Tidbits for This Day – from my morning devotions

Mrs. Maybelle Cowles Reminds Us of First Order

Growing up attending Grace Baptist Church in Bowling Green, Kentucky, I have no idea the number of times I sat through a testimony portion of the service. Often the pastor, my dad, would offer any person in the church the opportunity to stand and reflect with the assembled church family something for which he or she was thankful. It could of course be about anything. Somewhere along the way, I realized that almost always the first person to raise their hand and stand was Mrs. Maybelle Cowles. She would begin, “Bro. Marvin, I want to thank the Lord first for my salvation…” Yes. That is where we begin on this day and every day. What would we do without our salvation?

• Saved – rescued. Originally spiritually dead and ultimately headed to hell because of our sin, we asked God to forgive us based upon the finished, sacrificial life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and God does.
• Alive – new birth. We transition from being dead in our trespasses and sins to alive in Jesus Christ. We get spiritual birth, or as many say, born again. We now have spiritual life.
• Forgiven – God forgives us of all our sins. Past sins. Present sins. Future sins. All of them forgiven by God. How? Because all mankind plunged into spiritual death when Adam sinned. However, Jesus came as the final Adam. He was born the God-man. As the Son of God, He possessed the ability to take on God’s wrath for all of mankind’s sins. As the Son of Man, He could sacrificially take our place as a substitute. Therefore, when we ask God for forgiveness, He forgives us based upon the payment of sin already paid by Jesus when God poured out His wrath upon Him instead of us when Jesus died in our place (2 Cor 5:21).
• Adopted – and it gets better! We are not only forgiven by God; we also are adopted by God into His family. As adopted, we become heirs of all God’s riches. We become His children, sons and daughters of the very God. This also makes us brothers and sisters too.
• Purposed – we live with a purpose now. Every day we seek to become more and more like Jesus Christ, our Lord, Savior, and the ultimate Example of what it means to be a child of God. We make it our aim to live lives that honor and glorify God (2 Cor 5:9; 1 Cor 10:31).
• Protected – As a child of God, we enjoy all the privileges and protections of being His child. Nothing can snatch us away from God. Our own sin cannot even take us out from under the love of Christ. He secures our salvation. As adopted, we cannot un-adopt ourselves.
• Bound – When this life is over, we are bound for heaven. What a joy to know that death was defeated in Christ. Whenever we die, we transition immediately from here on earth to God’s presence in heaven. Incredible. Again, not because of our own personal faithfulness, but because of the faithfulness of God. He is covenant faithful.
• Accompanied – Until that future day of death when we will be united physically with God in heaven, we always enjoy the presence of God. The Holy Spirit lives within us. God’s presence is always with us. Plus, Jesus promises to never leave us or forsake us. In every way, we enjoy the presence of God.
• Loved – All of these things point to the absolutely undeniable fact that we are loved by God (Rom 8:31-39; Eph 3:14-21). Crazy good, isn’t it? Loved by God in Christ!

Grateful for Family and Friends

Today, I reflect on my family and friends. I’m grateful to be around so many even today, yet I recognize that my friendships, church family, and family members in Christ extend so far. Upon these individuals this morning I think and ask God to bless them on this day. I rejoice in the gift of my family! Absolutely blessed. I rejoice in the gift of my church family! Blessed again. And, I rejoice in so many friends in Christ all over the world! Over the top blessed.

Some of my friends today hurt. I have asked God to comfort them in their struggles. I appreciate the reminder recently to think of suffering under both banners of loss and longing. Some of us suffer under one or both of those categories. We have lost; we long. This morning I think through those lists and consider the many people I know on this day who have lost and who long. I have prayed for you. I do so even now.

Possibly there are those who you so long to be with today. A very special friend. Family. A group of people. Me too. Take a moment and pray for that person or people that God would grant them a special day of realized blessings wherever they are and with whomever they are.

God’s Provisions

God provides for us each day. Do we live in a perfect world? No, that’s the next world. We do long for that day though. Yet, until then, enjoy all the good things God provides us each day. Nature. People. Things.

Who could paint a prettier picture than God? Oh my! The recent lunar eclipse, the beautiful fall, and the gorgeous temperatures are all examples of the beauty all around us that proclaims the glory of God.

As part of Thanksgiving, I am grateful for God’s provisions to the first settlers. As the days have continued, I am grateful for our country. Imperfect and incomplete, our country still provides the most religious freedom for us and our families than any country in the history of the world. Further, our missionary outreach as a result of this country has been great. Plus, mercy and a desire for justice permeates this society. For these things, we are grateful for God’s provisions.

Let’s Be Thankful Together

On this day, let’s be thankful together. We certainly could complain, ask for more, and change a few things. No doubt that is true for all of us. However, on this day, let us rejoice in our God, His provisions, and His grace.

Happy Thanksgiving!