December 14, 2015:  SOAP #2202:   

Scripture:  Hebrews (NIV) 13:15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name.  16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.         

Observation:   My interest is alerted when I see verses about pleasing God.  Knowing God, it should be very normal to want to please Him.  And where can one find better information on pleasing God than in His word, the Bible.  So these verses caught my attention.

Application:     For something to be a sacrifice, it must cost me something.  A sacrifice of praise is the fruit of my lips, not the fruit of my circumstances.   It is praising God because He is worthy, in spite of the difficult time I am experiencing.  Doing good and sharing with others involves going out of my way to do something for the good of someone else.  It may cost me more or take more time than I want to give.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, pleasing you is high priority.  Thank you for verses in the Bible that show me how to please you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!