[S] 1 Thessalonians 1:3 -- 3We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater;
[O] The beauty of this passage is the reciprocation of care, love, and honor between Paul and the Thessalonian church. Is there anyone I am "always" giving thanks to God for as Paul did, because of their faith? I am sure that as Paul interceded others in prayer his heart grew closer to them as he became aware of their spiritual maturity and his love toward them grew even more as he envisions the Thessalonians loving and caring for each other. I feel this is the foundation of how God's ministry grows closer and deeper to carry out greater things for God. For example, our church, small groups, and various ministries must have this type of reciprocal caring relationship based on prayer for each other (as we read in previous passages in Thessalonians about Paul's prayer for the churches).
[A] Leadership is more than a mere organizational role because it implies the deeper caring of the followers through prayers of intercession. I am convicted to intercede for our small group leaders more regularly and thank God for every one of them.
[P] Dear God, please allow me to be more disciplined about my prayer life, especially interceding for our small group leaders. Teach me to follow the foot steps of my divine mentor, Paul, in this department. In Jesus' name. Amen.
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