"I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy,” (Philippians 1:3–4, NKJV)

When did you last express thankfulness to God in prayer for your brethren? Did you do so joyfully?

In the typical scheme of things and if we are faithful in our assembling with the saints, we often only see our brethren a couple of hours each week. Is that the end-all-be-all of your relationship with them? As disciples, we are not only taught to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, we are also taught to love one another as Jesus has loved us (cf. John 13:34-35). Paul’s expressions of thankfulness for his brethren in his prayer life are a mark of his deep and abiding love for them. Because of such thankfulness, his love can’t help but show in deed and in truth.

Are you thankful for your brethren? Thank God daily for them. Start now. If you are not thankful for your brethren, it is time for a heart check. Find out why and fix it! As John reminds us, if we cannot love our brethren, we cannot love God (cf. 1 John 4:20-21).

Father, teach me to see and appreciate the good in the brethren you have given me through your Son. Help me to be thankful for them and manifest that thankfulness in word and deed at every opportunity.