Rochelle Francis
Hebrews 13:15

Let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise.

Sacrificial praise! 

If you feel like circumstances have you locked in today, read this. "About midnight Paul and Silas were...singing hymns to God...Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken...all the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose" (Acts 16:25-26). Praise opens the doors! Praise breaks chains! Any time you're willing to praise God despite your circumstances, the forces of heaven come to your aid. "But I don't feel like praising God" you say. Then offer to God "a sacrifice of praise." Anybody can praise Him in the good times, but when you have to rise above your feelings, your circumstances and the opinions of others to do it - that's when it really counts. The battle of Jericho teaches us that sometimes we have to shout when: (a) we're up against a brick wall; (b) we feel like we're going in circles; (c) the enemy seems to stand over us mocking; (d) our rational mind thinks "this is no way to fight a war;" (e) this is the last thing on earth we feel like doing. Nehemiah writes, "The joy of the Lord [the joy that comes from knowing he is present with you and has gone before you to work things out in your favor] is your strength". If you look to your circumstances to find your joy - you'll live on an emotional roller coaster. But if you look to the Lord of your circumstances and rejoice in His unfailing goodness, you'll move from weakness to strength every time!

Prayer 

Eternal God, teach us to praise you when we feel like it and when we do not. Let your praises continue to fall off our lips.

Thought for the day 

Have you praised God today?