Out of the wreckage

I think that today is one of the most exciting devotionals that I have done yet. It shows us that we are not to forget of God's grace and mercy on us. In the end everything ends up in the wreckage, it says in Ephesians 2:1-7;

As for you , you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions-it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

After reading this passage of Scripture, and reading my devotional, I think that the author of my devotional that I have been reading, "Before the Thunder Rolls" by Dale Beaver captures this verse the best. He tells about how he had the chance to meet Doug Macmillan, the best friend of Todd Beamer. Todd Beamer being the "Let's roll" guy of Flight 93 on 9/11.

Doug met up with Dale in Dover, Delaware, before a race there. Doug handed Dale the contents of a small velvet bag. At first Dale thought it was just a piece of scrap metal, but then realized that it was what was left of a Rolex watch. Then Doug told Dale that was all that was left of his best friend and how it had been pulled out of the wreckage of Flight 93.

Todd had bought it celebrating his accomplishments in his career, and it was his prized possession. Now after a tragic turn of events, that watch was nothing, it had been pulled from the wreckage. That is what Doug wanted Dale to remind all the race drivers, in the end it all ends up in the wreckage.

I think that it is not just celebrities that need reminding of this. I think we all need this reminder from time to time. We all find ourselves getting distracted by the things of the world, and forget that one day it will be gone. Cars, watches, houses, and even money will not last forever. You know what though? There is something that does last forever, GOD'S LOVE. Through Jesus we can receive God's grace, love, and mercy. Through our faith in Jesus, God will pull us from the wreckage and put us in a life that He intends us to be in. A life that is incredible with the wealth of his favor and kindness.

So my questions today is, what material things are important to you? What do you feel that you could not live without? How do you think you would feel if those things were gone today and you could not use them?

My challenge today is make a list of material things that you feel are important. After you make your list, write down what you think your life would be like without these things. I would also like, if you are comfortable enough, maybe you could post your answers on here and share.

I'll start us out. First, I will say my cell phone, I think I would be just lost, figuratively of course. I "think" my whole life is in there, all my phone numbers are in there. Second, I would have to say my tool belt, because man does it ever keep all the tools I need right there on my hips. I hate walking back and forth to get a tool that I know that I am going to be using most of the day. I know those two things sound really vain, but I live a simple kind of life and being a "redneck" like me, I am easily entertained. God bless you and I hope to see some of your lists.