Arm Chair Sermons by Thomas E Williams

MUSINGS - January 31, 2019

Q&A

Matthew 8:28-34
When he arrived in the territory of the Gadarenes on the other side of the Sea of Galilee, two men met him. They were possessed by demons and had come out of the tombs. No one could travel along that road because the men were so dangerous. They shouted, "Why are you bothering us now, Son of God? Did you come here to torture us before it is time?" A large herd of pigs was feeding in the distance. The demons begged Jesus, "If you're going to force us out, send us into that herd of pigs." Jesus said to them, "Go!" The demons came out and went into the pigs. Suddenly, the whole herd rushed down the cliff into the sea and died in the water. Those who took care of the pigs ran into the city. There they reported everything, especially about the men possessed by demons. Everyone from the city went to meet Jesus. When they saw him, they begged him to leave their territory.

Several questions cone to mind in this reading.

Are these men Jews living on the east side of the lake?

If they were Jews, why were their herds of pigs that were forbidden for Jews to eat, being "unclean" animals?

Why were the people so upset by Jesus?

I have come up some possible answers to those questions.

The question is significant because, with very few exceptions, Jesus's ministry was to the Jews only. It wasn't until just prior to his ascension that Jesus commanded his disciples to go into all the world. We know from the 32nd chapter of Numbers that the tribes of Reuben and Gad asked for and received lands on the east side of the Jordon. In the centuries since then its reasonable that many Jews lived in the area. However, it was mostly inhabited by non Jews. So these men may or may not have been Jews.

Even if these men were Jews that doesn't mean that there weren't non Jews there who raised hogs. It is still possible that people who were Jewish by birth were not practicing the Jewish laws and had adapted to the culture in which they lived. This is certainly a problem faced but both Jews and Christians today. It it's difficult to be a "people set aside by God" when living in a culture who do not share the same values and have open disdain and contempt for our beliefs.

The third question why did they beg him to leave their territory? I would have thought that freeing these dangerous men from their demons would have been welcomed. After all no one could travel along that road because the men were so dangerous. And now they were no longer a threat. That's a good thing, right? Ah, I think the answer goes back to the large herd of pigs. After the demons entered them, the pigs ran off a cliff and drowned. That would have been a large financial loss for the owners. These people would rather have these men tormented than loose their livelyhoods. I can not cast judgement on them for their self interest. I too have been in positions where I could have been a help to a person in need, but the cost to me outweghed my desire to assist. Lord, forgive me and make me a better Christian.

I hope thesequestions and answers have given you seeds for thoughts.

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Wednesday, January 30, 2019

WHAT KIND OF MAN IS THIS?

MUSINGS - January 27, 2019

WHAT KIND OF MAN IS THIS?

Matthew 8:23-27
Jesus' disciples went with him as he left in a boat. Suddenly, a severe storm came across the sea. The waves were covering the boat. Yet, Jesus was sleeping. So they woke him up, saying, "Lord! Save us! We're going to die!" Jesus said to them, "Why do you cowards have so little faith?" Then he got up, gave an order to the wind and the sea, and the sea became very calm. The men were amazed and asked, "What kind of man is this? Even the wind and the sea obey him!"

That it's the question that people have asked about Jesus for several thousand years. "What kind of man is this?" There are various ways to learn that answer. One way it's by studying the scriptures seeking understanding. Read these selected verses.

John 1:1-3
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him. Without him, nothing was made that has been made.

Genesis 1:1-2
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and empty. Darkness was on the surface of the deep and God’s Spirit was hovering over the surface of the waters.

Genesis 1:6-8
God said, “Let there be an expanse in the middle of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.” God made the expanse, and divided the waters which were under the expanse from the waters which were above the expanse; and it was so. God called the expanse “sky”. There was evening and there was morning, a second day.

Genesis 1:9-10
God said, “Let the waters under the sky be gathered together to one place, and let the dry land appear;” and it was so. God called the dry land “earth”, and the gathering together of the waters he called “seas”. God saw that it was good.

John 1:14
The Word became flesh, and lived amongst us. We saw his glory, such glory as of the one and only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.

Do you understand that Jesus has existed from the beginning? Do you understand that the same Jesus who, from the boat, commanded the sea and the sky to become calm, was the one who created the sky and the sea?

As I said, the scriptures are one way to understand the true nature of the man called Jesus. There are other ways. Perhaps it takes being knocked to the ground to understand. Acts 9:3-5
As Saul was coming near the city of Damascus, a light from heaven suddenly flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?" Saul asked, "Who are you, sir?" The person replied, "I'm Jesus, the one you're persecuting.

Sometimes the truth about Jesus is a quiet revelation from God. Matthew 16:13-17
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" They answered, "Some say you are John the Baptizer, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." He asked them, "But who do you say I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God!" Jesus replied, "Simon, son of Jonah, you are blessed! No human revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven revealed it to you.

Some people come to an understanding by observation of nature. Acts 17:26-28
From one man he has made every nation of humanity to live all over the earth. He has given them the seasons of the year and the boundaries within which to live. He has done this so that they would look for God, somehow reach for him, and find him. In fact, he is never far from any one of us. Certainly, we live, move, and exist because of him. As some of your poets have said, 'We are God's children.'

