A FRAGRANT OFFERING

Philippians 4:18b-19   They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

I start today by asking "How is your fragrance"?  (I was going to use this as a little locker-room humor but decided against it.lol)  As I personally reflect on this scripture and the question, I humbly come to the realization that my "fragrance" could be a little sweeter(no, alot).   If you back up a few verses you will read that Paul had received full payment and even more from the folks at the church at Philippi.  They gave generously and I believe they gave with a love and "sweetness" of heart. 
It has been a few days since my last entry and I am amazed at how the Lord has been revealing things to me and giving me the titles for each Blog post.  The day before yesterday during my "Worship Walk"  the Lord whispered the words "God Provides", so I began doing a scripture search and study about this.  I also reflected on all the things the Lord has provided for me.  Yesterday I was going to post what I had found and the day just got away from me.  I was faithful to my "Worship Walk" though and during that time the Lord whispered another title for the next days Blog post..."Fragrant Offerings".  I must confess that during my walk with the Lord yesterday I felt as though I couldn't keep up with what He was asking me to do.  I imagined that He would just keep giving me title after title and I would get further behind....whew!! Slow down Lord, is what I was honestly thinking. And, just like our amazing God, he provided His answer.....as I sat down this morning with the intention of finishing up my study on "God Provides" so I could move on to the next thing,"Fragrant Offering", the verse I found myself in was Philippians where both topics were combined. Amazing!
God provides everything in our lives. He is faithful to meet our every need.  He provides circumstances for us(good and not so good)that we may have the opportunity to perfect our faith.  When I say that, I mean that in all of our circumstances we have a choice to put His Word in to practice or handle it the way of our "old nature".  And He provides the very tools we need to have success in our circumstances.  Every situation in our lives is an opportunity to "practice our faith". 
So now the part about Fragrant Offerings(pleasing to the Lord).  I will use a situation that occurred last night, when I got home from Bible study.   After getting home at 8:30pm, I noticed that the kitchen was still a mess from the meals I had prepared before racing off to make it on time to a new study.  The whole day was pretty full with taking down and putting away Christmas decorations, getting the house back in order, running errands for my husband and then being available for every ones needs.   My son's smashed finger, husband recovering from night shift and needing this or that and on it goes.  I did, however, in record time, manage to unpack and put together my new Spin Bike and place it in its new "area" for my dedicated use") (This is very exciting for a Spin Instructor who has moved to a new area with limited classes available).  So, now to the part where my "fragrance" was not the least bit sweet.  I proceeded to chastise my son for being inconsiderate of my needs and everybody Else's around him. The dog's water bowl was bone dry to boot. The last thing I wanted to do when I got home was more work.  I was not practicing 1Corinthians 13 nor Ephesians 5:2 "Be imitators of God, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering."    Wow!!  These were the very things that convicted me this morning; How would Jesus have handled that situation?  I did not imitate Him then.  I did not use the situation as an opportunity to teach but rebuke. 
The point I am trying to make is this, I want every aspect of my life to be a fragrant offering to God.  We are not perfect, and we are saved by grace. God's mercy's are new everyday and when we take time to see our circumstances as "opportunities"(big or small)to practice our faith, to grow in Him, heed to the convictions of the Holy Spirit and repent, we get one step closer to the prize.  I believe that this attitude of our hearts is a "Fragrant Offering" to God and to those around us.

Today's "Worship Walk" play list:

Amazing Love                                            Newsboys
Sanctified                                                    MercyMe
Praise You with a Dance                            Casting Crowns
Rescue                                                         New Life Worship
Awakening                                                  Chris Tomlin
Surrender                                                    Third Day
Lift up you Face                                         Third Day
Father, Spirit, Jesus                                    Casting Crowns
Grace like Rain                                           Todd Agnew