1 Thessalonians 5:23-28

Overview:
The God who is the Author of peace will set you apart from the world so that your inner man (thoughts, intentions, motivations etc.) would remain pure, focused on God alone until Christ's return. The One who saved you is faithful and has the power to carry out His desires.
Pray for us. Greet our fellow believers for us. You must promise to read this letter to all the believers. May God's unmerited favor (grace) be with you all.
Application:
We often fall into the trap of thinking that we have to "do" something to make the Christian "walk" happen. As much as I try, I will never fake, or be able to force myself to live in complete obedience to Christ. It is only God's Holy Spirit who resides within me that makes it possible. After all, He is the one who called me out of the world and saved me - having done that, He is more than capable of sanctifying (setting me apart) for Him. It's about control - who is in control of my life? If it's me - I'll fail every time, and be frustrated as Paul expressed in Romans 7. It is only yielding my "rights" to the Holy Spirit when I get a glimpse of what God truly desires for me. I say glimpse, because all too often, I take the reigns of control back - knowing I'm setting myself up for failure.
"Chip away at me Lord, until I am like You. Give me the stamina to stay the course, because Your discipline and the removal of dearly guarded secret sins is painful - but so very necessary!"

1 Thessalonians 5:19-22

Overview:
Don't resist or try to suppress the Holy Spirit's working in your life and the lives of others. Don't hate/despise/fail to listen to the teachings of those inspired by God, but examine what they say with God's Word. Once you have found it to be true, then you are to retain it and use it in your life. Do resist every form of evil.
Application:
Here is a list of 2 Do's and 3 Don'ts. The Holy Spirit is often talked about in terms of a fire. Here the word picture is of someone dousing the Holy's Spirit's fire with water or dirt. The Holy Spirit is continually at work in the lives of believers. However, He does not push His will or His power on us, rather He wants us to submit the control of our lives over to Him - this is being "filled" with the Holy Spirit. His admonition to not despise prophecies has to do with what he said previously about respecting and honoring those that teach us the Word (pastors). Historically the NT was a work in progress, so the Holy Spirit used prophecy both prophetic and for explanation of present situations the church was facing. How do you know if what someone is prophesying is true? Test it and compare it to other Scripture - it it's not, toss it, but if it is true, then you must obey it and put it into practice. Not only should false prophecy be avoided, but all kinds of evil (doing worldly practices, lust, envy, strife etc.) must be avoided. Stop trying to live with one foot in the world and the other foot in the spiritual world - it won't work, and it shows you have not yielded control to the Holy Spirit, and you/I am in danger of suppressing His power.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Overview:
Be joyful! Don't stop praying - be in an attitude of prayer at all times! Be thankful in all situations!
Application:
Paul's command to be joyful seems obvious, but I know better. It is hard to be joyful when circumstances are not what you hoped for; or worse when every tragedy that can happen is happening. Our joy isn't because of our circumstances, because everything is going my way, but in-spite of them. If I remain sad and depressed over what is going on in my life, then I am really saying I mistrust God. Isn't it God who said that He would let nothing happen unless He allowed it? He only allows things to happen for my good - not that they are good - but the situation will, if I am mold-able to God's direction, make me more like the Savior. Isn't that something I want?
Don't stop praying! It means being in continual contact with God. I may stop talking to Him while I do something, but pick up where you left off and continue praying. If I'm always praying, I'll not be as stressed trying to discover God's will for me, because I will have been in continual communication with Him. 
Give thanks in all circumstances! Because God works everything for my good (Rom 8:28), then I must be thankful for whatever is sent my way (Are you listening to yourself?! Do I believe and act on what I'm typing?)
These three commands are not just good advice; they are God’s will for every Christian. I must be joyful, prayerful and thankful. God has commanded it - so it must be obeyed.
God please help me to show these qualities this evening. There is an inner battle going on that I want You to win. Give me your words to say, give me your thoughts to dwell on, not my anxious angry ramblings. Don't let Satan have the victory - You be victorious. Make me your ambassador. No matter what man has put in front of me to hurt, trick or demean - don't let me retaliate, keep me calm knowing You have allowed this to happen, and You will reward me if no one else does. May the riches of Your love, always be enough!

