Morning Musing: Matthew 5:27-28

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“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”‬‬ (CSB – Read the chapter) 

Jesus said some uncomfortable things during His ministry. This particular saying is close to the top of the pile. Frankly, it’s even worse than what He says next about cutting off the hand or gouging out the eye that causes us to sin because those are obvious instances of hyperbole. This one isn’t. This one is just hard. There’s no wiggle room here. So…what do we do with it. 

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Digging in Deeper: Daniel 6:4

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“The administrators and satraps, therefore, kept trying to find a charge against Daniel regarding the kingdom. But they could find no charge or corruption, for he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was found in him.” (CSB – Read the chapter) 

Everyone has a skeleton closet somewhere. That could be an anthem for our times, couldn’t it? We live in a day of mistrust and cynicism, especially toward our political leaders. We have seen elected official after elected official sacked by scandal. We have seen leaders who we all figured were scandal-ridden live down to our expectations. We have seen no-name figures gain a name for themselves because of some scandal. We have even seen folks who held character and integrity out as reasons to elect them fall to scandal, often on the very point of their character emphasis. My friends, this should not be. 

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Morning Musing: Proverbs 22:24-25

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“Don’t make friends with an angry person, and don’t be a companion of a hot-tempered one, or you will learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.”‬‬ (CSB – Read the chapter)

You’ve probably heard before the idea that bad company corrupts good character. Paul said that. Your parents probably quoted it when you were hanging out with a crowd they didn’t like. You may have said it to your kids. The fact is, the friends you keep will determine the direction and quality of your life. So, what kind of friends are you keeping? 

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Digging in Deeper: Hebrews 12:5-6

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“And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: My son, do not take the Lord’s discipline lightly or lose heart when you are reproved by him, for the Lord disciplines the one he loves and punishes every son he receives.”‬‬ (CSB – Read the chapter) 

The believers who received the letter of Hebrews had a hard life. They were part of a movement that was new and unpopular and even considered by some to be an atheistic, cannibalistic cult. They faced economic hardship, social ostracism, and outright persecution on a regular basis. Their former friends who were Jews wouldn’t have anything to do with them anymore and the Roman government fed them to the lions in the arena. And, as we saw last time, the author here said the best way to handle all of this was to consider it to be the discipline of a loving father. What should they—and we—do with that? 

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Morning Musing: Hebrews 12:5-6

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“And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: My son, do not take the Lord’s discipline lightly or lose heart when you are reproved by him, for the Lord disciplines the one he loves and punishes every son he receives.”‬‬ (CSB – Read the chapter) 

“This is for your own good.” Ever hear some version of that when you were growing up? I honestly can’t remember if I did or not. Usually the one hearing it is doing so in the context of an adult (most often a parent) forcing them to do, or perhaps doing to them, something they don’t like. It may be technically true in the moment—and even in a longer term sense—but it doesn’t make whatever it is that’s happening any easier to experience. 

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