For Those Who Could Not Attend

Take the time to be grateful for those who serve you; truly grateful.

Text for Today – Colossians 2:5 – For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.

It is a rare day that awake and do not stop at some point shortly thereafter to reflect, if only briefly, on how blessed I am to a citizen of the United States, and especially of the Kingdom of God.  Regardless of what some might say, or try to get us to think, the United States is still “one nation under God.” 

Let us be a thankful people, a truly grateful family of Christians fully and constantly expressive of our thanks to our God, and to and for those He provides to serve us.  During this Christmas season, I have been constantly aware of those whose service to us prevented them from being with their own family and personal friends during this time.  They have been daily in my prayers, as I pray they have in yours.  Among them :

1. United States Military Forces – Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard, Military Reserves – whether serving in hostile zones such as Iraq or Afghanistan, in more peaceful areas such as Korea or Europe, or in US Military bases around the world and at home, yet away from home and family, pray for them daily, and remember their work.
2. Law Enforcement – Local, state, national, or international, some of them were on duty all day on Christmas day, unable to be with their family.  They are God’s ministers for our good, and as such are meritorious of and should be the focus of our faith and prayers.
3. Fire Fighters – Once again, regardless of their connection to local, state, or otherwise, many of them were on duty on Christmas day, sacrificing their day with family and friends to be at our disposal for safety and service.
4. Medical Workers – Doctors, nurses, EMT workers, and many others who serve the medical community were likewise spending their day available to us for our well-being, rather than being able to be with their family and friends.  These like all the rest are worthy of our faith and prayers on their behalf.

These folks serve us 24/7 across our nation and around the globe.  Pray for them.  Intercede for them.  Give thanks for them.  And if you have the opportunity, do something special for them, like buying their lunch if you see them in a restaurant; and do it without notoriety; do it secretly.  And dare I add, remember those who serve you in the Lord, too.

Manna for Today – 1 Timothy 2:1-4; Romans 13; Ephesians 6:10-18; Psalm 24