1 Thessalonians 5:14-15

Overview:
There should be no laziness - if someone is not doing their job, they need to be stirred up (admonished) to get busy and work. Those that lack self-confidence, timid, second guess themselves and easily become depressed - these need to be encouraged and supported. Those who are weak have not learned to lean on the Lord for support - they too will need your help. Be patient with the lazy, timid, weak believers among you, and don't retaliate or pay back evil that has been done to you. ALWAYS seek to do good to ALL.
Application:
No one likes the role of telling others what to do. It's easier in a work situation, but we avoid it at all costs in a church setting. Here Paul makes it very clear we are not to ignore what is going on around us. If someone isn't doing his job, then it is our/my responsibility to stir them up, give them a needed push to get busy. If we see those who are timid and don't take on any responsibility due to their lack of self-confidence, then we need to encourage them to get involved and support them in their efforts to be productive for Christ. Those who are weak spiritually and haven't learned to allow the Lord to control their lives, need to be instructed in how to live the Christian life so they too can be productive. Whatever you do, we must not be impatient and throw our hands up in frustration and walk away. Nor do we retaliate because their lack of functioning as they should has caused extra stress and more work on us. Rather we are to look for ways to be kind (good) to them.
This later part goes against the grain! Not only do I have to "babysit" them, but now I'm being asked to go out of my way to do acts of kindness for them. My plate is already overflowing because I've had to do their job - and now You're asking me to do their job and find extra acts of kindness to show them Your love?! How unfair... 
Not really, when I look at what Christ has done for me. Hasn't He loved and encouraged me when I've been lazy, timid and weak? Haven't I experienced His patience? Has He ever paid me what I deserve when I've been in a less than productive mode? Absolutely not!! Am I not supposed to imitate Christ in all I do? Then instead of throwing a pity party for myself, I need to be thinking of how I can be God's hands and feet and show the love of Christ to all those I come in contact with. It is not enough to "be kind," but I need to do tangible acts of kindness. What have I done today to show by deed the love of Christ to someone else?

1 Thessalonians 5:9-13

Overview:
God has a destiny for us. We are not destined for wrath (Tribulation), but rather for the full benefit of our salvation (eternal life) given to us by Jesus Christ. He died for us so that we might live with Him. It doesn't matter whether you are spiritually apathetic or not (awake or asleep) - you will still receive salvation, because you obtain salvation because of Him, not from any good thing you may do. You are encouraging other believers about making the most of the time and commending them for the work they are doing, but continue doing it. Show respect to those who labor among you (pastor/elder) and are over you in the Lord, and keep you in line (admonish). Show them the honor (esteem) that is due them - solely for their work among you. If you do these things, you will be at peace in your dealings w/ those in the church.
Application:
What a timely passage for what God is teaching me about His church and how we must conduct ourselves. We all must be vigilant in seeking opportunities and making the most of our time on this earth. But ultimately it's not about me and what I do or do not do for Christ. It's about what He did for me on Calvary - that's how/why I have received salvation from my sins.
The part that strikes me the most in this portion is the exhortation to encourage one another and especially our pastors (those in authority over us). We are to show them respect, hold them in high regard for the office they fulfill in our churches. Note it does not say "if" they deserve it - it says they deserve it based on their work - opening up God's Word to us. I believe many pastors have done themselves a disservice by trying to fit in and be like everyone else. I understand that they are saying "I'm no better than you. I'm a sinner saved by grace just like you."
But they are neglecting the other aspect of their role and that is they are a picture of Christ's headship in the church, and because of that they should be respected, esteemed, held in high regard. It doesn't mean they never make mistakes, nor does it mean we have to refer to them as the "reverend so-and-so," as only God is to be revered in that way. It does mean that we should look up to their leadership, and respect them for their faithful exposition of Scripture, and listen to their wise counsel based on the principles of the Bible. Why?? Because God said to. He will honor us for our obedience and He will discipline the pastor if need be. Our disrespect for authority, whether it be for those in government, or those in our churches is a mark on God Himself. When He says "respect" and we do otherwise - we are in complete disobedience to Him.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-8

Overview:
"The day of the Lord" (The day of the Lord is a future period of time in which God will be at work in world affairs more directly and dramatically than He has been since the earthly ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a time referred to by many Old Testament prophets (e.g., Isa_13:9-11; Joe_2:28-32; Zep_1:14-18; Zep_3:14-15). As these and other Old Testament verses indicate, the day of the Lord will include both judgment and blessing. That day begins immediately after the Rapture of the church and ends with the conclusion of the Millennium. This day is a major theme of prophecy with its fullest exposition in Revelation 6-19. ~Bible Knowledge Commentary) will come totally unexpectedly. Just when you think everything is safe and peaceful, He will come - and can not be held back. (example of labor pains). You, however, don't need to be surprised because you are children of light. Work hard, be alert and be watchful. Those who relax and let down their guard do it at night. But you are children of the day, you are protected by your spiritual armor (breastplate of faith and love and the helmet of salvation) - the breastplate will protect your courage and love for God and fellow believers and the helmet will protect your thinking.
Application:
Make the most of your time...I can't quit even though I may want to. The Lord's return is imminent and once it comes, there is not time to wish I had done more. Put on the defensive weapons to ward off Satan and his deceptive thoughts from clouding my thinking. Use my time wisely - ask myself, "Is this how to reach the most people? Is this the best tool for our times? etc."  I need to always be current, yet true to Scripture, to reach this present world with the gospel.