Note to Self

In recent years, I've heard several Bible teachers encourage us to preach the gospel to ourselves daily.  Very good advice indeed. . .but what does that look like in practical terms?  Does that involve more than a daily reminder of our need for a Savior and Christ's atonement for our sins on the cross?  How do we take the gospel and apply it to the daily grind?  In writing Note to Self, Joe Thorn purposed to "help others develop a theological understanding and real-life practice of the discipline of preaching to ourselves," noting the difference between law and gospel but emphasizing the need for both. The book consists of forty-eight short daily devotional reads (addressed to Self) divided into the categories of The Gospel and God, The Gospel and Others, the Gospel and You.  


This morning I read the chapter entitled "Give Thanks."  Psalm 100: 4 - 5 encourages us to: Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise!  Give thanks to him; bless his name!  For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.  Joe Thorn writes about the psalmist's call to approach God with gratitude:


"[The psalmist] points to three realities: because God is good, because God is loving, and because God is faithful.  A good theologian is thankful, and until you know these truths you are likely to feel entitled and deserving.  How do you know God to be good, loving, and faithful?  These attributes were put on display most beautifully in the gospel.  God is good, loving, and faithful by not giving you what you deserve (judgment) and by lavishing on you grace unmeasured.  He is good and loving in saving us from sin and judgment, giving us hope and life, and adopting us as his own.  He is faithful to his Word and his promise to us, that he will not count our sins against us and will continue the work he began in us to completion.  On top of this, every good thing you have in this life is a gift from your Heavenly Father, and as one who has been justified by the grace of Christ you should see everything in your life as grace that accompanies your salvation.  For such things do not come from a Judge, but your Dad."


Praying today that my faith will not be merely lip service but experiential knowledge of the goodness, love, and faithfulness of God through the means of thanksgiving.