The Sacrifice of Thanksgiving and Praise

Hebrews 13:15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.

(NKJV)

I have been continually impressed as I have read my Bible at how often thanksgiving and praise is emphasized.  (Psalm 54:6; Jeremiah 33:11; Psalm 107:22; Psalm 116:17;Jonah2:9)  We often find Biblical characters in difficult circumstances giving thanks and praising God. 

As pain and adversity has intruded upon our lives, it has been difficult to give praise and thanksgiving to God in the middle of it all. It's not my nature. Sometimes I have been able to do it and other times I have failed. But as I have meditated on this, it has become obvious why God considers these things to be sacrifices.

A sacrifice is a difficult thing to make. We have to say "no" to our natural inclinations to complain about our circumstances. Then we have to think of things to be happy and thankful for and give praise and thanksgiving to God for them. How easy is that when you are in pain or a loved one is very ill and we have lost sleep? It's a sacrifice, but it is one that God is well pleased with and one that shines the Light of Jesus to a lost world.

How are you doing in this department? If you are like me, knowing this truth is one thing. Living it is another. Think of practical ways that you can put this into practice this week. I've heard it called "Thanks-living".

Dear Father, Knowing Your Word and desire for my life are one thing, living it is another. Please help me to live my faith. Amen.

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Rejoice!

Rejoice!
by Marsha Iddings
Psalm 65:8b ... You make the outgoings of the morning and evening rejoice.
Have you ever woken up at the crack of dawn and heard the birds singing their little heads off and watched the sun rise in the East? The splash of sunlight coming up over the distant hills and all the sounds of the morning is beautiful (if you can get up and be awake that early!). God does make the morning rejoice!
Recently, I camped with my two children at a local campground and we witnessed the most beautiful sunset I have ever seen. I will try to send it along with this devotional for those of you who can open it. It almost looked like the sky was on fire in the West. The clouds were purple and faded to pink and then a bright spot of light with purple streaks coming down through it. Only God could paint a picture so beautiful. We rejoiced to see it and snapped a lot of pictures as did a lot of other campers that evening.
As the sunset faded into the background a most spectacular thunder and lightening storm took the stage. It was a little unnerving walking back to the cabin from the restrooms with the campground being lit up with bright white light every thirty seconds or so and the thunder clapping right on the heels of it or at the same time. But once back in the safety of our cabin, I was able to enjoy the show that God put on for us.
Rejoice in the beauty of the morning and evening. God made them just for you to enjoy!
Dear Father, You show your tenderness in the beauty of the morning and evening sky and Your power in the thunder and lightening. You are great and powerful and worthy of our praise. Amen.

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Living with the "What-If's" of Life

Psalm 64:1 Hear my voice, O God, in my meditation; Preserve my life from fear of the enemy.

Fear. It's that feeling you get in the pit of your stomach--the fight or flight response that makes your heart race when you perceive impending danger. It can be a good thing in an emergency, but it is a bad thing when there is no immediate danger. Many health problems are caused or worsened by fear.

David had enemies. He prayed for God to preserve him from fear of the enemy. Perhaps at this point they were not actively attacking but because he knew they were around him he found himself fearful, so he prayed to be preserved from fear.

What are your enemies? Are there certain people you don't get along with that you are fearful of having to be around? Do you have health problems? Does a loved one have poor health? Are finances tight? Do you fear something bad will happen to you or your loved ones? These are all enemies of our joy and peace. When we live in the constant fear of the "what-if's" it drags us down physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I know, because I have lived in the fear of the "what-if's". I still find myself there often.

Let's all pray along with David, that God would preserve our lives from fear of these enemies.

Dear Father, We are frail human beings who are prone to the fear of the "what-if's" in life. Preserve our lives from the fear of these enemies and help us to experience the peace of God and joy in our hearts that You intend for us. Amen.

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Better or Bitter?

Ps 55:22 Cast your burden on the LORD, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.

I was reading John MacArthur's notes in my Bible and he said that the word 'burden' speaks of our circumstances. I found that to be meaningful and comforting to me. Just for the fun of it, I decided to look up the Hebrew word for burden. I was surprised. My Power Bible has "{burden: or, gift}" after the verse. Strong's Hebrew dictionary says this: "properly, what is given (by Providence), i.e. a lot:--burden". Young's Literal Translation says it this way: "Cast on Jehovah that which He hath given thee, And He doth sustain thee, He doth not suffer for ever the moving of the righteous."

Have you ever thought of your circumstances as given to you by God? What's more, have you ever thought of your circumstances as a gift? When things are going pretty good, maybe. But when things are bad it's hard to think of them as being given to me by God, much less a gift! How can this be?

The Bible says, " Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning." (James 1:17) How can my bad circumstances be a "good and perfect gift" from the Father? Romans 5:3-5 gives us the answer. "Ro 5:3-5 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.
Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.."

Our circumstances can either make us better or bitter. When we see the "burden" as a gift given to us by God, then He will make us better---more sanctified and fit for Heaven. What is most comforting is that He will sustain us through our trials and He will make us persevere through them.

Dear Father, I so often forget that my "burdens" are designed and given by You. But when I think of them in this light, it gives me much comfort because I know that You are in control and You have a perfect plan and purpose for each one to accomplish in my life. Give me eyes to see the gifts within the burdens. Amen.

Verses taken from the NKJV

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