SANCTIFICATION
Suggested Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4-5
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
The remains of a fortification wall and entrance which was built in the times of the Byzantine Empire in Thessalonica. History is depicted on the walls as a reminder to all who pass through (see photo below).
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: 1 Thessalonians 5:23
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.
In today’s reading Paul teaches us concerning the second coming of Christ, and instructs us as to how we should live. The word “sanctification” is repeated three times! As the vessels in the “Sanctuary” were set aside for holy purposes, we are to live a holy life! Here’s how it’s done: (1) “Abstain from sexual immorality.” (2) “Love one another.” (3) “Lead a quiet life.” (4) “Mind your own business.” (5) “Work with your own hands.” (6) Act “properly to those who are outside.” (6) “Comfort one another.” (7) “Watch and be sober.” (7) Put on “the breastplate of faith and love.” (8) Put on “as a helmet the hope of salvation.” (9) “Whether we wake (life now) or sleep (death) we should live together with Him.” (10) “Edify one another.” These 10 powerful New Covenant commandments take us up to Chapter 5, verse 11.
Paul also gives us important guidance for our own lives. We will be blessed by reading again and taking time to digest excellent counsel from 5:12 to the end of the book. There are 12 more instructions here (not optional for all who are sanctified).
If Paul had a blog he would no doubt type 5:27, “I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read to all the brethren!”
Our key verse shows us how God will accomplish these things in our lives. This is a good verse to memorize! (5:23).
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Great God of peace, I yield myself to You. I pray that You will sanctify me for Your purposes. Only You can keep me blameless; I cannot do this on my own. I thank You for working in me to accomplish Your will. In the Name of the One who always did what is right, Jesus Himself, Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
It’s after 5 a.m. and I must leave shortly for Toronto where I continue to have treatments which I believe are helping me to enjoy a good measure of well-being physically, in spite of my continuing diagnosis of MDS leukemia. Thanks for all the prayers. I’m expecting a new diagnosis of good health.
My spiritual health has never been better. That’s a very personal diagnosis of my personal prayer life and my general sense of spiritual health. I’m convinced that God is working in me to accomplish His purpose as declared in our key verse.
In the very first letter Norma-Jean wrote to me, she used letterhead with 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 printed at the top of the page: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” She claims that she did not choose this verse on purpose; it was just the writing paper at hand. However, it has proven to be a prophetic Word for us for almost 55 years now!
Yours because of the One who is FAITHFUL “Who also will do it” (verse 24 of chapter 5),
David
Some of the history of Thessalonica depicted on the structure (described in the top photo caption).
Never could directions be so clear as what Paul tells us in today’s reading. And, the rewards are immeasurable to living our lives according to these standards. It can be a challenge to maintain, but living opposite to these principles only brings anguish and dispair. Thankfully, we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength!! My prayers are with you today David as you receive your results and am grateful to our Lord for your spiritual strength and integrity. Have a great day to all!
Oh yes precious Saviour help us to be ready for your near return and thank uou for making David strong in these last days and that you are using him mightily , help us be wise virgins to have our oil for our lamps and extra oil to keep our lights burning with your love , peace joy patience meekness self control , longsuffering temperence Oh how we need Jesus as we long for your return , And help us to be blameless through the precious blood of Jesus who ee put all our Faith (trust in ) in Jesus name AMEN
David, God bless you for your proclamation of the Gospel. Especially as you live out the testimony of healing, yes myself and many, Quote, many believe in God’s healing on your body of servant hood .
As we pray and are called to pray for one another , I would lift up my wife “Geraldine ” for prayers in healing of some health matters at this time. May you and her receive a complete healing for testimonies from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
“Rev. Lester Simpson’
Praying for healing for your wife, Geraldine, Rev. Simpson.
Am praying too for you, David and I praise the Lord for His Word. We are blessed.
john andrews
David: We, here in this home will continue to pray and hope for good physical health for you. We have evidence that your spiritual health is alive and well, and we thank God for you in every remembrance of you from day to day. Thank you for your faithfulness in Christ.
“He who calls you is faithful, who will also do it.”(I Thess. 5:24). Felt rested when woke up around 4am and felt the Lord urging me to get up and pray; the word, “breakthrough” was in my spirit. May God go and be with you today, David. There’s a word for the churches here in this epistle in verses 5:19-21, “Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good. ” Do you find you need to read these epistles over and over? Need to take my New Testament every where I go. God bless you saints!
That was a great blog. We as usual are praying for you, in Jesus name. Our hearts are with you as you go to Toronto.
The Trio was terrific. I have not seen one before with Elaine joining you.
t
Our hearts go out to you Pastor David and your family as you are receiving treatments.
Continue to pray for you, and thank you, and your team for the daily ‘mana’ you have for us.
Blessings to all those who read this blog.
Excellent teaching and blog this morning. Thessalonians is full of great truths for the church and for believers. The words that struck me this morning were, Rejoice, Pray, & Give Thanks. WOW!!!! I rejoice in my salvation and I pray for the salvation of unsaved loved ones and then I will give thanks for all things!!!
Praying for you Pastor David as you undergo more treatment today and we expect to hear a good report!!! God is faithful!!!!
On a personal note, my daughter and son-in-law have an urgent need to sell their house. There is someone coming by at 11:00 this morning to look at it. Could you pray & believe with me that a buyer would come forth. They have already purchased another house and the closing is Monday!!!! Thank you so much!!
Have a great day blog buddies and blessings to all!!
Praying for your daughter and son-in-law’s home to sell today, Ruby. God bless you!
Thank you Beverlee!!! Blessings to you today!!
