To the Ends of the Earth: Action – Week 9, Day 5 – Our Thanksgiving Should Manifest Itself in Words and Actions

Mark C. McCann | 01/17/2025

And we exhort you, brethren, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all. Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Thessalonians 5:14–18

Our Catholic Faith should be a fiery dance of joy, a determined march onto the battlefield of life, a holy, disciplined race toward the goal of heaven. As we live out what it means to be believers, we discover the peace, the power, and the persevering faith the Holy Spirit gives as he moves in our lives and accomplishes the will of God through us. It is a wonderful thing to be a channel of God’s grace to the world.

Every word of the above passage exhorts us to turn our praise into powerful action that builds up the Body of Christ and gives glory and honor to God. We must move in this world with the passion that comes from living a Spirit-filled life, hating evil and holding fast to the good. As we spread the blessings we have received, we purify our hearts and change the world. We help to prepare for the coming of the Lord by our spotless lives and our unending, faithful praise.

Questions for Reflection

How is our faith made more beautiful and complete through gratitude and works of love?

Why does God call us to give thanks in all circumstances?

What can you do to make the God of peace more fully known to those around you?

Praying with Scripture

Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift! (2 Cor 9:15)

You can learn more about the To the Ends of the Earth Series HERE

You can watch and listen to this devotion HERE

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To the Ends of the Earth: Character – Week 4, Day 4 - We Endure, We Build Character, and We Hope

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About the Author

Mark C. McCann

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Mark C. McCann is an author and Ministry Consultant with more than 30 years of writing and ministry experience. He has published articles for a number of Catholic magazines and websites including St. Anthony Messenger, Emmanuel Magazine, Liguorian Magazine, Catholic Stand, the Connecticut Catholic Men's Conference, and Homiletic and Pastoral Review. He recently published the 4-volume Catholic men's devotional, To the Ends of the Earth, as well as the 2021 Advent Daybreaks devotional and 2022 Lenten Daybreaks devotional with Liguori Publishing. He has also released his End Times novel series, Jacob's Dream: The Vision and Jacob's Dream: The Final Battle. He was a radio host and producer for 8 years at a Connecticut Christian radio station and has worked as a Catholic religion teacher/campus minister and a parish youth minister. He has also served the Norwich, CT Diocese as a Youth Ministry Director and Family Life Director. He currently lives in Connecticut with his Proverbs 31 wife, where together they have brought up three incredible children. He strives each day to live out his call to be a man of words. You can learn more about Mark and his writing at www.wordsnvisions.com.