The best plays in sports always seem to revolve around skillful, selfless expressions of teamwork that lead somehow to scores.

One of the great traditions of basketball is the one which calls for a scorer to always acknowledge the one who delivered him/her the ball. “The passer really made the score,” we say.

Acknowledging the assist by pointing out the passer, the real playmaker, is what we highlight. It's a beautiful way to play the game (as in the way the Golden State Warriors set a team record by recording 47 assists on 53 baskets on 11/23/2016 vs. the Los Angeles Lakers)!

As with playing hoops, the Bible calls for us to “acknowledge the assists” we receive all the time from the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord for He is good!

He faithfully, lovingly, skillfully delivers good to His people. He is on time and on target with all His passes, positioning us for victory in life, helping us score at life and get wins.

Amazingly, He does not treat us as our sins deserve (Psalm 103:10). To the contrary, He passes the ball to us time after time, even when we feel like we don't deserve it. He expects the best from us even after our failures and is committed to restoring our confidence, competence and standing, nonetheless.

How good is God! O, what a One to play for and play with!

Reflect: How well are you acknowledging the assists God sends your way? Are you saying enough “thank-you’s” to Him as well as to others?

Have some rich fun! Identify one or two people today who have become God-sends in your life. “Acknowledge the assist” from God they've become to you.

A prayer to consider: LORD, thank You for Your God-sent gifts! I acknowledge the great assistance Your gifts have become. I'm pointing You out as the real passer, with joy and gratefulness! May I keep playing life like this! Amen.