Despair is not for us.

Christ is King and our hope of salvation has always been in Christ.  Trust His plan.

The Day of the Lord

1 Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 

2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 

3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 

4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 

5 You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 

6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. 

7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 

8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 

9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 

10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 

11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Final Instructions

12 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. 

13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 

14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 

15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. 

16 Rejoice always, 

17 pray continually, 

18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 

19 Do not quench the Spirit. 

20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 

21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 

22 reject every kind of evil. 

23 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. 

24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. 

25 Brothers and sisters, pray for us. 

26 Greet all God’s people with a holy kiss. 

27 I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters. 

28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Thessalonians Chapter 5

Carlos Roman

Those that make the rules will soon realize their actions will come back to haunt them. 

Those that take a stand for the people that follow them will become heroes.  Good on you Carlos Roman.

The governed vs the ruled

Are you being governed, or ruled? 

Karl Manke, a 78-year-old barber in Owosso, Michigan, who has been cutting hair for 59 years, can rest a little easier. Charges for violating local health orders and defying Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s COVID mandates were dropped last Friday.

Manke gained national attention and notoriety as a “folk hero” among many who saw that Whitmer’s edicts went far beyond the law. When she shut down the state initially, Manke complied. But after she unilaterally extended her mandates beyond April 30 without gaining approval from the legislature to do so, Manke reopened his barbershop, saying at the time, “I feel the governor is not my mother, never has been.”

When reminded that he was violating Whitmer’s mandates, Manke said, “I could care less. If they want to put me in jail, put me in jail.… I will be governed … but not ruled. This is a police state action.”

Be careful of what what stands you take and be sure you're not fighting on the wrong side, however keep confidence.  We know what side ultimately wins.

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.  For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority?  Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. 

Romans 13:1-4a

Let them govern but never let them rule you.  The state exists to punish evildoers, not to exert tyrannical influence.