Passage: Romans 1:8-17 — Thanksgiving and Prayers
Key thought: Romans 1:8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
The other day we had friends from Florida visit us in Maine. They had never been to New England so we feted them with lobster, steamers, proper donuts, and fiddleheads (a noxious fern the people of northern Maine prepare and eat like Brussels sprouts). In short, we had a wonderful time of fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ.
It made me think that sometimes we take for granted the people in our lives, especially the people of the Church. Sometimes we grumble and complain about the shortcomings of others, especially those closest to us. Paul’s letter to Rome is a good reminder to be thankful for the brothers and sisters we have in Christ. These are the people God has ordained to be in our lives, and God often talks to us through them and their ministries. Our Christian lives would be empty, hollow, and lonely without them.
Prayer: Lord, never let me take my brothers and sisters in Christ for granted. Let met treat them like the blessing that they are.
Ebenezer 