Hebrew 13:16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
“Praise, Worship and Thanksgiving are the highest expressions of prayer”.
Good deeds, generosity and giving with a humble heart of gratitude are ‘sacrifices’ or ‘expressions of worship’ that pleases God. We can do the right things for the wrong reasons. Doing good deeds just to gain popularity or prominence is generosity for the wrong reason. It would please people but does not please God. Similarly ‘giving’ to get blessings or win the favour of God is like bribing Him. Man can be lured by lavish charity but God cannot be fooled.
“Good” in the eyes of the Almighty God is defined in Micah 6:8 O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Any act of giving or loving outside this definition will not be a pleasing sacrifice. The Prophet Jonah was offended with God when he was commissioned to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly before Him. He ran away from God’s mission because he could not bear the thought that the Assyrians in Nineveh would repent and receive mercy by his preaching. He wished the worst for his enemies. He turned his back on God as he did not want to share the goodnews of repentance and redemption. In his pride, he decided to rewrite God’s plan. However, when he humbled himself from the ocean’s deep and the Lord redirected the fish to spew him on the shore of his destiny. But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you (Jonah 2:9a). Praise was the rudder that turned the direction of the fish to the shore.
Praise is the rudder that steers the ship toward our destiny.
True Worship:
- Good: Walking in love and doing good even to those who harm us is a sweet worship to the Lord.
- Giving: God cherishes cheerful giving; not grudging offering.
- Generosity: Generosity from an authentic heart of gratitude is a commendable offering of praise that pleases God.
Praise and Worship is the rudder that turns your ship to the fertile shore.
Prayer: God my Father, may my sacrifice of giving, goodness and generosity be a pleasing offering of praise to you. Amen.
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