In the opening of the first letter to the church in Thessalonica the Apostle Paul said; “We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”
He recognizes that this body of believers really get it and he can’t stop talking to God about them. He mentions their “work” which was spreading the gospel and that they did this because they believed it was true. When he refers to their “labor” he says it was “prompted by love”. Their love for God and for their fellow man. His speaking of their “endurance” is acknowledging that it was a difficult task.
I bring this up because it speaks to how I feel about this body of believers. I truly am thankful for the amazing journey we have been on together. When I look around, I see so many dedicated servants, people who have been trying to live out their faith in meaningful ways. People who are Kingdom minded.
Paul will go on to tell them that they have become a model to other believers. We are not a perfect congregation, but I am thankful to be part of it and I hope you feel the same way. Bring someone to worship and study with you as we move into the season of the year where we focus on the Lord’s birth.
Blessings,
Rick