As I stepped onto my patio for an intimate moment of praise to God, with my hands lifted up I noticed the vapor from my breath as it lifted into the air like smoke from my mouth.
Wow!
What a beautiful illustration of how the animal sacrifices that are no longer required continue today through our sincere praise to God.
Praise is a sacrifice, especially if you continue to praise God through difficult times when your flesh doesn’t really ‘feel’ like doing it.
Hebrews 13:15 (NKJV)
15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, [a]giving thanks to His name.
Psalm 20:1-3 (NKJV)
May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble;
May the name of the God of Jacob [a]defend you;
2 May He send you help from the sanctuary,
And strengthen you out of Zion;
3 May He remember all your offerings,
And accept your burnt sacrifice. Selah
BE BLESSTIFIED!
From the liturgy (forget which one) “Let my prayer rise before you as incense, the lifting up of my hands to the evening (morning) sacrifice.”
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I love it!
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Thank you for this post. I just love that phrase – “let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God” – I often don’t think of my praise to God as being a sacrifice to Him – but it is! And the very next verse from Hebrews 13:15 that you quoted in your post, says “…for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” LOVE IT!!! Praise be to God!
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Hallelujah. Praise is truly an intimate connection with our God!
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