Pastor Tricia's Ramblings

(Based on 1 Thessalonians 5)

We’ve come to the final chapter of Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians, and it’s a powerful call to readiness. Paul doesn’t mince words here. He reminds us that Jesus is coming back—and that His return will be like a thief in the night (1 Thessalonians 5:2). That means sudden. Unexpected. No warning. Yet for those who belong to Christ, this shouldn’t catch us off guard.

Paul says in verse 4, “But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.” We don’t live in ignorance or confusion. We live in light. We can look at what’s happening around us, compare it to the Word of God, and know that His return is imminent—meaning it could happen at any moment.

And that begs the question: Are we ready?

Living Awake and Sober

Paul says in verse 6, “So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober.”

Being awake means being spiritually alert—knowing the times, discerning truth, and living with purpose. Too many believers are spiritually asleep, lulled by comfort, entertainment, and distraction. We scroll more than we pray. We react to culture more than we reflect Christ. But Paul says: Be alert. Be sober.

To be “sober” doesn’t just mean avoiding drunkenness—it means having a clear mind and heart that aren’t fogged by sin, fear, or compromise. You can’t walk straight if your spiritual senses are dulled.

Think of it like driving at night. If your headlights are dim, your reaction time shortens, and you can’t see what’s ahead until it’s too late. Paul is saying, “Turn on your spiritual high beams. Stay alert.”

Equipped for the Battle

In verse 8, Paul tells us to “put on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.”

Sound familiar? It echoes Ephesians 6, where Paul describes the armor of God. The breastplate protects your heart, the helmet protects your mind. Why? Because those are the two places the enemy targets most.

When you feel under spiritual attack, it often begins with your thoughts—doubt, fear, insecurity—and it moves to your emotions—discouragement, bitterness, offense.

That’s why Paul says to guard your heart and mind with faith, love, and salvation. Faith keeps you anchored when you can’t see the outcome. Love keeps your motives pure. Salvation keeps your hope secure.

When you know who you belong to and what your purpose is, the chaos around you won’t shake you.

Encourage One Another

Verse 11 says, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.”

We can’t do this life alone. You need community. You need people who speak faith when you feel weary, who remind you of truth when you’re tempted to compromise.

Think of how a campfire works. When all the coals stay together, they burn hot and bright. But if you take one coal out and set it aside, the flame fades fast. That’s what happens when you isolate yourself spiritually. The fire goes out.

That’s why Paul urges us to build one another up—to fan the flame in each other’s hearts, to keep the body strong and unified until Christ returns.

Honor and Respect Spiritual Authority

Verses 12–13 say, “Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work.”

This isn’t a popular message today. In our culture, honor often has to be earned. But Scripture says there are positions that automatically deserve respect because God placed people there.

A police officer doesn’t have to earn your respect before you pull over when the lights flash. The position itself carries authority. In the same way, pastors, teachers, mentors, parents, and spiritual leaders are positioned by God—not to lord over us, but to guide, protect, and equip us.

When we dishonor leadership, we not only reject the person, we reject the God who appointed them.

Now, this doesn’t mean blind obedience to anyone who claims authority—it means recognizing that God uses imperfect people to accomplish His perfect plan. Honor opens the door for blessing and protection in your life.

How to Treat People (Verses 14–15)

Paul gives us some rapid-fire instructions here that every believer should take to heart:

• Warn those who are idle or disruptive. Speak truth in love.
• Encourage the disheartened. Lift up those who’ve lost hope.
• Help the weak. Don’t criticize—support.
• Be patient with everyone. Even when it’s hard.
• Don’t repay evil for evil. Always choose to do what is good.

If we could live this list daily, revival would break out in our homes, our churches, and our communities. This is practical Christianity—living out love in action.

A Life of Constant Worship (Verses 16–18)

Paul continues with three of the shortest, yet most powerful commands in Scripture:

• Rejoice always.
• Pray without ceasing.
• Give thanks in everything.

These are marks of mature faith. Anyone can rejoice when life is easy. Anyone can pray when there’s a crisis. But it takes spiritual depth to praise God through the storm, to stay in constant communication with Him throughout the day, and to thank Him in all circumstances, knowing He’s working it all for your good (Romans 8:28).

