Let's lift up 
Let's lift up 
We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers.
—1 Thessalonians 1:2 (KJV)
Why is it so hard to share with others that we have thanked God for bringing them into our lives? God let his Son, Jesus, know his love, approval, and pleasure in him. Remember his words at Jesus' baptism? "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased" (Luke 3:22) He repeated most of these words on the Mount of Transfiguration, validating Jesus' identity, ministry, and message: This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him! (Mark 9:7). The Father was rejoicing and giving thanks for his Son!
The apostle Paul also let the struggling churches he planted know he was praying for them (Philippians 1:3). It's a great blessing to thank God for someone special in our lives. It's a double blessing to let those people know that we've thanked God for them being in our lives AND let them know what we have said about them in our thanksgiving. Let's each commit to being a "double blessing" person today!
Gracious Father, you have blessed me in so many ways! Today, however, I'm especially aware of the many incredible ways you have blessed me through other people. I want to thank you now for the following wonderful Christian people you have placed in my life... (put the names of special people in here and then be sure and let them know you've thanked God for them). Please guard and strengthen them and use them to bless others as they have blessed me. In Jesus' name, I thank and praise you. Amen.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Continue reading...
—1 Thessalonians 1:2 (KJV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
Why is it so hard to share with others that we have thanked God for bringing them into our lives? God let his Son, Jesus, know his love, approval, and pleasure in him. Remember his words at Jesus' baptism? "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased" (Luke 3:22) He repeated most of these words on the Mount of Transfiguration, validating Jesus' identity, ministry, and message: This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him! (Mark 9:7). The Father was rejoicing and giving thanks for his Son!
The apostle Paul also let the struggling churches he planted know he was praying for them (Philippians 1:3). It's a great blessing to thank God for someone special in our lives. It's a double blessing to let those people know that we've thanked God for them being in our lives AND let them know what we have said about them in our thanksgiving. Let's each commit to being a "double blessing" person today!
My Prayer...
Gracious Father, you have blessed me in so many ways! Today, however, I'm especially aware of the many incredible ways you have blessed me through other people. I want to thank you now for the following wonderful Christian people you have placed in my life... (put the names of special people in here and then be sure and let them know you've thanked God for them). Please guard and strengthen them and use them to bless others as they have blessed me. In Jesus' name, I thank and praise you. Amen.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Continue reading...
