Ten Commandments (not suggestions)

Exodus 20: 3-17

Thoughts~

My friends Tip and Laurie are preparing for a missionary trip to Ireland soon. They have such a heart for the Lord and have served Him as long as I have known them. When I hear of their needs financially, I want to help, but have been unable to commit monthly . . . yet but I can commit in other ways.

Sometimes we can be prayer partners for those called to go out in “the field.” Other times we are given specific tasks that God has laid on our heart for the missionaries we love.

I was able to create a Facebook page for them so we can all follow their journey in Ireland.  And today Laurie asked me to make a graphic of the ten commandments. I jumped at the chance and as I was making it, God began reminding me of the importance of keeping His commandments. I saw a funny graphic a while back that pointed out that the commandments are not suggestions. While I did grin, I realize that many people do not want to obey God.

God has given them to us to help us live correctly. They keep us focused on obedience and are in place to keep us away from sin that tears us away from a close fellowship with the Lord. He really wants us to be close to Him. Even looking at the first commandment, I ask myself what other "gods" have been in my life. In tomorrow’s blog I plan to delve into the commandments a little bit more.

Actions~

Read over the commandments and ask yourself if there are some you are breaking, that are keeping you from intimacy with our Father. While we don’t lose our salvation over sin, we do break the bond of closeness with the Lord.

1 - YOU SHALL HAVE NO OTHER "GODS" BEFORE ME

  

2 - YOU SHALL NOT MAKE FOR YOURSELF AN IDOL

   

3 - YOU SHALL NOT TAKE THE NAME OF GOD IN VAIN

   

4 - REMEMBER THE SABBATH DAY TO KEEP IT HOLY

   

5 - HONOR YOUR FATHER AND YOUR MOTHER

   

6 - YOU SHALL NOT MURDER

   

7 - YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY

   

8 -YOU SHALL NOT STEAL

   

9 -YOU SHALL NOT LIE

   

10 -YOU SHALL NOT COVET

Pray~

Lord, I pray for Tip and Laurie’s Ireland trip, that you provide all of their needs for their trip to Ireland. And I thank you for reminding me of the commandments you gave Moses long ago. Nudge me when I start to break fellowship with you, when I even think about breaking a commandment.

Trusting in Him,

Becky