LAW VERSES REDEMPTION

MUSINGS - November 04, 2018

LAW VERSES REDEMPTION

Mark 10:1-12
Jesus left there and went into the territory of Judea along the other side of the Jordan River. Crowds gathered around him again, and he taught them as he usually did. Some Pharisees came to test him. They asked, "Can a husband divorce his wife?" Jesus answered them, "What command did Moses give you?" They said, "Moses allowed a man to give his wife a written notice to divorce her." Jesus said to them, "He wrote this command for you because you're heartless. But God made them male and female in the beginning, at creation. That's why a man will leave his father and mother and will remain united with his wife, and the two will be one. So they are no longer two but one. Therefore, don't let anyone separate what God has joined together." When they were in a house, the disciples asked him about this. He answered them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another woman is committing adultery. If a wife divorces her husband and marries another man, she is committing adultery."

Jesus continued in his travels teaching and healing. He had returned to this area of Judea where he had previously attracted crowds of listeners. Once again the crowds have come to him. And once again the religious authorities have come to argue with him. They come with a question do designed to be a share to trap him.

They could have posed a question about any of the finer points of the law of Moses, because they came not looking for an answer but for a way to dispute him. Which ever way he answers they hope to trap him by his words. They asked, "Can a husband divorce his wife?" Jesus, however, doesn't answer their questions until they have answered his. They answer tells him how they interpret the law. Rather than argue with them, he agreed that the law does indeed allow for divorce under certain circumstances. But he expands on that by saying that God's perfect will is that marriage be until by death they are seriated. The law was given because of the hardness of humanities heart. Without the law of divorce, the only way to be rid of an unfaithful spouse would be to have them stoned to death. "If a man commits adultery with another man's wife or with his neighbor's wife, both he and the woman must be put to death for their adultery (Leviticus 20:10)

Jesus did not refute the law but said only that it was because of man's sinful nature that the law was given at all. The apostle Paul writes to the church in Galatia, "No one receives God's approval by obeying the law's standards since, "The person who has God's approval will live by faith." Laws have nothing to do with faith, but, "Whoever obeys laws will live because of the laws he obeys." Christ paid the price to free us from the curse that God's laws bring by becoming cursed instead of us. Scripture says, "Everyone who is hung on a tree is cursed." Christ paid the price so that the blessing promised to Abraham would come to all the people of the world through Jesus Christ and we would receive the promised Spirit through faith." (Galatians 3:11-14)

The law can only exposed our sins and condemn us. Jesus took that condemnation upon himself and saves us from all our sin through faith

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2018 November 02 Friday

2018 November 02 Friday in Liberty Hill, Bertram, Burnet, and Marble Falls, Texas

We arrived at the church around 9:30. Our Grandies group saves aluminum cans and people donate cans to us also. Several times a year we take them to Marble Falls for recycling. I should explain that Texas has no deposit and no return on soft drink Cans. The recyclers pay by the pound for the aluminum. We made $35.

However that is skipping ahead on the story. We had loaded Rudolf the red nosed pickup bed as full as it would go and still put the cover in place.

The cover is in two pieces with each piece locked into place by four screws with wingnuts. Knowing that each of this screws would need to be removed at the recycling center, I decided that two each wingnute be enough

We hadn't gone far before I realized that Rudolf was running on empty. I went to the nearest station and filled up. 25.336 gallons in a 25 gallon tank. I told you we were running on empty. Thank God that I noticed it when I did.

Because of the side trip to the gas station I changed the route we took. We had gone through Bertram when one of the plywood covers blew off of the truck. Obviously I was wrong that it didn't need all of these screws holding it down. I pulled off to the side of the road and retrieved the cover and put it back in place with all of the screws.

After getting our cash at the recycling plant, we joined the rest of the grandies group at the Blue Bonnet cafe for lunch and pie.

After leaving the cafe we had time to return home before going to the VA Clinic in Cedar Park.

I was given a clean bill of health and a hug by my doctor. She also made me promise to walk a mile every day. She placed an order with the VA pharmacy for something that would help with the pain in my knees and the neuropathy in my feet.

