1 Corinthians 4:1-6 ~ Regard the Lord

1 Corinthians 4:1-6

 This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. 4 For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. 

It is the Lord who judges me. 
Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.

6 I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written

Who wrote 1 Corinthians 4?

Well, a very young copy of the entire Chapter of 1 Corinthians 4 is found from the late 1st or early 2nd A.D - intact at the University of Michigan. And no one disputes 1 Corinthian 4 was written by Paul.

Christian doctrine accepted in the Bible fits together. We might explain Year A, B or C or perhaps Year 1,2 or 3. Yet the Ideas and Words of God flow. We are all going to the same Banquet of God in Heaven.

If we wander down the Road of Wonder...
we could say Timothy - in later years  -would advise later-in-life loved ones  with 1 Corinthians 4

Timothy was given to in his youth:

Timothy 4:12 
Let no one look down on your youthfulness, 
but rather
in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.


The two principals flow.

Life - is flowing. Pushing us on in God's Plan. We are sorting fiercely in just about all we do.

Some people say the Scriptures are very harsh. Terrible.

And others are pushed out by life rushing them by - other things are more pleasing than listening to "The Good Word."

This is true when we approach Scripture feeling not very loved or nourished by Father God.

We have assailed ourselves with doubts of our self esteem - our worth - in Father God's Eyes, Mind and Heart. This is all of us.

Paul said Fight the Good Fight. Realize how astonishing God truly is. God placed His only Son in His Creation just as wealth swept rural Israel. Foreign Culture. The Jews were mocked and attacked in their own Proud Nation by money. BIG, BIG MONEY. The World would not see this prosperity again until the Renaissance was well, well past first bloom 16th Century.

Mary well understood culture and class and religion and ideas and modernization - war on earth.

If we allow one Scripture to be all our Scripture - we are limited. We have to stand on the Foundation of Jesus.

Jesus is the Light of the world. Jesus is the Light of mankind.

All things are made of Jesus Christ.

In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Our God is the fire in us - not consuming. Our Light. The Image of God Himself, our Father dwells within.


1 Corinthians 6:11
You were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

John 1

12 To all who did receive him, who believed in his name, 
he gave the right to become children of God,
 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, 
but of God.

How did we go from being Born and Blessed of God to Fighting the Good Fight.

The path, and the birds came pecking and eating.

The path was rocky without deep refreshing soil to grow and nourish into.

The Glory of day, turned to be brilliantly about moi..

Others crowded out the Light. Shallow, scorching, withering.

Continue traveling with Love and the Light - a hundred, sixty or thirty times Hope what was sown.



To hear the Word of God in all it's Glory
we must realize

How Very Precious we are to God.

A Loving Father provides lessons on maturity and growth. Assuring us of His Complete Love. He tells us about David doing all he could and finding Mercy. Needed Mercy. Telling us of trial and failure. The Glory of Hope to try again.

Some of the lessons will be for us. Some will be stored to remember in later days.

And in our ability to Learn Father God.s Mercy  and Wisdom , we sort the Living Word of God to apply the right part of the path and the seeds to our day.  Allowing the Word of God to dwell in our Eternal Richly.

Realizing we are on all different steps in the path of life going back and forth. Allowing God's Living Water to rush past to reveal what God is giving us yesterday, today and tomorrow. Letting the Wisdom of God help us learn our own comfort and the comfort we must provide others to make life meaningful and worthy with the Riches of His Goodness.

Our doubts worry us.

Our Father, our Abba,

Each day we seek Your Blessing.

Help us to remember the truthful Word of God. The forward of Life, the fail, the re-group, the Victory of God.

Remembering the Prodigal Father had Joy.

And we place the ones we love in Your Hand and Love.

Jesus is the radiance of the glory of God
and the exact imprint of His nature,
and He upholds the universe by the Word of His Power

We will rest with trust in our prayer requests. God is God.

And for all our prayers, we Rest in Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †

Isaiah 49:15-16 ~ engraved on the palms of His Hands

Isaiah 49:15-16

 “Can a woman forget her nursing child,
that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb?
Even these may forget,
yet 
I will not forget you."

 "Behold, 
I  have engraved you on the palms of my hands"




John 10:29
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.

Isaiah 41:13-14
For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand;
 it is I who say to you, 
“Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”

Isaiah 48:13
My hand laid the foundation of the earth, 
and my right hand spread out the heavens; 
when I call 
to them,
 they stand forth together.

1 Peter 1:5
Who by God's power 
are being guarded through faith 
for a salvation 
ready to be revealed 
in the last time.

John 10:28
I give them eternal life,
they will never perish, 
and no one will snatch them out of my hand.


John 3:16 
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Matthew 28:20 
Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. 
And behold, 
I am with you always, to the end of the age.

In Loving Remembrance 

Isabelle Claire Gardere

September 23, 2008

Romans 14:17

For the Kingdom of God is

of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit

Matthew 6:21 
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also

Joshua 1:9
The Lord your God 
is with you 
wherever you go

Abba, Father God,

Where You are, the Great I Am, we will dwell and have our Joy with You Forever in Jesus Christ.

