Greetings Mt. Vernon Family,

Through Jesus, then, let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that confess His name (Hebrews 13:15).

The writer of Hebrews reminds us that praise is to be offered to God as a sacrifice. We speak praise and sing songs of praise and adoration to the Lord our God, through Jesus Christ. It is the blood of Jesus that cleanses us and makes us worthy to offer an acceptable praise and thanksgiving to God in the first place. That is something to shout about. But there are times when praise feels more like a sacrifice than at other times, when we are tired, angry, grieved or depressed. Praise seems like the polar opposite of these feelings. But that is exactly what Hebrews 13:15 tells us to do. We praise our way through, even when we do not feel like it. Our praise and thanksgiving are the least we can do considering the debt Jesus paid on the cross to give us eternal life. The beauty of genuine, heartfelt praise is that God inhabits the praises of His people (Psalm 22:3). He is enthroned above, He sits upon, and dwells in our praises. And where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom (2Cor.3:17). As we offer up the sacrifice of praise to God, our spirits are lifted and our hope is renewed. Embrace your freedom in Christ. Get your praise on!

Amen!

Be Richly Blessed,

Pastor Deborah Giles