Tag: God

Jesus Commandments

On June 12, 2018

Fear God and Nothing Else!
“Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28).

Here Jesus helps us understand “the beginning of wisdom.” Inside every one of us is a battle between “self and selfless.” Pride and humility. Love and hate. Give, keep or take. Everything is fine when it’s going our way. We can even convince ourselves we are doing the better thing instead of doing the “right” thing! We are more concern about the temporal things of this world and how they effect our lives, than praising the good things that effect the eternal condition of our souls. Keeping this commandment helps us guard our hearts, monitor our thoughts, and measure our words. As recorded in the final verses of Ecclesiastes (12:13-14) and supported later in the book of Romans (14:12), “we will all give an account to God.”

Gracious Father, Help me to be reminded daily of my Lord’s commandments. So that I may truly worship You. I know that fearing You, as Jesus commanded is the greatest teacher to knowing your love. Oh to know Your love more! I will not fear the temporal powers of this world, for Your love will sustain me and Your grace is enough. Through Christ, my Lord and Savior I pray, Amen.

Jesus Commandments

By Marshall Mabry

On August 24, 2017

In Praise and Worship

7. The Command “Do Not Lust”

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell. (Matthew 5:27-30, NIV).

The sin of the heart is the most deceitful. It lies hidden in personal darkness building momentum – unless it is captured by the power of the Holy Spirit and confessed openly to Christ. King David’s lust for Bathsheba serves as a great example. It developed into deceit, covetousness, adultery, and eventually murder. Not to mention, an innocent child dying as the result of his lust-driven actions.

We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5, NLT)

Jesus Commandments

By Marshall Mabry

On August 10, 2017

In Praise and Worship

5. The Command to “Be Reconciled”
“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.” (Matthew 5:23-24)

When we harbor anger or resentment of any kind in our hearts, or know that we have offended someone, or even suspect that someone in the family of Christ has “something” against us, our offering of praise is worthless. Our worship of Jesus is distracted and disingenuous. (1 John 3:15, Isaiah 1:14) It is when we put others before ourselves, we are worshiping Jesus. We must be reconciled with each other for our hearts to be free to focus on the only One worthy of our praise.

Jesus said, “But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:23-24, NLT)

Jesus Commandments

By Marshall Mabry

On August 2, 2017

In Praise and Worship

4. The Command to “Shine”
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

We do not have a “works-based” faith. We are saved by Christ’s grace alone – “so no one can boast.” But, Jesus clearly says that the good works we do (by the Holy Spirit) bring glory to God. It is the very reason He gave us life. And it will continue to be our everlasting life’s work. We are not to cower in solitude and be comfortable by worldly standards, but by His grace and power shine to a lost and broken world.