Commandments

Posted on May 17, 2019 by Marie

Exodus 18 brought these thoughts to mind.

The Israelites had escaped from Egypt, crossed the Red Sea, and defeated Amalak so far. There were probably more than 1.5 million people at that point. (The Word tells us there were 600,000 men, not counting women and children.)

Moses was doing all of the judgings himself when his father-in-law came to him and advised him to make some changes. I’m sure Moses talked to God and his advisers (see Genesis 18:12) about it, too. The plan was, there would be men in charge who knew the 10 Commandments well and would judge in hierarchies of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens.

It was so simple.

But then, would it be perfect again? Probably not! Since the fall men and women have gotten progressively farther and farther away from His Word. I wish I could shout it to the multitudes. God’s Word and God’s Law matter!

Can I get an amen?!

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

Double Standards

Posted on February 9, 2018 by Marie

I’ve been reading through the book of Proverbs this week and have been amazed at the number of references to double standards. We’re going to land on one Proverb, in particular, today. Chapter 20 verse 10 is very precise in its wording yet there is a deeper meaning to it. It appears to be talking about weights and measures in the world of commerce but there is also a deeper meaning that applies to everyday life. (I used the New Living Translation for this picture.)

Commandment 8 tells us we are not to bear false witness. That’s dishonest and God has no use for it and reminds us of His desire for us to stop lying throughout the Bible. (Leviticus 19.11, Proverbs 12:22, Colossians 3:9, Revelation 22:15 and so many more…)
We are not to say one thing and mean another.
When we consider another person higher or lower than ourselves because of what they have or don’t have we are using a standard that is totally against God’s standard of simply loving one another.
God does not want us to cheat in any way. God knows our hearts and minds. We’re so full of double standards. How about this one, do as I say, not as I do. Or, you can listen but do not comment. Or, That’s so easy, but you can’t do it yourself.
What did Jesus say about the issue? Check out Matthew 7:3-5.

In the culture we live in double and multiple standards exist everywhere. My prayer is we will all be able to see the planks in our own eyes before we comment on the specks in someone else’s.

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

I Love You BUT I Don’t Like You

Posted on July 9, 2013 by Marie

When God says I love you He is saying just that. Where did we come up with the I don’t like you part? Perhaps, we want to say I don’t like what you’ve said/done but I have to love you because God says so. Hmmmmm I really don’t think the intent of the command to love others has anything to do with a qualification (but I don’t like you).

There are 3 basic commands in the New Testament…Love God and love others! (Matthew 22:35-40) Go and Tell! (Matthew 28:19) Do any of those say BUT I don’t have to like you, your actions, your opinions, your stuff…?

When God says love me that’s exactly what it means. The first 4 commandments of the 10 are about loving God. He says I AM God! You can have no other gods in any form whether spiritual or physical. Honor My Name. Worship me on the Sabbath and rest from all else. How do those equal love? Think about this. When we are with those we love we focus totally on them, we honor them, we let nothing get in the way of our relationship with them, we set aside time to be totally with them. That is how we are to love God!

How we are to love others is commanded in the next 6. Honor your parents! Do not murder, commit adultery, steal, lie, or want what belongs to someone else. This is where the ‘but I don’t like you’ comes into play. We get ourselves into a self-righteous attitude and say I don’t like you because you… We have to get over ourselves! Doesn’t God say I AM God and you’re not? Stop separating the two. I love you, period.

Love is wanting what is best for another. It is not wanting what is best when we say, but I don’t like you. When a person hears, I don’t like what you are doing or saying, they immediately equate it to I don’t love you. Oh, dear friends, take these words out of your vocabulary! They are not God-like. If we truly want to become more like Him we cannot allow our human attitudes to have a part in how we love. Let nothing get in the way of simply loving!

Oh, How He Loves Us!

Oh, Heavenly Father, let me simply show love. Keep me constantly aware of Your example. Let me show love in Jesus’ Precious and Holy name. Make it so!

