– Today’s Community Scripture – 10/8/2025
Every time we think of you, we thank God for you. Day and night, you’re in our prayers as we call to mind your work of faith, your labor of love, and your patience of hope in following our Master, Jesus Christ, before God our Father. It is clear to us, friends, that God not only loves you very much but also has put his hand on you for something special. When the Message we preached came to you, it wasn’t just words. Something happened in you. The Holy Spirit put steel in your convictions. You paid careful attention to the way we lived among you, and determined to live that way yourselves. In imitating us, you imitated the Master. Although great trouble accompanied the Word, you were able to take great joy from the Holy Spirit!—taking the trouble with the joy, the joy with the trouble. Do you know that all over the provinces of both Macedonia and Achaia, believers look up to you? The word has gotten around. Your lives are echoing the Master’s Word, not only in the provinces but all over the place. The news of your faith in God is out. We don’t even have to say anything anymore—you’re the message! People come up and tell us how you received us with open arms, how you deserted the dead idols of your old life so you could embrace and serve God, the true God. They marvel at how expectantly you await the arrival of his Son, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescued us from certain doom. So, friends, it’s obvious that our visit to you was no waste of time. We had just been given rough treatment in Philippi, as you know, but that didn’t slow us down. We were sure of ourselves in God and went right ahead and said our piece, presenting God’s Message to you, defiant of the opposition.
1 Thessalonians 1:2–2:2 (MSG)
– Reflection:
Paul reminds us that the message of Jesus isn’t just words—it’s power. He says the Holy Spirit gave the people in Thessalonica steel in their convictions, meaning their faith was strong and solid, not easily broken. That kind of faith doesn’t come from just going to church or repeating what others say. It comes from letting God shape your heart, especially when life gets hard. The Thessalonians didn’t have it easy, but they still chose joy and stood firm in what they believed. That’s the kind of strength we need today—in our families, our schools, and our communities. We live in a world where values change fast and truth can feel unclear. But when our faith is real and rooted in God, it helps us make better choices, treat people with love, and stay strong when things get tough. Steel convictions mean living with purpose, not just going with the flow. It’s about being bold, being kind, and being grounded in what’s right. Let’s stand by our choices and not make decisions based on emotion. Allow the Holy Spirit to create a steel version of you.
– Where do we go from here?
It’s about how we live, especially when life gets tough. The Holy Spirit gives us steel in our convictions, meaning our beliefs are strong, unshakable, and full of courage. Today, in a world full of distractions, pressure, and uncertainty, we need that same kind of strength in our families, schools, and communities. It starts with choosing to live with purpose, standing up for what’s right, showing love even when it’s hard, and being honest even when it’s unpopular. For our youth, this means being bold in kindness, brave in truth, and consistent in faith. When we let God shape our hearts, He gives us the strength to be leaders, helpers, and peacemakers. Steel convictions don’t mean being perfect; they mean being committed. So let’s build each other up, speak life into our homes, and be the kind of people who shine with hope and strength wherever we go.
– Our Prayer for Today
Father, thank You for waking us up today with purpose and breath in our lungs. As we step into this day, we ask You to fill our hearts with the same steel conviction You gave the Thessalonians. Help us to stand strong in our faith, not just in words, but in how we live, love, and lead. In our families, let us be anchors of peace and truth. In our communities, help us be lights that shine with kindness and courage. For our youth, give them boldness to be different, to choose what’s right even when it’s hard, and to know they are never alone. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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