a drink offering

But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. -Philippians 2:17

I haven't posted in awhile, not because I haven't wanted to or haven't had the time, I just couldn't come up with something interesting enough to post about! I have been busy tho, balancing family and friends, work, the beginnings of raising my support, a seminary course and all the little stuff that goes in between. You would think with all that, something interesting would be happening but not so much. However, today I kept asking God for something; I spent the day relaxing, catching up on rest since the past few days have been busy studying,going to church and a few parties. I figured, within the rest, something would spark my mind and I would have something to write about. Time went by, and before I knew it, it was time to leave for class with zero inspiration. But my God answers prayers and during the lecture tonight, He showed me His inspiration.

I mentioned that I started a seminary course. Its an undergraduate course called biblical hermeneutics. A seven week, one day a week, 2 1/2hr class where I am picking up invaluable information regarding interpreting the Bible. I will never look at a word, verse, passage or book of the Bible the same way again. Philippians 2:17 was not only one of the verses we discussed tonight, but also my sense of inspiration.

Our main topic today was context. You can't correctly interpret a verse without looking at the verses within the chapter before and after the verse. You also have to look at the historical and cultural context of the book as well as the overall context of the testament it is found in and the big picture of the entire Bible. It takes time looking up words and and studying the background.

Some things about the context of Philippians 2:17
- these are Paul's words
- Paul is writing this while in prison
- the letter is to the city of Philippi
- main purpose of the letter is the thank the Philippians for their gift they had sent Paul
- Ch. 2 begins with some teaching on humility
- Paul continues with exhorting the Philippians
...and there we find verse 17.
But even if I am being pour out as a drink offering... 

What's a drink offering? Well as I learned tonight, after referencing Numbers 28:7, a drink offering is the least of the jewish religious offerings. From what I understand, the drink offering would be poured onto the sacrificial lamb. Once the drink offering hit the lamb, it would turn into smoke and disappear upward, creating an aroma pleasing to the Lord (Lev 23:18). What better way for Paul to describe his service to the Lord than as a drink offering. His service, upon being "poured out", would dissolve up to God. What he did would be an aroma pleasing to the Lord.

I want nothing more than my life to be a drink offering to my Lord. I want my service to be pleasing to my God. I imagine the work that I do not being seen or recognized by those around me but rather and better by my God because as it is poured out, it immediately dissolves, creating that sweet aroma.

Jesus, I thank you first for the way you always answer prayers, as small as some are to me, there is no comparison to you. Thank you that you have provided this opportunity for me to open up your precious Word and study it, in context and in love. I am learning so much about the importance of studying the history and cultures of the Bible so that it can have an even stronger impact on my life and those that I have the privilege to serve. Thank you for your wisdom that you impart upon me to be able to understand such big words like hermeneutics, exegesis, homiletics and exposition. I pray for these next five weeks that you would continue to fill me with your Spirit as I read your Word and use other texts to get a better idea of how to interpret correctly your truth. 

Jesus, I want to pray for the plan that you have for my life, including the details, that I would be faithful to be diligent in prayer and action to do your will and not my own. Ten months from now is still a ways away and many things can happen, and are happening. I pray God that you would help me to make wise decisions that fit with your plan and the confidence to stand up for myself when I need to. 

Jesus, I also want to lift up my finances both currently as well as those needed for my service in Kenya. I pray that I would trust you even when it seems difficult or impossible. As I also begin a course on funding my ministry, I pray Lord that you would encourage me, that you would give me opportunities to share this ministry with others and that you would build confidence within me to be able to confidently share what you have laid upon my heart with my brothers and sisters. I am so encouraged already by the questions I get asked, people who I don't know relating to me about their knowledge of Kenya, and the immediate plans to go to training in just a few weeks. You are a God of details and I pray that I would be diligent to see what you have for me to do and that I would do it, as a drink offering...an aroma pleasing to [You].

In Your name I pray,

Amen