Some come to a revelation about Jesus's true nature by understanding events. Mark 15:37-39 Then Jesus cried out in a loud voice and died. The curtain in the temple was split in two from top to bottom. When the officer who stood facing Jesus saw how he gave up his spirit, he said, "Certainly, this man was the Son of God!"

What it's your answer to the question, "What kind of man is this?"

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Tuesday, January 29, 2019

DID THEY? WILL YOU?

MUSINGS - January 27, 2019

DID THEY? WILL YOU?

Matthew 8:18-22
Now, when Jesus saw a crowd around him, he ordered his disciples to cross to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. A scribe came to him and said, "Teacher, I'll follow you wherever you go." Jesus told him, "Foxes have holes, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to sleep." Another disciple said to him, "Sir, first let me go to bury my father." But Jesus told him, "Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead."

We read so much about the 12 disciples following Jesus that we may forget that they were but the inner circle of his many followers. The gospels record that great crowds followed Jesus. And we know from Luke 10 that at least 70 were called disciples.

Amongst all of those crowds, we have this narrative where two come and pledge to follow Jesus. Jesus warned one of some of the cost of following him, "the Son of Man has nowhere to sleep". To the other he demonstrated that, to be Jesus's follower, he must be the most important thing in their life, "let the dead bury their own dead."

The rest of the story is left unrecorded. Did they continue to follow Jesus? Or did they turn away because they could not accept him as the master of their life?

Today many claim Jesus as their savior. That's the easy part because that is his gift to them (us). But I often wonder, how many have accepted Jesus as Lord? How many accept that he is more important than their family, friends, jobs, possessions, comfort, and life? The only thing he requires of us is "everything". That is what it means to give our life to Christ. That is what it means to call him Lord. Is he your Lord and Savior?

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Monday, January 28, 2019

PROOF

MUSINGS - January 27, 2019

PROOF

Matthew 8:14-17
When Jesus went to Peter's house, he saw Peter's mother-in-law in bed with a fever. Jesus touched her hand, and the fever went away. So she got up and prepared a meal for him. In the evening the people brought him many who were possessed by demons. He forced the evil spirits out of people with a command and cured everyone who was sick. So what the prophet Isaiah had said came true: "He took away our weaknesses and removed our diseases."

In Matthew's narrative it appears that recording all the miraculous things that Jesus did was less important to him than the fact that Jesus did them. Here he could have written chapter after chapter by listing each and every healing and exorcism. Instead Matthew lumped them all together with the simple words, "many"and"everyone".

Matthew's purpose for writing this gospel was not to give a history lesson. Nor was goal to write a biography of Jesus. His gospel showed how the life and acts of power performed by Jesus fulfilled old testament prophecy, proving that Jesus was the messiah.

What proofs do you have or need to prove to you that Jesus came to bring you into the kingdom of God?

Sunday, January 27, 2019

SO GREAT A FAITH

MUSINGS - January 27, 2019

SO GREAT A FAITH

Matthew 8:5-13
When Jesus went to Capernaum, a Roman army officer came to beg him for help. The officer said, "Sir, my servant is lying at home paralyzed and in terrible pain." Jesus said to him, "I'll come to heal him." The officer responded, "Sir, I don't deserve to have you come into my house. But just give a command, and my servant will be healed. As you know, I'm in a chain of command and have soldiers at my command. I tell one of them, 'Go!' and he goes, and another, 'Come!' and he comes. I tell my servant, 'Do this!' and he does it." Jesus was amazed when he heard this. He said to those who were following him, "I can guarantee this truth: I haven't found faith as great as this in anyone in Israel. I can guarantee that many will come from all over the world. They will eat with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. The citizens of that kingdom will be thrown outside into the darkness. People will cry and be in extreme pain there. Jesus told the officer, "Go! What you believed will be done for you." And at that moment the servant was healed.

Back in Matthew 5:43 Jesus preached, "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.' But I tell you this: Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you. In this scripture Jesus does just that.

And here he practiced what he preached. Israel was a conquered nation. They were under the thumb of Rome and the Roman army enforced that. Yet here came a Roman soldier to Jesus.

He came begging not demanding. He was humble. And he came not for himself not a family member but for his servant. He was a man of compassion. He went not to a Roman doctor but to a Jewish healer. He was a believer in Jesus's power and ability. So strong was his belief that rather than have Jesus go to his home,he said, "But just give a command, and my servant will be healed." It is no wonder that Jesus praised his faith.

Saturday, January 26, 2019

YOU CAN, IF YOU ARE WILLING

MUSINGS - January 26, 2019

YOU CAN, IF YOU ARE WILLING

Matthew 8:1-4
When Jesus came down from the mountain, large crowds followed him. A man with a serious skin disease came and bowed down in front of him. The man said to Jesus, "Sir, if you're willing, you can make me clean." Jesus reached out, touched him, and said, "I'm willing. So be clean!" Immediately, his skin disease went away, and he was clean. Jesus said to him, "Don't tell anyone about this! Instead, show yourself to the priest. Then offer the sacrifice Moses commanded as proof to people that you are clean."

Matthew records that Jesus, having completed his teaching, came down from the mountain and began a series of healings. The first one was a man with a serious skin disease, leprosy.

