1 Timothy 1:1-17 ~ true child in the faith

Jesus was going to Heaven to see Joseph, too. It was God's Plan, Joseph was not on earth during the ministry of Jesus. Kindness to Joseph. Turbulent.

1 Timothy 1:1-17

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 ^{[good order]} from God that is by 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 ^[healthy] doctrine, ¹¹ in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.

Jesus Christ 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 

^{[to the ages of ages]} 

Amen. 

The aim of our charge is love 

that issues from a pure heart 

and 

a good conscience and a sincere faith. 

John Birch, Open to God, The Methodist Church in Britain. Wrote such a beautiful commentary on 1 Timothy 1:1-17 - I'm going to have to borrow it:

This week's theme: The Pastoral Heart

 

Monday 13th February 2012

1 Timothy 1:1-17

"The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the foremost. But for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience, making me an example of those who would believe in him for eternal life." (vv. 15-16)

Background

Paul knew where he had come from. Here was the arch-enemy of the Church, transformed into arguably its most influential voice and evangelist. He remembered well the cruelty he had shown to Christians he pursued with such vigor. 

It's difficult to overestimate the brutality of Saul (as he was then), as by his own admission he was a very violent man (verse 13). After his Damascus road experience, everything changed (Acts 9). Interestingly, it is the patience of Jesus that Paul was so thankful for.

 Despite the damage he had done to the fledgling Church, Jesus had a plan for his Paul's life, which he had to pinch himself at times to comprehend. Paul saw his experience as an example of how great was God's patience and grace. 

He offered up his life as an example of a pattern that others might see in their own lives. If someone like Paul could be loved and used by God, then there was hope for all humankind!

 Paul didn't claim to have chosen Christ. It was Christ who chose him at the point he was throwing his life away, and he was forever thankful that Christ not only chose him, but trusted and appointed him to be his ambassador (verse 12). 

 There is much within this passage which speaks of the value of all human beings. The early Christians were wary of Paul when he came to them not as a persecutor, but as servant and teacher (Acts 9:21). It was the presence and power of God's Spirit in his life, and the love he showed that convinced them he was on their side! This is a timely reminder not to write anyone off as being beyond redemption, and also not to underestimate the grace and power of God to transform a life that is lost, into a life of service.

To Ponder

a) How often do you give thanks for the work of grace that God has done in your life and that of your Christian friends?

b) Have you ever written someone off as 'beyond redemption'? Is so, what does Paul's story say to you?

c) God calls all kinds of people to a life of service or ministry. Have you ever considered the possibility that he might be calling you? And what might that be?

 

 

 

I love John Newton's (Amazing Grace) paraphrased saying - 

“I am not the man I ought to be, 

I am not the man I wish to be, 

 and I am not the man I hope to be, 

but by the grace of God, I am not the man I used to be.” 

Today I am grateful for this Timothy letter.... it was written for me. And for you. I've loved the Timothy letters for so long, we had a great cat we called T.C. - Timothy Cat. Amazing love. This unconditional love is what God gives us. In Abundance. 

 

Read the letter again, you are God's Timothy.   

Romans 1:7 

To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: 

Grace to you and peace 

from God our Father 

and 

the Lord Jesus Christ.  

  

Matthew 17:5

 

He was still speaking when, 

behold, 

a bright cloud overshadowed them, 

and 

a voice from the cloud said, 

“This is my beloved Son, 

with whom I am well pleased; 

listen to Him.”  

  

1 John 4:7-8 

Beloved, let us love one another, 

for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God 

and knows God. 

Anyone who does not love does not know God, 

because God is love.

1 John 3:1-2 

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, t

hat we should be called children of God; 

and so we are.  

  

3 John 1:2 

Beloved, 

I pray that all may go well with you 

and that you may be in good health, 

as it goes well with your soul. 

  

James 5:16  

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man 

availeth much.

  

John 10:35 

If he called them gods to whom the word of God came

—and Scripture 

cannot be broken—  

Why was Joseph in Heaven? Nazareth records how beautiful the family life was for Mary and Joseph.In Nazareth of all places, where Mary left betrothed and heavily pregnant and as yet, unwed. How much and to all ends of the earth, Joseph would go for Jesus and His Family. Righteous.

  

Luke 18:1

Then Jesus taught the followers that they should always pray 

and 

never lose hope.  

  

Deuteronomy 33:12 

Of Benjamin he said, “The beloved of the Lord dwells in safety.

 The High God surrounds him all day long, 

and dwells between his shoulders.

  

God will not forsake or desert you.

  

Abba, Father

Dwell in us.

Dwell in those we Love.

Help us to seek You first.

With Your Holy Spirit, we will see You more and more.

Encourage us in this Life with Jesus

and we will finish well.

Thank you for the prayers for my eyes and helpful cataract surgery.

For those much older this year, please

pray God's mercy for them.

In difficult times, 

help guide the faithful to be pleasing in meditation 

and the words of our mouth.

We always seek to have Jesus pleased with in us. 