After returning home, I worked some on building a deck.

God bless and g'nite y'all.

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2018 November 01 Thursday

2018 November 01 Thursday in Liberty Hill, Texas

45° overnight under starry skies. I woke around three and turned some heat on.

Lunch and canasta at the Over The Hill Gang. I

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GOD FIRST, SELF LAST

MUSINGS - November 03, 2018

GOD FIRST, SELF LAST

Mark 9:42-50
"These little ones believe in me. It would be best for the person who causes one of them to lose faith to be thrown into the sea with a large stone hung around his neck. "So if your hand causes you to lose your faith, cut it off! It is better for you to enter life disabled than to have two hands and go to hell, to the fire that cannot be put out. If your foot causes you to lose your faith, cut it off! It is better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. If your eye causes you to lose your faith, tear it out! It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell. In hell worms that eat the body never die, and the fire is never put out. Everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good. But if salt loses its taste, how will you restore its flavor? Have salt within you, and live in peace with one another."

Jesus gives many parables about the kingdom of God. This is a rare passage where he speaks about hell. He tells his listeners that it would be better to live life maimed than to go to hell where worms that eat the body never die, and the fire is never put out.

I've said it before and I'll repeat myself here. I don't believe that Jesus is being literal here. I believe that he is giving figurative examples of giving up the things that cause us to sin. I believe this because our eyes, hands, and feet do not cause us to sin. Sin is, at its most basic a choice to choose our own desires over the will of God.

No matter how much we desire the object of our sin we must remove it from our life. Anything that we love more than God must be abandoned. In Luke 14:26 Jesus said, "If people come to me and are not ready to abandon their fathers, mothers, wives, children, brothers, and sisters, as well as their own lives, they cannot be my disciples."

I was a boy scout and was taught the Boy Scout Way: God, country, other people, and self. On our list of priorities God must be first and we must be last.

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SMALL ACTS, BIG REWARDS

MUSINGS - November 02, 2018

SMALL ACTS, BIG REWARDS

Mark 9:41
I can guarantee this truth: Whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward."

Until today I've always thought that this teaching was oddly placed in Mark's narrative. It is sandwiched between the disciples trying to stop someone else from casting out demons in Jesus's name and teachings about escaping hell. However, as I consider it today, I see that it is related to the former teaching where Jesus tells the disciples, "Whoever isn't against us is for us." Both the grander (in human thinking) act of casting out demons, and the giving of a drink of water, will earn rewards, if done in Jesus's name.

I remember a man I knew many years ago. He had several brothers who were missionaries to foreign lands. He owned and operated a small printing company. His brothers had the grander (in human thinking) acts of discipleship. However, I heard him once say, "I also serve by keeping their stuff." While his brothers were away, he would store their household belongings until they returned. They all earned their reward.

Those who do these "small" acts of kindness will indeed hear the Master say, "Come, my Father has blessed you! Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world." (Matthew 25:34)

Matthew 25:31-46 really expands on this idea of relatively small acts of kindness earning great rewards.

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NOT COOKIECUTTER CHRISTIANS

MUSINGS - November 01, 2018

NOT COOKIECUTTER CHRISTIANS

Mark 9:38-40
John said to Jesus, "Teacher, we saw someone forcing demons out of a person by using the power and authority of your name. We tried to stop him because he was not one of us." Jesus said, "Don't stop him! No one who works a miracle in my name can turn around and speak evil of me. Whoever isn't against us is for us.

"He was not one of us." Us or them? Them or us? Someone not of the twelve apostles was using the power of Jesus name.

John was, in affect, saying, "The 12 of us have the Jesus brand exclusively copyrighted and trademarked. How dare someone cast out demons in the name of Jesus? He didn't pay the franchise fee."

My salvation didn't give me exclusive rights and privileges. My salvation journey was different than yours. I know this because God didn't make Cookiecutter Christians. God came to us as individuals and through his grace granted us pardon for our sins. Then he laid out individual paths and individual jobs for us.*

God's grace is inclusive not exclusive. Jesus died for all of humanity. There is no Them. We are all Us. My path and my gifts may differ from yours but we serve the same God. Remember, "Whoever isn't against us is for us."

