Today’s section of scripture reading is a quick tour through four of Paul’s best writings.  It ends the Galatians and then moves through Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians.  Though each of these letters is full of wonderful wisdom and encouragement in the faith from Paul, there are two things that stand out to me.

First, I noticed that in three of these letters, Paul speaks of his prayers for these churches.  To the church at Ephesus he says, “I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.” (Eph 1:16)  To the church at Philippi he says, “I thank my God ever time I remember you.  In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of our partnership in the gospel…” (Phil. 1:3-5)  To the church at Colossia he says, “We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints…” (Col 1:3-4)

Second, I noticed in each one of these letters that Paul genuinely loves the people in these churches.  It’s his great love for the Lord and for theses people that causes him to continue teaching these churches through his letters writing.  Some of these letters were even written from prison under some duress.  In each of these letters it’s easy to see Paul’s passion for the Lord and his love for church.  He truly has the heart of a pastor.