A Sacrifice of Praise
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. - Hebrews 13:15
Last night, after all things were right with my world again because my blackberry was mysteriously able to reconnect with my email, I was spending some random time in God's Word just following some "rabbit trails" through the cross-references in my bible. I love it when I have the time to do this, because inevitably after some prayer and relaxed rambling, God gives me a treasure that really speaks to me. Last night, my treasure was the verse above, Hebrews 13:15.
I was in a thankful mood yesterday, even though my connections were a bit awry with my email. I was thankful for several new friends I've made within the past year that I had never known before. They are gifts from God, and I think they know who they are. I was thankful for the CBS bible study in which I've participated in that has provided me some small group bible study and continuity in my life while I search for a new church. I was even thankful for my job, which although it is not very challenging for me at times, it provides me with the flexibility to do more of the things I love to do.
But am I thankful continually, always giving a sacrifice of praise to God through my words and actions? Is anyone? Who even knows what kind of "grade" I would get on the curve of God's grading scale on this one. That is irrelevant anyway, because God "grades" us all individually anyway, doesn't He?
As I think about the verse today (I put it on a 3x5 notecard to carry with me throughout my day), I will ponder the folowing pieces of the verse with a little more energy:
By Him- One of these days I'm going to start relying on God's power more than I rely on my own. I'm getting better every day with this, but still have a long, long, way to go.
The sacrifice of praise, giving thanks… - I want to be thankful today, for everything, even the things that I'm not always thankful for. For the traffic, for the inevitable slow checkout person at Office Max, for everything.
I'll close with the following prayer today before I get back to the job I love. :) Won't you pray with me?
Dear Father in heaven, I thank You for all of the blessings you bestow on me each and every day. I know that I don't even notice half of them because I'm tend to not always be content with what I have but want something more. Forgive me for that. Show me how to love and appreciate You completely and continually. Make the words of my lips and thoughts of my heart be acceptable to you, my Lord. Help me to rely on You, because it by You only that I can be pleasing to You. Amen.