Gratitude Makes Us Stronger

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.   

1 Thessalonians 1:2-3  NIV

    Being part of the people of God is a blessing.  We are part of a people who are eternally grateful for God’s love and the hope he has given us in Christ.  We know what it is to receive mercy.  We are the family of the forgiven.  We accept each other  because God has accepted us.

    Maintaining a faithful and humble walk with God is next to impossible without the encouragement of our brothers and sisters in Christ.  We all have weak times, perhaps even times we feel like completely giving up.  But then God prompts someone to pray for us or to smile at us or to give a gift to us or to hug us or to speak an encouraging word to us.  And then we have energy again.  Then God’s light pierces our darkness.

   Who in God’s family has encouraged you?  Who has shown the kindness of our Heavenly Father to you?  Take time this week to thank them.  Send them a personal note or an email.  Buy them a small gift of thanks or thank them publicly on Facebook. Pray for God’s blessing to fill their lives.  Every act of kindness and every thankful response makes us stronger together.

The Importance of Honor

Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.                                      Romans 12:10  ESV

Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.                                             Romans 13:7  ESV

   Honor is publicly aknowledged value.  It is the foundation of strong and enduring communities, churches and schools.   Paul challenges us to outdo each other in publicly showing how we value each other.  People have value because they are made in God’s image.  Parents deserve to be valued by their children simply because they brought them into this world and give up so much to raise them.  Teachers and other leaders deserved to be valued because they help develop success in others.

   What can you do to show those around you they are valuable?  How can you outdo others in giving honor?

•        Come up with a creative way to show your spouse how they add value to your life.  Share this with them in front of your kids or some friends.  

•        Send a note or email to your child’s teacher thanking them for the value they add to your child’s life and send a note to the principal about the value syou shared with her.  

•        Thank your boss or a coworker in front of other employees for something he or she has done well for your company or organization.

•        Send an email to a school board member thanking them for the sacrifice of time they made to add value to your community.  Copy the rest of the members of the board on the email.  

•         Thank a police officer or first responder, for their part in making your community stronger.

This week, ask God to lead you to show three to five people that you are thankful for the value they bring to life.  Honor them with your appreciation and do it so others can hear it if  at all possible.