My chaplaincy program is going well.  This week I have put in some hours visiting patients at the hospital.  I had some really good conversations with several of them and some really great conversations with a few others.  I had an opportunity to pray for and pray with several people.  I even had more than one patient pray for me.  Yes, I had some good conversations and I met some people with marvelous attitudes and great faith.  Despite an illness, disease or surgery due to some type of malady or accident, they could not wait to tell me how they were trusting in the Lord.  There were some I met who complained about various things and they had valid reasons, I’m sure.  But not these people; they were eager to share about their faith despite their circumstances.  It was encouraging.  It reminded me of Hebrews 13:15 which says

Heb 13:15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise–the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.

In this letter the author reminds the church that Christ is our High Priest, He has interceded on our behalf, cleansed us and provided us access not just to the Kingdom of heaven but to the very throne of grace where we may obtain mercy and find grace in our time of need.  Because of Him and THROUGH Him we are able to offer the sacrifice of praise.

Sometimes it is a sacrifice to praise.  You have to lay aside that valid reason you have to complain about aches and pains or a struggle you are going through.  You have to forego “your right” to grumble about the problem and choose to speak graciously about the problem solver.  We offer up thanks unto Him because we know that whatever we are going through, our High Priest is with us.  He will never leave us nor forsake us.  He who provides hope for the hereafter will provide help in the here and now.  He is worthy to be praised.  We can choose to bring the sacrifice of praise…may we do so continually.

Psalm 109:30 With my mouth I will give thanks abundantly to the LORD; and in the midst of many I will praise Him.