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. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 1 Thessalonians 5:8-10
Our Safe Place
Have you ever heard of “doomsday preppers?” They are people who prepare for a catastrophic event, or the collapse of civilization by storing food and other supplies in a safe place just in case. It’s good to be prepared.
Judgement day, the day when Jesus will return, is sometimes referred to as doomsday. It will be a dreadful day for those who are unprepared. However, for those who are prepared it’s not a day of doom and gloom. Being prepared makes all the difference, but we cannot prepare ourselves for that day by stockpiling the right supplies. None of the earthly things we collect will save us on that day. None of the places or possessions where we seek comfort and safety in this life will shield us. So, how does one prepare?
Everyone who trusts in Jesus is already prepared. Jesus is our safe place. In him, we are sheltered from all that seeks to harm us spiritually. God has appointed a day of judgement, but in his incredible mercy he has not appointed us to suffer his wrath against sin. He appointed Jesus to suffer wrath for the sins of the world. Jesus was sent to suffer in our place and then to be victorious in our place by rising from the dead. Jesus supplies all we need. Through faith in him, we are spared from wrath and receive salvation.
Jesus is our safe place, and not just on the last day, but every day. Today you can find refuge in him and his salvation. You need not fear when the day will come. As long as you trust in him, Jesus is your safe place. He died for all, so that you may live eternally and safely with him. The one who is truly prepared is the one who finds refuge in Jesus, now and always.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, may I daily seek refuge so that I may be kept safe until the day you return. Amen.
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. . . So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. 1 Thessalonians 5:3,6
Stay awake!
We’ve all dozed off at some point. Sitting in front of the TV is one thing, but what if you’re behind the wheel? Your eyelids start to get heavy. Everyone else in the car is sleeping. It’s taking all you have to stay awake. You nod off and hit the rumble strips. In that situation, falling asleep could be deadly. Being spiritually awake means trusting in Jesus for salvation. Spiritually dozing off means our attention and faith start to drift away from him. This can be spiritually deadly.
Another thing happens when we drift off to sleep. You start to dream and lose touch with reality. Some dream of a “peace and safety” apart from Jesus— “I’m at peace, I’m doing my best.” Some dream of a better life apart from God’s plan and design. Wake up! The rumble strips of God’s Word wake us up to reality: The day is coming and this world won’t last forever. Our lives in this world don’t last forever. It’s time to stay awake!
But how? When you’re on a road trip you need help staying awake—snacks to munch on, tunes to listen to, a friend who stays awake with you. Jesus, the one who awakens our souls to the reality of his forgiveness, keeps us awake on our way home to heaven. He puts other believers in our lives to stay awake with us and encourage us along the way. When we start to drift, we can tune our hearts to his promise of salvation and tune out the empty promises of this world. He is with us, and he neither slumbers nor sleeps.
Prayer:
Lord, when I drift, steer me back to you. When I become tired and alone, remind me that you are with me. Amen.
Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-2
Perfect Timing
It’s hard for us to time things perfectly. We try to time our commute just right, but we hit traffic and we’re late. Is there even such a thing as perfect timing?
The one who alone is perfect and holy has perfect timing. The Lord’s timing is perfect. This is true of all he does. He knows when best to bless us and to redirect us. He provides all things according to his perfect will and perfect timing. When the time was right, he sent his Son, Jesus Christ, into this world to save the world from sin. At just the right time, Jesus will come again on the last day. It will be the day of destruction for those who do not believe in him, but the day of salvation from this decaying world for those who believe in him.
As we learn about that day, we might become troubled about the timing. We ask, “Why doesn’t Jesus come back now?” as we look at the world around us and see evil, or we look at our lives when we’re in pain or sorrow and wish Jesus could come now to rescue us. Jesus knows about your struggles, and he cares. He will come to bring relief, and not a moment too late.
Other times, we worry that Jesus will come too soon. We might think, “What about people who haven’t heard about Jesus?” Jesus knows all things and has thought this through better than we have. He cares about people who haven’t heard of him, and this is one reason he hasn’t yet returned. He will come and not a moment too soon.
While we wait, we trust in the Lord’s perfect timing. When we are troubled, we can remember that we are in God’s hands. When we are concerned about those who haven’t heard the good news about Jesus, we can be the ones to share it.
Prayer:
Lord, as we wait for the day you will return, give us confidence that your timing is always perfect. Amen.
