Do They

DEVOTION
1 THESSALONIANS
DO THEY?
1 Thess 1:2-3
2 We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. 3 We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
NIV
As I thought about others I now must think about myself. Do others thank God when they remember me? Do they speak to God about the deeds I do for the Kingdom which is due to my faith in Jesus Christ? Am I engaged in deeds for the Kingdom? I think so, I believe my service to my fellow believers in preaching, teaching and writing are for the Kingdom, but do others? Is that enough? Should I be doing more? I pray the Spirit will guide me in my efforts for the Kingdom of God. Do I do these things out of love for my fellow believers? I hope it is not because of selfish ambitions. I know it is not. If I were selfish I know I would do nothing. I would hide away, secluded from people just doing my own thing. But, I cannot because I not only love my fellow believers; I love God and must serve him with my whole heart. II must do his bidding, his will for my life. Do others know that about me? Do they thank God for my labor? I wonder if they also remember before God how I stand firm in my faith, how I have endurance in my journey with God. I do not waver in my faith one bit. I stand strong in the face of criticism, and ridicule by non-believers. I am without question inspired by my hope in my Lord Jesus Christ. I know he died for me, and rose and know sits at the right hand of the Father interceding for me. I know God sees me through the blood of Jesus, and my righteousness is in him. No one will ever convince me otherwise. I wonder if my fellow believers thank God for my endurance, my hope, my faith.
I wonder if I am living out my work, my labor, my endurance loud enough for them to notice so they can thank God for me. Should I be louder? Should I be doing more of the same, in a bigger way? I think that would be prideful. I think I should continue to do as I am. I cannot be too quiet especially when I preach or teach. But I must not be prideful about it either. I must serve in humility, knowing this gift is not of me but from God. I am only able to serve because of him. Without him I am nothing. I pray others thank God because of my life for God.