The Sacrifice of Praise to God - Ezekiel 8-10 and Hebrews 13

Ezekiel was taken by the Spirit in a vision to Jerusalem to see what was happening behind the scenes at the Temple. He was shown that the people may have been offering their sacrifices to God in public, but in private they were worshiping idols. They really did not think God could see what they were doing. This was what broke God's heart. They were not truly praising Him as Lord. They were fake. God could not stand this, so He departed from the Temple. God will not stay where His people do not praise Him and lift Him up as Lord. If we want Jesus to fill our lives and our church, we must give Him the proper place of reverence. We cannot serve God and idols and expect Him to bless us. We cannot delude ourselves into thinking He does not see what we are doing. Are you filled with God's Spirit, or has His glory departed from you? If you honor Him as Lord and give Him all of your praise, His Spirit will fill you and constantly guide you.

Hebrews 13 calls it the sacrifice of praise to God. In the Old Testament times the sacrifices were offering animals on an altar. Now, we are to offer the sacrifice of praise to God. It is from our lips. It is to be combined with a thankful attitude. When God sees our hearts full of praise and thanksgiving, He will abide with us constantly. In our church He loves to hear us sincerely sing praise to Him and to thank Him. He will fill our church when we offer Him the sacrifice of praise. We must be careful to give Him all of the glory and praise. We couldn't save ourselves. Jesus was the only one who could save us. We must never forget that wonderful love He showed us and His ultimate sacrifice. We must give Him all of the praise for giving Himself for us.

Tomorrow, I intend to read Ezekiel 11-13 and James 1.