Tuesday, 11 December 2012

Because of You


This week I've been pondering this phrase...

Because of You

In 1 Thessalonians 3:9 the Apostle Paul writes:

How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?

Paul is extolling the virtues of those who partner with him in the gospel. Those who serve in order that Jesus might be glorified in many more lives. 

In your church, is there a culture of encouragement and thanking God for one another. Praising those who serve (not to underline those who don't) simply to honour those who do?

When you recruit your volunteers, is your response "How can we thank God enough for you"

It's so easy to pick things apart instead of build them up. Sometimes when we don't know quite what to say, we refer to humorous negativity to fill gaps. It's not meant negatively, but it might come across that way. The problem is that if loads of people do this we end up creating a consumeristic, judging culture within our churches instead of a 'seeing the best', encouragement and thanking God for one another culture...

Wouldn't the church be an unstoppable force if we embraced and believed Paul's message to the Church in Thessalonica? 

This week in whatever setting you minister, serve or sit, ask this question of yourself.

How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?

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