It was considered that leprosy was punishment from God for the person's sin. Because it was a mark of sin, the leper was not to go to a physician for diagnoses and treatment. He was to present himself to be examined by the priest. The priest could offer no healing if the skin disease was found to be leprosy. Only God could forgive the sin and remove the disease.

A leper, buy the law of Moses (Leviticus 13) must isolate himself away from everyone except other lepers. He could no longer live with his family. That also meant that he was not allowed in the city. If another person approached him, the leper was required to announce his disease by loudly saying, "Unclean!"

This is the life that this man had been living before coming to Jesus. He came believing that Jesus could heal him. Listen to his words. "Sir, if you're willing, you can make m, e clean." He doesn't say, "If you can." He only said, "if you're willing." Understand that by saying what he said, the man was recognizing that Jesus was God. Jesus immediately declared, "I'm willing. So be clean!" Jesus then sent him to the priest to fulfill the law*.

When we come before the Lord with our petitions, we must come believing that he can. We must also understand that it must be within the will of God, "Not my will but Thine."

*Leviticus 14:1-22 The LORD spoke to Moses, "These are the instructions for making a person clean after a skin disease. He must be taken to the priest. The priest will go outside the camp and examine him. If the person is healed, the priest will order someone to get two living, clean birds, some cedar wood, red yarn, and a hyssop sprig to use for the cleansing. Then the priest will order someone to kill one bird over a clay bowl containing fresh water. The priest will take the living bird, the cedar wood, the red yarn, and the hyssop sprig and dip them and the living bird in the blood of the bird that was killed over the fresh water. He will sprinkle the blood seven times on the one to be cleansed and will declare that person clean. Then he will let the living bird fly away into the open country. "The one to be cleansed must wash his clothes, shave off all his hair, and wash. Then he will be clean. After that he may go into the camp. However, for seven days he will live outside his tent. On the seventh day he must shave off all the hair on his head, his beard, and his eyebrows, and he must wash his clothes and body. Then he will be clean. "On the eighth day he must take two male lambs that have no defects and a one-year-old female lamb that has no defects. He must also take eight cups of flour mixed with olive oil for a grain offering along with a quart of olive oil. The priest who will declare him clean must bring the person and his offerings into the LORD's presence at the entrance to the tent of meeting. The priest will take one of the male lambs and the quart of olive oil and present them to the LORD as a guilt offering. He will slaughter the lamb in the holy place where he slaughters the offering for sin and the burnt offering. He will do this because the guilt offering, like the offering for sin, belongs to the priest. It is very holy. Then the priest will take some of the blood from the guilt offering and put it on the right ear lobe, on the right thumb, and on the big toe of the right foot of the one to be cleansed. The priest will also take some of the olive oil and pour it into his own left hand. He will dip his right finger in the oil in his left hand, and with his finger sprinkle some of the oil seven times in the LORD's presence. The priest will put some of the oil that is still in his hand on the right ear lobe, on the right thumb, and on the big toe of the right foot of the one to be cleansed. These are the same places he had put the blood of the guilt offering. The priest will put the rest of the oil in his hand on the head of the one to be cleansed. So he will make peace with the LORD for that person in the LORD's presence. The priest will also sacrifice the offering for sin to make peace with the LORD for the one who is being cleansed from his impurity. After that, he will slaughter the burnt offering. The priest will sacrifice the burnt offering and the grain offering on the altar. So the priest will make peace with the LORD for that person, and the person who had the skin disease will be clean. "But if the one to be cleansed is poor and cannot afford that much, he must take one male lamb, present it to make peace with the LORD for himself, and use it for his guilt offering. He will take only eight cups of flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering, a quart of olive oil, and two mourning doves or two pigeons (whatever he can afford). The one will be an offering for sin and the other a burnt offering.

Friday, January 25, 2019

DON'T BE FOOLISH

MUSINGS - January 25, 2019

DON'T BE FOOLISH

Matthew 7:24-29
"Therefore, everyone who hears what I say and obeys it will be like a wise person who built a house on rock. Rain poured, and floods came. Winds blew and beat against that house. But it did not collapse, because its foundation was on rock. "Everyone who hears what I say but doesn't obey it will be like a foolish person who built a house on sand. Rain poured, and floods came. Winds blew and struck that house. It collapsed, and the result was a total disaster." When Jesus finished this speech, the crowds were amazed at his teachings. Unlike their scribes, he taught them with authority.

One year ago in January 2018 100 homes were destroyed and at least 17 people died when deadly walls of mud and debris roared down California hillsides.

Over the years I remember seeing many news reports of homes, that had been built on the edges of cliffs, destroyed when the earth gave way after heavy rains. And yet people continue to build in precarious places.

People are foolish. They are foolish in this natural world and they are foolish in the spiritual world. A life built on anything but the Word of God is foolishness that leads to destruction that never ends.

Thursday, January 24, 2019

CAN'T FOOL GOD

MUSINGS - January 24, 2019

CAN'T FOOL GOD

Matthew 7:21-23
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord!' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the person who does what my Father in heaven wants. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, didn't we prophesy in your name? Didn't we force out demons and do many miracles by the power and authority of your name?' Then I will tell them publicly, 'I've never known you. Get away from me, you evil people.'

