Incense

In a world a lot less sanitized than ours, anything fragrant was highly valued. Small wonder that most world religions, including ancient Israel’s, used incense in worship. Israel’s law had guidelines for making the special incense used in worship (Ex.30:34–38).

Israel’s high priest burned incense daily in the tabernacle. It was burned on an altar of pure gold.

Incense is not mentioned much in the New Testament, although one of the gifts of the magi to the baby Jesus was a form of incense (Matt. 2:11). The book of Revelation speaks of incense in heaven, using it as a symbol: The elders in heaven hold “golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints” (5:8).

Since the smoke of incense drifts heavenward, it is easy to see how it symbolizes prayer. Some churches still use incense in worship.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

The Secret of Contentment

Zig Ziglar

Somewhere along the way, Paul learned the secret of contentment. He realized that possessions, fame, beauty, and other earthly things can be pleasant for a while, but they can never produce genuine contentment. That comes from the inside.

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Jesus is the Lord of Life

Jack Graham

Jesus is the Lord of Life, and that's the topic, that's the theme of the Gospel of John, and certainly John chapter 10 which is one of the well-known passages in all of the Bible. Jesus had enemies. You know that, right? While He was loved and beloved by multitudes, many rejected Him.

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The Blessing which the Cross Affords

Jimmy Swaggart

This is the first mention of the Cross, although in shadow, after the Fall. The Lord told Satan through the serpent that victory would come by the Seed of the woman. Ironically, woman has no seed, with the exception of One, Who was the Lord Jesus Christ.

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Light which Redeems the Soul

Jimmy Swaggart

The darkness that was here prevalent was taken away only by the Spirit of God, as He moved upon the face of the waters. As someone has well said, The Moving of the Holy Spirit is the first sign of life.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

Beginnings are one thing, while endings are another!

Jimmy Swaggart

On this first day of a brand-new year, which is a new beginning of sorts, the Lord offers to every person a brand-new beginning in their life, irrespective as to what the past has been. Millions this year will make New Year’s resolutions, resolutions which invariably will not be kept.