God does not want us to just feel gratitude. But for us to show it by giving thanks to God with our lives.
– R.C. Sproul.
I grew up as a Catholic and respected all their rituals. However, I had reservations when it comes to the role of the priests during confession. And I wondered before, how can a mortal man absolve us from our sins? I received clarification from the Holy Spirit when I started reading the Bible, specifically the Old Testament.
Bible Reading
Today’s devotional reading is from the Letter to the Hebrews 13:15-16. Please, read our recent devotional from the 1st Letter of Paul to Timothy 6:12: The Good Fight Of Faith (Link Please)
The ultimate Priest who offered Himself
The first two words, through Him, in verse 15 caught my attention. It reminded me of the prayer Jesus recited (John 17) that showed He is the High Priest. Moreover, He had offered Himself as a sacrifice for our sins and to save us from eternal damnation. If this does not make you offer sacrifices of thanksgiving every day, I do not know what will.
In verse 15, we are encouraged to continually offer praises to God. Furthermore, that the fruit of our lips will continuously acknowledge His name and share His Gospel to all.
Our offerings as priests
It is clear that not only are we ask to offer sacrifices of thanksgiving to God and share the Good News of Jesus Christ to others. Also, we should not neglect to do good. This act is not to save us, God knows we cannot save ourselves. But as a fruit of the salvation, we received through Jesus Christ.
Paul wrote to the Romans, that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved (Romans 10:9). The good works will also be what we offer as sacrifices of thanksgiving to God. And like the priests in the Old Testament, let us keep the fire burning in our temples.
Reflection
This is the time for your journaling. Reflect on these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit to test your faith and your walk with Christ.
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? — 2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV.
- Are you one of Jesus Christ’s priests? Accept Jesus Now.
- What are you doing as His priest?
- Have you considered your good works as something that will bring you to heaven?
- What are the things you are thankful for today?
- Listen to this to hear how to be thankful for everything.
Related Posts
- The Establishment And Destruction Of The Temple
- The Greatest Sacrifice
- Jesus Christ: The Perfect Intercessor And High Priest
- The journey of the Father and the Son
- Bravery For Christ Even To Death
Prayer
Lord, teach me to offer you a heart of thanksgiving and praise in all my daily experiences of life. Teach me to be joyful always, to pray continually and to give thanks in all my circumstances. I accept them as Your will for my life (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). I long to bring pleasure to Your heart daily. Break the power of the enemy in my life. Defeat Him through my sacrifice of praise. Change my outlook and attitude into one of joyful contentment with my present circumstances. I thank You for (name a difficult circumstance in your life presently and thank God for it).
All these we pray in Jesus’ saving name. Amen.
(from Crosswalk.com)