Martin Luther College – November 2026 update Parents bring their children every year to Martin Luther College (MLC), New Ulm, Minn., to pursue gospel ministry. These future ministers of the gospel are answers to the prayers of […]
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Women serve in world missions In the same way that women actively served in the work of the early Christian church, WELS is using women’s gifts to share the gospel with other women in situations […]
1 Now these are the ordinances which you are to set before them:
Laws About Servants
2 If you purchase a Hebrew servant, he is to serve for six years, but in the seventh he may go free without paying anything. 3 If he comes in by himself, he will go out by himself. If he is married when he comes in, then his wife will go out with him. 4 If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the wife and her children will belong to her master, and the servant will go out by himself. 5 But if the servant formally declares, “I love my master, my wife, and my children. I do not want to go out free,” 6 then his master shall bring him to the judges. [1] His master shall bring him to the door or to the doorpost, and he shall bore through his ear with an awl. Then he shall serve him for the rest of his life.
7 If a man sells his daughter to be a female servant, she may not be sent out of the household as the male servants may be. 8 If she does not please her master who has married her, then he must let her be redeemed. He has no right to sell her to a foreign people, since he has not kept his commitment to her. 9 If he marries her to his son, he must deal with her as he would deal with a daughter. 10 If he takes a second wife for himself, he must not diminish the food, the clothing, or the marital rights [2] of the first wife. 11 If he does not do these three things for her, she may go free without paying any money.
Laws About Injuries
12 Anyone who strikes a man so that he dies must certainly be put to death. 13 However, if this was not done intentionally but rather was an act of God, for that kind of case I will appoint a place among you to which that man can flee. 14 But if a man plots and kills his neighbor deliberately, you shall take him from my altar, so that he may be put to death.
15 Anyone who strikes his father or his mother must certainly be put to death.
16 If anyone kidnaps someone and sells him, or if the kidnapped person is found in his possession, the kidnapper must certainly be put to death.
17 Anyone who curses his father or his mother must certainly be put to death.
18 If men quarrel and one strikes the other with a stone or with his fist, and the victim does not die but is confined to bed— 19 if the victim gets up and can walk around outside with his staff, then the one who struck him shall not be punished, but he must pay for the victim’s lost work time while he is recuperating, until he is completely healed.
20 If a man strikes his male or his female servant with a club, [3] and the servant dies at his hand, he must certainly be punished. 21 However, if the servant gets up after a day or two, [4] the man shall not be punished, for the servant was his property.
22 If men are fighting and they injure a pregnant woman so that the child comes out, yet no harm follows, they must certainly be fined as much as the woman’s husband demands and the judges approve. 23 But if any harm follows, then you are to take life for life, 24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, 25 burn for burn, wound for wound, and bruise for bruise.
26 If a man strikes his male or female servant’s eye and destroys it, he must let the servant go free as payment for the eye. 27 If he knocks out his male or female servant’s tooth, he must let the servant go free as payment for the tooth.
28 If an ox gores a man or a woman to death, the ox must be stoned to death, and its flesh must not be eaten, but the owner of the ox will not be held responsible. 29 If the ox, however, had a habit of goring in the past, and its owner had been warned, but he did not keep it confined, and it then kills a man or a woman, the ox shall be stoned, and its owner shall also be put to death. 30 But if a redemption payment is imposed on the owner instead of the death penalty, he must pay whatever is imposed on him to save his life. 31 This is also the ruling that applies to him if the ox has gored someone’s son or daughter. 32 But if the ox gores a male servant or a female servant, thirty shekels of silver shall be given to the servant’s owner, and the ox is to be stoned to death.
Footnotes
Exodus 21:6 Or God. The Hebrew word is elohim, which usually means God, but see John 10:35.
Exodus 21:10 The meaning of the Hebrew word translated marital rights is uncertain.
17 But I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and offenses contrary to the teaching that you learned, and keep away from them. 18 For such people are not serving Christ our Lord but their own appetites. [1] By smooth talk and flattery, they seduce the hearts of the unsuspecting.
19 Your obedience has become known to everyone, so I am very joyful about you. But I want you to continue to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil. 20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Greetings From Those With Paul
21 Timothy, my coworker, greets you, along with Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my relatives.
22 I, Tertius, who wrote down this letter, greet you in the Lord.
23 Gaius, my host and the host of the whole church, greets you.
Erastus, the city treasurer, greets you, and Quartus, the brother. [2]
Doxology
25 Now to him who is able to strengthen you—
according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was veiled in silence for long ages past, 26 but now has been revealed through the prophetic Scriptures and made known to all the Gentiles, in keeping with the command of the eternal God, resulting in the obedience of faith—
27 to God, who alone is wise, be glory forever through Jesus Christ. Amen.