Living.

Father God, we are grateful for the end of the worn out 

and grateful to begin with You.

We pray for this Nation. 

Pray for an increase of 

reasonable skills,

We pray Jesus and healing.

We pray all the Holy Spirit to cover Your Good Creation.

God Bless those who have seen too much trouble

for doing their best

and doing what is right.

We always need Jesus Christ, 

Son of God. Amen.

♔ LORD JESUS SAVES †

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Psalm 126 ~ with Him

 

Psalm 126

When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,

    we were like those who dream.

2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter,

    and our tongue with shouts of joy;

then they said among the nations,

    “The Lord has done great things for them.”

3 The Lord has done great things for us;

    we are glad.

4 Restore our fortunes, O Lord,

    like streams in the Negeb!

5 Those who sow in tears

    shall reap with shouts of joy!

6 He who goes out weeping,

    bearing the seed for sowing,

shall come home 

with shouts of joy,

    bringing his sheaves with him.

Today I spent time looking at the historical pages about life and history as Pandemics end. I never knew Napoleon worked to put slavery back into France in 1801. Plague stopped him. He was looking for unity through slavery.

Haiti 1801. From Montana State University by Dr Robert Peterson

By 1801, L'Ouverture was the de facto ruler of Haiti. Francois Dominique Toussaint L'Ouverture was born in Haiti to African slave parents in 1743. He participated in the island's slave uprising of the 1790s, and, as was common in Haiti, he switched alliances between Spain and France. French authorities promoted him to the rank of general. Through impressive strategy, he prevented a Spanish-English invasion and defended the French interests. He was rewarded by being given the titles of lieutenant governor and commander-in-chief of the Haitian forces. Late in 1801, Napoleon sent his brother-in-law, General Victor-Emmanuel LeClerc and 20,000 troops to seize the entire island and put an end to anything that would create upheaval in France. 

  

The effect of yellow fever on the French was staggering. Only approximately 3,000 men returned to France. Although estimates vary considerably, as many as 50,000 soldiers, officers, doctors, and sailors may have died from yellow fever. Before reinforcements arrived, LeClerc's original force of 20,000 was reduced to only a few thousand.

Napoleon's largest expeditionary force was thoroughly destroyed. Bonaparte's failure to control Haiti led to his decision to sell his empire of the Mississippi Valley to the young United States for $15 million.

The end of Slavery worldwide by Wilbur Wilberforce's life work in the British Parliament led to the decline of Napoleon and the building of the USA Southern States.

There is also an interesting article below:

Good and Bad: How Mankind Has Responded to Massive Plague over the Ages

02.25.2020 | Commentary | Dr. Don Boys, Ph. D. | 
https://dailysurge.com/2020/02/good-and-bad-how-mankind-has-responded-to-massive-plague-over-the-ages/

Which brings us to Psalm 126. There isn't any of us who doesn't worry and become tired of the daily news. Many just no longer listen.  Podcasters are growing. And many don't even listen to podcasts.
The point Dr. Don Boys makes about the time it takes to recover from Pandemic, or Plague, usually includes political upheaval, shortages, disloyalty, social alterations in friendships and families, looking to God, anger with God, employment and horrible weather events. The whole system of the planet in upheaval. 
We could shorten this recovery process to say we have the chance to become the Prodigal Son.
Or worse, the sullen Older Brother of the Prodigal Son.
God The Almighty is interesting.  Jacob had 12 sons to learn human perfidy. Each had the opportunity to be a hero. Reuben tried and failed. Joseph was seriously missing during famine. Due to his sibling treachery.

The Prodigal Father ... we all want to know. 

God gave the Prodigal Son's Father something modern day people can certainly understand. The Father has two sons. Not a herd, a sampling.

James 3:17 

The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, 

open to reason, 

full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

Abba, Father,

Lord God 

we ask You

to Restore our Fortunes.

We would like to live with more

wisdom from above is 

first pure, 

then peaceable, 

gentle,

 open to reason, 

full of mercy 

and 

good fruits, 

impartial 

and 

sincere.

Let there be more Heaven

upon this earth

Jesus told us we should pray 

this Blessing.

Alleluia, Jesus.

Thanks for this Blessing

in Prayer.

In Your Love

and Grace

we will be watchful

of our Blessings

We will Stand Firm in the Faith.

Men act like Men

being strong 

Do not be conformed to this world, 

but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, 

that by testing you may discern 

what is the will of God, 

what is good

 and 

acceptable and perfect. 

 Therefore, Beloved in Jesus Christ, 

our Blessings in our Loved Ones,

whom we love and long for, 

my joy and crown, 

stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

Dwell in us, Jesus Christ.

Dwell in those we Love.

Help us to seek You First.

We will finish well in Jesus.

Murillo 1697

With God 

His Steadfast Love

and Mercy

Giving us Goodness

Wisdom

Standing Firm in our Faith

With God all Things

are

Possible.

The Mercy of Jesus Christ Upon Us.

 Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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