Philippians 1:3–6 (NKJV)
3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,
4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy,
5 for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now,
6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.
Being thankful no matter the circumstances. Paul sitting in a Roman jail wrote these words of encouragement. Paul was thankful for the Philippian Christians. He knew he did not stand alone. Sometimes we feel as if we stand alone as Christians.
If Paul could thank God for fellow believers who were far from him should we not be thankful for each other who we see at least weekly? Our fellowship in church should be a great time of love and coming together. We should be sharing in the fellowship and love of Christ.
We should be following Paul’s example and thanking God for all believers every day. At times it may seem like it, but we are not alone in the world. God has built a body of believers who stand with us, by us, and for us in the Body of Christ.
Pray for each other with joy. Be thankful for the fellowship in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Matthew Henry wrote, “Paul prayed by name for all the churches he knew.” Pray for the church. Pray for the members of the church by name.
Let others know you are praying for them. Do not just pray for those who are believers in Christ now, but those who will accept Christ. Pray for new believers to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus.
The characteristics of a maturing Christian: A thankful heart; Continual prayer; Joy; Fellowship in the church; Confidence in God and His salvation; Partnership with other believers in the church. But, most of all Partnership with Christ!
I’m so glad I’m a part of the Family of God! I’m so glad I’m a part
of the family of God-I’ve been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His blood!
Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod, For I’m part of the family, the family of God.