LIFE OF PRAISE

Hebrews 13:14-16

For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come. Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise-the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Hebrews 13:14-16

The Lord Jesus offered up His sinless life to His Heavenly Father as the full, final, and sufficient sacrifice for the sin of the whole world. It was by willingly giving up His own perfect life as an offering to the Father at Calvary that the purpose for which Christ was born was accomplished. He became the full and sufficient payment for the sin of the whole world and all who believe on Him receive forgiveness of sins because He died in our place. We cannot bring glory to God without Jesus.

We need our Lord's Righteousness and Holiness in order for us to want to honor God, rather than ourselves. We need Jesus to be able to praise God in all things. We need Jesus to look beyond our present circumstances and know that God is good. We need Jesus to move us into action, offering a genuine sacrifice of praise. What we have can be any number of things, but the greatest gift that we can give is ourselves. We tend to measure our giving by material things, but they pale in comparison to a surrendered heart.

Your time, loving concern, prayerful support, a listening eat, and helping hand are far more valuable than anything money can do or buy. Notice that praise is connected here with sacrifice. A sacrifice is something you give that involves a cost; it often brings pain or discomfort. You are to go out of your way, without a thought of personal comfort, to tell or show others the glory of Christ. He who acts only within the boundaries of comfort is not offering to the Lord any sacrifice of praise at all and will not please God.

When you invest yourself in others, you are pleasing God. Take the time today to give someone your time and attention. You will be glad you did. The sacrifice that God required of those that are purchased by the blood of Christ is that their lives become a living sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to the Savior Who bought us with His Own precious blood. It is the fruit of our lips and the yielding of our inner being which flows out to Him from a broken heart that has been washed clean by the blood of the Lamb, which brings honor to His Name.

Christ died once for all on the cross, therefore let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, which streams forth from a grateful heart that has been washed clean by the redeeming blood of Christ and is shown forth through the fruit of our lips when we give thanks to the Lord for His goodness and grace and sing praises to the God of our salvation. The Lord our God loves our thanks and praises. He loves it when our lips and mouths are used to confess, glorify, and magnify His Holy name for scripture declares that this pleases Him.

Bless God and tell the Lord, with a mouth full of praise and a heart full of gratitude: "Thank You for what You have done for us through Your Son Jesus Christ. You people of God, tell the Lord: "Thank You for proving Your love to us through Christ atonement at Calvary!!!"

Father, thank You for this day and for the praise that is in our hearts today because of Your Son Jesus. Lord, let Your abundant blessings flow from the windows of heaven over my friends and family today. Lord, we pray that we may show forth our grateful love and praise to You through an ongoing sacrifice of praise for Your sacrifice of Yourself on the cross for our sake. Lord may the fruit of our lips and the thoughts of our hearts be honoring to You today. Lord, use my friends to be bold witnesses of Your Word to all today.

Father, we love You. Amen.