November 7, 2023
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in 1 Thessalonians? Here’s today’s reading:
1 Thessalonians 5 (NIV)
The Day of the Lord
1 Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 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.…..Continue Reading
16Rejoice always, 17pray continually, 18give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Such a wonderful chapter! So simple the Christian life could be if we could stay the course, if we could just stay in the light. I appreciate the comparison of sin and darkness because there is a conscience in each of us…that place where God reminds us of what we should be doing and so when we hear that voice we go to the dark so we can not be seen when we sin, as if we are getting away with something. We know God sees ALL and so He knows our hearts and so staying out of the dark is the only way to resist the temptation of sin. When we choose light, we choose to be humble and grateful where we are and with what we have. It is so much harder to fall victim to sin when we maintain this heart, again a simple thing that is so hard for us to do.
My mother had a magnet on her fridge. Live each day as the lord died yesterday. Rose today and returning tomorrow. The day of the Lord. Will come like a thief in the night. How is the lord going to find us?? Vs 11. Encouraging each other. As a church let’s go out of our way to reach out and lift each other up. Might just keep someone from falling out of the race. Live n peace with each other!! Ok. Be joyful always?? Pray continuously ok Give thanks in all circumstances. ?? Not there yet! But encourage by this is Gods will for you in Christ Jesus. Aim for your entire being to be kept blameless at the coming of our lord Jesus. I have some work to do!!
Don’t we all, Mark! And thanks for sharing that vulnerability that is in all of us!
1 Thessalonians 5
Wow, there is so much in this chapter worthy of comment. First Paul makes clear they don’t need to know the timing of when Jesus will rapture the church, but he does tell the nature of it. It will be like a thief: sudden, surprising and unwelcome for unbelievers, but for believers it won’t be such. For us we will not be surprised and it will not be unwelcome. We are of the day where there is clarity and openness, where behavior does not need to be hidden because it is good. Far better not to have to hide and have the self control and alertness that God provides. Paul even gives a mini armor of God to show how protective faith, hope and love are. Let’s keep building each other up in these things.
Paul then rattles off several points of instruction and command beginning with the respect that is due those in the church that lead, work hard and teach. We should also differentiate between the people who can’t do something and those who are unwilling. How important it is also to be joyful always, and pray all the time and give thanks in all circumstances and recognize that is the kind of people God wants us to be and therefore He equips us to be so as well. To do that, we definitely need the Holy Spirt so we need to make sure we are not grieving Him by not following His direction, whether that comes internally or externally through a prophet/teacher. And as we pursue God and entrust ourself to Him, we will find Him able to empower and sustain us in the godly life He wills for us. All praise and honor to Him for His willingness to do all that He does for us, with us, and through us!
1 Thessalonians 5
1 Thessalonians 5 Amen
I Thess 5:16-22 is a cherished memory verse, probably will never forget it!
Not really feeling like rejoicing as an American citizen, to be honest. Paul says to rejoice, give thanks in everything, good and bad. So hard to do.
The Day of the Lord is near. Jesus will come back, through clouds, stand on earth, and immediately establish His kingdom. His reign will be forever and ever, even after this universe gives way to the new heavens and new earth. Thy kingdom come on earth! I want to see it! Peace, gordy
Amen!
BTW Mark, you spoke it well, I am not there either, we all struggle together!
It doesn`t matter when Christ will come but only that we should be living with the expectation that He will come at any moment. Therefore we should be desiring to live for Him. And Paul states the things we should be doing to live in such a way. 1 Thess. 5;16-22 [ Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesying. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. In regards to proving all things we should be wise as servants but innocent as doves. By knowing and studying the Word of God and having a close relationship with Christ we will know when someone is teaching truth or error. Like a banker ; he studies the real currency to know what the fake one is. God also gave us a mind to use and we shouldn`t believe everything someone tells us. We should be critical thinkers. Just as the people of Berea searched the scriptures daily to see if what Paul said was true. But it not only applies to scripture but to other things in our lives. Do we follow the crowd or hold true to what God says in our daily lives. There are so many lies out there in the world it could be difficult to discern what is true. We need the mind of Christ. For all men lie but God always tells the truth. It gets overwhelming how all the news media tells lies. You have to decern what is true and what is a lie. Most of what we hear are lies. The thing about people that lie they have to keep telling lies to cover up the other lies. Eventually they will be found out but with so much damage to our country and people. God will hold them to account. Much better to follow God and always tell the truth. Pray for our nation to turn back to God for He is the only way. If as believers we think different than God then we need to check the facts and come along with God. There is a promise that God made to Abraham. Those who bless you I will bless and those who curse you I will curse. Be ready for Christ could come at any time. America has be so blessed by God because they honored God and we taught His ways from the Bible. Much of the down fall of America wasn`t over night; but it started with we stopped using the Bible in schools, and then latter taking prayer out of schools. So now people don`t know the Living and True God. The question now is which god. So without the fear of God and lack of knowledge of who He is and what He has done man will do whatever is right in his own eyes. Mankind is sinful and rebellious toward God. I am as you can see grieved by all the sin around us in our country. Come quickly Lord Jesus.
As to my earlier statement. The down fall of America. The teaching of Evolution that man evolved from apes and from slime before that is a lie from the pit of Hell. Did God say. Yes He did. God made mankind into His image not by evolution. God says He created the earth and universe in 6 days and then rested. Mankind says that there is no God and that everything came about by chance over millions of years. Man`s view is not based on facts or science. It is all assumptions for they don`t want to acknowledge that there is God for then they would have to acknowledge that they are sinners and face Him. Satan is trying his hardest to destroy mankind and bring them to Hell with him. As we see what is happening in Israel we see how much he hates Israel and Christians. If Israel was destroyed do you not realize that Christians would be next. Of course God will step in before Israel is destroyed. He says so. God bless.
Rejoice always,
17 pray without ceasing,
18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
19 ¶ Do not quench the Spirit.
20 Do not despise prophecies.
21 Test all things; hold fast what is good.
22 Abstain from every form of evil.
2 Thessalonians 1
“But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.”
1 Thessalonians 5:4-6 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/1th.5.4-6.KJV