As we head into November, let’s prepare ourselves to have a heart of gratitude when we come together for Thanksgiving. Here is a first devotion that sets the stage to remember everything God has given us:

IN WORD –I wish I could say that all my actions are godly, but they’re not. I wish I could say that I always live with God’s kingdom in view, but I don’t. I wish I could say that all my responses to the people in my life are motivated by love for God and for them, but they’re not. I wish awe of God was the principal motivation for all I do, but often it isn’t. I wish I could say that I love God’s glory more than my own, but there are still moments when I live as a glory thief. I wish I could say that selfishness and greed are in my rearview mirror, but there’s evidence that they’re not. I wish I could say that I have a heart of pure submission, but, sadly, there are times when I want my own way. I wish I could say that I always exhibit the fruit of the Spirit, but there are times when I don’t. I wish I could say that I always live inside the wisdom boundaries of God’s Word, but there are times when I foolishly think I’m smarter than God.
I wish I could say that materialism doesn’t kidnap my heart anymore, but there are still times when it does. I wish I could say that I always rest in God’s control, but there are times when I want to be in charge. I wish I could say that there are never times when I am irritated or impatient, but I still struggle with both on occasion. I wish I could say that the worship of God rules my heart unchallenged, but the truth is that idolatry still nips at me. I wish I could say that I always rest in the righteousness of Christ, but there are still times when I give way to the pride of parading my so-called righteousness before others. I wish I could say that the great spiritual battle is over for me, but there is clear and regular evidence that it is not.
IN DEED – All this means that I value justifying grace. I celebrate that, in Christ, God found a way to be “just and the justifier” (Rom. 3:26) of the ungodly. I am daily thankful for the perfect life of Jesus. I am thankful that He subjected Himself to the temptations of this fallen world. I am thankful that on the cross He took my stripes and carried my guilt and shame. I am thankful that He took the father’s rejection. I am thankful that He burst out of that tomb, conquering death. I am thankful that His righteousness is attributed to my account. I am thankful that He fulfilled the law and satisfied the Father’s anger. I still celebrate the fact that I have been granted full, complete, and unending acceptance. I celebrate justifying grace because I am still unable to stand before God based on my own righteousness. I still fall short of His glory. So I am so very thankful that justifying grace ensures that I will forever be accepted as one of His righteous ones, even though I still don’t measure up. Yes, today I have reason again to be thankful for justifying grace. “God justifies the ungodly. This means there really is hope for people like us.” - Paul David Tripp (in “New Morning Mercies,” by Paul David Tripp)

It's easy to forget why we accepted Jesus as our Savior. It’s easy to think we are better or more holy than others as we are “Christian.” But Tripp is correct to note that we are all still sinners saved by grace while in this world. Only by the continuing work of the Holy Spirit and submitting to Jesus as Lord daily can we stand before our heavenly Father.
If you need reminding, take time to read through the letter to the Galatians this week. May the Spirit remind you that human effort can never add to what Jesus has done. Rather, we must come daily to Jesus and experience His grace over and over again. It is only by grace and a grateful heart that we can live with hope and confidence to truly be God’s children. Have a blessed week! – from Singapore, Pastor Sam