Day 26
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Take time to be thankful. Read a short devotion and a selected Bible verse each day.
It’s Day 26 of the Gratitude for Every Day 30-Day Devotion.
DEVOTION
I don’t know about you, but to me, the word "sacrifice" usually means to give up something precious, to release it without expecting it back. We sacrifice me-time for an after-work commitment. We sacrifice some savings when the house needs an emergency repair.
So why does the Bible tell us to sacrifice our praise? Hebrews 13:15: "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." (GNT)
Praise is a good thing. Where is the sacrifice? It’s in the word itself. "sacer" (Latin; also sacrificium), means "holy," facere means "to make." When we sacrifice something, the original intent is to make it holy.
God asks that our praise be true and honest and worthy of Him. When we speak the name of Jesus, we honor God, His Son, and the Holy Spirit by claiming their Heavenly Presence in our lives!
Words are important. God spoke the world into existence. He is The Word! When we choose to acknowledge God and sacrifice our words to Him, we give up the words of this world (slander, negativity/poor self-talk, speaking badly about or in front of others); and when we praise Him out loud we lay God’s foundation for our lives and break the chains of the enemy. How powerful are these words!
Father God, I thank you with all I am, for the ability to thank you with all I am! You are the True Source and Sacrifice, and I welcome Your Presence in my life. Guide my words, Lord, to speak Your Truth into the lives of those around me, every moment of every day. May my world-talk turn to God-talk, and may I sacrifice to You always. Amen.
VERSE
Hebrews 13:15 (ESV: English Standard Version)
Don't have your Bible handy? Click here to read online.
AUTHOR
Molly Jo Realy
A Southern hippiechick at heart, Molly Jo Realy is author of the romantic location mystery novel, NOLA, and creator of the Book Builder Workbook. The founder of New Inklings Press, she is also an editor and coach who strives to encourage people to embrace their unique talents to share their stories as only they can. Addicted to God, cats, tea, planners, and pens, in no particular order. Follow her on social media for more fun!
COME ALIVE, STAY WILD, and always, SAVOR THE JOURNEY!
“Writing is about grabbing the reader’s attention and telling the story only you can tell. Let your personality and experiences flow into the characters you write, read, and live.
It’s not what I write that’s unique.
It’s how I write it.”
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