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Thursday September 17, 2015

Praise has been reduced by most believers to listening to music, singing, playing an instrument, lifting up of hands, clapping, shouting and thanking God through prayer. However, praise is much more than this. Having said this, there is absolutely nothing wrong with these expressions of praise, the people of Israel for thousands of years actually praised God this way. The questions then become: Why should praising God transcend this form of praise? If it was good enough for the Israelites, why is it not good enough for us? The answer to both these question is, Jesus.

Before the coming of Jesus, praising God was all about singing, clapping, dancing, shouting, and presenting burnt sacrifices to Him. Once Jesus did what He did on our behalf, praising God became something that was no longer limited to expression, or to a time and place. After Jesus’ amazing sacrifice on the cross, praising God became something we need to do all the time, non-stop, and everywhere.

Hebrews 13: 15-16 NVI

Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name. And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.

Continual Sacrifice of Praise

 The Apostle Paul, who many believe authored the Book of Hebrews, explains to the Israelites, that in light of the sacrifice of Jesus, praising God should not be limited to a time in place. Praising God has become a continual sacrifice that incorporates:

• Proclaiming allegiance to God

 Many of the Hebrew converts, afraid of rejection by the rest of the Jewish community, kept their conversion to Christ a private matter. Today, many Christians behave in the same manner by keeping their faith a private matter. A continual sacrifice of praise however, means that we are not ashamed of proclaiming our love for Jesus, especially in light of the fact that He, out of his love for us, suffered public shamed. . For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. – Romans 1:16 NLT

• To do Good

 Continual sacrifice of praise is a lot more than going to church on Sunday, it is something we do at home, school, work, in all places and at all times. Whatever work you do, do it with all your heart. Do it for the Lord and not for men. Remember that you will get your reward from the Lord. He will give you what you should receive. You are working for the Lord Christ. – Colossians 3:23-24 NLV

• Share with those in need

 Too many Christians have become self-centered. Praising God is also about sacrificing our time and resources to benefit others. We need to take an interest in others and not just look out for our own best interests. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave. Philippians 2:4-7 NLT

Heavenly Father, I pray that my praise would be more than attending church and singing songs, I want to praise you non-stop  thru proclaiming my allegiance to you, doing good and sharing with those in need.

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