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Day 146 1 Thessalonians 1:1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 We give thanks to God always for you, making mention of you in our prayers, 3 remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father, 4 knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God. 5 For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake. 6 You became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became examples to everyone in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. 8 For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything. 9 For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. Do you know people well enough that you pray for them, speak highly of them, and want only their best in everything they do? When you see them do you encourage them? Do they encourage you? Paul let the church at Thessalonica know he remembered them, prayed for them, and encouraged them to keep doing the work of the Lord. He told them what he remembered about them, how they received the gospel in power and in the Holy Spirit. Paul knew what kind of people they were and how the Word of the Lord went throughout Macedonia and Achaia. He told them he didn’t need to do anything because he saw how the Word came out from them. Paul praised them for turning to God from the idols they served and waited for Jesus’ return to deliver them from the wrath to come. How often do you encourage other believers? Do you tell them you pray for them? Have you told them what you remember about their work for the Lord? Or are you self-absorbed, knowing nothing about the people you associate with in the body of Christ? In every letter Paul wrote to the churches, he told them he remembered their work, told them he prayed daily for them, and encouraged them to keep doing the Lord’s work. Paul should be your example of how you associate with other believers. Pray for them. Encourage them. Let them know you care about them. Don’t let a day go by that you do not bring them before God in prayer. When you see them, let them know the impact they have on you and the ministry they are involved with, whether it’s with the local church or on the mission field. Let them know they matter in the body of Christ. Show gratitude to them in the work they do. Always praise God for them. When you show people how much you care about them, they will know how much you love them and won’t hesitate to let you know how grateful they are for your prayers and acknowledgment before God. Remember, it’s not about you. It’s about God and others. It’s how the body of Christ works together to bring the gospel to the world. Without you the world would be lost, and the light of Jesus Christ would burn out. Be the light in a dark world. Let those who work for God know you think about them and pray for them. Let’s pray: Father, let my prayers for Your people come before You as incense poured out. Let me encourage others in the work they do for Your gospel. Let the love of Jesus live in my heart as I mention Your people in my prayers. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. Copyright © 9 December 2023 by Valerie Routhieaux The image belongs to me.