Day 113
I Thessalonians 1:3 Amplified Version
"We ought and indeed are obligated [as those in debt/ to give thanks always to God for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith is growing exceedingly, and the love of every one of you each toward the others is increasing and abounds."
The God kind of faith is not of this world. Therefore, it is neither obtained or maintained by simple existence on this planet. Faith comes by hearing God's Word. Doing the Word, or acting on faith that comes keeps it alive. Faith that is not acted upon dies. As James said, "Faith without works is dead." If there is no corresponding action to our faith, it becomes useless.
Paul wrote to the Thessalonian Christians, expressing his gratitude to God for what he saw happening among them. One thing he observed was that their faith was growing. One way to maintain faith is to see that it grows. For faith to grow, it must continue to be fed faith food -- God's Word. Then it must be exercised. We must be doers. Also, since faith works by love, we must nurture our love walk by confessing and practicing love. Paul not only observed that the Thessalonians' faith was growing, but he also noticed an increase in the love they had toward each other.
Let us feed and exercise our faith today. Since we have a spiritual life to maintain, we need spiritual food and exercise, just like our physical bodies need physical food and exercise. Let us also nourish our love walk, which helps everything else function properly.
I will feed and exercise my faith today. I will also nurture my love walk. As a result, my faith will grow and he maintained.