Jesus has in the previous few verses warned us to not be mislead by false prophets. He said tho judge then by their fruit. Now he said many will claim to have performed deeds of power in his name. Too which he replied, "I've never known you."

Clearly, judging then by their fruit is not easy. They can be very good at deception and will fool many.

I'm going to sound like a broken record here. I've said this so many times. Read your bible. Read it seeking understanding. The scriptures are given as our guide to life eternal. Surely that should be worth giving up a TV show, or dinner out, or a round of golf or whatever your excuse has been for not having enough time for bible study. Certainly, if you were diagnosed with a terrible disease, you would follow the instructions of your doctor. Well you have an incurable disease called Death. But whether death is a door to heaven or hell is up to you. Jesus has done his part. And now it's up to you.

The false prophets are warned that theycan't lie their way into heaven and neither can we. You can't fool God.

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Wednesday, January 23, 2019

WHO HOLDS THE FUTURE?

MUSINGS - January 23, 2019

WHO HOLDS THE FUTURE?

Matthew 7:15-20
"Beware of false prophets. They come to you disguised as sheep, but in their hearts they are vicious wolves. You will know them by what they produce. "People don't pick grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles, do they? In the same way every good tree produces good fruit, but a rotten tree produces bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, and a rotten tree cannot produce good fruit. Any tree that fails to produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into a fire. So you will know them by what they produce.

Who are the "prophets" in our time? It occurs to me that few are religious leaders. Most of the prophets of today are scientists. These are the ones ones who are predicting mankind's future. And like the prophets of old, some are twisting "facts" to fit their world view. Which are right and which are wrong? I don't know. But I do know who holds the future and I know he holds my hand.

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Tuesday, January 22, 2019

SET YOUR GPS FOR HEAVEN

MUSINGS - January 21, 2019

SET YOUR GPS FOR HEAVEN

Matthew 7:13-14
"Enter through the narrow gate because the gate and road that lead to destruction are wide. Many enter through the wide gate. But the narrow gate and the road that lead to life are full of trouble. Only a few people find the narrow gate.

This is a very pessimistic metaphors that Christ has uttered. But it's because he understands humankind so very well.

I found this little gem of a fact by asking google, "What state has the highest legal speed limit in USA?" The answer is: "With segments of rural interstates, Texas is the fastest state in the country. The state's average speed limit for all three types of roadways (rural and urban interstates and limited-access roads) is 78.3."

Now, I confess trust I knew the answer before I sought documentation. I've been on an 85 mph road in Texas. If you do only the legal limit, you'll get run over. We were passed by people who had to be doing 100.

Why am I telling you this? Because it's a real life example of what Jesus was saying. Given a choice between a straight wide smooth road with gentle curves or a narrow, twisting, hilly, rut-filled road, most will choose the easiest road and still push it past it's limits. Left to our human nature, we rush headlong toward oblivion ... both metaphorically and literally.

Jesus repeatedly tells his followers that living a Christ-filled life will be rough, "Pick up your cross and follow me." (Matthew 10:38; Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23; Luke 14:27) To be a true follower filled with a Christlike life (What Would Jesus Do?) we must be willing to be put to a shameful, cruel death rather than go back back to our old human nature.

We must constantly check our path, will it lead to life eternal? Set your GPS for heaven.

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Monday, January 21, 2019

DO!

MUSINGS - January 21, 2019

DO!

Matthew 7:12
"Always do for other people everything you want them to do for you. That is the meaning of Moses' Teachings and the Prophets.

Jesus here gives the practical application to all the spiritual laws. This is the law of true love.

If you were oppressed, persecuted, and abused, you would want someone to free you. So, free the oppressed.

If you we're hungry, you would want to be fed. Feed the hungry.

If you were naked, you would want to be clothed. Clothe the naked.

If you were helpless, you would want to be helped. Help the helpless.

Or you were unloved, you would want to be loved. Love the unloved.

If you were homeless, you would want a home. Provide shelter for the homeless.

The prophet Zechariah delivered God's message this way, "This is what the LORD of Armies says: Administer real justice, and be compassionate and kind to each other. Don't oppress widows, orphans, foreigners, and poor people. And don't even think of doing evil to each other." (7:9-10 )

Put feet to your faith, do something.

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Sunday, January 20, 2019

SO ASK ALREADY

MUSINGS - January 20, 2019

SO ASK ALREADY!

Matthew 7:7-11
"Ask, and you will receive. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened for you. Everyone who asks will receive. The one who searches will find, and for the one who knocks, the door will be opened. "If your child asks you for bread, would any of you give him a stone? Or if your child asks for a fish, would you give him a snake? Even though you're evil, you know how to give good gifts to your children. So how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him?

God loves us. He wants what is best for us. Ask, and if is good for us, He'll provide it. However, He is not a genie in a magic lamp there to grant your every wish.

Imagine that your three year old daughter asked for a real pistol with real bullets. She really, really, wants a loaded gun. She asks for it repeatedly. Would it be good parenting to give her the loaded gun for which she's been begging? I pray that you said NO!

