Giving thanks always, there is always a reason to give thanks!

I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way in all your speaking and in all your knowledge.
1 Corinthians 1:4-5 New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE…
You can always give thanks for someone because of the grace given to you by the Lord Jesus Christ. Here Paul was writing to one of the most fleshly, worldly immoral churches of the day. They loved God, but they lived like the rest of the world around them day to day. It was difficult to distinguish between them and the heathens around them. They did Not display Godly fruit! But notice that he still finds reasons to give thanks for them. In Paul’s letter to them, he is thankful for them because Jesus died for them. Later he recognizes the areas of their abuse are also a reason to give thanks – they may have distorted their giftings, but when reigned in to where they honor God, these gifts will bless their church. Even though Paul followed these thanks with some really tough words, Paul’s example reminds us that a child of God is something to be cherished, even if they have problems. We need to show them the love of God even when we are correcting them. “For whom He loves, He chastens.” Remember, babies need to be taught how to act and behave, they don’t automatically know just because they are born.

MY PRAYER…
Precious Father, increase within me the heart to see reasons to be thankful for all of Your children. I confess that it is often so easy for me to view others based on how they view me, or whether they share my opinions, or how much trouble they cause me. Father forgive me for this, I know if You had done the same with me, I would have never been one of Your children. Please help me to change the way I view others. Help me to see them as You see them, through the Blood of Jesus. Please help me rejoice in Your children. Through Jesus I pray.
Amen