"Praise God!"

  Do you praise God? I mean do you each day praise the name of the Lord and give thanks to His name? These questions might sound a little odd because we don't speak like this too much. Just listen: "Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of the lip that give thanks to His name."  (Heb. 13:15) I see people write things that speak "God is good!" but most of the time when that is said, it is because of a prayer we have had answered the way we wanted it answered or good came out of something difficult. But what about when we are told no by God? Do we praise Him then? When things don't work for what we think is our desired outcome, do we praise Him then?

  No matter what we face in life, no matter what life threatening diseases or hurts that come to us, it does not change the fact that God is still for us and His promises and faithfulness to us are not changed one bit because of a difficult circumstance! "For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come." (Heb. 13:14) That's the verse that precedes the one above. What city are we really part of? This earthly, temporary, painful and sometimes difficult arena? Is this where we have pinned our faith and placed our hope?

  We need to praise God. Through Jesus, because of what He has accomplished for us, we should give thanks to His name continually! How much praise have you given Him today?