AVAAT

A VERSE AT A TIME

TOPIC: OFFERING THE FRUIT OF YOUR LIPS 

TEXT: Hebrews 13:11-16

KEY VERSE: Let us, then, always offer praise to God as our sacrifice through Jesus, which is the offering presented by lips that confess him as Lord. Hebrews 13:15(GNT)

The offering of sacrifice was a practice that started with Cain and Abel. It was a way of acknowledging God as the source of our gifts and giving him thanks. Noah’s sacrifice to God after the flood provoked God to make a covenant with man that is still operational today; the token is the Rainbow. Abraham offered so many sacrifices to God to express his faith in God.

During the days in the wilderness, the Israelites built the Tabernacle; the Lord instituted the different sacrifices as an ordinance, especially the blood sacrifice for sin. That practice continued until Jesus offered himself on the Cross as a once-for-all sacrifice for humanity. 

Today, we can be reconciled with God by faith in the death of Jesus on the Cross. No other blood sacrifice is required for sin, but the offering of the fruit of our lips as praises and thanksgiving to God. 

For this reason, Jesus had to be made like us, his brothers and sisters, in every way. He became like people so that he could be their merciful and faithful high priest in service to God. Then he could bring forgiveness for the people’s sins. Hebrews 2:17(ERV)

None of us is qualified to be priests who offer sacrifices to God because we are not from Aaron’s lineage, but Jesus has made us not just the children of God but a generation of priests to God. Our offerings of songs of praise and worship, psalms and hymns are pleasing to God.

You also are like living stones, and God is using you to build a spiritual house. You are to serve God in this house as holy priests, offering him spiritual sacrifices that he will accept because of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:5(ERV)

For us, the magnitude of Christ’s sacrifice demands a life of continual praise and thanksgiving to God. We could never done it for ourselves, nor could any parent or friend make such a sacrifice for us. 

Our words are seeds we sow into the atmosphere; they create the outcomes we want to see, influencing people and even the spiritual realm. God created the earth by the spoken word, and Jesus healed and delivered many by his words. This same authority he passed on to us, that in his name we can speak and get what we declare. As we publish God’s praises, nations turn to him in worship.

All the nations you have made will come and bow before you, Adonai; they will honor your name. Psalms 86:9(CJB)

When we continually praise God, we glorify Him, bring his kingdom to the earth, and publish his works to the world. Miriam, Deborah and David are examples of people who modelled a lifestyle of thanksgiving and praise to God for his wonderful works. 

God desires our praise as a sacrifice, even in difficult situations. When our prayers are delayed, God is still praiseworthy. Are you conscious of how you make your offerings to God? Paul and Silas praised God even in prison as a witness, saying it was possible, and God showed up for them.

If anyone wants to praise me, they should say “thank you” to me as their offering. If anyone obeys my commands, I will show them my power to save people.’ Psalms 50:23(EASY)

What we say always is a true reflection of who we are and what we believe. A tree is known for its fruit, just as our words are a natural product of our hearts. Let us purify our hearts so that the fruit of our lips will be acceptable to God and give us the outcome we desire in our world. (James 3:9-12)

Through him, therefore, let us offer God a sacrifice of praise continually. For this is the natural product of lips that acknowledge his name.Hebrews 13:15(CJB)

Reflection Questions

1.  How mindful have you been of your role as a priest?
2.  Regarding giving thanks to God, how frequently have you expressed gratitude for his blessings in your lives? 
3. Are there any challenges or difficulties that have made it challenging to praise God?
4.  What steps can you take to incorporate a lifestyle of continuous praise and thanksgiving to God?