The Third Commandment

The third commandment says "You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name." Exodus 20:7

I have found several different explanations of what "misuse" means here.
 One is using the name of God along with swear words. Another is using the name of God while living a life of sin. One claim is that removing the actual name of God(Yahweh) from the bible is also taking his name in vain.

The argument for the last one is that God chose to put his name in scripture more than 7000 times. It is incredibly presumptuous at the very least for us to remove it. If God considered his name important enough to make a commandment regarding it then it is important indeed.

The Bethel Church of God  has a good article posted on this subject. They make the point that using Gods name while not obeying God is misusing his name. They also point out that if you take an oath using Gods name and then tell a lie...that is a misuse. And that anyone who claims to represent God but do not "practice what they preach" are dishonoring God.

All of these are good points. The only thing I am certain of is that I need to be more careful. Much more careful. And ask for forgiveness more often.

The Second of the Ten Commandments

The second commandment says "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations, of those who love me and keep my commandments." Exodus 20:4-6

This is one that I tend to forget. I don't know why really. It should be easy to remember that you are not to make idols of anything. And this could be something other than a "graven image". Money could be an idol. Power could be an idol. Fame? Celebrity?  Anything that you value or trust more than God can be and probably is an idol in your heart.

I like that it says he punishes the children to the third and fourth generation of those that hate him...but blesses to the thousandth generation those who love him. That is a huge difference.

And we all know it is true too. Children and grandchildren often suffer for what their parents do. Especially children of alcoholics and drug addicts.

And the United States pretty much shows that he does bless the descendants of those who love him. It was founded by religious people and until recently was very much a christian nation.

I think maybe we are starting to see some of the punishment these days.

Do You Know The Ten Commandments?

Most Americans don't know the Ten Commandments. An article in The Good News magazine for April says that a survey by the Barna Research Group found that less than half the people surveyed could name even 5 of the Ten Commandments. That made me think and it turned out that I could only come up with 8 of them myself without thinking for a bit. So i'm going to go over them here. One at a time. That should help set them in my mind.

Just remember; Jesus said that what is in our hearts and minds is as important if not more so than what we do. In Matthew 5:28 he says that looking at someone lustfully means you have already committed adultery with them in your heart. 2 Corinthians 10:5 says we take every thought captive to obedience to Christ. So it is not only what we do that is important. What we think and how we feel matters too. The spirit of the law is more important than the letter of the law. I need to remember that. Especially when I'm angry.


The first of the Ten Commandments says :

"I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery, You shall have no other gods before me". Exodus 20:2-3

This means that God comes first. Before anything else. Before husband, children, work, or anything else.  Jesus said, when asked, that the greatest law of scripture was that "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind" Mathew 22: 35-38

I need to work on this one.

There is a booklet about the Ten Commandments available on the Good News magazine website.

A New Commandment -John 13:34

So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. John 13:34

This is hard but not nearly as hard as this one :     

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,  that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?  And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?  Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:43-48

This one is really hard to do. Especially when folks persist in being rude and disrespectful.  Or even outright hateful and mean. I for one need help with it. My husband is needing help with it right now too. I'm praying for that help. Please add your prayer for us and all gods children. We need it these days more than ever.

An Excellent Post By Doorkeeper

I just read a book review over on Doorkeeper. She is reviewing Lazarus Awakening by Joanna Weaver. Her post is like a really good sermon. I definitely want to read this book after reading her post.

She quotes Colosians 2 "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."

Go read her post. You will be thankful you did.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus. Rev 22:20

He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. KJV

He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. NIV

On this one I prefer the way the King James version has it. One of my favorite hymns "It Is Well With My Soul" includes the "Even so" bit.

With all the things going on in the world these days this is a good verse to keep in mind. And also a good thing to pray for. His coming is the only thing that will make everything right. Even so.