Promise Worship Centre International
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The Fragrance of God!! The Essence of His Presence |
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Perfume makers in the Old Testament crafted a special oil that was used exclusively for anointing things and making them "holy," and the smell was both sacred and distinctive. In the New Testament, Christ's love is called a "fragrant offering" (Ephesians 5:2) and Paul tells us that , as believers, we spread "the fragrance of the knowledge of him" (2 Corinthians 2:14). I had read verses like these, and I have heard that the Holy Spirit sometimes shows up with a "sweet smell".
Deep worship, abandonment and surrender- a willingness to yield to His every movement as you listen for the sound of His heart-allows our precious Holy Spirit' to usher us into His presence in a magnificent way. Sometimes you can even smell His fragrance. I've experienced the fragrance of God a few times, but never as strongly as I did one Sunday morning in worship.
What does the Scripture teach about this supernatural experience?
His Name Is Like a Perfume
In Song of Solomon, the Shulamite woman declares that God's love is better than wine: "Because of the fragrance of your good ointments, Your name is ointment poured forth" (Song 1:3-4). Where the name of Jesus is exalted in adoration, the stage is set for you to enter into a secret place in which you smell that anointed ointment that's poured fourth in your midst.
The Fragrance of His Knowledge
Paul the apostle understood the sweet smell of victory - literally. When we follow the Holy Spirit no matter where He leads us, He will give us fresh power to be His witness and through us diffuse "the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing" (2 Cor.2:14). To some we may offer a repulsive smell to those who refuse Christ, but those who are seeking Him will smell His life upon our garments.
The Fragrance of His Love
When we walk in love, we give off His scent. God is love, and when we abide in Him, we will share the fragrance of Him. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Paul wrote, "Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loves us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma" (Eph. 5:1-2).
The Fragrance of the Anointing
I've been reading about the Levitical priesthood this year. Most of it reminds me how grateful I am that Jesus went to the cross and we have a relationship rather than rules that allow us to find forgiveness of sin, approach His throne and fellowship with Him freely.
But I appreciated the passages about the anointing oil, which was fragrant- and unique. Exodus 30:23-25 instructs, "Also take for yourself quality spices - five hundred shekels of liquid myrrh, half as much sweet-smelling cinnamon(two hundred and fifty shekels), two hundred and fifty shekels of sweet-smelling cane, five hundred shekels of cassia, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, and a hin of olive oil. And you shall make from these a holy anointing oil, an ointment compounded according to the art of the perfumer. It shall be a holy anointing oil."
The blend of herbs was used for the anointing oil and only the anointing oil.
This was a type of the anointing of the Holy Spirit. A.W. Tozer, a 20th-century pastor, preacher, author, magazine editor and spiritual mentor to many, put it this way:
"The fragrance of the anointing oil was unique. If someone went near and Old Testament priest, he could say immediately, 'I smell an anointed man. I smell the holy oil!' The aroma, the pungency, the fragrance were there. Such anointing could not be kept a secret."
The Anointing Abides
Of course, if you are born again, the anointing abides: "But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him" (1 John 2:27).
This is true, and yet there is a another experience of the anointing - that fragrance of God, the sweet-smelling aroma of His presence. One way to get to that place is through deep worship, opening your heart up completely to Him, asking for nothing and ready to receive anything He might offer, and pursuing His heart with all of your heart.
In the end, there's no formula for entering into a place where the fragrance of God manifests. And that should not be our goal in intimacy, but oh, how sweet it is when He chooses to allow us to smell the fragrance of His knowledge, the fragrance of His love, the fragrance of His anointing! And if we'll embrace that moment and allow that anointing to rest upon us, we'll come out with a fragrance that will attract others to His heart.
Deep worship, abandonment and surrender- a willingness to yield to His every movement as you listen for the sound of His heart-allows our precious Holy Spirit' to usher us into His presence in a magnificent way. Sometimes you can even smell His fragrance. I've experienced the fragrance of God a few times, but never as strongly as I did one Sunday morning in worship.
What does the Scripture teach about this supernatural experience?
His Name Is Like a Perfume
In Song of Solomon, the Shulamite woman declares that God's love is better than wine: "Because of the fragrance of your good ointments, Your name is ointment poured forth" (Song 1:3-4). Where the name of Jesus is exalted in adoration, the stage is set for you to enter into a secret place in which you smell that anointed ointment that's poured fourth in your midst.
The Fragrance of His Knowledge
Paul the apostle understood the sweet smell of victory - literally. When we follow the Holy Spirit no matter where He leads us, He will give us fresh power to be His witness and through us diffuse "the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing" (2 Cor.2:14). To some we may offer a repulsive smell to those who refuse Christ, but those who are seeking Him will smell His life upon our garments.
