“NOT APPOINTED US TO WRATH” DAY OF THE LORD – NOVEMBER 8, 2022

1 THESSALONIANS 5:9-10

9. For God has not appointed us to incur His wrath — He did not select us to condemn us – but that we might obtain His salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, the Messiah,

10. Who died for us so that whether we are still alive or are dead (at Christ’s appearing) we might live together with Him and share His life. Amp.

We know that when the Lord comes back, He comes with His rewards and His judgment. He will come to bring His people to salvation and to bring His wrath upon the wicked. I believe it is our job to convince those in darkness that these days are quickly approaching, and we need to be ready.

I don’t believe we are to single out and point the finger at the evil leaders and politicians who are escalating judgment (Isaiah 58:9), but rather to promote the way to being safe and ready for that day. There are some reminders in 1Thess. 5 that show us the way.

1 THESSALONIANS 5:11-24

11. Therefore encourage (admonish, exhort) one another and edify, strengthen and build up – one another, just as you are doing.

DEFINITIONS

Admonish -d) to warn; caution against specific faults; to advise.

Exhort -d) to urge earnestly by advice, warning.

Edify -d) to instruct or improve spiritually or morally.

Encourage -d) to give courage, hope or confidence, to help, to give support to, be favorable to.

We are to make sure that we admonish the right people, and we encourage the right people. We can get out wires crossed and not see the true spiritual condition of someone else. We must be sure that we do not encourage the rebellious and fuss at the obedient.

It is a hard thing to know when to rebuke and when to encourage. We are not the spiritual police. It is not our job to point out all their faults. They already know them. We must pray and be in communion with the Lord and ask His guidance. We do not want to offend them but to edify them and build them up and not tear them down.

Our main way to instruct anyone is by our example. Our life must point to Jesus. We must be lights to those in darkness and not inflict pain on the hurting but always being motivated by love showing them the way to the One Who loves them more than they know.

18. We are to thank God in everything, even in the painful things, then He will provide the way out quicker. 19. We are not to quench the Spirit but follow the Spirit and let Him have full reign in all we do. 20. We are not to despise warning or instruction.

21. We are to test the spirits. When we receive something, we believe is from the Lord, we must pray and wait to make sure it is from the Lord. Satan can make things look real spiritual and holy. He is a master at trickery. We are not to lean on our own understanding but to continually pray for His leading and guidance.

We are to be like the Israelites and not move until we see the cloud move or until we are sure and see what is good. 22. Finally, we are to abstain from evil in whatever form it may come. Here again we must always be asking the Lord for direction because we cannot always tell. We need Him to show us the way or we can get into many a mess.

In verse 23 and 24 we can rely upon Him to separate us and keep us from profane things making us pure, holy and blameless in His sight. This is His job and only He can do it. Only then will we be ready for Him at His coming.

COLOSSIANS 3:17

17. And whatever you do — no matter what it is — in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus and in dependence upon His Person, giving praise to God the Father through Him.

THIS WEEK I AM PLAYING SONGS FROM PHIL DRISCOLL’S “SPIRIT OF AMERICA” FOR VETERANS DAY ON FRIDAY. NO ONE DOES THE STARSPANGLED BANNER QUITE LIKE HIM! THOUGH THINGS ARE SICK IN THIS NATION WE ARE STILL FREE AND SHOULD CELEBRATE!

🎼 SONG – CELEBRATE FREEDOM – STAR SPANGLED BANNER – PHIL DRISCOLL