yet, I must also set my focus away from things not of God.
Look “to the Lord.”
Not to my gods Not to my flesh Not to what allures me Not to allusions, mirages and false callings Not to emotions or feelings
This means I must look up…to things above, to higher things, to the hope of what God can do in my life.
Look to the Lord “and His strength.”
I look to Lord and to His strength. I cannot do this life without Him. I cannot follow His calls or heed His word or be ‘good’ in anyway without the Lord’s power within me. All glory belongs to the Lord and His strength.
“Seek”
…want, desire Have passion! This is urgent, a must, a priority. Nothing else matters more than or as much as this.
Seek “His face.”
His face is compassionate, interested, stern but always looking out for my good. His face shows His deep love for me.
When I seek His face, I am seeking His thoughts and desires for my life. I am putting my trust in Him.
“Always”
In my Christian walk with God, there is no such thing as a ‘break’ from prayer or a ‘break’ from my need of seeking the Lord, His strength and His face.
I don’t want a break. I want my life to become used to following His ways. I want His thoughts to become my thoughts, entirely habitual, a sweet, pure addiction to the Holy Spirit, something fully natural within me.
‘Always’ means even (or especially) in desperate times like the ones we live in.
Lord, I take my head and intentionally move it in position to look for YOU. I beg you for strength for my situations. I seek you with all my heart. You are always before me. May I be always before you. Help me feel what you feel and may your emotions guide my emotions. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Proverbs 3:13-18 Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed.
Continuing more of the verse begun last week, look at how valuable wisdom is. It is an asset worth searching for, as if you were searching for gold. Look hard for it. Give it your passion, time and energy.
Wisdom is valuable, but you must find it. Wisdom is personified as ‘she’ and is more profitable than gold or silver and more precious than rubies. Think about how a man finds a woman and falls in love. This pursuit is intentional.
A person can find all sorts of other things: fear, doubt, division, foolishness.
My mind cannot possibly come up with anything worth having that is greater than wisdom, certainly not negative pursuits, which lead to loss.
Wisdom yields better returns than that.
“Riches and honor” are found in wisdom, says today’s verse. We need money to sustain our lives. And giving money to others is a service to be admired. Yet collecting and having wisdom is more valuable than filling up with “gold and silver.” Learning for ourselves and teaching wisdom to others the practical use of money is good.
I have noticed that if I have money and things, my mind tends to tell me to lean on that and not God. My flesh says to my heart, “Money will provide whatever you want and need.”
No.
Wisdom is better and leads me to the greatest riches found in Christ.
The possession of money makes me think I can do anything I want with no self-discipline or restraint and that it will fill me.
No.
Wisdom teaches me what is much better.
Father, nothing on earth compares to your wisdom. With her, I’m completely surrounded in true wealth, overflowing in abundant riches. She brings me such a pleasant life and such peace. Help me to pursue her like I pursue nothing else. In Jesus name, Amen.
Search me, Oh God, and know my heart Psalm 139:23 (ASV) 