Thanksgiving in Tough Times #21

We have said earlier in our series that Paul's letter to the Colossians is key to studying "Thanksgiving." Today we look at his opening comments in chapter 1:

3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel,

Thanksgiving transcends time and distance. Paul had a way of getting messages about other believers all throughout the Roman Empire. He had heard about the faith and love of the Colossian believers and was filled with thanksgiving, which flowed out in his prayers.  These prayers were able to cross the miles back to this church.  Paul prayed and gave thanks about the past, present, and future: they had put their faith in Christ; they were demonstrating love toward one another in the present, and they shared in the hope he had in the future - eternity in heaven with God and all His people. When we are thankful, and express it, that has a way of encouraging both ourselves and others when we find ourselves in tough times, even in prison unjustly, like Paul was. Let's help ourselves and one another today by Giving Thanks to the Lord.