Sacrifice of Praise Pleases Him

Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. Hebrews 13:15 My Precious Sisters in faith, I have been called back to Psalm 119 over and over this week. It is a dwelling place for a hungry heart! Provoking praise and wooing me to pray God's word back to Him. This Psalm is so personal and in your face, it calls you to go deep. Do not stop at wetting your toes and then turn away! Take a plunge. Read until a verse speaks to you and then own it. Paraphrase it and work to put it in your head. Focus on the meaning of the words and pray it daily for your and yours for a month. There is no more perfect prayer than to give God's word back to Him. He provided lavishly by giving us His written word and as this word is established in us it will produce reverence for Him (see 119:38) and indescribably more. Job considered the Word more important than his necessary food. Job 23:12 Fact: We are His delight. Talk about miraculous... the word says:  As for the saints (us) who are in the land, they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight. Psalm 16:3 "The Lord's portion is His people; Jacob is the allotment of His inheritance." Deut 32:9  If you know anything about Jacob, you may think God definitely got the short end of the stick for His inheritance. We are talking heal-grabbing, deceitful, manipulative Jacob, who cheated his brother Esau out of his inheritance. God knew before hand that Jacob was a rascal and yet chose him to be His portion. Let this bathe you in Truth. God has chosen us! psalm 33:12  Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, The people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance. In the Old Testament Israel was chosen. In the New Testament, we who believe are chosen. (Eph 1:4) Heal grabbing, complaining, manipulating, pride-filled, sorry for ourself, disobedient believers. Unbelieving-believers. (Isn't that an oxymoron?) Yet we are God's portion! His alloted inheritance. The short end of the stick. These words go deep into my heart, over whelmed by the love of One who is good and compassionate. Even when life hurts I am rich in the faithful love of the One who is perfect. "As for God, His way is perfect." Psalm 18:30  Try replacing the words 'His way' in this verse and read it aloud with: 'His will', 'His plan', 'His timing', 'His peace', 'His purpose' etc.  Form the habit of using everything that  speaks of His presence to remind you of Him, and as you are so reminded, lift up your heart in loving adoration. 'Lord, I love Thee; I who am dust of Thy dust, I love Thee; I worship Thee; I adore Thee.' ac Oh that through out a day I would offer to Him the sacrifice of praise. What is the sacrifice of praise? God goes on to define it: 'the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.'  I think this relates back to verses 5-6 of this chapter. We can continually give thanks because He will never leave or forsake us. He is our Helper we do not have to be afraid. We choose with our 'will' to trust Him. A thankful spirit glorifies Him. If we are trusting Him we will have a grateful spirit! And for those who can sing like David, all the better! "The LORD is my strength and my shield;  My heart trusts in Him and I am helped;  Therefore my heart exults,  And with my song I shall thank Him."  Psalm 28:7 O, Exalted One, I come with praise to You, I am praying again Compassionate One, I want to honor You by a grateful life. Establish Your Word to me as that which produces reverence for You! May Your word have free course in my mind and heart that I might reflect the image of Your Son. I do not understand how I could be chosen to be your portion! Remind me that if I focus on the 'me' of this truth that it isn't about me, it is the truth of how great and unsearchable Your love truly is. I will never understand such Love as this, but I humbly thank you, Forgiving One. I pray Your gentle whisper of Love would accompany this email for each of my sisters. Lift them head and shoulders above all that would pull them down. Let encouragement surge through them as they seek You and they would take heart. As they look in the mirror remind them they are Your portion! Let it wow their heart... I pray in the name of the Holy Choosing One, who chose me. amen His portion, az