Sacrifices that are Pleasing to God

Hebrews 13:15-16
"Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God."
- fruit of our lips
- doing good
- sharing what we have

These are three sacrifices the author of Hebrews outlines for believers. These are not a comprehensive list of ways we are to sacrifice to God through Christ, but nevertheless are three simple sacrifices one can do in order to please God. We can sacrifice our words in order to bring God praise. Rather than saying things that will elevate us, cover up God, or degrade others let us be people who produce luscious fruit from our lips. The luscious fruit coming from lips are to be words that acknowledge his name. What are words that can acknowledge his name? Words like 'please' and 'thank-you'. Other words like 'God is so good' or 'Better than I deserve'. Other ways we can acknowledge his name from our lips is saying 'I love you', 'I believe in you', 'God loves you', 'God has a plan and purpose for you', or 'God will be with you'. So today in a conversation look for ways either to subtly or boldly acknowledge the name of our great God, Jesus Christ. 

Not only does the author say we can sacrifice our words in order to acknowledge his name, but we can sacrifice in doing good and sharing what we have. Doing good is more exertion and sharing is more giving what we possess. The beauty is, these two go together. They are inseparable. We cannot do good to someone with sharing with them at least our time. Doing good to someone leads inevitably in sharing with that person our time, talents, or treasures. We can do good to someone by simply spending time with that person encouraging them and listening to them. Good actions can be taking someone to the store who has no car or picking up their children. Giving a gift card to someone and writing 'Just thinking and praying for you' is considered doing something good while at the same time sharing with them. 

Notice what the author says at the end of verse 16, "for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." When we sacrifice our words to lift up the name of Christ, and when we sacrifice our time, talents, and treasures and share them with others by doing good to them, we please God. This is our aim in life, as a believer. We live for his glory and fame. Our lives are tools which work to bring recognition and praise to him. How are we doing in these three very simply, yet extremely important areas? What can we say today to bring him glory? What can we do and share with others that will please him?