Good morning. When the apostle Paul ends his first letter to the church at Thessalonica he does so with some powerful thoughts about life within the Body of Christ. Please consider 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22
Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil.
Say thanks to those who are working hard for the Lord. There are many here at NLCC who work hard for the Lord and for you, please say “thanks.” By the way, today is the fall workday as planned by our Deacons. The plan is to get started at 10 a.m.
After that command to say thanks, the apostle continues with a list of solid, functional, necessary thoughts about encouraging each other and helping one another along the path of righteousness. Some of the thoughts are directed to each of us as individuals, and some are directed to the church as a whole. All are excellent and godly commands.
Vern