IPR DAILY DEVOTION
Topic: THE FRUIT OF OUR LIPS
THEME SCRIPTURE:
Hebrews 13:15 (KJV)
By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
MESSAGE:
Our theme Scripture is a reference to our Lord Jesus as our High Priest, by whom we are to offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually.
Unlike the Old Testament priests whose duty was to offer animals and fruits as sacrifices to God, our duty as New Testament priests is to offer the sacrifice of praise; and the Scripture calls it, “The fruit of our lips giving thanks to His Name.” Giving thanks to the Name of the Lord is not optional; it is our priestly duty as New Testament priests. Revelations 1:6 says, God has made us kings and priests unto God and His Father. As kings, we rule by our words; and as priests, we offer the sacrifice of praise - and we are to do that CONTINUALLY!
For us to be able to offer praise on a continuous basis as our sacrifice to God, we must learn to live independently of our circumstances. If you’re going to observe your circumstance before you fulfil your priestly responsibility, you may never offer the fruit of your lips giving thanks to the Name of the Lord. And there can be no fruit without first, the planting of a seed. The sacrifice we offer as New Testament priests is the fruit of our lips; remember, out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks ( Luke 6:45). Meaning, we must plant certain seeds in our hearts that will spring forth as the fruit of our lips. And the only seed that is viable and can withstand all “weather conditions” is the Word of God (Luke 8:11). If the Word of God is not in your heart, you cannot yield praise and thanksgiving as the fruit of your lips. That’s why Colossians 3:16 (KJV) says, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”
If the Word of God as a seed finds its place in your heart, it will spring forth as a fruit on your lips, where you’ll continually give thanks to the Name of the Lord.