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Hebrews 13:15, 16 - Living The Sacrifice Of Praise!

Hebrews 13:15, 16 (NIV) Through Jesus, therefore, let us
continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that
confess his name. 16 And do not forget to do good and to share with
others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

Hebrews 13:15, 16 (NLT) With Jesus' help, let us continually
offer our sacrifice of praise to God by proclaiming the glory of his
name. 16 Don't forget to do good and to share what you have with those
in need, for such sacrifices are very pleasing to God.

PEARL FOR THE DAY

One of the most frequently repeated instructions in Scripture
is for us to praise and worship God - not because he is ego driven,
but because praising him is right, good and beautiful. Not only is
God worthy of our praise, but we benefit from it. When we worship
him, we are fulfilling our created purpose and aligning ourselves
with heaven's heartbeat.
Hebrews 13:15 refers to praise as a sacrifice, perhaps both
because it pleases God as an offering and because it sometimes isn't
easy for us. When we choose to praise God even when life is hard and
circumstances seem to conspire against us or our mood just isn't into it, we
are making a sacrifice that honors and pleases God because praise is
always right and good. [NIV Once A Day Bible]

PEARLS FROM THE PAST

"Sacrifice" is used metaphorically here to represent an offering
to God. [NIV SB]

Christians are to provide a continual sacrifice of praise, which
is the fruit offered to God through speaking praises to him.
[Jamieson, Fausset, And Brown Commentary]

The phrase "fruit of the lips." is a Hebraism, meaning what the
lips produce; that is, words; (Barnes' Notes)

"Praise" is the appropriate response to what God has
accomplished for us through the blood of Jesus. [College Press NIV
Commentary]

The believers' sacrifices are praise, doing good, and sharing.
[Ryrie SB]

Praise is a spiritual offering. God is pleased with our genuine
praise and receives it as a sacrifice. A "sacrifice of praise" today
would include thanking Christ for his sacrifice on the cross and
telling others about it. Acts of kindness and sharing are particularly
pleasing to God, even when they go unnoticed by others. [Life Application
SB]

Let's not come empty-handed to the LORD. And let's not rush into
His presence, shouting out our needs and demanding attention without
first paying attention to Him. What we bring Christ as our sacrifice
today is praise. And He is worthy to be praised. [The 365-Day
Devotional Commentary]

The writer of the letter to the Hebrews explained that Jesus
suffered in order to set apart for God a people to serve Him. This
setting apart came through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Because of
this, the writer says we should constantly be praising God. Do we
constantly praise God? We know we don't. Even so, the Scripture
frequently tells us to do so. There are times when it is very difficult to
praise God. That is why it is called "a sacrifice of praise." But we
must practice this attitude of constant praise. It occurs when we
confess His name. That confession is not a formula of words. Rather it
is literally our life style. This is why the writer of Hebrews
concludes our verse with the comment about not neglecting to do good and
to share. Those who confess Jesus as Savior and Lord will act out
their praise in church when they worship and during the rest of the
week through their actions. Let's all purpose to please God by such
sacrifices. [In His Time; Walk With Wisdom]

LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE:

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2004/20040826-0728.html

ONE OF THE BEST PRAISE SONGS OF ALL TIME:

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xs5o7n_bill-gloria-gaither-down-from-his-glory-feat-larry-wayne-morbitt-live_music

EXCELLENT VIDEO SERIES ON EXPERIENCING GOD:

http://sda.biggytv.com/watch/Revive!_-_Dwight_Nelson:_Experiencing_Gods_Grace/revive/

BIBLE PROPHECY SERIES ON REVELATION JUST COMPLETED:

http://revelationtodaylive.com/live