*Read 1 Corinthians chapter 12

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2018 October 31 Wednesday

2018 October 31 Wednesday - All Saints Eve - in Liberty Hill and Round Rock, Texas

69° and completely overcast (looks like rain) in the early morning. I don't know how it reached 77° under the cloud cover, but it did. We got a brief rain shower mid to late afternoon.

First on our list of "To Dos" today was a visit to Austin Heart for Ella's chemical stress test and echocardiogram. She survived the stress test. But we'll have to wait for the results of the last test

Ella's stress test was a "fasting" test. So we stopped at Whataburger for a breakfast sandwich to break our fast.

Home Depot was next on our list. I purchased the last two (I hope) items to build the deck.

Groceries was next on the list. We didn't need a lot but what we needed were mostly perishable that need refrigeration. That means the next stop was home. Ella went into the trailer and I handed bags up to her.

With the groceries inside, I then unloaded the last of the deck lumber.

I ordered new headlights. The old ones have becomes so yellowed with age that they were nearly useless at night. The package arrived yesterday afternoon but I didn't open them until this afternoon. It was a simple thing to remove the old ones and replace them with the new. They even came with bulbs. The bulbs were still good in the old set so now I have a spare set.

On the way home from choir practice this evening the difference in the headlights was remarkable. I think the low beams illuminated more than the old high beams.

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2018 October, 30 Tuesday

2018 October 30 Tuesday in Liberty Hill, Leander, and Cedar Park, Texas

66°and mostly cloudy. Topped out at 79 under mostly sunny skies

We both had appointments with the cardiologist this morning. Everything sounded good. However, Ella is scheduled for a stress test and MRI tomorrow morning. This is early preparation for having a shoulder replacement in January.

McDonald's was next on our list. Grabbed a couple sandwiches on the way to the Leander Senior center.

The afternoon was sent relaxing, reading, gaming, napping, and watching TV.

From 7-8 we were at the Tuesday night prayer meeting. This world really needs people to pray

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All content (except quotations) © 2018 Thomas E. Williams

2018 October 29 Monday

2018 October 29 Monday in Liberty Hill, Georgetown, and Cedar Park, Texas

59° and clear overnight. Reached 80°

The Georgetown senior center had a good crowd for lunch. I feel out of place here because these people come to eat and watch television there is no games or really interaction. Ella and I play our normal Fast Track and Rummikub. We've invited others to join us but no one has.

When lunch is over they gather outside for the bus that transports them back to whatever facility they live at. I really want more than a meal from this experience. But maybe I'm asking too much.

I am building a deck for our RV. Replacing the foldout RV steps with standard stairs should make it easier to get in and out. I placed an order online with Home Depot. While at the center I received a text that it was ready. At Home Depot I just needed to show them the order number and a photo ID. A young man (at nearly 72 nearly everyone is a young man) named Steve brought up a cart with my items and loaded then into the truck.

Ella posted on Facebook, xWe've had a beautiful day today. The sun is shining and it's 78 degrees. We've picked up most of the lumber to build our deck. You would know it's the stuff we needed to have first that we don't have. There's always tomorrow. I'm looking forward to seeing how much drier it will be when we get home."

When we were nearly home (within seven miles) we were stopped because of an accident on highway 29. We turned around and took a much longer route home

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Later we found this posted on the Liberty Hill police Facebook page.

"Update on wreck on 29. Unfortunately we lost a family member in that accident today. He was 28, and the soul parent of a little boy. Why did this happen. Some lady had road rage and purposely chased them on 29 and hit the truck from behind causing it to loose control and flip 3x. She is in custody and facing charges apparently told police she was sorry she was having a bad day. His mom literally passed away yesterday. It’s a tragic time for our family, thank you all for your support and comments on previous post. We have the best community! ❤️"

Finally home I unloaded the truck then sat out under the awning for a while. I had gone inside and up to the bedroom which is one of the few places I can get a strong enough internet connection.

