http://focusontheword.com/dailydev/showdev.asp?id=91000 Today's Devotion September 10, 2000 "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." (Hebrews 13:15) TODAY'S THOUGHTS "Sacrifice of priase" . . . "giving thanks to His name" . . . the fruit of our lips! What is actually in our hearts when we say, "Praise the Lord!" Are we saying something by habit . . . are we attempting to sound "spiritual" to those around us . . . are we trying to impress the Lord with lipservice . . . or, are we uttering these words as an expression of our sincere gratitude and thankfulness for what He has done or just for Who He is? Under the Old Covenant, those who offered 'strange' sacrifices before the Lord were dealt with harshly and immediately. Thank God for His mercy and grace through the shed blood of Jesus that we are not dealt with in this manner today. However, there are still 'strange' sacrifices being offered before the Lord today by the words we utter so thoughtlessly. During the next few days while you are around friends and family, take note of how often you utter "praise" to the Lord and immediately judge your heart to determine whether your utterance is "fruit" or "habit" or "lipservice". Just as a parent cherishes words and gestures of thanks from their children, in the Father's eyes there is nothing that can take the place of a word of thanks or praise uttered from the lips of a thankful heart! TODAY'S PRAYER Father, may the fruit of my lips be found pleasing in Your sight! Help me search my heart to be sure that the fruit of my lips is an acceptable sacrifice to You. Finally, Lord, I want to praise You and thank You for all You've done . . . Your provision has always been bountiful even when my gratitude has fallen short! Forgive me and help me, Lord I pray, to give you honor and thanks in all things! In Jesus' precious name . . . Amen! Have a blessed day! Blessings, Jan Ross jross@... <mailto:jross@...> http://focusontheword.com