Hebrews 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to his name.
Yes Friends, it’s a thanks and praise day! But note, I did not look to Bruh David as I usually do, I turned to Bruh Paul instead. Aren’t you all proud of me, practicing what I preach, impartiality? (smile) But seriously though people, the last chapter of Hebrews deals with service well pleasing to God, which should always be our main aspiration. And Bruh Paul begins it with those famous words of godly advice: ‘Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.’ (vs.1-3) Words to live by people, words to live by! We won’t go wrong if we follow that simple prescription; treat each other decently. Then he goes on to talk about marriage being honourable, not to be covetous, be content with whatever you have, ‘for he hath said, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.’ (vs.5) What a promise Friends! It assures us of constant care and concern from our God. And with that promise filling, ennobling our hearts, we can boldly rise, stand up and convincingly say, ‘The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.’ (vs.6) Praise His Holy Name people! That’s the beauty, the purpose of the Word; to keep us filled with God’s promises, so we can be strong and carry out His tasks. But we’ve got to constantly read and study it, so that we’ll be constantly energized. It’s the only way we’ll survive and thrive in this crazy, tumultuous world; having our hearts, souls and minds enamoured and filled with the Word of God. We should also remember those who taught us the Word, and the tenet they preached; ‘Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.’ (vs.8) Oh Friends, that thought should always be uppermost in our minds; everything else changes, but Jesus never does! That just adds to our assurance and enables us to stand even firmer in the Word and ‘Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace, not with meats which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.’ (vs.9) Jesus’ crucifixion made blood and burnt offerings of no further account. The shedding of His Holy blood was sufficient to wipe away our sins for ever. It was now by His goodly, generous grace that we’re saved. ‘By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually…’ That’s a must Friends! ‘Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.’ (Eph.5:20) A believer’s mantra people! ‘…that is, the fruit of our lips; giving thanks to his name.’ I doubt any other writer interwove the Old Testament so seamlessly with the New Covenant of Christ as Bruh Paul did; possibly because most were not as versed in it as him. But ‘the fruit of our lips,’ here alludes to two Old Testament passages: Isaiah 57:2, where the Lord says, ‘I create the fruit of the lips,’ and Hosea 14:2: ‘Take with you words, and turn to the Lord: say unto him, take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously, so will we render the calves of our lips.’ The Israelites were worshipping idols in calf form at the time. Friends, let’s gladly adhere to Bruh Paul’s’ advice nuh, and offer the fruit of our lips; a rich, bountiful harvest of thanks and praise to Almighty God. He most certainly deserves it. Much LOVE!…it is meet and comely…to offer thanks and praise…to the Most High…
Yes Friends, it’s a thanks and praise day! But note, I did not look to Bruh David as I usually do, I turned to Bruh Paul instead. Aren’t you all proud of me, practicing what I preach, impartiality? (smile) But seriously though people, the last chapter of Hebrews deals with service well pleasing to God, which should always be our main aspiration. And Bruh Paul begins it with those famous words of godly advice: ‘Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.’ (vs.1-3) Words to live by people, words to live by! We won’t go wrong if we follow that simple prescription; treat each other decently. Then he goes on to talk about marriage being honourable, not to be covetous, be content with whatever you have, ‘for he hath said, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.’ (vs.5) What a promise Friends! It assures us of constant care and concern from our God. And with that promise filling, ennobling our hearts, we can boldly rise, stand up and convincingly say, ‘The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.’ (vs.6) Praise His Holy Name people! That’s the beauty, the purpose of the Word; to keep us filled with God’s promises, so we can be strong and carry out His tasks. But we’ve got to constantly read and study it, so that we’ll be constantly energized. It’s the only way we’ll survive and thrive in this crazy, tumultuous world; having our hearts, souls and minds enamoured and filled with the Word of God. We should also remember those who taught us the Word, and the tenet they preached; ‘Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.’ (vs.8) Oh Friends, that thought should always be uppermost in our minds; everything else changes, but Jesus never does! That just adds to our assurance and enables us to stand even firmer in the Word and ‘Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace, not with meats which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.’ (vs.9) Jesus’ crucifixion made blood and burnt offerings of no further account. The shedding of His Holy blood was sufficient to wipe away our sins for ever. It was now by His goodly, generous grace that we’re saved. ‘By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually…’ That’s a must Friends! ‘Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.’ (Eph.5:20) A believer’s mantra people! ‘…that is, the fruit of our lips; giving thanks to his name.’ I doubt any other writer interwove the Old Testament so seamlessly with the New Covenant of Christ as Bruh Paul did; possibly because most were not as versed in it as him. But ‘the fruit of our lips,’ here alludes to two Old Testament passages: Isaiah 57:2, where the Lord says, ‘I create the fruit of the lips,’ and Hosea 14:2: ‘Take with you words, and turn to the Lord: say unto him, take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously, so will we render the calves of our lips.’ The Israelites were worshipping idols in calf form at the time. Friends, let’s gladly adhere to Bruh Paul’s’ advice nuh, and offer the fruit of our lips; a rich, bountiful harvest of thanks and praise to Almighty God. He most certainly deserves it. Much LOVE!…it is meet and comely…to offer thanks and praise…to the Most High…
SCRIP-BITS 