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A Note from the Preacher…Larry Sweeney

        The year 2005 is quickly coming to an end. If you are like me, it seems that time moves along more swiftly as every year passes. Some of you have “kindly” reminded me that this is a sign of “old age.” Given that this expert counsel often comes from those who are over 80 years old, I am forced to agree.
        However, no matter how quickly time passes, it is always the “right” time to apply 1 Thessalonians 5:18 which says, “in everything give thanks.” Allow me to use scripture to express my appreciation:

        “I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all” (Romans 1:8).

        “I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus” (1 Corinthians 1:4).

        “Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers” (Ephesians 1:15-16).

        “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:3-6).

        “We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth” (Colossians 1:3-6).

        “We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father” (1 Thessalonians 1:2-3).

        “We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other” (2 Thessalonians 1:3).