The child may sulk, stamp their feet and yell, "You don't love me!" When, in fact, the very reason you didn't grant her wish is because you love her too much to allow her to harm herself our others.

God will always give you what you need and is best for your soul. He loves you. If you want something, ask God for it. He may see that you get it. In my experience, he gives me something better than the thing for which I ask. But there are times when the answer is, "No, it's not good for you." You never know until you ask. So, ask already.

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Saturday, January 19, 2019

STEW IN THEIR OWN JUICE

MUSINGS - January 19, 2019

STEW IN THEIR OWN JUICE

Matthew 7:6
"Don't give what is holy to dogs or throw your pearls to pigs. Otherwise, they will trample them and then tear you to pieces.

Jesus in the preceding verses warns us to not judge others while this verse seems to allow us to make a judgment about to whom we share the treasure of the gospel. However, there is no contradiction here. Share the good news about salvation through Jesus with everyone but beware of those, who having heard, violently reject the gift of salvation.

See the words of warning Jesus gave to his disciples when he sent them out in teams of two, "Wherever people don't welcome you or listen to you, leave and shake the dust from your feet as a warning to them." (Mark 6:11) There comes a time when we may "wash our hands" and move on.

My mother would say of those who argued with her, "Let them stew in their own juice." There is a time, when your help or guidance has been rejected, to abandon them to their own ways. We may not be the right messenger for that person. We can but plant the seed. We can not force out tho grow.

Here is further readings that may help clarify things for you.

Proverbs 3:27-35
Do not hold back anything good from those who are entitled to it when you have the power to do so. ... The devious person is disgusting to the LORD. The LORD's intimate advice is with decent people. The LORD curses the house of wicked people, but he blesses the home of righteous people. When he mocks the mockers, he is gracious to humble people. Wise people will inherit honor, but fools will bear disgrace.

Jeremiah 6:10
Whom can I speak to? Whom can I give a warning to? Who will listen? Their ears are plugged, and they aren't able to pay attention. When the LORD speaks his word to them, they show contempt for it and object to it.

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CHECK YOUR OWN EYES

MUSINGS - January 18, 2019

CHECK YOUR OWN EYES

Matthew 7:1-5
"Stop judging so that you will not be judged. Otherwise, you will be judged by the same standard you use to judge others. The standards you use for others will be applied to you. So why do you see the piece of sawdust in another believer's eye and not notice the wooden beam in your own eye? How can you say to another believer, 'Let me take the piece of sawdust out of your eye,' when you have a beam in your own eye? You hypocrite! First remove the beam from your own eye. Then you will see clearly to remove the piece of sawdust from another believer's eye.

I am farsighted. That means that, while I can see objects at a distance clearly, I can't read without glasses. Without glasses, I would not be able to remove the sawdust from your eyes even if I tried. I'm not qualified.

There is a reason I named these devotions "MUSINGS". The dictionary defines it this way: mus·ing /ˈmyo͞oziNG/ noun. plural noun: musings a period of reflection or thought.

I pray, I read, I pray again, then I sit and listen and think. The message I receive from the scripture is always for me first. Then I share these musings with you. I make no judgement as to your need for the message. If they are a help to you, wonderful. If they are of no use to you, that's okay, because the message was for me. It's to help remove the log from my own eye.

Visit my daily devotions blog

Daily journal https://rvingfulltimewithtomandella.com/

And my sermons blog http://ThomasEWilliams.blogspot.com/?m=1l

Random Thoughts https://thethomasewilliamsnewsletter.wordpress.com/

Thursday, January 17, 2019

WHAT, ME WORRY?

MUSINGS - January 17, 2019

WHAT, ME WORRY?

Matthew 6:25-34
"So I tell you to stop worrying about what you will eat, drink, or wear. Isn't life more than food and the body more than clothes? "Look at the birds. They don't plant, harvest, or gather the harvest into barns. Yet, your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren't you worth more than they?

"Can any of you add a single hour to your life by worrying? "And why worry about clothes? Notice how the flowers grow in the field. They never work or spin yarn for clothes. But I say that not even Solomon in all his majesty was dressed like one of these flowers. That's the way God clothes the grass in the field. Today it's alive, and tomorrow it's thrown into an incinerator. So how much more will he clothe you people who have so little faith?

"Don't ever worry and say, 'What are we going to eat?' or 'What are we going to drink?' or 'What are we going to wear?' Everyone is concerned about these things, and your heavenly Father certainly knows you need all of them. But first, be concerned about his kingdom and what has his approval. Then all these things will be provided for you. "So don't ever worry about tomorrow. After all, tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

In my youth I enjoyed reading the satire magazine MAD. The fictional character Alfred E, Neuman was nearly always on the cover along with his catchphrase, "What, me worry?".

MAD Editor Al Feldstein said about Alfred E, Neuman, when commissioning his portrait, “I don't want him to look like an idiot—I want him to be loveable and have an intelligence behind his eyes. But I want him to have this devil-may-care attitude, someone who can maintain a sense of humor while the world is collapsing around him."

This comes close to the attitude Jesus was expressing in this scripture. Except it isn't a sense of humor that Christians are to maintain, it is a sense of hope and faith that our heavenly Father it's watching offer us.

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Wednesday, January 16, 2019

LOOK UP!