I hadn't been there long when Ella hollered for me. Our neighbor to the east had come to ask if we'd take him to Georgetown. His truck head been repaired and was ready to come home. He had tried to get a taxi but noon would come out this far. If course we took him.

When we got back into town we stopped for supper at Dairy Queen.

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All content (except quotations) © 2018 Thomas E. Williams

BELIEF AND PRAYER

MUSINGS - October 28, 2018

BELIEF AND PRAYER

Mark 9:14-29
When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them. Some scribes were arguing with them. All the people were very surprised to see Jesus and ran to welcome him. Jesus asked the scribes, "What are you arguing about with them?"

A man in the crowd answered, "Teacher, I brought you my son. He is possessed by a spirit that won't let him talk. Whenever the spirit brings on a seizure, it throws him to the ground. Then he foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and becomes exhausted. I asked your disciples to force the spirit out, but they didn't have the power to do it."

Jesus said to them, "You unbelieving generation! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring him to me!" They brought the boy to him. As soon as the spirit saw Jesus, it threw the boy into convulsions. He fell on the ground, rolled around, and foamed at the mouth. Jesus asked his father, "How long has he been like this?" The father replied, "He has been this way since he was a child. The demon has often thrown him into fire or into water to destroy him. If it's possible for you, put yourself in our place, and help us!"

Jesus said to him, "As far as possibilities go, everything is possible for the person who believes." The child's father cried out at once, "I believe! Help my lack of faith." When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he gave an order to the evil spirit. He said, "You spirit that won't let him talk, I command you to come out of him and never enter him again." The evil spirit screamed, shook the child violently, and came out. The boy looked as if he were dead, and everyone said, "He's dead!" Jesus took his hand and helped him to stand up.

When Jesus went into a house, his disciples asked him privately, "Why couldn't we force the spirit out of the boy?" He told them, "This kind of spirit can be forced out only by prayer."

Let's recall the story. A boy who has seizures is brought to the disciples. They try and fail. An argument ensues been the disciples and the scribes (think lawyer). Jesus arrives and all were surprised.(why? I'll have to explore that later)

Jesus questions the scribes. They don't answer. The boys father did and then said, "If it's possible for you, put yourself in our place, and help us!"

To which Jesus responds, As far as possibilities go, everything is possible for the person who believes." I have to think that Jesus was staring into each of the disciples eyes when he said it. The boy's father admits how small is his belief, but the disciples say nothing. Jesus was clear upset with them when he said,p"You unbelieving generation! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you?

How much faith do we have and how much do we need? In Matthew 17:20
Jesus told them, "I can guarantee this truth: If your faith is the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." And in Luke 17:5-6
when the apostles said to the Lord, "Give us more faith." The Lord said, "If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, 'Pull yourself up by the roots, and plant yourself in the sea!' and it would bobey you."

I have never said to a mountain or a tree, "Move!" However, I have witnessed miracles after much prayer.
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All content (except quotations) © 2018 Thomas E. Williams

2018 October 28 Sunday

2018 October 28 Sunday in Liberty Hill and Leander, Texas

59° and clear early this morning when only the moon and I were up.

We ate breakfast from the breakfast bar at church. We sang in the choir during the nine o'clock service and then attended Sunday school

Everyone at church had a name tag visitors are given one on which to either their name.

After that we had lunch with eight friends at Cherry Creek Catfish.

Rudolf the red nose pickup needed a fill up and a wash.

We met some neighbors this evening, John and Armina. They have the trailer directly across the drive from us. They have two The younger one pointed out that I look like Santa Claus. I just said, "Yes I do. I wonder why that is?"

This morning I got pictures of the sun through the cedar trees. Tonight it was through the live oak.

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All content (except quotations) © 2018 Thomas E. Williams

2018 October 27 Saturday

2018 October 27 Saturday I'm Liberty Hill, Cedar Park, and Round Rock, Texas

54° start under a cloudless sky that reached 85°

I couldn't wait for the sun to get above the trees to get a photo.