God bless you David. I agree with you in faith for a complete healing and a new diagnosis of perfect health. Praise God.
Dear Pastor David!
I’ve been meaning to leave a comment for sometime but never got around to doing it but for some strange reason after reading your blog today I was moved to tell you how much I appreciate your blog. I faithfully start my day by reading it and always thank God for the poignant message He gives you to share with your readers – I personally think you write them all for me!!! they so meet my daily need. He give you spiritual uplift it give meFor some reason I find myself reading your Prayer first – I make it my personal prayer for the day.
Dear Pastor David!
For sometime now I’ve been meaning to leave you a comment but never took the time to do so but for some strange reason I felt compelled to do it today. Probably because you used two of my favorite Scripture verses!!
I faithfully start my day by reading your blog and always thank God for giving you such poignant messages to share with your readers – I often think it is written just for me!! For some unknown reason I audible read your prayer first and make it my own personal prayer!
In view of your health issue, I am touch by your commitment to rise so early to commune with the Lord in preparation for your blog. I thank God for your obedience and commitment to Him through the years and for your continued passion in proclaiming His Redemptive Power and encouragement to the Faithful.
Praying you will receive an encouraging diagnosis today. We know our Awesome God is the Great Physician and He is in Control of your healing, Perhaps it is His will to just give you daily strength to work effectively for Him with your illness – as He did for Paul!
May God continue to Bless you Abundantly as you reach out with “The Good News” to the Lost and to us who need your encouragement to keep the Faith and pass it on – no matter what!!
Blessings
Betty
Dear David M.,
As you proceed to Toronto, know that my prayers follow you every minute of the day and that our wonderful, marvellous Saviour, physician Jesus Christ will do all the healing that needs to be done and keep you under his wings.
I’m enjoying so much the gospel of Thessalonians and, though I am struggling with memorizing, I am determined to make it mine.
Have a blessed day everyone!
xxxx Carole
My prayers are with you, David Mainse. So grateful you have treatments closeby in Toronto that are helping you, overall. I can hear it in your uplifted words on the blog. God is strengthening you; we are all praying for you and giving the utmost of thanks to our Heavenly Father.
This morning’s message has been uplifting on so many levels and the reminder of Paul’s instruction fills my heart as a Christian. It was exactly what I needed to be reminded of. ‘Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you….. 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.’ 5:16-18; 23 memory verses–so powerful!
Paul’s remaining points from 5:12-28:
Acknowledge those who work hard and care for you in the Lord.
Regard them highly; live in love and peace with each other.
Warn the lazy; encourage the disheartened; help the weak; be patient.
Always strive to do what is good for each other.
Rejoice always.
Pray continually.
Give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Do not quench the Spirit.
Do not treat prophecies with contempt; test them all; hold the good.
Reject every kind of evil.
Pray for us.
Greet all God’s people with a holy kiss.
Blessings to all saints, on this splendid day!
Hi David, Thank you for a great study again today. l have a note over the title in my bible “the book of encouragement” It is wonderful reading! l find that l can read the newspaper, watch T.V. etc. but nothing is so satisfying as reading the bible ,in comparison everything else comes up empty! Our prayers are with you as you go to the hospital today, we must keep believing with you for total healing. We wonder why these things are allowed to enter and hang around in our lives; a very wise mentor of mine said, some things are past our understanding, and it would seem there is a higher purpose for some difficulties, however God is sovereign and can heal at any time, and we know he is Love.Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to his purpose..You are greatly loved and appreciated for you selfless dedication to our Lord’s work!
Wonderful words of encouragement Christine may I chime in agreement
God bless all you bloggers, ,and David .M.. may the Lord bless you and
heal you and keep you in the Palm of His Hand…R…
Thank you for the message today David I continue to pray for complete healing
as well praying for your wife Geraldine Rev Simpson as well Rev. Simpson.
Lianne Hogg
David M, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, just as it is well with your soul. This is my prayer for you from 3 John 1:2 NRSV
The command to not be a busy body can be twisted to mean turn a blind eye and be silent about evil. This is not what it means. If so, Paul would not have preached to the gentiles. Yet, it does mean we should have judgement to know when it may be good to speak and when not to speak. I have no right to tell someone to fast or what to eat. I also have no right to tell jews to not fast at passover. However, if a person is dying from alcoholism, I could say to him, hey man, this gonna kill you. He could say that I should mind my own business and if he is not dying on the spot I should probably respect his choice but maybe still try to care. This would be obvious to most christians but I have seen it is not obvious to everyone. As Peter said, Paul was gifted by God with much wisdom but people with no understanding pervert his words as they do all the scripture and teach others to their folly. So, with all the wisdom pastor Mainse writes in truth, I point out that this is one point where people twist Paul’s words as they do with the scipture on other points such as confusing peace with anything goes, love with sin and forgiveness with permission to sin.
I again would like to thank David Mainse for his ministry including 100 Words. He is doing God’s work and I am grateful that he is here to guide and comfort Jesus flock including me.
Magnify the name of “Jesus” as you go for you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. He is our keeper and keeps us in “perfect peace!” I have been through the same situation, different experience, with my husband, for when things can look just terrible and the doctors prognosis is gloom and doom, “God knows and God shows.” By the power of Love, “God is faithful, and He will not fail you, and He will not fail Norma Jean, or He will not fail anyone who trusts in Him and lifts up His Name. Rest in Him. He is the Almighty indwelling each of us with His Spirit.
Praying for you David … may Lord in His strength keep you and sustain you during these heavy trials.
Dear David.
I do hope all went well yesterday for you
that you had good results.
We are praying for you.
Thank you for the wonderful blog yesterday.
God Bless you. Veronica.
🙂
M.