| The dictionary explains praise as meaning | | | | |
| appreciation, respect, regard, cheer, revere, | | | | Yet at the same time many even among the |
| glorify and honor. The Vine's dictionary says | | | | leaders believed in him. But because of the |
| that it is used of those on account of, and | | | | Pharisees they would not confess their faith |
| by reason of, whom as God's heritage, praise | | | | for fear they would be put out of the |
| is to be ascribed to God, in respect of His | | | | synagogue; for they loved praise from men |
| glory. Some people praise with hymns and | | | | more than praise from God. |
| songs, others by the fruit of their lips they | | | | |
| confess his name. Well let's see what the | | | | Then Jesus cried out, When a man believes in |
| Bible says about praise. | | | | me, he does not believe in me only, but in |
| | | | the one who sent me. When he looks at me, he |
| First look at Hosea 14:2 it says Take words | | | | sees the one who sent me. I have come into |
| with you and return to the Lord; Say to him | | | | the world as a light, so that no one who |
| forgive all our sins and receive us | | | | believes in me should stay in darkness. As |
| graciously that we may offer the fruit of our | | | | for the person who hears my words but does |
| lips. | | | | not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did |
| | | | not come to judge the world, but to save it. |
| Now look at Micah 7:18 it says Who is a God | | | | There is a judge for the one who rejects me |
| like you, who pardons sin and forgives the | | | | and does not accept my words; that very word |
| transgression of the remnant of his | | | | which I spoke will condemn him at the last |
| inheritance? You do not stay angry forever | | | | day. For I did not speak of my own accord, |
| but delight to show mercy. You will again | | | | but the Father who sent me commanded me what |
| have compassion on us; you will tread our sin | | | | to say and how to say it. I know that his |
| underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into | | | | command leads to eternal life. So whatever I |
| the depths of the sea. You will be true to | | | | say is just what the Father has told me to |
| Jacob, and show mercy to Abraham, as you | | | | say. |
| pledge on oath to our fathers in days long | | | | |
| ago. | | | | Look at Hebrews 13:15 it says Through Jesus, |
| | | | therefore, let us continually offer to God a |
| Now look at John 12:37 it says Even after | | | | sacrifice of praise-the fruit of lips that |
| Jesus had done all these miraculous signs in | | | | confess his name. And do not forget to do |
| their presence, they still would not believe | | | | good and to share with others, for with such |
| in him. This was to fulfill the word of | | | | sacrifices God is pleased. |
| Isaiah the prophet: Lord, who has believed | | | | |
| our message and to whom has the arm of the | | | | In closing let's not be like mere men as they |
| Lord been revealed? For this reason they | | | | did, (for they loved praise from men more |
| could not believe, because, as Isaiah says | | | | than praise from God). Let us all continually |
| elsewhere; He has blinded their eyes and | | | | offer a sacrifice of praise to God with the |
| deadened their hearts, so they can neither | | | | fruit of our lips that confess his name. Let |
| see with their eyes, nor understand with | | | | us praise Jesus with songs hymns, may we all |
| their hearts, nor turn-and I would heal them. | | | | thank him for his mercy and grace and for his |
| Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus glory | | | | glory. |
| and spoke about him. | | | | |