I purchased a long distance lens for my phone. I find that my hands are so shakey that it's hard to focus. Fortunately it came with a tripod.

Here is an example of the power of the lens. The first photo is without the lens and the second with. The address circled in the first photo is what it's in the second.

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In my walk this morning I saw this rather amazing anthill. I didn't disturb it. I haven't quite healed from the fireant bites I received during the first week of October.

Before going to Tate's games, we stopped at Walmart to pick up Ella's prescription.

Grandson, Tate had two football games today they won the first one T something like 30-6. The second game was a"make up" game. They had played ten minutes of a game when lightening moved into the area. The game was suspended with the other team having scored six points. So today's game started with the other team at six points and ten minutes off the clock. I wish I had recorded it because Tate made some amazing catches and scored most of the points. They won. I think of the final score was 16-12.

After the game a lot of the team and their families went to Hat Creek Burgers and so did we.
When we arrived home around five thirty it was 89° inside. I had left windows open and shades down in hopes that it wouldn't get so hot. Well that didn't work. I had to turn the air conditioner on.

I sat in recliner to watch TV and fell asleep halfway through a half hour show. I woke up just after sundown at six forty five

G'nite y’all!

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All content (except quotations) © 2018 Thomas E. Williams

MI CASA ES TU CASA

MUSINGS - October 27, 2018.

MI CASA ES TU CASA

Mark 9:1-8
He said to them, "I can guarantee this truth: Some people who are standing here will not die until they see the kingdom of God arrive with power." After six days Jesus took only Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain where they could be alone. Jesus' appearance changed in front of them. His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone on earth could bleach them. Then Elijah and Moses appeared to them and were talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it's good that we're here. Let's put up three tents--one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." (Peter didn't know how to respond. He and the others were terrified.) Then a cloud overshadowed them. A voice came out of the cloud and said, "This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!" Suddenly, as they looked around, they saw no one with them but Jesus.

Peter//, James and John didn't know what to do. You really can't blame them, can you? They suddenly had the entirety of scriptures made real to them: Moses (the Law), Elijah (the Prophets), the voice of God revealed in a cloud (the Old Testament), and Jesus (the New Testament).

Their human minds were overwhelmed. "Let's put up three tents" was their response. Let us make a place to keep them. It will be a place where we can go and be with them. Too many Christians still do that. Our churches are buildings where we house God. We go there to be with him once a week, or once a year, it once in a while. It's almost like visiting a zoo. I enjoy looking at the exotic creatures. But I don't want them in my home.

God should be in our homes, our businesses, our schools, our vehicles, and our lives. Jesus said, "Where two or three have come together in my name, I am there among them." (Matthew 18:20)

Lord, my home is your home.

Dios, mi hogar es tu hogar".

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2018 October 26 Friday

2018 October 26 Friday in Liberty Hill and Leander, Texas

49° and mostly clear sky with a full moon at 5:30 this morning. It reached 75° for the day. We were gone all day and the trailer was shut tight with the window shades open. It was close to 90° inside. I ran the AC for a while to cool it down.

We had lunch and played Rummikub at the Leander center today. Our friend Larraine Miller was there today also.

The next stop was at the Leander United Methodist Church. Once a month the 50+ group gathered to play games. We took our Fast Track board and showed new friends Bill and Karen how to play. Each team won a game.

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The laundromat was the next stop. This is one of our chores where Ella takes the lead and does 99% of the work. I carry the bags in and out and see the soap to the machines. It goes in the top and is difficult for Ella to reach.

Supper was z at DQ. We shared a four piece chicken strip basket.

Then it was home to put the laundry away. There was nothing much on TV so we played games and/or watched shows on our phones.

My order of twenty super bright LED automotive-type bulbs arrived from Amazon today. I had previously changed the lights that were use most often to LEDs. Today I changed out the remaining twelve.

G'nite y’all!

