In today's reading there are instructions for the priests. One of the requirements is that the fire on the altar be kept burning continually. Any applications for us as Christians today? Should our "fire for the Lord" be kept burning continually?

Notice the words, “an aroma pleasing to the Lord” follow every offering made by fire. Why?

Many times in the Bible, especially in the Old Testament we read of sacrifices and burnt offerings given to the Lord, placed on the altar in the temple or tabernacle. God himself gave the laws regarding these sacrifices to Moses. The Israelite people offered their sacrifices as atonement for sin. It tells us that an offering, without blemish or defect, is an aroma pleasing to the Lord. But the sacrifices could only cover the sin, not remove the sin. Jesus’ death on the cross gave humanity the opportunity to have their sins removed forever. The ultimate sacrifice, the perfect sacrifice, the most pleasing of all to the Lord…was Jesus. He willingly became our sacrifice to atone for our sins, an aroma that must have been like sweet perfume to God, the Father.

"Therefore I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship."
Romans 12:1

The Bible tells us that we are to present ourselves as a living sacrifice. Is our sacrifice an aroma pleasing to the Lord? Do we present to him our very best?

"Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ."
II Cor. 2:14-15

What a joy to be the fragrance of Christ to God! Do we diffuse the fragrance of His knowledge everywhere we go? Are we an aroma pleasing to the Lord?