Hebrews 13:15 ‘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’

DAILY READING; Revelation 15; Esther 6:14-8:17; Psalm 107:1-22

In 2017, six Protestant pastors were arrested and jailed in India for holding house prayer in an Indian village..
Hindu activists had reported them to the police.
At that time, the situation in the region was very alarming for Christians, especially after a Hindu administrator took over the affairs of the state. Severally, Christians had suffered attacks from the Hindus.
Even before the Pastors arrived at the jail, the Hindus in the prison had been alerted and told to attack them.
And so for the first three days of their stay in the jail, the Pastors were verbally abused by the inmates, who pulled their hair, took away their bed roll, and forced them to sleep on the floor.

However, when the pastors continued to respond with the love of Christ, the prisoners began to change their attitudes. Before long, they were gathering to listen to the Gospel message being preached by these pastors.

When finally their case was brought to the court, the prosecution failed to prove the charges against the pastors. As a result, they were released on bail after having spent nine days in jail.
However, despite their ordeal, the pastors came out of the jail, joyful and thanking God for the opportunity to have witnessed Christ in jail to the prisoners. They believed it was a God given gift to have gone to jail to win souls for Christ.

The truth is that in life’s journey sometimes you may have to pass through some valleys before you can get to your mountaintop. A valley is defined as a depression. When you come to those places of depression in your journey, what do you do? It is easy to praise God when things are going well, but what of those times, when it seems as if life has taken an unexpected twist or turn?

Jesus gave thanks the night that he was living in the shadow of the cross. He was about to be crucified by the Romans, which is the most brutal form of death, yet He gave thanks.
The same night, Judas betrayed him and Peter denied him three times, Jesus gave thanks.
(1 Corinthians 11:24-25)

Because of the joy that was set before Him, Jesus endured the cross and despised the shame. He chose to look forward despite the difficult circumstance of the cross that surrounded Him..And because He endured with joy, He was able to triumph at last.

Indeed the spirit of thanksgiving releases the miracle-working power of God. When you sow the seed of praise you will reap the harvest of signs and wonders.
No matter how difficult the trial, as we stay in praise, God will turn every test into our testimony.

We don’t just praise God when it feels good, looks good, or benefits us in some way, we offer praise, “continually.”

Hebrews 13:15 says ‘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’

Even at those times, it may seem we have a good reason to feel down and discouraged, we must discipline ourselves to always give God thanks in everything.

I Thessalonians 5:18 says “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus’

Depression will only give room to the oppression of the enemy. But thanksgiving leads to our lifting.

When you continue to offer the sacrifice of praise, in the midst of difficulties, somehow, in ways you cannot fathom, things will begin to turn around.
You will see that negative medical verdict overturned, the financial problems will be resolved, the family crisis, marital troubles etc will all be overcome.
Indeed there’s nothing God cannot handle in our lives, as long as we stay in praise.
Certainly, He is the God of miracles, who can exceed our every expectations.

PRAYER: Father please enable me to always praise You at all times and in every situation. Please destroy every form of depression and discouragment in my life. Certainly, You are at work, even now, to turn every negative situation around for my good in Jesus Name.

QUOTE ;
When you make God your priority, God automatically makes you priority in His own plan. – WORDBITE 222.