We Are Thankful for You [1 Thessalonians 2]

 ³For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit; ⁴but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts.

¹²so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.¹³For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe.

This passage reminds me of things we are thankful for:

1. that we have been approved by God to be entrusted with His treasure, the gospel

2. that through this blog and in EGP classes we have had the opportunity to be a spiritual parent, exhorting, encouraging and imploring each one of you to walk in a way that is "worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory."

3. that "you received the word of God which you heard from us"

4. that you accepted it for what it really is, "the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe."

Thank You, Lord, for these dear ones who have believed and received Your word. Thank You that You have given those in our lives  who care for us a "nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children." v. 7. We praise You, Father, for giving us the privilege of sharing Your gospel of grace to the ones You have placed in our lives. 

May we say Paul's words to you? "Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us." (v.8)