To Judge

1 Corinthians 4

Stewards of the Mysteries of God

1 Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court.[a] In fact, I do not even judge myself. 4 For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.

We are stewards of God. What is a steward? A steward is someone that takes care of something. What is required of a steward? To be found faithful. We must be found faithful in what God has entrusted to us, whatever that is. This really isn't what hit me from this verse though, check out the next few verses. It doesn't really bother him when others judge him and he really doesn't even judge himself. He allows God to judge him.

Judging is such a hard word these days. You shouldn't judge others by their looks. You shouldn't judge or you to will be judge. But what does Paul say? He doesn't even judge himself. Oh how guilty I am of this. I look at my life and what do I do? I compare it to others. Then what happens? I don't give as much to the church as he does. I don't volunteer as much as she does. I know I don't have an impact like they do. I start to judge myself. The only real way we can judge is by comparing ourselves to others and unless you're Mother Teresa, you're always going to find somebody doing it better than you do. But here's the thing. God does not judge us by comparing us to others. Why?

1 Corinthians 12:4-6
There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.

God knows that we are not created the same. We are all made up differently. This means that some are going to be better givers, some servers and some teachers. The important thing is that I find what God has called me to do and to do it faithfully. God does not require more of myself than that, so why should I?

The problem is is that I've felt better about this lately. Why? Because God had called us to Fishers to do something big! I now feel like I'm really doing something for God. Whew! I'm doing more than that person. I mean, we're giving up a great job and security to give it all up for God. I'm really serving God now. What about the person that God has called to serve right here. What about the person God has called to clean toilets, watch kids, visit an elderly neighbor. You see, I'm still comparing myself. I have prayed that God will keep me humble through this experience. You see, it's not about me, it's all about him. He could do His work in Fishers through anybody, but he chose me. He's allowing me to help in this. What a blessing! So, I'm trying to keep my eyes on Jesus and stop comparing and judging myself by looking at others and what they are or are not doing. God doesn't measure me that way. I am entrusted with what he has decided to entrust me with. No more, no less. I will be a steward over what He has given me and I will do it faithfully! That's all God requires of me and that's all I can require of myself.

Blessings....

are mine and 10,000 besides

"Great is Thy faithfulness!" "Great is Thy faithfulness!"
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—
"Great is Thy faithfulness," Lord, unto me!

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/19#ixzz1NCajr0fW

So, this was not how I was going to start my blog. I typed in Blessings and just the words to this hymnal poured out.

This morning was Doug's morning to put the kids on the bus. I got woken up by him at 6:35 saying he would need my help because there was water all over the kitchen floor. I'm pretty sure the "Morning by morning new mercies I see" line from this hymn did not immediately pop into his head :) The water line to the ice maker somehow got a hole in it and was leaking. Not only is this not easy to repair since we dry walled in the shut off to this, but the water is sitting under our laminate flooring, causing it to warp. This is the floor you see when you first walk in the house, so very frustrating when we're trying to get it ready to sell. So, Doug had to take a vacation day to fix it. The good thing is, is that this should be only about an hour job. So, we decided to go ahead and start on the upstairs bathroom since he has the whole day off. At this time, the entire bathroom has been gutted and Doug is off to Menards to buy everything we need to finish it. This is the last big project in our renovation. So, what a blessing that he's getting started on it! It may not have been exactly when we planned, but it feels so good to have the last big thing underway!

I haven't had an etsy sell in three days. This is very frustrating to me because we rely on my etsy funds for all the little extras around here. But, as I was singing this song in my head "All I have needed, thy hand hath provided-great is thy faithfulness! really hit me. God has provided and is providing for everything we need. So we need to budget a little better, no big deal :) It's not like we're giving up anything big. Now, I only have three dresses to complete and I have all of my online orders done. I even have those thress dresses about 1/2 way done, so it should just take me a half hour or so to be completely caught up. Then I can focus on several local orders I need to get done, including about 10 dresses for a wedding. I can also work on things for my photo shoot that's in about a month and work on things for local shows. So, I'm going to get caught up on a lot of stuff. What a blessing!

So, when trouble comes, I'm going to try to find the blessings in it. Now, I may not do it well all the time, but I'm going to try.

Check out the words to the entire hymn. What's the saying? Oldy but a goody...

Great Is Thy Faithfulness Lyrics

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.

Refrain

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Refrain

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Refrain