Take time to thank God for brothers and sisters -- specifically.

1. Romans 1 1-7 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the Gospel of God, (Which He had promised afore by His prophets in the Holy Scriptures) concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; and declared to be the Son of God with Power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the Resurrection from the dead: By Whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for His Name: among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2. The Apostle Paul is in Corinth writing to the Christians in Rome. The year is AD 57 or 58

3. 8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. 9-10 For God is my witness, Whom I serve with my spirit in the Gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the Will of God to come unto you. Paul served God with all his might, and God was the only witness he needed.

4. Paul prayed for Christians everywhere, including those at Rome. Keep on praying for that brother or sister. Keep on praying for that lost friend. Keep on praying for your pastor . There is no quitting place.

5. 10 Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the Will of God to come unto you. As the children of God, we must purpose and desire only those things within His Will . To desire anything outside the Will of God, is to desire sin .

6. Some things we know are God's Will; do them . 1 Thessalonians 4 3 For this is the Will of God, even your sanctification , … 1 Thessalonians 5 18 In everything give thanks: for this is the Will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 16 Rejoice evermore. 17 Pray without ceasing.

7. 1 Peter 2 15 For so is the Will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: Never give those who hate God opportunity to be justified in their evil speaking. Walk right, talk right, do right, live right, according to every Word of God.

9. Paul wanted to have a prosperous journey to come to the saints at Rome. Prosperous = successful Paul wasn't in the business of making money. For Paul, a successful journey meant an opportunity to advance the Kingdom of God. And at the end of the journey, minister to the saints at Rome.

10. We want to have a successful church ; What does that mean?

11. Unless the Love of God abounds in the congregation, It is not successful.

12. You can have a megachurch with thousands of members, But unless God is changing lives , it's not a successful church.

13. If the people love God and love one another , If lives are changed by the Power of God, If families are held together, men are men of God, and their wives are their helps, Jesus is Savior and Lord, and worshipped,

14. Again: 8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. We show our love one for another, by not only , praying for each other, But by giving thanks one for another. He thanked the Lord for the faith of the Roman Christians.

15. As we look at one another, we each have some traits worthy of praise: Spend time every day, looking for these traits and giving God thanks for each one.

16. I give thanks for each and every one.

17. Pure Heart Music Ministries www.rossvillechurch.com www.pureheartmusic.org/ Progressive Southern Gospel Singing in concert: 781 Salem Road, Rossville, GA 30741 Sunday night, November 7 at 6:00

18. November 13 at 2 PM Church Fellowship and Dinner November 20 5:30 PM