{sacrifice} of PRAISE

Hebrews 13:15 (ESV)

"Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name."

sacrifice. 

living sacrifices, because dead sacrifices of the best animal on the farm and burnt offerings are no longer needed.

instead let me bring a sacrifice of praise.

Psalm 116:17 (ESV)

^"I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the LORD."

Psalm 141:2 (ESV)

^"Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice!"

what does it mean to sacrifice praise? 

I looked up this verb/form of sacrifice - it's the same SACRIFICE (pneumatikai thusiai, or a variation thereof) as in Romans 12:1-2 - and the discussion is that this sacrifice is the inward & renewed consecrated spirit that dedicates self to God. things with which god is well pleased.

It's intentional choice. It's follow through. 

It's commitment. it's expectancy.

So, I am choosing to bring praise, that my lips might echo thanksgiving, gratitude, awe and worth-ship towards my God.

Praise that He is faithful. 

Praise that He is good. 

Psalm 100 (AMP):: A Psalm of thanksgiving and for the thank offering::

"MAKE A joyful noise to the Lord, all you lands!Serve the Lord with gladness! Come before His presence with singing! Know (perceive, recognize, and understand with approval) that the Lord is God! It is He Who has made us, not we ourselves [and we are His]! We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and a thank offering and into His courts with praise! Be thankful and say so to Him, bless and affectionately praise His name! For the Lord is good; His mercy and loving-kindness are everlasting, His faithfulness and truth endure to all generations."

1 John 4:4 (AMP)

"Little children, you are of God [you belong to Him] and have [already] defeated and overcome them [the agents of the antichrist], because He Who lives in you is greater (mightier) than he who is in the world."

Praise that I never have to be afraid because of Him.

Praise that he is greater in me than the things of the world.

Praise that perfect love from a perfect Savior destroy fear.

Praise that He is Who he says He is and He cannot lie.

1 John 4:18 (AMP)

^"There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment, and [so] he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love [is not yet grown into love's complete perfection]."

Ephesians 3:19 (AMP)

^"[That you may really come] to know [practically, through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]!"

Titus 1:2 (NASB)

"in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago,"

2 Timothy 2:13 (NASB)

"If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself."

I will bring my sacrifice of praise.

in the morning and in the evening.