Give Thanks to God for the People in your Life
Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Romans 16:1-5. Paul wrote this letter, to the Romans from Corinth and sent it by Phebe, who was a servant of the church at Cenchrea. What does Paul mean by saying that Phebe was a servant of the church?
Paul is sending a recommendation for Phebe. Sometimes in life, we need other people to intervene for us. We may need them to intercede with God and pray for us or to recommend us to other people. Paul knew Phebe and he knew about her dedication to Christ and the church.
Paul requests they accept her and support her in whatever she needs. In this Scripture, Paul gave thanks for Priscilla and Aquila, who he called his helpers in Christ Jesus. He says they stuck out their necks for him.
Throughout the next ten verses of the chapter, Paul goes through a whole list of people for whom he was thankful. Get out your Bible and look at it.
Many times in life we wouldn’t be where we are had it not been for the people God placed in our lives to help us along the way. Sometimes God gives you a job to do that is so big, you not only need His help, but the help of others to get it done. We need to remember to give God thanks always for the people He places in our lives.
The people God has placed in my life have really blessed me. He has placed so many people in my life who are willing to take their time and resources to help me.
It has been such a blessing for me to see how He has taken the relationships that I have made over the past few years with Christian friends on the Internet and used them to support me. I am humbled and grateful for each one of them and for each one of you.
When is the last time you stopped and took the time to think about the people God has placed in your life and gave Him glory and praise for them? Think about it: your mother, father, sisters, brothers, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, wife or husband, children, grandchildren, friends, fellow church members, business acquaintances, the servers in restaurants, the people who work in the stores you frequent, and many more.
The list goes on and on and sometimes, we take it all for granted. What if that person was no longer in your life? Wouldn’t there be a void?
Instead of taking everybody for granted and thinking they’ll always be there for us we need to take time to stop and thank the Lord for them and let them know how much we love and appreciate them. Don’t wait — tomorrow may be too late. Let them know today and let God know how much you appreciate all the people He has placed in your life.
Having an attitude of gratitude towards the people in your life not only shows them you care, it makes them want to be there for you. It’ll make you a happier person if you are thankful and appreciative of the people in your life.
People will enjoy being around you and will want to please you because you make them feel appreciated. Spending time thanking God for the people in your life will make Him know you are grateful as well.
Daily Bible Reading:
Romans 16:1-5
1 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:
2 That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.
3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:
4 Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.
5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.
Things to think about:
- In what ways do you give God thanks for the people in your life?
- What are some things we can do to help us not take people for granted?
- Make a list of all the people God has placed in your life whom you are thankful for and keep adding to the list as God places more people in your life.
- Tell at least one person each day how much you love and appreciate him or her.
Prayer of the Day:
Dear Heavenly Father,
We thank You for all the people You placed in our lives. We thank You for our families, our friends, our church families, and our acquaintances. So many times we take them all for granted, forgive us and help us to love and appreciate them and to give thanks to You for them. You bless and enrich our lives by the people You place in our lives. We want to take time today to say thank You, LORD. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
-Excerpt from “Give Thanks” by Deborah H. Bateman and Friends
Christian Music Video: “Thank You Lord”
As you listen to this video use it as a means of praise and thanks to God. Say a prayer to Him and thank Him for all the people He has placed in your life.
PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Come back again tomorrow and invite someone to join you. We’ll see what the LORD shows us we should be thankful for next.
Featured Book:
by Deborah H. Bateman and Friends
About the book:
Give Thanks is a Daily Bible Reading Study by Deborah H. Bateman and Friends. Give Thanks contains 21 daily Bible lessons that remind us to have an attitude of gratitude.
Each lesson contains a brief commentary, coordinating Scriptures, a few questions for contemplation or discussion, and a prayer for the day. Give Thanks is a great Bible study for individual or group Bible studies.
Four of Deborah’s friends contributed to the book and one of her friends contributed pictures of nature to remind us to be thankful for God’s creation. May God bless you as you read this book and remember all the things you have to be grateful for and to “Give Thanks” with a grateful heart.
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Have a blessed day,
Deborah
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