Thankfulness: Salvation

For today, continuing in being thankful for what God has given us, I want you to think about the greatest gift you have ever been given.

Thankfulness: Salvation

This week's devotions are written by my son, Bryant Forshee, Lead Student Pastor for Cross Church, Springdale, AR campus.

- Pastor Danny

"For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God's gift—not from works, so that no one can boast."

(Ephesians 2:8-9, CSB)

We are officially 22 days away from Christmas, and I don't know about you, but I am PUMPED! Some of you have been blasting Christmas music for the past three months, and I do not understand this at all... but I respect it. Others are just now getting into the Christmas spirit because it is early December, and that is where I am. One of the things that comes with Christmas is gifts, and I want you to think about the best Christmas gift you have ever been given.

In middle school, I was on the Keller Middle School basketball team and wanted a pair of shoes—not just any shoes, but some T-Mac 4s! I remember asking my parents for them, and guess what happened on Christmas? I got my T-Mac 4s AND another pair of Nikes! I am sure I have received better Christmas presents since then, but that is the one present that comes to my mind when asked what my favorite Christmas gift of all time is. When you get a great present, a "greatest of all time" present, your thanks and appreciation are evident to all. There is excitement and joy and lots of "THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!"

For today, continuing in being thankful for what God has given us, I want you to think about the greatest gift you have ever been given. If you are a follower of Jesus, this is salvation. What was the moment that you received the incredible gift of salvation? Where were you? Who was with you? What did you feel at that moment? My life was forever changed at Great Hills Baptist Church on May 25, 2014. I finally accepted the gift of salvation that I had heard about my whole life. I remember Mark Hall counseling me through my decision and feeling peace like I had never experienced.

Recalling your salvation story does many things, but I want to focus on two things: thankfulness and evangelism. When you think about your testimony, you cannot help but be thankful for God saving you. It wasn't because you're terrific that God saved you; it was all because of God's grace that He saved you. Recalling your salvation story produces lots of thankfulness because, as Ephesians 2 says, it is a gift, so that means you cannot earn your salvation; you just accept it from a gracious God. The next thing that thinking about salvation does is stir your heart to tell someone how they can receive the greatest gift ever: salvation!

If you can, take some time to write out your testimony and thank God for saving you. Let the written story stir your heart for evangelism, and pray to God for an opportunity to tell someone about Jesus today!

By the way, today is Giving Tuesday! This is the big day to support ministries and charities you value. If DFEA encourages you and bolsters you in your walk with the Lord, would you partner with us in our ministry?

Today, as a special thank-you for your gift of $25 or more, we are offering you a wonderful new year-long daily devotional book entitled, God's Mercy, Grace, and Compassion, to which Pastor Danny contributed.

Not only does DFEA provide these free digital daily devotionals and weekly podcast but also supports full-time missionaries overseas and in the USA, contributes to rescuing women from sex trafficking and helping pregnant women in crisis, and trains pastors and other believers in evangelism and disciple-making.

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