Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.
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.
Brothers, pray for us. Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
I Thessalonians 5:11-28
Leave a Comment
Linda Stoll says
I love reading that Scripture in light of who we are in the blogging community! Thank you for those always powerful words.
And here’s thoughts about tears and joy, all mixed together with the promise of harvest…
http://creeksideministries.blogspot.com/2012/09/the-harvesting.html
Eileen says
I always loved the part about, “Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt.” We are shown here we can put out the fire of God’s Spirit, by our free will choices. May we never do that? Moreover, prophecies of the Bible are the promises of God of His Word being true, all the prophecies of Christ first coming came true to the letter, so will all the prophecies of His second coming, things to celebrate indeed.
jules says
thank u so much for this post. it encouraged my heart today. bless u all!!!
Chris Jager says
Thank you for this today. My heart needed to hear this and be reminded that work is not what we are all about. Tomorrow my husband goes back to a job he just found out no longer exists for him. He is struggling as he has worked for the company for almost 30 years and I am not sure how to help him right now. Just praying and trying to remember God is in control
Ellie Mae says
How timely this message is! Thank you so much for the encouragement!!!! Have a blessed week!
Beth Williams says
Our church has a prayer list in the bulletin. Anyone can add someone or take a name off. If you give the pastor a card explaining the reason for putting the name on the list he will read it out to congregation.
Ours is a small church, but a very caring family. My dad was put on the list this week and 1 friend is sending a card, another is calling him and the pastor and his wife visited him this week, a 40 mile round trip for them.
I try my best to pray for every one on the list–even if I don’t know them personally. I try to spread sunshine everywhere I go–try to make people smile.
Marie Krum says
What translation do you use, please, to find these lovely, accurate scripture texts?