What Does it Mean to Offer God a “Sacrifice of Praise”?

What Does it Mean to Offer God a “Sacrifice of Praise”?
By Debbie McDaniel

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. – Hebrews 13:15

We have so much to praise God for every day, there's great power in giving honor to Him. The Bible is filled with examples of praise and worship when we see His power released, life-changing miracles, dramatic stories of the enemy being halted or defeated, hearts being changed and drawn closer to Him.

Yet reality is that way too often, daily struggles or constant life demands can crowd out our praise and worship to God. We might check the “go to worship” box at church and somehow think we’re good for the week. And yet, all the while, with souls distant and cold, we sing words, we listen to music and words, and then we go home. Unchanged.

Sometimes it really is a sacrifice to offer praise. We may not feel like it. We’re struggling. We're weary.  Or maybe, we feel like God has let us down. He may seem distant to us, like He doesn't really care about what we’re struggling through or worrying about. Painful life blows and losses may have recently sent us spiraling. We’re still trying to get our feet on the ground and put broken pieces back together again.

Here’s what can make a lasting difference. When we make that decision to fix our eyes on Him, and daily give Him praise, no matter what's staring us straight in the face, we suddenly realize that God has already begun to release the grip those struggles can have over us.

We have a choice every day in this life. We can choose to live absorbed in worry and stress, on the fast track of busy, focused only on what surrounds us, and tuned into the roar of the world.

Or we can ask God to help us take our eyes off all that may be swirling around, our problems and mess, and the voices of others. We can look up to Him, the One who holds it all together, and who holds us in His hands.

God desires our whole heart. He waits for us to return if we’ve drifted away. He longs for us to know the power of His presence in and through our lives. He desires to bless us more than we could ever imagine. His Spirit urges us onward, calling us closer.

May He help us to look up again today, to remember His goodness and power in our lives, and to offer Him worship and praise.

A Prayer to Kill the Sin of Gossip in Your Life

A Prayer to Kill the Sin of Gossip in Your Life
By Michelle Lazurek

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29

Can you pray for Jan? I heard she’s having some issues in her marriage. I think they are on the brink of divorce. In my sixteen years in ministry, I’ve had many women come to me and start off a conversation just like this one. Yet a conversation like this is nothing more than gossip, thinly veiled as a prayer request used as a way to share information about another member of church.

If I’m honest, it’s easier speaking about someone else’s life rather than my own. I even get a little joy out of hearing someone else’s problems. For a moment, it seems like my life is better than someone else’s. I can temporarily indulge in the spiritual high of knocking someone else off her pedestal in a pathetic attempt to keep me on my pedestal.

Perhaps, you, like me, have experienced the high of hearing about someone else’s problems. Have you thrived even a little bit on the idea that someone who on the outside is thinner, prettier, or better than you is crumbling on the inside?

God meant for words to have power. God used words when He spoke the world into being. Jesus used them to calm storms, heal the sick and rebuke the Pharisees. In the same way, our words can have a positive or negative effect on people, depending on which we choose to use. 

Are your speaking words that heal, or words that hurt?

Let’s pray together now for the power we need to kill the sin of gossip:

Lord, thank you for your mercy and grace, even when we sin and gossip. Help me see this sin for what it is—hateful, hurtful, and ultimately sin that separates me from you. Lord, give me a greater affection for you. Help me love you so much that it spills over into everyone I meet. Help me love you so much that the temptation to gossip melts away in the midst of my thankfulness and joy. Help me long to build others up, not tear them down. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Video Bible Lesson - The Sword of the Spirit by Greg Laurie

The Sword of the Spirit
by Greg Laurie

1/2 Hour of God’s Power with Scott Ralls

#Jesus #Christian #Bible #Salvation #Heaven #God #HolySpirit

How Christmas Brings Healing

How Christmas Brings Healing
Gwen Smith

Today’s Truth

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through… Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:3)

Friend to Friend

My son Hunter had been having pain in his left elbow. He mentioned it to my husband and I casually, but didn’t make a big deal about it initially. He’s a teenager, so we thought it might just be growing pains. Months later, when the pain continued to increase, he brought it up to us again.

Off to the doctor we went, not knowing what to think about the mysterious, lingering pain. After a brief physical evaluation, the doctor ordered that x-rays be taken. Soon after, he peeked his head back in the exam room and gave me the “come with me” finger-wag.

Eew. Okay.

I followed him out to the light board that illuminated Hunter’s new bone pictures. Dr. Joe started off with this simple statement. “Hunter has a bone problem.” He went on to explain that he had an OCD lesion, and that it needed to be dealt with in order for him to experience relief from the pain and healing in his arm.

Lots of follow up appointments followed.

We met with a surgeon who specializes in elbows and shoulders, and gathered all the information we needed. Hunter had X-rays, MRIs, and MRIs with dye. He was poked and prodded and pressed. The professional conclusions were this: if Hunter’s elbow wasn’t fixed now, later in life it would completely lock up, rendering his arm unbendable.

Our response? Elbow surgery it is!

The morning of surgery, the nurse got his IV started and prepped his arm by cleaning it up really good. Then they carted Hunter away and the surgeon began his work. During surgery the bad areas of Hunter’s bone were removed, and then the doctor micro-fractured the area to cause bleeding. The fracturing of his bone exposed blood to the place of pain, which ultimately led him to fresh growth and healing.

I just can’t think of Hunter’s elbow surgery without thinking of Jesus. Similarly, His body needed to be broken so that blood could flow and healing could happen.

This is the simple Gospel. The good news! The very reason we celebrate Christmas.

God’s love was poured out on humanity through the blood that was shed by Jesus. The Son of God left His place of perfection in heaven and came to earth to mend our hearts and hurts. He became broken for us on a Roman cross so that we could know forgiveness and healing.

This is the hope we sing of at Christmas. Our Bethlehem song!

When Hunter first came to us we didn’t know anything was really wrong - just that there was a pain that needed addressed. Do you know today that there is something wrong in your life? Perhaps you can’t quite put your finger on it, but sense there is more to faith than what you know. More to Jesus than what you’ve explored or accepted.

Are you struggling with pain, emptiness, insecurity, depression, fear, or anger?

Got any areas of brokenness and rebellion that keep are keeping you from fully developing spiritually?

In this season of wintery wonder, I invite you to consider how God’s love heal hurts and clarify confusions. The Bible explains it this way. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) The Word also promises this, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

Through the finished work of Jesus, God invites us to know complete healing and forgiveness. Are you ready to celebrate Christmas knowing the true gift of love and hope this year?

Let’s Pray

Dear Lord, I need healing today. I need You, Jesus. Please forgive my sins and restore my hope. Help me to grow in Your love and to experience the purity and full life you promise in Your Word.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.