MUSINGS - January 16, 2019

LOOK UP!

Matthew 6:24
"No one can serve two masters. He will hate the first master and love the second, or he will be devoted to the first and despise the second. You cannot serve God and wealth."

The sum weight of the things that you own are what anchors you to this world. The more you own, the harder it is to rise to the world beyond.

Keep your eyes focused on God's kingdom and what has His approval. These are the things that lift you heavenward.

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Tuesday, January 15, 2019

SEARCHING FOR LIGHT

MUSINGS - January 15, 2019

SEARCHING FOR LIGHT

Matthew 6:22-23
"The eye is the lamp of the body. So if your eye is unclouded, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is evil, your whole body will be full of darkness. If the light in you is darkness, how dark it will be!

The warning here is that if we seek the light, the good, the godly, the healthy, and that which nourishes the soul, we will find it. But that the opposite it's also true. So, do not seek the darkness seemsan obvious thing.

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Monday, January 14, 2019

GREATEST PROTECTION PLAN

MUSINGS - January 14, 2019

THE GREATEST PROTECTION PLAN

Matthew 6:19-21
"Stop storing up treasures for yourselves on earth, where moths and rust destroy and thieves break in and steal. Instead, store up treasures for yourselves in heaven, where moths and rust don't destroy and thieves don't break in and steal. Your heart will be where your treasure is.

What would you be willing to pay for the Greatest Protection Plan Ever?

For protection from theft you could pay in excess of $2800 dollars a year … and that is only for the second best protection.

$2800 would be a fair price But with our plan you won't pay half of that per year.

And while theft protection like that with it's 100% protection guaranteed would be an incredible deal in itself, but we also protect against insect infestation without the annoying monthly visits and toxic chemicals.

And just when you think this deal couldn't get any better, we do something that no one else can offer, protection for your treasure against oxidation. That's worry free rust proofing!

And it's all complete FREE!

Now where would you rather keep your treasure, Earth or Hleaven?

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Sunday, January 13, 2019

WASH YOUR FACE, COMB YOUR HAIR

MUSINGS - January 13, 2019

WASH YOUR FACE, COMB YOUR HAIR

Matthew 6:16-18
"When you fast, stop looking sad like hypocrites. They put on sad faces to make it obvious that they're fasting. I can guarantee this truth: That will be their only reward. When you fast, wash your face and comb your hair. Then your fasting won't be obvious. Instead, it will be obvious to your Father who is with you in private. Your Father sees what you do in private. He will reward you.

Once again Jesus is telling his followers to not behave like the religious leaders of the day. They made a great show of how they were depriving themselves. As usual the focus was on them and not in God.

When you hear the word fasting do you automatically think of not eating? That is one way to fast but not the only way. The biblical reason for fasting is to stop focusing on the things of this world and instead focus on God.

During Lent it is customary to "give up" something. This is fasting. But remember to wash your face and comb your hair. Focus on things eternal rather on those that will be erased in time and it will be a true fast for the Lord.

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Saturday, January 12, 2019

PRAY LIKE THIS

MUSINGS - January 12, 2019

PRAY LIKE THIS

Before we get to the Bible verse I want to explain the translation used.

Translation for Translators is a Bible translation that makes implied information explicit in the text as an aid to the translator.

I chose to use a translation with which you are unfamiliar because the verses are so familiar that by seeing them in unfamiliar language may let you see them with fresh eyes.

Matthew 6:9-13

"So pray things like this: Father, you who are in heaven, we desire that you be honored/revered {that people honor/revere you}. We desire that people let you rule over their lives. We want people who live on the earth to do what you desire, as those who live in heaven do what you want them to do. Give us each day the food that we need for that day. Forgive our sins just like we have forgiven the people who sin against us. Do not let us do wrong things when we are tempted {someone or something tempts us}, and rescue us when Satan the evil one tempts us to do evil things.”

Today, I make no comments other than what Jesus said, "pray like this."

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Friday, January 11, 2019

DADDY, DADDY, DADDY, DADDY!

MUSINGS - January 11, 2019

DADDY, DADDY, DADDY, DADDY!

Matthew 6:5-8
"When you pray, don't be like hypocrites. They like to stand in synagogues and on street corners to pray so that everyone can see them. I can guarantee this truth: That will be their only reward. When you pray, go to your room and close the door. Pray privately to your Father who is with you. Your Father sees what you do in private. He will reward you. "When you pray, don't ramble like heathens who think they'll be heard if they talk a lot. Don't be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Most of my private prayers are twenty words or less. I'm somewhat amused when in large gatherings where we share a meal, and someone is asked to bless the food and the prayer goes on and on. They will pray for the souls of those in attendance, traveling mercies for those returning home, the victims of the lastest natural disasters, and on and on. Now listen, it is right to pray for those things, but when asking God to bless the meal ... ask God to bless the meal.

Those same endless prayers will be liberally sprinkled with "thee", "thou", and "Father God". I'm not sure why some people think that God speaks old English. And why do they think His attention wanders and it is necessary to keep repeating his name like a child calling, " Daddy, Daddy, Daddy, Daddy, Daddy, Daddy, Daddy, Daddy!"

Here is the secret to public prayer, keep the focus on God.

