Morning Devotionals

by Don Emmitte

 

April 2nd, 2008

 

"Worth Celebrating"

My family tells me that they especially look forward to reading the devotionals that fall on each other’s birthday. They always wonder how I can do something new each time their special day rolls around. As you might surmise, today is one of those days. So, first, happy birthday David! Twenty nine years ago, David was born in Conroe, Texas. We were pasturing in Huntsville, but since there wasn’t a pediatrician in that city, we opted to drive the twenty miles to Conroe for the birth. I can tell you that was almost a mistake! Since Mary was much nearer delivery than we thought when she called me to come and get her to take her to the hospital, I nearly missed the whole event just getting her in the hospital and parking the car! But, that’s another story altogether.

Here’s the thought for today… birthdays are worth celebrating! Sounds simple doesn’t it? And, you might be asking what spiritual application that may have? Certainly I hope that David and Becca can spend a little time celebrating today. If so the following elements might be a part of the “party”: a gift; balloons; and, of course a cake. Each of those reminds me of another party that we can have anytime we think of our second birthday, that day when we were born again through the work of Christ.

v     The “gift” part is pretty easy to understand. Jesus said, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 NIV). What greater gift could anyone receive than eternal life? God has offered that gift through the work of Jesus for all of us!

v     “Balloons” are a little harder to get to, however, when you think of the helium filled balloons that so often accompany a celebration, you could also be reminded of the filling of the Holy Spirit in our lives. After all, isn’t one of the works of the Holy Spirit to “lift” our lives above the earthly realm in which we found ourselves before we were born again? The Apostle Paul wrote, “He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” (Titus 3:5b NIV).

v     And, then, my favorite part of the party, the “cake” is significant in our spiritual life too. God does not leave us to fend for ourselves with a meager existence. He does not abandon us to exist without the best of “food.” The Scripture provides for us a daily feast to dine upon!

Abraham Lincoln said, “And, in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” So… HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAVE! I know you can celebrate both your physical and spiritual birth! I hope all of you who read this will have cause to celebrate as well!