Truly Thankful Thank You's
READ: Philippians 1:3-11
One day Jon and Andy were walking along a drainage ditch in which the water was moving rapidly because of a heavy rainfall. As they were walking, Andy slipped and began to fall into the water. Jon, having quick reflexes, grabbed Andy before he was swept away. After Andy was rescued, he gave Jon a big hug and said “Thank You!” In fact, whenever he saw Jon, he couldn’t help but say thank you.
Now, what does this have to do with the Bible passage? Well, in the same way that Andy was thankful to Jon for being with him and rescuing him, Paul is thankful to God for his great love and grace and to the people of Phillipi for their “partnership in the Gospel.” By this Paul meant that he was thankful for the way they received the Gospel and for the support they gave him in his ministry (financial and otherwise). He is thankful to hear that they are growing in their faith.
Now, you ask yourself – what can I get out of this? You can thank people for helping you, for showing you love and kindness, and thank God for all of our blessings because I think we don’t say thank you enough to Him. You can thank people for helping you with a problem, or helping you out of their concern for you, and the list goes on. You, out of love, can thank your parents by just telling them that you are thankful for them being your parents. Finally, you can thank God for everything.
Wouldn’t it be neat if we all said “Thank You” more often—and meant it?
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT: Do you thank God enough? Why? Why don’t people thank God sometimes? When can you thank people?
PRAYER SUGGESTIONS: Thank God for rescuing you from the devil. Ask God for you to be more appreciative and say thank you to people. Thank God for anything that happens today.