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Wednesday, January 9, 2019

BE PERFECT

MUSINGS - January 09, 2019

BE PERFECT

Matthew 5:43-48
"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.' But I tell you this: Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you. In this way you show that you are children of your Father in heaven. He makes his sun rise on people whether they are good or evil. He lets rain fall on them whether they are just or unjust. If you love those who love you, do you deserve a reward? Even the tax collectors do that! Are you doing anything remarkable if you welcome only your friends? Everyone does that! That is why you must be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Be perfect. What a terrible command! And not just the kind of perfection that a man may reach, but be as perfect as God is perfect. I'm not perfect. Don't look at me like that. You're not perfect either. The fact that we haven't reached the goal shouldn't keep us from running the race.

What is the key to gaining this perfection? Love! Have you ever considered what it would be like to truly love your enemy? They could not be your enemy if you loved them. Now listen, that doesn't mean that you are not their enemy, just that they aren't yours. However, if you begin treating them as beloved, they may eventually realize that you are no longer their enemy either.

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Monday, January 7, 2019

YES OR NO

MUSINGS - January 07, 2019

YES OR NO

Matthew 5:33-37
"You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, 'Never break your oath, but give to the Lord what you swore in an oath to give him.' But I tell you don't swear an oath at all. Don't swear an oath by heaven, which is God's throne, or by the earth, which is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, which is the city of the great King. And don't swear an oath by your head. After all, you cannot make one hair black or white. Simply say yes or no. Anything more than that comes from the evil one.

Do you solemnly swear that the testimony you are about to give is true? People lie. We know that. Because we know that people lie, we want to reinforce the truth by swearing that it is true.

Nothing can make you doubt someone faster than the phrase, "Let me be honest with you."

I have a friend who often says, "I'm telling you the truth. I'm not making this up." I know that they mean it as a validation of their narrative. But it has the opposite effect on me. It makes me wonder how much of everything else they said it's made up.

Phycologist Jeff Hancock gave a TED Talk and asked his audience the following:

Do you ever give people compliments that aren’t completely genuine?

Have you told someone you were doing well when, in reality, you were exhausted and having a terrible week?

Do you ever tell people you are busy to avoid having to talk to them for an extended period of time or do something with them?

If you answered yes to any of those questions, then you’ve lied. Those are just a couple of the common scenarios that trigger the most lying.

No wonder Jesus said, "Simply say yes or no. Anything more than that comes from the evil one."

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Sunday, January 6, 2019

APPEARANCES

MUSINGS - January 06, 2019

APPEARANCES

Matthew 5:31-32
"It has also been said, 'Whoever divorces his wife must give her a written notice.' But I can guarantee that any man who divorces his wife for any reason other than unfaithfulness makes her look as though she has committed adultery. Whoever marries a woman divorced in this way makes himself look as though he has committed adultery.

There is some nearly circular thinking going on here. If a man divorces a woman who has committed adultery it appears to be okay. However, if he divorces a woman who hasn't committed adultery, it will appear that she has committed adultery. The woman will be shamed even though she is innocent. And then if an innocent man marries that innocent woman, he will appear to have committed adultery with her.
Now two innocent people have the appearance of having done something wrong. In the meantime, the man who unjustly divorsed his wife appears to be justified.

It's all about appearances. No wonder we are cautioned "Stop judging so that you will not be judged. Otherwise, you will be judged by the same standard you use to judge others. The standards you use for others will be applied to you." (Matthew 7:1-2)

"God does not see as humans see. Humans look at outward appearances, but the LORD looks into the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7b)

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Saturday, January 5, 2019

MISSING BODY PARTS

MUSINGS - January 05, 2019

MISSING BODY PARTS

Matthew 5:27-30
"You have heard that it was said, 'Never commit adultery.' But I can guarantee that whoever looks with lust at a woman has already committed adultery in his heart. "So if your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose a part of your body than to have all of it thrown into hell. And if your right hand leads you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose a part of your body than to have all of it go into hell.

I need to tell you how I understand the Bible. I do not take everything literally. The scriptures are full of symbols, parables and allegorical tales. With that in mind, I do not believe that Jesus is being literal when he said to tear out an eye out cut off hand. Those were purposefull exaggerations to hammer home his real message. He made his real point at the beginning of the narrative. "Whoever looks with lust at a woman has already committed adultery in his heart." The sin does not originate in the eye our the hand. An eye our a hand can not sin in and of themselves. It is within the heart (mind) of a person where sin begins.

Obviously we can not pluck out our mind. But it can be made new.
Whoever is a believer in Christ is a new creation. The old way of living has disappeared. A new way of living has come into existence. (2 Corinthians 5:17) Rather than removing body parts, have the whole of you made new.

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Friday, January 4, 2019

ANGER AND INSULTS

MUSINGS - January 04, 2019

ANGER AND INSULTS

Matthew 5:21-26
"You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, 'Never murder. Whoever murders will answer for it in court.' But I can guarantee that whoever is angry with another believer will answer for it in court. Whoever calls another believer an insulting name will answer for it in the highest court. Whoever calls another believer a fool will answer for it in hellfire. "So if you are offering your gift at the altar and remember there that another believer has something against you, leave your gift at the altar. First go away and make peace with that person. Then come back and offer your gift. "Make peace quickly with your opponent while you are on the way to court with him. Otherwise, he will hand you over to the judge. Then the judge will hand you over to an officer, who will throw you into prison. I can guarantee this truth: You will never get out until you pay every penny of your fine.