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THE PRICE AND THE PRIZE

MUSINGS - October 26, 2018

THE PRICE AND THE PRIZE

Mark 8:34-38
Then Jesus called the crowd to himself along with his disciples. He said to them, "Those who want to follow me must say no to the things they want, pick up their crosses, and follow me. Those who want to save their lives will lose them. But those who lose their lives for me and for the Good News will save them. What good does it do for people to win the whole world yet lose their lives? Or what should a person give in exchange for life? If people are ashamed of me and what I say in this unfaithful and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of those people when he comes with the holy angels in his Father's glory."

If you thought being a follower of Christ would be easy, you are delusional. It ain't easy, my friends, but it's doable. Even Jesus's twelve closest friends and first followers suffered greatly. Although the scriptures only tell if the deaths of two of them, early church reports and legends claim that all but one died horrible deaths by crucifixion, stoning, burning, decapitation, and stabbing by knives, swords and spears.

You can't say that they weren't warned of the cost of following him. He told them, "Go! I'm sending you out like lambs among wolves." (Luke 10:3) You must be willing to abandon everything and everyone that is important too you for his sake. It is not always required to give up everything but it's always required that you be willing to do so. Read Luke 9:57-62 for more on the cost of discipleship.

No we are not promised that life will be easy but it will be easier because he will share our burdens and comfort us. There are rewards in this life and the next. Matthew 25:34 "Then the king will say to those on his right, 'Come, my Father has blessed you! Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world."

Keep you eyes on the prize.

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All content (except quotations) © 2018 Thomas E. Williams

2018 October 25 Thursday

2018 October 25 Thursday in Liberty Hill and Lampasas, Texas

53° and 95% cloudy reached a high of 65° and 50% cloudy. NO RAIN!

I grabbed a shot of the sun coming through the trees and I'm glad I did because that's the last I saw of the sun until about 10:30.

When we arrived at our church at 8:30 this morning, there were two squad cars with their lights flashing. No worry, it was just to draw attention to Donuts With the Chief.* Do you see the skeleton in a police uniform?

Today's topic was Domestic Abuse. The guest speaker from a local shelter agency didn't make it. However, various people shared their experiences, questions and answers. It was valuable.

We left the meeting a little early so that we could begin our trip to Lampasas. We were going to pick up some aluminum cans that my ex wife had saved for us. (Our Grandies group collects cans and takes them to a recycling plant.) As a thank you, Ella and I took Becky and Dave to a local BBQ place for lunch. We arrived at their home strong 11 and visited until 1:30. We went to the restaurant and visited until sometime after 4 before returning home.

The sunset was mesmerizing. I sat and just watched the slowly changing shapes and colors until it was nearly dark.

*Liberty Hill Police Department continues its community engagement initiatives "Donuts With The Chief," a monthly information meeting between law enforcement officers and the general public.

G'nite y’all!

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UNDERSTANDING THE MESSIAH

MUSINGS - October 25, 2018

UNDERSTANDING THE MESSIAH

Mark 8:27-33
Then Jesus and his disciples went to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked his disciples, "Who do people say I am?" They answered him, "Some say you are John the Baptizer, others Elijah, still others one of the prophets." He asked them, "But who do you say I am?" Peter answered him, "You are the Messiah!" He ordered them not to tell anyone about him.
Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man would have to suffer a lot. He taught them that he would be rejected by the leaders, the chief priests, and the scribes. He would be killed, but after three days he would come back to life. He told them very clearly what he meant. Peter took him aside and objected to this. Jesus turned, looked at his disciples, and objected to what Peter said. Jesus said, "Get out of my way, Satan! You aren't thinking the way God thinks but the way humans think."

Messiah literally means the anointed one.

According to Wikipedia, In Jewish eschatology, the Messiah is a future Jewish king from the Davidic line, who is expected to be anointed with holy anointing oil and rule the Jewish people during the Messianic Age and World to come. The Messiah is often referred to as "King Messiah". This is the Messiah the Peter was talking about when he called Jesus Messiah.

Jewish history was full of messiahs. All of their kings had been anointed with oil, much like our presidents take an oath of office. But this future messiah was to be THE MESSIAH. He was expected to usher in a new age where Israel would be the center of power for the entire world.