The Fragrance of His Love
When we walk in love, we give off His scent. God is love, and when we abide in Him, we will share the fragrance of Him. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Paul wrote, "Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loves us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma" (Eph. 5:1-2).
The Fragrance of the Anointing
I've been reading about the Levitical priesthood this year. Most of it reminds me how grateful I am that Jesus went to the cross and we have a relationship rather than rules that allow us to find forgiveness of sin, approach His throne and fellowship with Him freely.
But I appreciated the passages about the anointing oil, which was fragrant- and unique. Exodus 30:23-25 instructs, "Also take for yourself quality spices - five hundred shekels of liquid myrrh, half as much sweet-smelling cinnamon(two hundred and fifty shekels), two hundred and fifty shekels of sweet-smelling cane, five hundred shekels of cassia, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, and a hin of olive oil. And you shall make from these a holy anointing oil, an ointment compounded according to the art of the perfumer. It shall be a holy anointing oil."
The blend of herbs was used for the anointing oil and only the anointing oil.
This was a type of the anointing of the Holy Spirit. A.W. Tozer, a 20th-century pastor, preacher, author, magazine editor and spiritual mentor to many, put it this way:
"The fragrance of the anointing oil was unique. If someone went near and Old Testament priest, he could say immediately, 'I smell an anointed man. I smell the holy oil!' The aroma, the pungency, the fragrance were there. Such anointing could not be kept a secret."
The Anointing Abides
Of course, if you are born again, the anointing abides: "But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him" (1 John 2:27).
This is true, and yet there is a another experience of the anointing - that fragrance of God, the sweet-smelling aroma of His presence. One way to get to that place is through deep worship, opening your heart up completely to Him, asking for nothing and ready to receive anything He might offer, and pursuing His heart with all of your heart.
In the end, there's no formula for entering into a place where the fragrance of God manifests. And that should not be our goal in intimacy, but oh, how sweet it is when He chooses to allow us to smell the fragrance of His knowledge, the fragrance of His love, the fragrance of His anointing! And if we'll embrace that moment and allow that anointing to rest upon us, we'll come out with a fragrance that will attract others to His heart.
God Has A Plan For Your Life
(Read 11 Chronicles 26:1-5 NLT)
Have you noticed in life that there are many plans.
Sports teams have game plans. Corporations have game plans. Politicians have game plans. People planning careers have game plans. People plan weddings, vacations, anniversary celebrations and the list goes on and on. People are always planning something.
God also has a game plan. He has a game plan for this world. And, most importantly, God has a game plan, one for you and one for me.
There was a young man who was 16 when he was placed on the throne to rule in the land of Judah. He was part of God's plan for Judah at that time. His name was Uzziah. His name means "Jah, God is my strength". He was surrounded by wise counsellors, who guided him, gave him instructions and advice, perhaps some correction. Noticeably he was in the care of his mother, Jekoliah. Her name means "Jah (God will enable". She was an enabler, but the good kind of enabler. He was also under the tutelage of Zechariah the prophet whose name means "Jah (God) has remembered".
So this young man matured into the position of majestic responsibility (he was the king) due greatly to the influence of those in his life. And here are some noteworthy things that influenced him as a young man and brought him into this maturity as leader. He became a man who was honoured and respected by the people as their king-leader for a number of reason. Here's a checklist:
He did that which was right in the sight of God and he sought God in the days of Zechariah (A prophet who had understanding in the fear of
the Lord)
As long as he sought God- the lord made him to prosper (this is a condition of success and blessing in your game plan-your life's plan -seek
first God)
Matthew 6:33 New Living Translation
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
God helped him in his work- his plan and God fought his enemies.
He had intercessors (fighting men) around him and Uzziah had watchmen on the wall-overseeing his game plan.
So What's Your Plan?
Part of God's plan for you is to bring people into your life. Those who will give you guidance, instruction and advice and maybe correction if you are submissive.
Do you want some advise, read the Book of Proverbs one chapter everyday. Knowledge and wisdom and instruction flows throughout its pages. One chapter everyday will make a difference in your thinking and the way you follow God's plan for your life. The writer of Proverbs says get knowledge and get wisdom, they are more to be desired than silver or gold.
And Your Plan?
Is it self-directed or God directed?
Are you getting wise counsel or ungodly counsel [Prov.11:14 "Where no counsel is the people fall; but in a multitude of counsellors there is
safety"]
Is your source of information reliable?
Are you counting the cost?
Will I achieve in my life the plan I feel God has for me and one that will also fulfill my life?
Pride Can Wreck Your Plan and Your Success
Like so many who achieve their goal, see their plan fulfilled, Uzziah forgot his God. He became proud in his success and like many successful people he wanted more than what God had planned for him.
