6 But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you. 7 Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. 8 For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. 9 How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? 10 Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith. 1 Thessalonians 3:6-10

Someone in Thessalonica might have read this and asked, “What are we lacking in regards to our faith? Isn’t faith in the Lord Jesus enough?” Of course it is, so what was Paul meaning here? They really weren’t lacking anything except encouragement and strengthening from older, more mature Believers. They didn’t need to be present 24/7 but occasional checkups go a long way in strengthening faith and encouraging Believers. There’s only a subtle difference between “lacking” and “adding to.” Paul’s reunion would add to the encouragement of the Church.

As we fellowship on the Lord’s Day, encourage someone in the faith. The right words spoken at the right time can make a world of difference in someone’s life. You never know when that correct time is.