Paul had a very special relationship with the Christians in Philippi.  He had not even planned to go to Philippi but in the Macedonian vision God called him to go there.   When he got there he met Lydia and her friends worshipping God by the riverside.  He was thrown into jail after driving an evil spirit out of a slave woman, but that just offered him the opportunity to teach and baptize the jailer.  The Philippian church took a special interest in Paul and sent financial help and human helpers to him when he was in need. 

It’s no wonder that Paul wrote to them in Phil. 1:3-4  I thank my God every time I remember you. ⁴ In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy ⁵ because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.   Isn’t that a powerful tribute to the Philippians?  Every time Paul thought of them, he couldn’t help breaking out in thanksgiving and joy.

Do you have people in your life who are like that?  Maybe it’s not great big things that they do (though sometimes it may be very big to you), but it’s just that they always look out for you.  They sense your needs and your feelings and do things to help or to cheer you up.  I’m sure you do.  When you think about them, be like Paul and break out in thanksgiving and joy.  God blesses us in so many ways and with so many people—let’s make a conscious effort to remember them and give thanks for them.