Success in life is wonderful, but success can bring with it pride; and pride in Uzziah's case was his downfall.
God's plan for Uzziah hadn't changed but Uzziah changed plans and his direction and he was derailed with severe consequences. Read the remainder of the chapter. [11 Chronicles 26] Sometimes we can get side-railed and sometimes we get de-railed. Then we need to get back on track with God, a allow Him to once again be your "conductor".
CONCLUSION- Making This Part of Your Life's Plan
Do what is right in the sight of God
Get wise counsel-ungodly counsel will often set you on a new and wrong game plan
Discern - words of knowledge - or prophecy spoken over you and into your life:
-Does it agree with God's word
-Does it agree with God's game plan
-Does it agree with your plan
-Does it agree with your spirit
-Does it agree with your direction from your spiritual mentor/pastor
God has a game plan for every life
God has given us His game book
God has given us His benefit and His assurance plan
So go with God's plan!!
Jeremiah 29:11 New Living Translation
"For I know the plans I have for you, "says the LORD." They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."
Pastor Walter R. Head
Promise Worship Centre International
(Read 11 Chronicles 26:1-5 NLT)
Have you noticed in life that there are many plans.
Sports teams have game plans. Corporations have game plans. Politicians have game plans. People planning careers have game plans. People plan weddings, vacations, anniversary celebrations and the list goes on and on. People are always planning something.
God also has a game plan. He has a game plan for this world. And, most importantly, God has a game plan, one for you and one for me.
There was a young man who was 16 when he was placed on the throne to rule in the land of Judah. He was part of God's plan for Judah at that time. His name was Uzziah. His name means "Jah, God is my strength". He was surrounded by wise counsellors, who guided him, gave him instructions and advice, perhaps some correction. Noticeably he was in the care of his mother, Jekoliah. Her name means "Jah (God will enable". She was an enabler, but the good kind of enabler. He was also under the tutelage of Zechariah the prophet whose name means "Jah (God) has remembered".
So this young man matured into the position of majestic responsibility (he was the king) due greatly to the influence of those in his life. And here are some noteworthy things that influenced him as a young man and brought him into this maturity as leader. He became a man who was honoured and respected by the people as their king-leader for a number of reason. Here's a checklist:
He did that which was right in the sight of God and he sought God in the days of Zechariah (A prophet who had understanding in the fear of
the Lord)
As long as he sought God- the lord made him to prosper (this is a condition of success and blessing in your game plan-your life's plan -seek
first God)
Matthew 6:33 New Living Translation
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
God helped him in his work- his plan and God fought his enemies.
He had intercessors (fighting men) around him and Uzziah had watchmen on the wall-overseeing his game plan.
So What's Your Plan?
Part of God's plan for you is to bring people into your life. Those who will give you guidance, instruction and advice and maybe correction if you are submissive.
Do you want some advise, read the Book of Proverbs one chapter everyday. Knowledge and wisdom and instruction flows throughout its pages. One chapter everyday will make a difference in your thinking and the way you follow God's plan for your life. The writer of Proverbs says get knowledge and get wisdom, they are more to be desired than silver or gold.
And Your Plan?
Is it self-directed or God directed?
Are you getting wise counsel or ungodly counsel [Prov.11:14 "Where no counsel is the people fall; but in a multitude of counsellors there is
safety"]
Is your source of information reliable?
Are you counting the cost?
Will I achieve in my life the plan I feel God has for me and one that will also fulfill my life?
Pride Can Wreck Your Plan and Your Success
Like so many who achieve their goal, see their plan fulfilled, Uzziah forgot his God. He became proud in his success and like many successful people he wanted more than what God had planned for him.
Success in life is wonderful, but success can bring with it pride; and pride in Uzziah's case was his downfall.
God's plan for Uzziah hadn't changed but Uzziah changed plans and his direction and he was derailed with severe consequences. Read the remainder of the chapter. [11 Chronicles 26] Sometimes we can get side-railed and sometimes we get de-railed. Then we need to get back on track with God, a allow Him to once again be your "conductor".
CONCLUSION- Making This Part of Your Life's Plan
Do what is right in the sight of God
Get wise counsel-ungodly counsel will often set you on a new and wrong game plan
Discern - words of knowledge - or prophecy spoken over you and into your life:
-Does it agree with God's word
-Does it agree with God's game plan
-Does it agree with your plan
-Does it agree with your spirit
-Does it agree with your direction from your spiritual mentor/pastor
God has a game plan for every life
God has given us His game book
God has given us His benefit and His assurance plan
So go with God's plan!!
Jeremiah 29:11 New Living Translation
"For I know the plans I have for you, "says the LORD." They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."
Pastor Walter R. Head
Promise Worship Centre International