THE ALTAR OF INCENSE
Today’s Reading: Exodus 30
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion on the right-hand side).
This is a replica of the Altar of Incense in the Tabernacle at Timna National Park, Israel.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo, click HERE.
Key Verse: Exodus 30:6
And you shall put it before the veil that is before the ark of the Testimony, before the mercy seat that is over the Testimony, where I will meet with you.
Here are instructions for making the Altar of Incense, the Laver of Bronze, the Anointing Oil, and the Incense, which was a mixture of sweet spices. The burning of the incense and the smoke arising represent prayer continuously ascending to God (“Pray without ceasing” 1 Thess. 5:17). Brother Lawrence calls this, “Practicing the Presence of God.” Note the final words of our key verse: “…where I will meet with you.” God met with the High Priest annually on the Day of Atonement, but because of the Cross of Christ, we have the awesome honour of living 24/7 in God’s Presence. We experience the sweetness of His Presence, and we are successful in our spiritual lives when we maintain a private altar of prayer and praise to God. God wants to meet with us. Astounding! Amazing! Glorious!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, here I am to meet with You, and I’m confident You are meeting with me. You speak to me saying, “I love you,” and I say to You, “I love You, Lord.” I’m one of Yours, Lord, and I know Your voice (John 10:4). Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
When I have trouble hearing God, I ask and believe for a fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit. I remember being in the Green Room (where we would wait before going on TV) with the famous Debbie Boone. She was playing the part of Maria in a Toronto live theatre production of “The Sound of Music.” As we prayed together, I heard her say, “O Lord, it’s been so long, so very long.” She told me that with her top-of-the-charts song, “You Light Up My Life,” and her acting career, she had been so busy that she neglected her daily reading of the Word and prayer. She wept as she was filled with God’s Spirit. She is married now and is a busy wife and mom. I trust she has remembered that time. Paul reminds me to “be [continually] filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18).
Yours to help us all practice the Presence of God continually,
David
Amen David. I have met with Him today before I go out for a busy day. Also prayed your prayer. God blessings on you and fellow bloggers!
Yes, amen, David! Such definitive scripture this morning, wonderful message, and feeling of love flowing from the Holy Spirit. Your prayer says it all. We are indeed Your sheep, dear Lord. We hear Your voice and follow You! Wishing all saints a most blessed day!
Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.
Psalm 90:12 NLT
Here I Am Lord with lyrics
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcxOkht8w7c
Amen Beverlee!! song of worship!
Love your story about Debbie Boone. I’m so happy I was born after the New Testament.
This awesome duo phenomena has been around before but worth hearing/seeing again. Blessings.
http://m.godvine.com/Little-Boy-And-Girl-Sing-A-POWERFUL-Performance-Of-You-Raise-Me-Up–8040.html
Wow! Thank you for sharing that with us, Lynda!! How inspiring!!
The performance of these two presious children surely have lifted me up this morning
I’ve heard this before…but was doubly blessed to listen and sing with it again…thank you Lynda for posting it!!
This is one of the songs Our Senior’s choir sang when ministering at retirement homes this past Spring. One of my favorites!
When I was a child going to church, the song that reverberated from the pipe organ through my bones was Holy, Holy, Holy, by
Reginald Heber:
1 Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee;
holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty,
God in three persons, blessed Trinity!
2 Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore thee,
casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee,
who wert and art and evermore shalt be.
3 Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide thee,
though the eye made blind by sin thy glory may not see,
only thou art holy; there is none beside thee,
perfect in power, in love, and purity.
4 Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All thy works shall praise thy name, in earth and sky and sea;
holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty,
God in three persons, blessed Trinity!
What a way to start the day, with praise!
Thank you Lord God for David Mainse, his family who shares him with us, for all who contribute to this blog, and for all Your people, Your glorious church, sent into this world to bring Your light into the darkness. Please bless and strengthen all Your people, Lord, and fulfill Your purposes for each one. Please give us boldness, courage and compassion to bring Your gospel clearly to all people throughout the world. Be glorified and exalted, Lord God, I ask in Jesus’ mighty and matchless Name, amen
Here is a nice rendition, Rob:
Holy, Holy, Holy (lord god almighty) lyrics and music
by Bryan Gilliland
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vrg7jQ5Ic8c
Oh yes Amen!!!
Love the music from blog members today. Thanks. I have been ill. Heart issues as yet undiagnosed. I need strength and healing, Lord. I am so happy that I have been able to see the blog all along.
Lord God, bring Your mighty hands of healing upon our sister Doreen. Strengthen heal and transform her. In Your precious Name, we pray; amen, amen, and amen!
Amen, agreeing in prayer with Beverlee for Doreen. A speedy recovery I pray in Jesus Name Amen!!
Amen, agreeing in prayer with Beverly and Doreen !
WOW Pastor David!! what a Powerful prayer!!! Spoke to my spirit and soul this morning as I joined in prayer with you!!!
Also related to your Debbie Boon story!!
Singing “Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me; Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me. Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me. Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me.