I have seen my loved one smile as Joy unbelievable in the sleep in death

We do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.

We Believe Jesus died and Lives

And so we Believe God will bring with Jesus.

So many people are told misfortune, life, death and grief end our lives.
No. We have the sweetest of all expectation in the Fulfillment of God's Word.

For the Lord himself will come down from Heaven,
with a loud command,
with the voice of the archangel
and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

... for this reason I bow my knees before the Father,
from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.

We pray of the riches of His glory
He may strengthen us with power
through His Spirit in our inner being.

Covering us in Jesus. Our Loved ones. The People He has given us.
Our Nation trusting in Him.
The Nations of the world trusting in Jesus.
And His Children
covering His earth
with their prayers of more
Heaven on earth.

In Jesus we ask. And will have our Joy
and Blessings each day Renew.

Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †

Jude ~ through Jesus the Christ, our Lord

Jezreel Valley - Looking up at the Ridge of Nazareth. End of winter, beginning of spring.

The view of Nazareth of Mt Tabor - Transfiguration - and of Jezreel Valley. March - Spring.

The Finish of Summer in September - Nazareth overlooking Jezreel Valley.

And in Winter when the clouds are low and the earth rests.

Jezreel 

Nazareth drew Mary's family out of Bethlehem. Higher than other cities 325 feet above sea level on Mount Precipice, Nazareth dwells having: a view, a breeze, cooler temperatures and the safety to see advancing weather and advancing armies. A splendid place. Nazareth like all of Israel was part of Tribal Jews settling. "Nazareth" is one of the Hebrew words for 'branch',from the prophetic, messianic words in Book of Isaiah 11:1, 'from (Jesse's) roots a Branch will bear fruit'. And toponym might be an example of a tribal name used by resettling groups on their return from exile. Including the name may derive from na·ṣar, נָצַר, "watch, guard, keep," in the sense of "watchtower" or "guard place."

The Gospel of John reveals ancient Jews did not connect the town's name to prophecy.

Seasons come and they go and seasons arrive again.
Those terrible, terrible people to forget "ISAIAH!!!"

Except.... maybe...Mary and Joseph had something in common with Nazareth.

Luke 2

47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.

48 And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.”

49 And Jesus said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?”

50 And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them.

Regular life - the bells and whistles of God are in the Bible.

One of the Holy Family knew God's arrival and the approach of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Luke 2

52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.








From a Lithograph of 1800s Mount Tabor - easy to climb.

Mount Tabor has become a reflection of God's Promise Israel is a land flowing with milk and honey.

Mt Tabor is not hard to climb, nor farm.

There is another set of people who wander in and out of faith in God's Plan. One day, Jesus invited them on a local walk.


Matthew 17

Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.


An interesting choice from the 12. Peter - the Rock, the Pope - sure. John - ok His buddy pal. James - the brother of John - sons of Zebedee - - - why? Jesus is the Word made Manifest. God's Word Alive. Words matter. We would have to consider the Words of these men of God.

John keeps his oath of secrecy and the great change within John is represented as Jesus as the Light of all mankind and the world of John's Gospel - Chapter 1 for importance.


2 Peter 1:16-21

16 For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” 18 We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.

19 We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, 
and you will do well to pay attention to it, 
as to a light shining in a dark place, 
until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 

20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.


And we have arrived!!! THE TRANSFIGURATION.

Except Jesus has understood this for a long, long, long time Genesis 1 - Let There Be Light. Jesus was not about to see Himself as newly made.


God is the same yesterday today tomorrow. If anyone could now understand in hind sight - Jesus had known all along about Capernaum, His Ministry, His Sacrifice, His Gift to all of mankind and a new Heaven for His Father. A new earth. Jesus was thinking of you.




Jude, Brother of Christ records this:

Jude 1:25

To the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord,
be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.







About minute 5, the chicks appear!

When Jesus told us He wanted to hold us as a Hen holds her chicks, we see in the Video - this mother hen is not a hug - she is the living, moving, having their being example of a Temple to dwell in - in love, in care and in tenderness.

These chicks are planned and prepared for long before they arrive.  No matter the season, the time, all is Love. Care. Dwelling.



Abba,

You are the Shepherd of our Souls. We always want You to Dwell within us. Help us to make our eternal being a good and joyful place for Your Holy Spirit.

Help us to stay with You in Faith.

Giving our hearts to You, to tend to us and the ones we love. We rest our cares with You.

In Jesus our Alleluia will be found.

We believe You are the Willing and Good Father.

In Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †

Luke 2:48-51 ~ He went with them

Luke 2:48-51

49 And he said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" 

50 And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. 

51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. 

And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.

Jesus Later Life -

Jesus wanted and planned to live over on the other side of Mt. Tabor - right beside the Sea of Galilee - the life of Jesus shows us. We saw the Valley of Jezreel in yesterday's photo. And we learn of the walk Jesus went on to Nain, so really, Jesus stayed in the neighborhood.