Showing God’s Face on Facebook

Posted on September 24, 2012 by Marie

I truly enjoy Facebook. Communicating with friends and family over long distances when I can’t personally visit is great. Having private pages for family, church, and prayer groups is an awesome tool. I have laughed, cried, been overjoyed and frustrated. Yes, I even relax playing Farmville ($7,000,000 farm) and Mahjohng.

I’ve been seeing a lot of negative, untrue, vicious, profane posts and wonder why I would see some of these things from anyone, including believers. Is it because people think that because it’s in cyberspace it’s not real? Get real! Did you know that Twitter allows the Library of Congress to record every open Tweet for historical purposes? Do we realize that negative, untrue, and mean posts hurt just as much as the spoken word? Are we aware that the computer, games, even social sites like Facebook, Twitter, You Tube, etc. can replace the One and Only God as a god?

God has some very good Rules that really do apply. Let’s take a look…

Exodus 20: 3 You shall have no other gods before Me…that includes Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, online games, chatting…anything that takes the place of God in our lives.

Exodus 20:7 You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain. How many OMG’s do you see or even hear daily?

Exodus 20:16 You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. Basically, don’t lie about anyone. That certainly includes political postings.

Ah, Lord, God, every perfect gift comes from above. You have given us the knowledge and ability to create the internet and new forms of technology. Help us, Lord, to use them for Your glory and for furthering the Kingdom on earth. This prayer is lifted in the precious name of Jesus. Make it so!

Do This; Not That

Posted on April 23, 2012 by Marie

Ten Commandments (Photo credit: glen edelson)

I have often wanted a concise list of what God wants of me and I want it to be straight from the mouth of Jesus. You, too? There are actually several in the Bible like the Ten Commandments, The Beatitudes, Phil. 4:8 (I call it the ‘whatevers’), The Fruit of the Spirit,… But notice I said concise. Guess what? There is actually a ‘Do this, not that’ list, and all the others seem to fall into this categorically. Check out Luke 12.

ESTEEM GOD; NOT PEOPLE

Verses 1-7. Jesus is talking to the disciples and tells them that they may be persecuted for their belief, they may be tempted to fake their faith, they may even be martyred for it. They are to own God, to treat Him with great awe. We, too, are to be always aware of Him, in every thing we think, do, and say. We cannot afford to be posers, there is too much at stake.

SPEAK UP; DO NOT BE SILENT

Verses 8-12. To deny Him can be forgiven. When we say “I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God” and then speak against the Holy Spirit, by not proclaiming Him, there is no forgiveness. Also, if we say, like Moses, I cannot speak well, we are to ask Him and the Spirit will provide the words. Remember if we do not proclaim the rocks will.

SEEK GOD; NOT THE WORLD

In verses 13-21 He uses the parable of the rich fool to help us understand the dangers of making the world our god. Already a greedy and wealthy man the ‘rich fool’ determines he needs more. After he achieves his goal of getting more than enough, he dies. And that’s the end of the story for him because at no point in his earthly life did he lay aside any heavenly treasures…always thinking of himself.

An interesting side-story is in verse 19. The rich fool thinks if he has more he will be able to eat, drink and party for the rest of his life. The way I see it the more one has, the more there is to take care of, which, in turn, requires more work. As my mom always said…there is no rest for the wicked.

DON’T WORRY; SEEK GOD

Verses 22-34 Once again we are told to keep our thoughts on God and His Kingdom. He provides all we need and in abundance. We need only ask. Let’s break out of Luke for a moment and turn over to 1 John 5:14-15. We can ask for ‘anything’ and that which is in His will is provided. These two passages fit very nicely together. To know God we must know His Word. To ask within His Will we must know His Word. He has it all and wants to give it all to us. What is really holding us back?

So, there’s the list. Much shorter than the others but including all of them. Let me say this again….Knowing the Word is to know God and then we can know what He wants.

Heavenly Father, help me know You through Your Word. Keep me constantly desiring to know You more. Forgive me when I get lazy about sharing, caring, and knowing You. Put the words in my mouth and hands Father. In Jesus’ name I lift this prayer. Make it so!