Footnotes
Romans 16:18 Literally stomach
Romans 16:23 Some witnesses to the text add verse 24: May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you. Other witnesses add these words after verse 27.
1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea. 2 Welcome her in the Lord in a manner that is worthy of saints, and assist her in whatever way she may need your help, for she has certainly been a helper for many people, including me.
3 Greet Prisca [1] and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, 4 who risked their necks for my life. I am not the only one who is thankful to them. All the churches of the Gentiles are as well.
5 Greet also the church that meets at their house.
Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.
6 Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you.
7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, [2] my relatives and fellow prisoners, who are highly regarded by the apostles. They were in Christ before I was.
8 Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord.
9 Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys.
10 Greet Apelles, who was tested and approved in Christ.
Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus.
11 Greet Herodion, my relative.
Greet those from the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord.
12 Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, who worked hard in the Lord.
Greet my dear friend Persis, who has worked very hard for the Lord.
13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who was a mother to me too.
14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers who are with them.
15 Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them.
16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.
Footnotes
Romans 16:3 She is called Priscilla in Acts 18:2.
Romans 16:7 Or Junias, a masculine name. Some ancient interpreters considered Andronicus and Junia to be husband and wife.
Paul’s Goal: To Bring Christ’s Name Where It Was Not Known
14 I myself am convinced about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are also full of goodness, filled with complete knowledge, and able to instruct one another. 15 But I have written a letter to you (rather boldly at times) as a reminder to you, because of the grace God has given me 16 to be a public minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. I am to do the priestly work of proclaiming the gospel of God so that the Gentiles would be an acceptable offering, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
17 Therefore I have a reason to boast in Christ Jesus about my service to God. 18 For I will not dare to speak about anything except those things Christ accomplished through me that resulted in the Gentiles’ obedience. Christ accomplished them by word and deed, 19 along with the power of signs and wonders done by the power of God’s [1] Spirit. As a result, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum. 20 And so I consider it an honor to proclaim the gospel where Christ’s name is not known, so that I may not build on another man’s foundation. 21 Instead, as it is written:
Those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand. [2]
Paul Hopes to Come to Rome on His Way to Spain
22 This is also the reason I have been prevented many times from coming to you. 23 But now I no longer have a place to work in these regions, and I have longed for many years to come to you. 24 So when I go to Spain, I hope to visit you on my way. After I have enjoyed being with you for a while, I hope that you will help me on my journey there.
25 Right now I am going to Jerusalem bringing assistance [3] to the saints. 26 For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. 27 Indeed, they were pleased to do this and, to be sure, they are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual things, then the Gentiles owe it to them to serve them with material things.
28 So, after I complete this project by delivering this fruit safely to them, I will set out for Spain and visit you on the way. 29 And I know that when I come to you, I will arrive with the full blessing of Christ. [4]
30 Now I urge you, brothers, through our Lord Jesus Christ and through the love of the Spirit, to struggle with me in prayers to God on my behalf. 31 Pray that I may be rescued from those in Judea who are disobedient and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, 32 so that by God’s will I may come to you in joy and be refreshed in your company.
33 May the God of peace be with you all. Amen.
Footnotes
Romans 15:19 Some witnesses read the Holy.
Romans 15:21 Isaiah 52:15
Romans 15:25 Or ministering to the saints
Romans 15:29 Some witnesses to the text read the full blessing of the gospel of Christ.
1 We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the weaknesses of those who are not strong, and not just to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please his neighbor for the good purpose of building him up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself, but as it is written: “The insults of those who are insulting you fell on me.” [1]
4 Indeed, whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that, through patient endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we would have hope. 5 And may God, the source of patient endurance and encouragement, grant that you agree with one another in accordance with Christ Jesus, 6 so that with one mind, in one voice, you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7 For this reason, accept one another as Christ also accepted you to the glory of God. 8 For I am saying that Christ became a servant of those who are circumcised for the sake of God’s truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs. 9 He also did this so that the Gentiles would glorify God for his mercy, as it is written:
For this reason I will praise you among the Gentiles, and I will sing to your name. [2]
10 And again it says:
Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people. [3]
11 And again:
Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples give him praise. [4]
12 And again Isaiah says: There will be a Root of Jesse, and he is the one who will rise up to rule the Gentiles; on him the Gentiles will place their hope. [5]
13 Now may the God of hope fill you with complete joy and peace as you continue to believe, so that you overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
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