By him (Jesus Christ) therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name (Hebrews 13:15).
Just as the priest offered sacrifices of burnt offerings and incense in the Old Testament, today, we offer sacrifices of praise to God with the fruit of our lips, which are the words we speak in praise and thanksgiving to the Lord. The sacrifice of praise transcends superficial statements like, "Lord, I thank you for everything." For it to be a true sacrifice of praise to God, it must be mixed with substance from your spirit; you must have definite reasons for praising Him, and then voice those reasons.
If I said to you, "Thank you for cleaning the house so well," I've praised you. In the same vein, praising God means giving Him thanks in the Name of Jesus for specific reasons. The sacrifices of praise are confessions, declarations, psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs that you render to Him for His love, grace and goodness towards you. They also refer to tributes or speeches that acknowledge and celebrate the Name of the Lord. They're confessions of God's Word that we make to glorify Him.
These confessions (or professions) are the fruits and calves of our lips-words from our mouths that give glory to God. Therefore, when making confessions, say beautiful things about God and give testimonies of His wondrous works. Proclaim what He has said about Himself and about you: "...for he hath said...So that we may boldly say..." (Hebrews 13:5-6). As you make those confessions in Jesus' Name, He (Jesus), being our Great High Priest, presents them before the Father, who receives your praise and worship as a sacrifice of a sweet-smelling savour. Halleluiah!
PRAYER
Blessed Father, how great and glorious you are! You're the only wise and true God, who reigns and rules in the affairs of men. To you, O Lord, be all glory, honour, majesty, dominion, and praise! Thank you for making my life beautiful, and filling me with your glory, righteousness, and peace, in Jesus' Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY
Hosea 14:2
Living Bible (TLB)
2 Bring your petition. Come to the Lord and say, “O Lord, take away our sins; be gracious to us and receive us, and we will offer you the sacrifice of praise.
Hebrews 13:5-6
Living Bible (TLB)
5 Stay away from the love of money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never,never fail you nor forsake you.” 6 That is why we can say without any doubt or fear, “The Lord is my Helper, and I am not afraid of anything that mere man can do to me.”
1 Timothy 6:15-16
Living Bible (TLB)
15 For in due season Christ will be revealed from heaven by the blessed and only Almighty God, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone can never die, who lives in light so terrible that no human being can approach him. No mere man has ever seen him nor ever will. Unto him be honor and everlasting power and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1 Year Reading Plan : Matthew 26:1-30 Exodus 32-33
2 Year Reading Plan : Acts 15:1-10 Psalm 3-4
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