We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 1:2-3

There were three things the Apostle Paul and his friends especially  remembered about the Christians of Thessaloniki as they prayed day by day for them: their work of faith, their labor of love, and their steadfastness of hope.

Through faith God changes our hearts so that we see the people around us and care about them as never before. A true and living faith results in a life of good work: the work of faith.

It’s easy to say, “I love you,” but actually loving takes work, and it’s that part, the labor of love, that counts and is remembered.

Hope is the certainty of a promise to be fulfilled in the future. Knowing that the promises of God are true and absolutely certain enables us to live day after day in joyful anticipation: steadfast hope.

Lord, thank You for changing my heart by giving me faith in Your promises and filling my life with hope. Forgiveness is mine; I have a home in heaven; the resurrection is coming, and a glorious future awaits. I live, love, and work today in the joyful certainty of these promises. Amen!

Pastor Dan Giles