Thankful to Others
Scripture Reading — Ephesians 1:15-23
I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.
Marina heard the gospel of Jesus Christ for the first time while she was in the hospital. Another patient there, Antonina, explained to her what Christ did for us on the cross and how to be spiritually healed by his wounds. Soon Marina trusted in Jesus for her salvation.
Later in her letter to us she shared, “When I entered the hospital, I was so depressed. But I learned about Jesus and was encouraged by his gospel. I’m so thankful to Antonina, who cared enough to talk to me.”
Are you thankful to people whom God sends into your life? The Bible teaches us to love both God and our neighbors. The daily practice of this love includes thanks both to our heavenly Father and to the people around us.
When the apostle Paul wrote to the Ephesians, his main objective was to explain God’s eternal purpose and grace. He sought to share with his readers God’s high goals for the church. Yet against the background of this monumental task, the apostle remembers to say how thankful he is for the ordinary believers in the city of Ephesus. He compliments them for their devotion to Jesus and for their love for all God’s people. He encourages and prays for them.
In our daily interactions with people, are we doing the same?
Father, your Son, Jesus, reminded us to love you and our neighbors. Fill our souls with love toward you, and teach us how to love our neighbors through our words and actions. Amen.
About the author — Sergei Sosedkin
Rev. Sergei Sosedkin is the Russian-language ministry leader for ReFrame Ministries. He is a native of Moscow, Russia. As he oversees the Russian-language ministry, Rev. Sosedkin works from our office in Grand Rapids and in various locations in Russia.
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