Sacrifice of Praise

This morning, as I was spending my quiet time with the Lord, I was thinking about how absolutely beautiful praise for our Lord is. I began to listen to some of my favorite praise music. Then, I got to focusing on the verse Hebrews 13:15 "Therefore, let us continuously offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name".  Admittedly, I knew the verse, but not the location of the verse, so to the trusty internet I went looking. While looking, I found this page and thought I needed to share what this man had to say.

The bible says “let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” (Psalms 150:6) We are all called to do so. It is sad to see how many people miss out on God’s blessings; protection, guidance and love just because they do not spend time praising God. Lately the Lord has been dealing with my heart about rendering praise to Him. It is amazing to see God’s faithfulness and mighty hand while we render praise. Oh how we make life difficult when God already simplified it for us. Praise helps you focus on what God is going to do in your life rather than you keeping your focus on what is happening around you.

Are you struggling through life? Are you facing eminent death? Are your finances in crisis? Do you need guidance and direction for your life right now? Whatever situation you are going through, I know of a God whose specialty happens to be whatever your problem is. Please allow me to quickly tell you about this God.

                 Hebrews 13:15 says: “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that confess His name”. What is a sacrifice of praise? It is confessing the names of the Lord according to the above verse. Michael Youssef said in his book “Empowered by Praise” that a sacrifice of praise is “speaking His name in relationship to our personal life.” Meaning if you need provision in your life, you would call on Jehovah – Jireh (God our provider), if you need healing in your life, you would call on Jehovah- Rapha  (God our healer).

Brothers and sisters, please allow me to encourage you to continually offer a sacrifice of praise. To help you get on your way to rendering continual praise unto God, allow me to offer you this list of names of God and their meanings.  Feel free in His presence. Call upon His names and be blessed and delivered. As a matter of fact, Joel 2:32 says “whosoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Notice the word whosoever, whosoever, WHOSOEVER! That means even you. If you just take a minute and call upon the name of the Lord, YOU WILL BE SAVED from whatever situation you are in.

- Call upon Yahweh (The God who always is)

- You need healing? Call upon Jehovah - Rapha (God our healer)

- You need provision? Call Jehovah - Jireh (God our provider)

- You need protection? His name is Jehovah – Nissi (God our banner)

- You feel unholy? Talk to Jehovah – Mekaddesh (God who makes us holy)

- You need peace? Jehovah – Shalom is the name (God our peace)

- You need guidance? Call Jehovah – Rohi (God our Shepherd)

- You feel unrighteous? Call on Jehovah- Tsidkenu (God our righteousness)

- Jehovah – Shammah (God who is present always)

The more you praise God by His names, the more He will change you. Let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that confess His name!

By M David Kasonga