2 Thessalonians 1:3 
“Dear brothers and sisters, we can’t help but thank God for you, because your faith is flourishing and your love for one another is growing.” (NLT)

“You need to know, friends, that thanking God over and over for you is not only a pleasure; it’s a must. We have to do it. Your faith is growing phenomenally; your love for each other is developing wonderfully. Why, it’s only right that we give thanks. We’re so proud of you; you’re so steady and determined in your faith despite all the hard times that have broadsided you. We tell everyone we meet in the churches all about you.” (MSG)

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Some hanging plants we purchased during the heat of summer have flourished for the last several months. It is currently 32 degrees, and I forgot to bring them in from the cold last night. 

Oops. 

Remember all those times the Apostle Paul wrote to churches and told them to get along? There is one church where he didn’t have to say that. The church in Thessalonica lived at a different level. He acknowledged two defining characteristics of this church. He said, “your faith is flourishing and your love for one another is growing.”

The Message paraphrases these two compliments this way; 

Your faith is growing phenomenally; 
your love for each other is developing wonderfully.

Flourishing Faith is a powerful descriptor. Loving Wonderfully is its equal. These are exemplary terms. They should be the norm for churches made up of people whose hearts and minds are reshaped by Jesus and empowered by the Holy Spirit. 

What would be different if these terms were true for our churches?

What if they were true for us—you and me?

Here is a good prayer to pray: Our Father, give me a flourishing faith. 

Here’s another: Jesus, empower me to love wonderfully.

Praying like this and living with this intent could become so contagious that an entire church family could be renewed. Homes could hum with joy. Workplaces could become mutually supportive. 

It’s time to feed the dogs and to bring the hanging plants into the garage for a couple of hours. It’s also time to pray those short, powerful prayers above.

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I will live a flourishing faith and learn to love wonderfully.

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Our Father, please give me a flourishing faith. Dear Jesus, empower me to love others wonderfully as you do. Use me as a positive change agent everywhere I go. Amen.