The Call from Jesus Christ to Wake Up.

1 Timothy 1

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,

² To Timothy, my true child in the faith:

Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

³ As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, ⁴ nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. ⁵ The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. ⁶ Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, ⁷ desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.

⁸ Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, ⁹ understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, ¹⁰ the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, ¹¹ in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.

Christ Jesus Came to Save Sinners

¹² I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, ¹³ though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, ¹⁴ and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. ¹⁶ But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. ¹⁷ To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

¹⁸ This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, ¹⁹ holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, ²⁰ among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.

Footnotes:

1. 1 Timothy 1:4 Or good order
2. 1 Timothy 1:10 That is, those who take someone captive in order to sell him into slavery
3. 1 Timothy 1:10 Or healthy
4. 1 Timothy 1:17 Greek to the ages of ages

There is a Movie called "Peggy Sue God Married" and it brings me Joy and Sorrow.

It expresses the deepest need we have to share ourselves. The absolute foul tangle we get into being ourselves. The barriers God gives us - that we loathe because we want to be God. The glories of life we LOVE and are so fleeting - partially because we all just suck. The joy in perfection, the horror that we want that more than all else - self glory.

"No more Jell-O on my plate today, Mom!"

Partial truths, half lies, evasions -just prevent us from living lives fully. The truth shouldn't be a stretch.

I am an oblivious visionary. What I want most in life is to glorify God, in Jesus Christ the Lord. What I want most in life is all the comfort and blessings I can get. What I want most is to walk side by side with some one I can tell it all to.

This goes beyond "genuine" and reaches into Truth. Then we spiral down into selfishness of power struggles and glory and self love. Materialism, enslavement, work, laziness. Name all the sins - they are all there.

What do we do when we get all we want - we want to discard what is old and boring. And maybe shed it comfortably. Or manipulate others into being second class to have more comfort. We want to tell others how to lead their lives. Even if we are scary or demanding or unusually persuasive. What do we do when we give all we have and still are unloved.... life goes on.

The only thing in life that is eternal and good is Ages of Ages.

Good Health. In our relationships with God. It is important and requires truth.

In seeking what is "healthy" we have to genuinely love. To care when we know others have suffered for years. To love what is unlovable. To know when we are distasteful of politics that we loathe - we really loathe something God has given us, how we feel about others and ourselves. If Church or Catholicism is distasteful - it is, or could be, a profound spiritual issue or disconnection.

Waiting for someone else to be Truthful? Be brave, yourself. No need to sneak up or around. Really. Take all the time you need, hide if you want. But what God wants is some simple honesty dealt up with face to face communication. God wants us to discover who we are really and to love Him.

Oblivion -

Evelyn Kelcher(Mom): Peggy, I don't mean to be intrusive, but are you having problems with Charlie?
Peggy Sue: A lot of things are confusing right now, Charlie is just one of them.
Evelyn Kelcher: Is Charlie pressuring you into doing things you don't think you should be doing?
Peggy Sue: What do you mean?
Evelyn Kelcher: Peggy, you know what a penis is? Stay away from it!

Peggy Sue: I'm an adult. I want to have fun. I want to go to Liverpool and discover the Beatles.

What causes oblivion? To have given for years, to have loved for years, to be a best friend and give and give and give and be unloved.

Come hell or high water, I serve the Lord. Not just the happy attitude sentimentality. Not see people for what they are or are not oblivion - but the "I love you."

I know my purpose - I exist to glorify God. Wake up.

Luke 7:25-27

What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are dressed in splendid clothing and live in luxury are in kings' courts. ²⁶ What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. ²⁷ This is he of whom it is written,

“‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way before you.’

What is your purpose. God knows. He cares. He loves. You know.

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