Holy Smoke

Scriptures

·         Exodus 13 By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night.

·         2 Chronicles 5 when the trumpeters and singers were in one place to make one sound praising the Lord that the glory of the Lord showed up in the form of a cloud and the priests could not even stand to minister

·         2 Corinthians 2:15  For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing

·         Leviticus 16:13  He is to put the incense on the fire before the LORD, and the smoke of the incense will conceal the atonement cover above the tablets of the covenant law, so that he will not die.

·         Leviticus 6:13  The fire must be kept burning on the altar continuously; it must not go out.

·         Psalm 141:2  May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.  

Definitions

A cure for some diseases

A screen or shield

A slang term like Holy Moses or Holy Cow

A symbol  or image of prayers being lifted up to heaven

An expression of surprise or wow!

An indication of presence of the supernatural

Common byproduct of fire

Eternal flame:   Lasting flame in the Tabernacle, flame from gases coming out of the earth, monuments as memorials, Olympic torch,

Fills, creates pressure – power - energy

Form of communication

Part of an incense

Part of rituals

Some say that in electing a new Pope, when one had passed away, that if black smoke came out of the chimney of the Vatican than they had not elected a new Pope. If white (holy smoke) came out than the decision had been made.

Something people inhale

Used as a form of military offensive and defense

Used as a sacrificial offering to the Lord

Used for pest control

Used in cooking

Used to create a mood

Used to produce a smell

Used as a flavoring agent

Was believed to protect the king from evil and disease

Altar of incense:  was in front of the curtain that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies.    God commanded the priests to burn incense on the golden altar every morning and evening.  The incense was to be left burning continually throughout the day and night as a pleasing aroma to the Lord. It was made of an equal part of four precious spices (stacte, onycha, galbanum and frankincense) and was considered holy. God commanded the Israelites not to use the same formula outside the tabernacle to make perfume for their own consumption (Exodus 30:34-38).  The incense was a symbol of the prayers and intercession of the people going up to God as a sweet fragrance. God wanted His dwelling to be a place where people could approach Him and pray to Him. 

http://www.the-tabernacle-place.com/tabernacle_articles/tabernacle_altar_of_incense.aspx

Process

Jennifer’s parents collected handcrafted little German incense smoker gnomes.  I enjoy them.  A part of family, heritage, culture, and I like the smell and to watch the smoke out of the little people…At the primal roots I have a fascination with water and fire…I like smoke generally, I occasionally enjoy smoking and the smell of it especially a pipe…I would love to be in a worship service consumed with praises to God and consumed by His presence so much that nothing else can be done i.e. 2 Chron 5… cool song by sarah reeves:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-e40UCxlYw

Prayer

I desire to be a pleasing aroma to You, God… but I know You wants me to be continual and not fizzle out… I also feel You directing me to be set apart and to keep Your incense fires special, Holy, not something use for general, regular use, to take it much more seriously than I do i.e. Lev 16:13… and pleasing, not saddening or here we go again … I know and feel a prompting to physically, verbally, and continually pray and lift my hands and thoughts to You much more than I am and with every area of my life.  Please fill me, help me sense Your presence, help others around me to sense You as well, then appreciate, tell and show others.  May the offerings I bring in song and life be sweet and pleasing to You and those who offer them with me