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1 I, Paul, together with Silas and Timothy, greet the church of the Thessalonian Christians in the name of God our Father and our Master, Jesus Christ. 2 Our God gives you everything you need, makes you everything you're to be. 3 You need to know, friends, that thanking God over and over for you is not only a pleasure; it's a must. We have to do it. Your faith is growing phenomenally; your love for each other is developing wonderfully. Why, it's only right that we give thanks. 4 We're so proud of you; you're so steady and determined in your faith despite all the hard times that have come down on you. We tell everyone we meet in the churches all about you.11 Because we know that this extraordinary day is just ahead, we pray for you all the time - pray that our God will make you fit for what he's called you to be, pray that he'll fill your good ideas and acts of faith with his own energy so that it all amounts to something. 12 If your life honors the name of Jesus, he will honor you. Grace is behind and through all of this, our God giving himself freely, the Master, Jesus Christ, giving himself freely. (2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12 The Message)
There is power in words. You know this, and I know this. Words, when put together nicely and lovingly, can bring such life to someone we call that a blessing. When words are thrown together in haste and anger, well they do the opposite and we call those curses. We should especially be careful with the words we share with little ones, the children in our midst. It is so wonderful when we hear a small child say, on his/her own, "Thank you!" That child learned that from someone. When a child says something we don't expect that makes us cringe; they learned that too. To hear a child volunteer a prayer is a special blessing; to hear a child say they don't know/want to pray, that's sad.
Paul was successful in his ministry because he was thoughtful. God had granted him that special ability to say thanks and words of encouragement to those around him. He also knew when to share words of correction to the same people. And Paul knew how to pray. His model of prayer is shared here in today's passage. Paul knew that God provides all things and knows how to make us who we were meant to be, and for that we are to say, thanks. In fact, above in verse 3 we read, "You need to know, friends, that thanking God over and over for you is not only a pleasure; it's a must. We have to do it." And we realize that thankfulness is driven by love. And faith drives thankfulness especially in hard times.
So, dear one, reflect on your attitude about gratitude. Are you a praying person that always gives thanks in love to God for those with whom you live and work? Good news! You can start right now! Are you going through a rough spell and find it hard to give thanks? That's okay, God understands, but you can see whatever it is as a learning opportunity that can bless you in the days to come. Thank God for that. And you'll find that blessings are right behind it!
PRAYER: Awesome Father, thank You for the lessons shared by Paul. Help us to learn and to put into our lives the blessings that he has shared. And God, I pray for this dear reader; whatever they may be experiencing, we know it is something that will pass soon. Grant them peace and joy. In Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Be a person of positive prayers today!
Blessings of love,
Pastor Eradio Valverde
