What do you give thanks for? Are you thankful for your family? Are you thankful you have a place to lay your head down at night? Are you thankful you have something to eat today? Do you give thanks to God for other believers and the work they do in faith?
In our busy lives it can be easy to forget to be thankful. We bounce from one place to another. There are the kids’ ballgames and school events. We work our jobs. There are family gatherings. There are grocery store runs. Things to do around the house. And somewhere in it all we try to get some rest.
The Apostle Paul is thankful for other believers, their work, their faith, and their hope in Jesus. He prays for them and thanks God for them. Thanking God for fellow believers is valuable. It shows that we recognize the work they are doing. By praying for them regularly, it can change our thoughts about them, making us more thankful. Thanking God that we are not alone in our belief strengthens us.
Take a few moments to think about the ministries that would not happen if it were not for our fellow believers. They are working, not only in our churches, but in many other ministries. Some work in soup kitchens, homeless shelters, provide free medical services, and fund necessities. We cannot do it all on our own. Therefore, we should be thankful there are many of us with differing gifts who take on many ministries. It is when all of us use our gifts to show the love of Christ that our communities see God at work.
I pray we all are thankful for fellow believers. I pray we open our eyes and see the works believers are doing. I pray each one of us will use our gifts to show the love of Christ in our communities. Be thankful for other believers. Notice the works. Use your gifts. Show the love of Christ.
1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
