Notes of Faith November 23, 2024

Gratitude

We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other.

2 Thessalonians 1:3

Verbally expressing emotions can be challenging. And ease of expression can vary with personality type. It sometimes surprises Bible readers to discover that the apostle Paul was so free in expressing positive emotions to others. But he was—and so should we be.

Which is harder to say: “I love you” or “I’m thankful for you”? Surprisingly, it may be the latter. We say, “I love you,” frequently to family, even to friends—and that's a good thing. But it’s easy for it to become habitual and less meaningful over time. What we don’t say very often is, “I’m thankful for you.” Those words imply a degree of humility and transparency that can be more challenging. Those words say, “Your presence in my life adds things that I could not experience if you weren’t here.”

Think about the people in your life for whom you are thankful. Now think about how often you have expressed your thankfulness to them—and purpose to do it more often.

Thankfulness is a flower which will never bloom well excepting upon a root of deep humility.

J. C. Ryle

I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world. Rom. 1:8

I am one of the proclaimers of your steadfast faith and trust in God for the life of the church, each and every individual believer! I praise God for you and your influence on my life. We were made to be a community that grows in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ toward full maturity. May you be blessed today as you prepare your heart to meet together again tomorrow!

Pastor Dale