Faith isn’t about ignoring reality—it’s about seeing a greater reality. When we focus on what we see in the natural, we’ll find plenty of reasons to fear, complain, or give up. But when we see what God sees, we’ll find reasons to rejoice, pray, and give thanks in everything.

Don’t Quench the Spirit (Verse 19)

This is a big one: “Do not quench the Spirit.”

To quench means to extinguish—to put out a flame. The Holy Spirit is like fire in the life of a believer. He convicts, empowers, and guides us. But when we ignore His promptings, rush ahead with our own plans, or box Him into our comfort zone, we snuff out that fire.

In the church, this can look like sticking rigidly to a schedule rather than following the Spirit’s flow. I’m grateful my pastor allows the Holy Spirit to move freely—no time clocks, no pressure. If God wants to change the agenda, we let Him. That’s how revival breaks out.

In your personal life, this means obeying the nudges of the Spirit. When He prompts you to pray for someone, to forgive, to give, to step out—do it. Delayed obedience is disobedience. Don’t quench the Spirit by ignoring His voice.

Don’t Despise Prophecy (Verses 20–21)

Paul continues, “Do not treat prophecies with contempt, but test them all; hold on to what is good.”

In other words, don’t dismiss what God might be saying. Be discerning, but be open. God still speaks today—through His Word, through the Spirit, and yes, through prophetic words.

Test every word against Scripture. Wait for confirmation. God will never contradict Himself. And remember—not every word is meant to be shared publicly. Sometimes God speaks something for you alone, for your direction or encouragement.

Discernment keeps you grounded; openness keeps you growing.

Abstain from Evil (Verse 22)

“Abstain from every form of evil.” In a world where compromise is common, Paul calls us to live differently—to live set apart.

We can’t blend in and expect to shine. We’re called to be salt and light (Matthew 5:13–16). Salt preserves, light exposes. If we lose our distinctiveness, we lose our impact.

Sometimes living holy means making hard choices—turning off certain shows, walking away from toxic conversations, or saying no to opportunities that don’t align with God’s values.

Holiness isn’t about legalism—it’s about protection. When you abstain from evil, you’re guarding your soul from corruption. You’re saying, “God, I choose Your way over my way.”

Sanctified Completely (Verse 23)

Paul closes with a prayer: “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.”

Sanctification is the ongoing process of being set apart for God’s purpose. It’s not instant—it’s daily. It’s surrendering again and again until Christ is fully formed in you.

It’s one thing to be saved; it’s another to be sanctified. Salvation is the doorway. Sanctification is the walk. It’s letting God refine you, prune you, and prepare you for His return.

And the beauty of this verse is that God doesn’t just want to sanctify part of you—He wants all of you: your spirit (the part that connects with Him), your soul (your mind, will, emotions), and your body (your actions).

Illustration: The Ready Bride

Imagine a bride preparing for her wedding. She doesn’t wake up the morning of and start getting ready at the last minute. No—she’s been preparing for weeks, maybe months. She’s chosen her dress, set everything in order, and she’s waiting eagerly for her groom.

That’s the picture Paul paints for the church. We are the Bride of Christ. He’s coming for a pure, prepared, expectant bride—not one distracted, drowsy, or double-minded.

The question is—are we ready?

The Call to Be Ready

You may not know the exact timing of Christ’s return, but that’s not the point. The point is to live ready.

Be awake. Be alert. Be filled with the Spirit. Love deeply. Honor freely. Pray constantly. Rejoice always. Give thanks in everything.

Whether Jesus returns tomorrow, next year, or in another generation, the command remains the same: Live ready today.

Because readiness isn’t just about expectation—it’s about transformation. When you live as though Jesus could return at any moment, you live with urgency, humility, and purpose. You make every moment count.

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So today, let this be your prayer:

“Lord, sanctify me completely.

Keep my heart awake and my spirit alert.

Don’t let me be found sleeping when You return.

I choose to live ready.”

Live ready. Live surrendered.

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Live bold. Live set apart. Live for Christ.