However, as Jesus explained, that was humanity's expectation and not God's plan.

We have a record of very few of Jesus teachings. Only around 2,000 words. To get that in perspective, a typical article in Wall Street Journal had around 1,000 words. Over the approximately three years of his public ministry he didn't keep a journal and neither did his disciples. The earliest gosples were written around A. D. 70. The earliest followers were expecting an immediate return of the Messiah do they saw no need of a written record. It wasn't until the original witnesses began dieing that things started to be documented from memory, with the help of the Holy Spirit.

I bring that up because I wonder how much our human expectations over the last two thousand years have varied from God's plan?

Let those with ears, hear. It is necessary to pray for understanding and guidence before, during, and after reading those precious few words. And I believe they need to be read over and over. They needed to be read like your life depends on understanding them. Because it does.

Visit my daily blog. https://RVingFulltimeWithTomAndElla.com/

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

All content (except quotations) © 2018 Thomas E. Williams

2018 October 24 Wednesday

2018 October 24 Wednesday in Liberty Hill, Texas

53° that reached 57° and light rain that lasted all day.

We attended Grandies* this morning.

Lunch was at Jardin Coronas with some fellow Grandies.

The picture below that looks like a hill rising from a field of wheat,

It's really a close-up of the bump on my arm. About a week ago I stumbled and feel against the sharp corner of the wall. It must be healing because it itches. But it hurts to scratch it.

Still raining at sundown? But look what is in our ten day forecast

G'nite y’all!

Visit my daily devotions blog https://musingsdevotions.wordpress.com/

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

HALF A MIRACLE

MUSINGS - October 24, 2018

HALF A MIRACLE

Mark 8:22-26
As they came to Bethsaida, some people brought a blind man to Jesus. They begged Jesus to touch him. Jesus took the blind man's hand and led him out of the village. He spit into the man's eyes and placed his hands on him. Jesus asked him, "Can you see anything?" The man looked up and said, "I see people. They look like trees walking around." Then Jesus placed his hands on the man's eyes a second time, and the man saw clearly. His sight was normal again. He could see everything clearly even at a distance. Jesus told him when he sent him home, "Don't go into the village."

"Some people brought a blind man to Jesus." And then some people begged Jesus to heal him. The blind man had no voice in nor took any action in his healing. Jesus often said, "Your faith has made you well."* However, to this man he said nothing like that. His friends had faith in Jesus. Perhaps the blind man only had faith in his friends not in Jesus. Maybe that is why Jesus seperated him from the others, so that he would begin to trust Jesus. His faith developed in stages. To begin with, he had no faith. Then he had a little. Finally, he believed.

I was like that blind man. I went to church only because a friend invited me. I wasn't looking for Jesus. I was spiritually blind. Little by little my eyes were opened until at last I could say with the author of Amazing Grace, "I was blind but now I see!"

The blind man in this scripture had to receive half of a miracle before he could be made whole.

How about you? Have you received a partial miracle and are satisfied with that? Or can you agree with the hymn It is Well With My Soul and say, "My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more"?

*Mark 5:34, Luke 17:19, Luke 7:50, Luke 8:48, Luke 18:42, Matthew 9:22, Mark 19:52

Visit my daily blog. https://RVingFulltimeWithTomAndElla.com/

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

All content (except quotations) © 2018 Thomas E. Williams

2018 October 23 Tuesday

2018 October 23 Tuesday in Liberty Hill and Georgetown, Texas

52° and completely overcast again.

.

Ella is taking online training to work with Cherry Hill on the Santa set with me this year. We will be working the same hours which will make it nice.

With Ella taking her online training, we didn't play games at the Georgetown center today. While she was busy, I watched Daniel Boone and Gunsmoke.

There was a good size crowld for lunch but none stayed to play bingo. I'm not a big fan of bingo but, now that they're not playing it, I miss it.

Tuesday evening means Prayer meeting in the Cross Tracks Chapel.

G'nite y’all!

Visit my daily devotions blog https://musingsdevotions.wordpress.com/

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