Most translation use the word brother where this translation uses believer. This leads me to believe that these restrictions on anger and insults are not universal rules but only apply within the community of believers. Or possibly that the penalty is greater because it is an attack on another member of God's family.

What is your thought on this? Who is your brother or sister?

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Thursday, January 3, 2019

STRUGGLING WITH THE LAW

MUSINGS - January 03, 2019

STRUGGLING WITH THE LAW

Matthew 5:17-20
"Don't ever think that I came to set aside Moses' Teachings or the Prophets. I didn't come to set them aside but to make them come true. I can guarantee this truth: Until the earth and the heavens disappear, neither a period nor a comma will disappear from Moses' Teachings before everything has come true. So whoever sets aside any command that seems unimportant and teaches others to do the same will be unimportant in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever does and teaches what the commands say will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. I can guarantee that unless you live a life that has God's approval and do it more faithfully than the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

This sentence bothers me, whoever sets aside any command that seems unimportant and teaches others to do the same will be unimportant in the kingdom of heaven. As Christians we accept the Ten Commandments readily but by Jewish tradition the written and oral Torah contains 613 commands and Jesus added a few more for his followers.

Around 150 of the Mosaic laws concerned sacrifices or Temple duties. After the final destruction of the Temple, sacrifices have been suspended for the Jews. As most Christians accept Jesus death on the cross as the perfect and final sacrifice, we do not practice the sacrificial commandments either.

Also, most Christians do not follow the Jewish dietary laws either. Jesus himself didn't strictly follow these laws and his disciples also lifted the ban on certain foods. (In mainstream Christianity, there is no restriction on kinds of animals that can be eaten. This practice stems from Peter's vision (Acts 11:5-10*) of a sheet with animals, in which Saint Peter "sees a sheet containing animals of every description lowered from the sky.")

I consulted thelogen Matthew Henry's writings hoping for some quidence on this subject. He wrote,

"Jesus did not make void, but make good, the ceremonial law, and manifested himself to be the Substance of all those shadows. [4.] To fill up the defects of it, and so to complete and perfect it. Thus the word plerosai properly signifies. If we consider the law as a vessel that had some water in it before, he did not come to pour out the water, but to fill the vessel up to the brim; or, as a picture that is first rough-drawn, displays some outlines only of the piece intended, which are afterwards filled up; so Christ made an improvement of the law and the prophets by his additions and explications. [5.] To carry on the same design; the Christian institutes are so far from thwarting and contradicting that which was the main design of the Jewish religion, that they promote it to the highest degree. The gospel is the time of reformation (Heb. ix. 10), not the repeal of the law, but the amendment of it, and, consequently, its establishment."

Having studied these things I was still troubled at ignoring some points of those 613 commands. I then remembered, Galatians 2:16
"Yet, we know that people don't receive God's approval because of their own efforts to live according to a set of standards, but only by believing in Jesus Christ. So we also believed in Jesus Christ in order to receive God's approval by faith in Christ and not because of our own efforts. People won't receive God's approval because of their own efforts to live according to a set of standards."

My faith is based on my belief in Christ rather than trying to perfectly follow the law.

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*Acts 11:5-10
"I was praying in the city of Joppa when I fell into a trance. I saw something like a large linen sheet being lowered by its four corners from the sky. The sheet came near me. I looked into the sheet very closely and saw tame animals, wild animals, reptiles, and birds. I also heard a voice telling me, 'Get up, Peter! Kill these animals, and eat them.' "But I answered, 'I can't do that, Lord! I've never put anything impure or unclean into my mouth.' "A voice spoke from heaven a second time, 'Don't say that the things which God has made clean are impure.' This happened three times. Then everything was pulled back into the sky again.

Tuesday, January 1, 2019

PATHWAY TO BLESSINGS

MUSINGS - January 01, 2019

PATHWAY TO BLESSINGS

Matthew 5:1-12
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up a mountain and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them: "Blessed are those who recognize they are spiritually helpless. The kingdom of heaven belongs to them. Blessed are those who mourn. They will be comforted. Blessed are those who are gentle. They will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for God's approval. They will be satisfied. Blessed are those who show mercy. They will be treated mercifully. Blessed are those whose thoughts are pure. They will see God. Blessed are those who make peace. They will be called God's children. Blessed are those who are persecuted for doing what God approves of. The kingdom of heaven belongs to them. "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, lie, and say all kinds of evil things about you because of me. Rejoice and be glad because you have a great reward in heaven! The prophets who lived before you were persecuted in these ways.

Do you want to be blessed? Here is your checklist on how to achieve a blessing. Not everything in this list seems like what is consider a blessing. Mourning, helplessness, and persecuted don't really seem like a proper pathway to blessings. However, sometimes we have to pass through the storm the appreciate the calm.

I try to be thankful everyday for the common things like being able to breathe, see, hear, and move around. For some people those would be a miraculous blessing.

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