Jesus and His Childhood Years

Mary and Joseph seemed pretty convinced regular life and ordinary life is going on. Jesus tells us Life is a test of our soul's fiber. Their usual life is our regular life and - - - yet - God has a different idea and is pointing us in His Direction.

If we want a small taste of the life of Jesus before His Ministry - we, yes, read the early life of Jesus in the Gospels. And - an important and - you may read Luke 1:44-55 and see many of Mary's lifelong viewpoints. With Scripture being real, honest and true - you will find the family lived together for decades - the viewpoints are so similar in the Books of James and Jude - both follow Luke 1:44-55. Indeed, indeed, indeed Jesus, James and Jude were children of Mary.

The Book of James
Jude

 1800s Vintage photo of Nazareth - didn't really change for millenniums.

 Interior of a typical house.

Families added on and lived in Family.

 Most homes would have a sheepfold - a place the sheep slept.

Typical Kitchen for the time in Nazareth.

Abba, Father God,

We welcome Your Blessing. Come, please, and find our heart, soul and mind open to You. Bless us with Jesus Christ, Your Son's Love, Joy, Peace and Salvation.

Find the words of my mouths and the thoughts of my heart to be pleasing to You, I pray. You are welcome in all aspects of me. Come to my eternal being and bless my life to be in the Joy of You. Let me Live and move and have my being finding You load us with Blessings daily.

Bless our homes. May our homes be places of Love and encouragement. May this dwelling bless all the family living here and living in our heart and mind. As we have our family memories, encourage our soul to remember the days of warm blessing. We ask this Blessing to be carried in our Nation. Trusting in You.

We pray for our cares to held as You'd want us to do. Knowing the Comfort of Your Holy Spirit to guide our lives. And know the homes and cares of Your Children all over the world carry the prayer of Bringing More Heaven to earth - in The Holy Spirit.

Thanksgiving for our answered prayers of health in our family and healing we are asked to pray for.

The Blessing of Jesus is ours. Amen and Amen and Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †

Ephesians 1 ~ He chose us

Ephesians 1

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus: 

2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.


3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.

In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.

7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.

13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.



15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.

22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Verse 15 to 21 is One Entire Sentence.

Why? Paul is completely taken up with the Extraordinary Plan of Jesus Christ.

Paul has a lot of insight.

Paul says his generation is the first to Hope in Christ to the Praise of His Glory.

Verse 15 to 21 is the most heartwarming run on sentence in the History of All Things.
As Paul considers the amazing blessing of being given Life Forever - Paul is recorded in every and all of his Books - to show so much love for the people he explains Jesus. This Love spills out and Paul just has to testify and raise his voice to explain how lavish is God's Love for the people He has named and called His Children. Everything Paul touches to explain - dissolves into Love.

Paul loves the people in front of the Unknown God Statue.

Paul loves Priscilla and Aquila as they make tents and speak of Jesus.

Paul loves Titus. Paul loves the people he prays for. Paul calls Timothy his son.

And all this Love is for the Praise of God's Glory. Paul says he has learned to be happy in good circumstances and bad situations. Paul anticipates today will have Blessings. Paul is certain in God good circumstances will be seen again. Paul wrote this suffering will not compare to the Glory to arrive. Paul can remember overcoming shipwrecks and bitten by snakes and Lived to Enjoy Overcoming.

When you talk to Christians, they smile about uncertain circumstances because we agree there is more Hidden Goodness than any of us anticipated. We have Hope. And this is a little of being blessed in the misfortunes we all gasp to think might land upon us in the Beatitudes. Rarely does someone say, "And the Blessings of the Beatitudes Be Upon You!" Jesus is not recorded as having said that. Thank God.

Jesus always, as God, says something more rich and enduring. Forgiveness, Healing and Heaven have Arrived!!! We are reassured knowing Jesus knew where every single person was He set out to find.
In being Zacchaeus, we Know Jesus Knows right where we are. Today.




We are able to give God a gift He has not given us.
We can be slow speaking, quick hearing and slow down when in anger. Meek. Solomon had another word for this - "Wise". We can be Merciful. And obtain many more pathways leading to the fulfillment of being with Father God. We can be Merciful and show our gratitude to what and whom God has given us. Gratitude. Peacemakers are assured they will see Father God - assuring us this - Peacemakers are Children of God and Therefore Invited Before God Himself. His Written Word has issued the invitation to - you.

Father God,
Cover us in all weathers and all seasons, that we will grow in Hope, Faith and Love.
In Your Goodness, Righteousness and Mercy. We will rejoice as we see prayers answered.
Knowing with gratitude, these Gifts come from Your Love. Thank You, Father God and Your Son, Jesus.

We are still praying for rain on the West Coast and for help in North Carolina and the Hurricane Recovery.

We give all our cares to You and say Your Will is Good for our lives. 
Praying and being glad for my dog's ear infection recovery and for Jackson.
Praying for Edward who has not felt well.

We trust in You and fling ourselves, 
the ones we love, 
the people You give us and this Nation in Your Goodness. 

The Nations trusting in You
and More Heaven on earth as the Children of God cover 
His creation in expectant Prayer.

Amen in Jesus.

Jezreel Valley, Israel

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †