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Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:4-8: For we know, brothers and sisters beloved by God, that he has chosen you, because our message of the gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of persons we proved to be among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place your faith in God has become known, so that we have no need to speak about it. Abridged: God’s divine strength is surely far more powerful than anything we can imagine, but God also wants us to develop our human spiritual strength to assist in the work for unconditional love in the world. Meditation: If we desire to speak and work for God only at those times when we are driven by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, we can become spiritually weak. If we constantly rely totally upon God to lift our spirit and provide all of the light we need in a darkened world, our own spiritual muscles will atrophy and, in time, totally disappear. God’s inspiration is surely far more powerful and desirable than anything we can imagine or muster on our own, but God also needs and wants us to develop our internal spiritual strength to assist in our work for unconditional love in the world. God has placed within each of us an image of Christ -- a light that burns and glows according to the amount of spiritual nourishment we gain through prayer, fasting, and spiritual discipline. When that light within us begins to flicker and grow dim, spiritual discipline prepares us to be ready to once again receive the inspiration God provides to make us spiritual athletes. Prayer: Lord God, we need your help and your wisdom to guide and strengthen us. The tasks of ministry are far greater than we can accomplish on our own. We lack skill without you. We haven’t enough love without you. We will surely get lost in the wilderness without you. You are our strength and our shield, our light and our hope. Bless us, Gracious One, with your presence, and guide us with your love. In the name of Jesus. Amen Enter password: .