SCRIPTURE: 1 THESSALONIANS 5
MEMORY VERSE:
“Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18_
“Do not put out the Spirit’s fire, do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on top the good. Avoid every kind of evil.” (1 Thessalonians 5:19-22)
The day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But those who belong to Christ are not in darkness because they are all sons of the light and sons of the day. All believers should be alert and self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. His death enables us to live together with him. Therefore, we must encourage one another and build each other up.
FINAL INSTRUCTIONS:
- Hold those who work hard among you, who are over you in the lord and who admonish you in the highest regard in love because of their work. (v. 12-13)
- Warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. (v. 14)
- Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to everyone. (v. 15)
- Be joyful always. (v. 16)
- Pray continually. (v. 17)
- Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (v. 18)
- Do not put out the Spirit’s fire. (v. 19)
- Do not treat prophecies with contempt. (v. 20)
- Test everything. Hold on to the good. (v. 21)
- Avoid every kind of evil. (v. 22)
Blessings of Paul:
“May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.” (vs. 23-24)
Paul greeted all the brothers with a holy kiss and told them to pray for them and read this letter to all the brothers. Then he said” “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.” (v. 28)
THOUGHTS:
Nobody will know when Christ will return. He will return suddenly and unexpectedly, so we must be ready at all times. Let us live each day prepared to welcome Christ. When “The day of the Lord” comes, Christ will judge sin and set up his eternal Kingdom.
We must show respect to our pastors and other church leaders by expressing our appreciation and letting them know how they have helped us by their leadership and teaching. Thank them for their ministry, supply their needs and support them with love.
3 important things to do:
- Be joyful.
- Pray without ceasing.
- Give thanks in all circumstances.
Living in this sinful world, we cannot avoid every kind of evil. But we must not give evil a foothold by avoiding tempting situations and concentrating on obeying God.