John Gipson
Type: Bulletin
Two Sacrifices - Praise & Sharing
Some sacrifices are always in season. Even in the midst of sadness, heartbreak, pain and suffering. Yes, even then, praise and sharing should be linked hand in hand.
The Bible reminds us,
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. Hebrews 13.15-16.
I read of a 17th century German preacher who is said to have buried 5,000 members of his church in one year, an average of nearly 15 a day. Yet, though his church was ravaged by war, pestilence, and an invader’s economic oppression, he wrote this table prayer for his children:
Now thank we all our God
With heart and hands and voices;
Who wondrous things hath done,
In whom His world rejoices.
Who, from our mother’s arms,
Hath led us on our way
With countless gifts of love,
And still is ours today.
In 1636, amid the darkness of the Thirty Years’ War, Martin Rinkart drew spiritual strength from a spirit of thanksgiving for God’s past and present goodness. He offered his sacrifice of praise!
A second form of sacrifice that pleases God is when we do good and share what we have with others. We may be discouraged over how little we can give, but God knows our abilities and resources. Even Mary and Joseph could bring only two turtledoves when they presented Jesus in the temple.
With joy let us offer the sacrifices of praise and sharing.
—John Gipson
Little Rock, AR
