1 Thessalonians 3:6-11
Reflect
This week we have a precious opportunity to magnify God by the way we express Thanksgiving. As Paul welcomes Timothy and the kindness that is expressed through him, it would be reasonable to think that Paul would be thankful to the church he writes to. Not so much, though. In verse 9 Paul asks how he can thank God, or perhaps even magnify God, somewhat like the Hubble telescope magnifies that which is not so prominently in view but allows us to see that which is immense. When our hearts burst with thankfulness toward God, He is magnified as the affluent cause of our blessings. He is recognized as being the giver and then we start to see how glorious He is. If we have an absence of thankfulness, it has something to do with us not wanting to see God glorified. We refuse to see how active He is in our life. We become foolish enough to think that the good in our lives (not just the easy) is our own doing. We yearn to magnify ourselves. It’s in our fallen nature to love our own glory more than the glory of God.
Apply
Friend, “Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together!” (Psalm 34:3). Where are you seeing God’s glory?
Pastor Dan
Pray
- Pray for the Prime Minister, Premier Kenney, Mayor Iveson, your MP, your MLA, and any other government officials God brings to mind.
- Pray for Dave Schneider, our Youth Ministry Pastor.
- Pray for Karen Alksne, our Congregational Life Intern.
- Pray for our Congregational Life Pastor, Mike Bartusek and his family.