The gems of this passage are as follows: I Thessalonians 5:16-23, “Rejoice Always, pray without ceasing, in everything, give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise the prophecies, test all things, hold fast to what is good. Abstain from what is evil. Now may the Peace of God Himself sanctify you completely; may your whole spirit, soul and body, be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
I cannot tell you how many times this single passage of Scripture has reminded me and pulled me from the depths of utter despair. I remember being fired from my job three times in the same week--while attending college--fighting for my financial survival. I praised the Lord for my ability to give testimony to my classmates for the joy of my salvation in GOD--believing that no matter what I would be okay. I prayed without ceasing when I received by mail a letter of termination--unemployable, uninsurable--which finally ended my career in the medial field. I also lost my scholarship to go to Washington DC to study with the World Health Organization and receive further training--after I would receive my RN. This was a huge blow to my ego.
I got over it--thanking God that I could still try my hand at mathematics. However, my deadly allergy to latex rubber ended that too. I lost my ability to earn a living, stay in school, and watched my scholarship to Rutgers University fly past me. Standing on the precipice of being homeless--and deciding what things would go into a grocery cart--I still did not cease praying or lose the joy of my salvation and continued to put my trust in God. I decided no matter what, God had my back. I would not wish evil on those who had used deceit to destroy me. I would not be angry at my situation. Instead I laughed and asked God what did He want me to learn about being homeless?
To my joy, three days after giving notice to my apartment manager--a letter came in the mail--announcing that I had been picked by computer lottery for a section eight voucher for an apartment! This is during the time when it was still legal to turn down voucher holders. I was thrilled for in three days--I found a place to live!
I have had NO employment since 1998! By God's grace have had to survive on what the Government hands out. NOT my choice. I have learned to rely on God--it is God who allows our government to exist, and I know everything I have belongs to God. Therefore, in my heart, Thessalonians 5 has become one of the most important passages in my life. Without God, Jesus Christ, I am nothing. He is all!
Most recently my PTSD symptoms returned; however, I went back to this passage, remembering to practice more deeply the meanings and important life-giving message. In three weeks, my symptoms are now in remission once again. Praise the Lord. I also thank God every day for my brothers and sisters at Hood View Seventh-Day Adventist Church. Had I not lost all these "worldly things" I would not have gained all the Spiritual Gifts" I now enjoy today! Praise the Lord!!! Peace be to you.
Michelle Reed
is 56 years old and will be 57 in December. She was born in Silverton, Oregon. Her dear mother, who loved Jesus very much, passed away in August 2018. Her dad is still with her, and they see each other every Wednesday to visit, practice music and just fellowship together. Her parents were married 56 plus years! They taught her much about living a Christ-like life. She has two younger brothers, twins. Her younger sister lives with her, also disabled. They help each other survive the hard times. Michelle thanks God every day that He gave her and her siblings to Godly parents who loved them and took them to church. They did not grow up Adventist--but what a joy it is now to understand more fully about ALL the truths of the Bible--and to be able to share this with her family. She misses her life in the medical field but now finds joy in helping those in housing advocacy! God Bless!
The Word of Promise audio Bible is used by permission. For more information and to purchase the complete audio Bible go to https://www.wordofpromiseapp.com/.
1 Thessalonians 5
The Day of the Lord
1 But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. 2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. 8 But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.
11 Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.
Various Exhortations
12 And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves.
14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. 15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.
16 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.
Blessing and Admonition
23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.
25 Brethren, pray for us.
26 Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.
27 I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren.
28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
Psalm 17
Prayer with Confidence in Final Salvation
A Prayer of David.
1 Hear a just cause, O Lord,
Attend to my cry;
Give ear to my prayer which is not from deceitful lips.
2 Let my vindication come from Your presence;
Let Your eyes look on the things that are upright.
3 You have tested my heart;
You have visited me in the night;
You have tried me and have found nothing;
I have purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.
4 Concerning the works of men,
By the word of Your lips,
I have kept away from the paths of the destroyer.
5 Uphold my steps in Your paths,
That my footsteps may not slip.
6 I have called upon You, for You will hear me, O God;
Incline Your ear to me, and hear my speech.
7 Show Your marvelous lovingkindness by Your right hand,
O You who save those who trust in You
From those who rise up against them.
8 Keep me as the apple of Your eye;
Hide me under the shadow of Your wings,
9 From the wicked who oppress me,
From my deadly enemies who surround me.
10 They have closed up their fat hearts;
With their mouths they speak proudly.
11 They have now surrounded us in our steps;
They have set their eyes, crouching down to the earth,
12 As a lion is eager to tear his prey,
And like a young lion lurking in secret places.
13 Arise, O Lord,
Confront him, cast him down;
Deliver my life from the wicked with Your sword,
14 With Your hand from men, O Lord,
From men of the world who have their portion in this life,
And whose belly You fill with Your hidden treasure.
They are satisfied with children,
And leave the rest of their possession for their babes.
15 As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness;
I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness.