4 “I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers, 5 because I hear of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints; 6 and I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ’s sake. 7 For I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you…” (Philemon 4-7 – NASB95)
Last week I shared an article by Pastor Fred Barshaw from 1990, “Principles for Parenting: Fostering Family Affection.” I hope it encouraged you to express affection and appreciation to your family members as a regular pattern of life. This week I was thinking about how you, my family at The Bridge, mean so much to me. For nearly 33 years you have listened to me, prayed for me (and my family), supported me, encouraged me, befriended me, extended grace and patience to me, and worked alongside me to get the gospel of Jesus Christ to the ends of the world. This week I simply want to say, “THANK YOU!”
Thank you for being so obvious in your love for me and one another. Thank you for being so generous in your giving to the church, benevolence fund, and world missions. Thank you for serving in so many different ministries. Thank you for praying fervently and faithfully. Thank you for listening so attentively to the teaching and preaching of the Word of God. Thank you for prioritizing public worship. Thank you for building relationships with people in the community so you can tell them who Jesus is and all the awesome things He has done for them. Thank you for welcoming and encouraging our missionaries when they come to town. Thank you for being open, honest, and transparent about how you are really doing so we can all grow together in godliness. Thank you for setting aside time each day to be with the Lord Jesus, learning from His Word, and being transformed by His Spirit. Thank you for walking in obedience, especially when the world thinks it is foolish. Thank you for ministering to children and youth. Thank you for caring for prisoners and their families. Thank you for organizing and administrating. Thank you for setting up tables and chairs. Thank you for playing instruments, singing, and helping us worship the Lord. Thank you for ministering to people who are sick, in hospitals, and shut-ins. Thank you for seeking wise counsel. Thank you for providing wise counsel. Thank you for pouring your life into your children, training them to fear, love, and serve the Lord. Thank you for the countless hours you put into doing what you do for the glory of God. Thank you for all the ways you serve that no one sees but the Lord. Thank you for your commitment to The Bridge. Thank you for recognizing that although as a church we are far from perfect, we are a miracle of God’s grace, and He is working in and through us to
accomplish His eternal purposes. Thank you for striving to hear Him say, “Well done!”
THANK YOU! The hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you. I love you. Thank you for so obviously loving me (and one another) too.