Thanksgiving: Salvation

I am so thankful to God that He was kind & merciful enough to extend salvation to us & make relationship with Him possible through the work of Jesus on the cross.

Thanksgiving: 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)

May 25, 2014 was the day that my eternal standing and life forever changed! I was in Austin, Texas, at Great Hills Baptist Church. God used the sermon of my Dad and the wisdom of Mark Hall in my salvation story! I remember walking the aisle at Great Hills, walking to the decision room, talking with Mark about needing salvation, and asking God to save me. I remember walking out of the room and feeling different than I ever had before. I remember having a peace that surpasses understanding. I remember my family being very proud of me. I remember getting in the car and finally understanding what eternal security meant and felt like and what it meant to have a relationship with God!

As I tell you all these details, I cannot help but be overwhelmed with thanksgiving to God for all of the memories. I am thankful to God that He did not give up on me! I am thankful to God that He used my dad in my salvation story. I am thankful to God that He used Mark Hall in my salvation story. I am thankful to God to be saved at Great Hills Baptist Church. I am thankful to God that He was kind, merciful, and gracious enough to extend salvation to mankind and to make a relationship with Him possible through the work of Jesus Christ on the cross. Simply: I am thankful for salvation!

What about you?

What is your story of salvation? What was the moment that God saved you? What are the details surrounding your salvation story? Who was there? Where were you at? What were you feeling after you got saved? Who did you tell after you got saved?

Here's my challenge and encouragement for you today: Retell yourself the amazing story of how God saved you, and thank God for EVERY PART of the story! Why EVERY PART of the story? Because He is responsible for EVERY PART of the story! He is the giver of all good gifts (which we will discuss tomorrow), and every part of your salvation story is a good thing! Ultimately, He is the GIVER of salvation. Our verse for today shows you how salvation "is God's gift–not from works, so that no one can boast." So, thank God for EVERY PART of your story: Thank Him for His patience. Thank Him for His gift of salvation. Thank Him for saving you. Thank Him for saving you where you were, for who you were with, etc.

Today, thank God for your salvation!