Skip to main content

Bragging Rights by Martin Wiles

She was doing it again. I was proud but also a little embarrassed.

Mom was “hawking.” “My oldest son has published three books.” “He writes for…” and follows with a list of magazines, newspapers, blogs, periodicals and websites. Most of them she gets right. A few she mispronounces and jumbles up. Occasionally I correct her; usually I don’t. I just let her hawk. Mom has three sons, and she’s proud of each one. So she brags and we blush. It’s been going on so long we accept it as the norm. Regardless of our mistakes, she still shines when she sings our praises.

God does too. Jesus left the region of Galilee and headed for the Jordan River where John the Baptist was baptizing. Despite John’s objection, Jesus requested baptism. As Jesus came out of the water, a voice from heaven said; This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. (Matthew 3:17)

Imagine that-“well pleased” by the God of the universe. Jesus was God’s Son, but he learned obedience the same way we do-through trials and temptations and by attending the school of hard knocks. Before he even begins his earthly ministry, the Father pronounces him loved, and when he accomplishes his mission Jesus proudly says, “It’s finished.” God brags and Jesus shines.

God brags on believers too. We are classified friends through faith in Jesus Christ. He even takes it a step farther and says we’re sons and daughters. He loves us unconditionally through foibles and false starts, disciplines us when we get off track, accepts us when we return from prodigal trips, and promises a beautiful eternal home when we finish our earthly course.

God loves bragging on his children, and our position and practice make it possible. Unlike my mom, he always gets the facts straight-I’m his child and a work in progress. Like my mom, he brags even when I take side roads away from his plan or practice attitudes and actions he doesn’t approve.

Position yourself properly so God can brag on you.

Prayer: Merciful God, we acknowledge all our accomplishments as gifts from You.

Receive these devotions in your email by entering your address on the blog sidebar and clicking submit.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Obeying God’s Schedule - Martin Wiles

Jesus turned around, and when he saw her he said, “Daughter, be encouraged! Your faith has made you well.” Matthew 9:22 NLT Schedules are made to be broken. According to the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator personality test, I’m a judger. I like structure and organization. While I can be spontaneous on occasion, it’s not my preferred way of life. I’m also time conscious. I’ve been wearing a watch since I was in first grade. Schedules are important, and I like to be ahead of time for whatever the agenda holds. Keeping and checking off a list gives me an adrenaline rush. In college, I completed all my projects ahead of time. Some of these traits were inborn, but being the firstborn child and living with parents who had similar traits made it certain I’d be a judger.  John’s gospel, especially, makes it evident that Jesus journeyed on a divine schedule. Many were told not to tell that he had healed them or cast out their demons simply because Jesus didn’t want his ministry to end p...
16 comments
Read more

Bears or Gators? Believer or Non-Believer? - Melissa Henderson

So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living thing with which the water teems and that moves about in it, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:21 NIV   “What do you mean there are gators in the neighborhood?”  Moving from central Virginia to South Carolina's Lowcountry brought new adventures. Learning about alligators, blue skinks, armadillos, and other creatures led to excitement but also a bit of worry. One of the most interesting parts of living in a new state was adapting to the weather and different animals. Would we prefer the bears of Virginia or the gators of the South? As my husband and I became accustomed to the humidity and scorching heat of the Deep South, we began referring to ourselves as “South Carolinians.” We laughed as we noticed folks wearing long-sleeved shirts and coats when temperatures reached sixty degrees in the Lowcountry. In Virginia, that temperature was...
10 comments
Read more

Connecting to the Creator - Martin Wiles

It was the Lord’s Day, and I was worshiping in the Spirit. Revelation 1:10 NLT I’ve done it all my life—whether I wanted to or not. Going to church was never an option. Dad was a preacher, and PK’s went to church … often. Our particular church tradition held services three times weekly, in addition to special activities on other days. I had to attend each one. After moving out, I had the option of going, but still went. When my parents made me go, I sometimes didn’t want to. But when I could stay home, I rarely did. Worship is what the apostle John did on the Lord’s Day. As he did, God spoke to him and told him to write things that would happen in the future. Things God’s people needed to hear and respond to. Beyond everything else, worship concerns giving God the glory and praise He deserves. He is our creator and deliverer, and we should celebrate that through worship. But worship involves us also. We have needs that require attention and decisions that deman...
1 comment
Read more