1st

July 1

The Ten Commandments: Supplemental Material With Pages from "Sharing the Word", by Dr. Frank Seekins. Some languages are phonetic--like English. Some languages use pictures--like Chinese. Ancient Hebrew is both! We sound out the words, but our Savior who is the WORD, gave us pictures within each letter. These are additional clues to the depths of the meanings of the words. Our modern translations are the complete Word of God, and we can understand the meanings of the words. However, in this months study we can get a taste of the extent of the flavor that the original scriptures must have had. Pictures in the letters themselves add nuances of meaning to the words they spell. Our modern phonetic-only alphabets have lost these in the translation .

In what language are the Books that are in heaven written? The Lord does not tell us specifically. Good sense tells us that the alphabet and words given by I Am to Adam and Eve were the only language-tools mankind needed. This changed at the Tower of Babel when new languages were distributed by God to various family groups. We may logically surmise-- albeit without proof--that the language Seth (son of Noah), used was passed on to his descendents. Abraham, the Father of Israel, was born before Seth died, so presumably learned the alphabet and language of the pre-flood peoples of promise. The Word, forever settled, and He Who was the Word from the beginning (John 1:1) and knew all things from beginning to end (AlphaOmega/ Alef Tav) would not have changed language horses in mid stream. God would have kept the original Words as the language for the sons of the promise, those who were the line from which Messiah would be born. Changing the language for the others would have protected the integrity of the language of Promise. This alefbet (alphabet) of Promise eventually saw a change occur with the foreign influence imposed during the Babylonian exile.

Interested in the ancient Hebrew? For a Taste of Hebrew Word Pictures see the February 2011 Daily Devotional .

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2nd

July 2

And God spake all these words...

Exodus 20:1 And God spake all these words, saying...

"The law of the ten commandments is a law of God's making; a law of his own speaking. God has many ways of speaking to the children of men by his spirit, conscience, providences; his voice in all which we ought carefully to attend to: but he never spake at any time upon any occasion so as he spake the ten commandments, which therefore we ought to hear with the more earnest heed. This law God had given to man before, it was written in his heart by nature; but sin had so defaced that writing, that it was necessary to revive the knowledge of it." John Wesley

".... Which follow, commonly called the decalogue, or ten commands; ...a system or body of laws... they are, are binding on all mankind, and to be observed both by Jew and Gentile; and are the best and shortest compendium of morality that ever was delivered out, except the abridgment of them by our Lord, Mat. 22:36, John Gill

Jesus set up this principle in all of creation. For example:

• Chemistry requires all the elements necessary for a desired reaction to take place. They are one.
• Every biological system needs all its components to function. They are one.
• This Holds true for the law. It is ONE law. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Galatians 5:14

"...the ancient Jews had a notion, and which Jarchi* delivers as his own, that these words were spoken by God in one word; which is not to be understood grammatically; but that those laws are so closely compacted and united together as if they were but one word, and are not to be detached and separated from each other; hence, as the Apostle James says, whosoever offends in one point is guilty of all, James 2:10,

and if this notion was as early as the first times of the Gospel, one would be tempted to think the Apostle Paul had reference to it, For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Rom.13:9., though indeed he seems to have respect only to the second table of the law;

these words were spoke in an authoritative way as commands, requiring not only attention but obedience to them; and they were spoken by God himself in the hearing of all the people of Israel; ..." John Gill

3rd

July 3

4. God provides Himself as the Help, the Lamb Who solved the problem before it ever was a problem. Before Creation had been spoken into being, He was slain..And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Rev 13:8. Lord, save me! Forgive me!

That's Who God is. That's part of His Job Description! I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Rev 22:13

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4th

July 4

I am the Lord thy God...

...for God hath shewed it unto them...they are without excuse.

Exodus 20:2, Romans 1:19-21

God made every provision to provide knowledge of the law and the only way of salvation. If we have ignored all these opportunities we are without an excuse. One day He will profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Mt 7:23.

July 5

Adonai Tsuri v’go’ali.
Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer

6th

July 6

Which List is Correct?

Don't Even Go There!

After studying the Book of Galatians in June, this is a topic that should be recognized as non sequitur, worthless, foolish.

All three lists give us the same result: That we cannot possibly keep the law, and we need a Saviour!!!

To argue whose list is the best one is to set up a "standard" for whose law is better and become "fightin' words" amongst Christians. My commandments are good, and yours are inferior. But God tells us in 2Co 10:12, For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

The whole book of Galatians was Paul's attempt to keep Christians walking by faith and not putting themselves back under the bondage of the law and additional requirements for achieving or maintaining salvation. The churches in Asia finally rejected Paul, each choosing their own little standards by which they could judge and compare themselves as better than thou.  

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7th

July 7

1st Commandment. (Hebrew)

I am the Lord your G-d who has taken you out of the land of Egypt.

At first reading we are tempted to ask, "Where is the commandment here! This is just a statement of fact." But read the following Jewish commentary and see that God does all things well. He is speaking a command, first to the Jew, and then the Gentile.

"Would it not have been more appropriate for G-d to say, "I am G-d... who created the heavens and the earth"?

But G-d the creator is the G-d that Israel shares with the rest of creation. At Sinai, G-d did not speak to us as the author of nature, but as the executor of the miraculous Exodus. For at Sinai we forged a covenant with G-d in which we pledged to surpass all bounds of nature and convention in our commitment to Him, and He pledged to supercede all laws of nature and convention in His providence over us." (The Chassidic Masters) http://www.chabad.org/parshah/in-depth/default_cdo/aid/45173/SummaryAnchor/TenCommandments/jewish/Shavut-Summary.htm

This Jewish commentary shows that this first statement made by God clearly implies a commandment regarding Who He is and the establishment of the Covenant of the Promise of Redemption to the children of Israel. For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth. De 14:2.

In this first commandment, G-d did not emphasize His role as Creator, but His role as the Redeemer. Just as He redeemed Israel from the slavery of Egypt, saving those firstborn who had the blood of the lamb over the doorpost, and then leading them out with a mighty hand, so He would come as Messiah to save Israel from their slavery to the 613 commands of the Law. None of these 613 could bring the salvation that the Redeemer G-d could bring.

The recognition of G-d as Redeemer/ Savior is essential for a relationship with Him. One MUST see the emphasis on redemption in this first commandment in order to be in obedience to it. G-d especially is calling to the Jew. And they remembered that G-d was their rock, and the high G-d their redeemer. Ps 78:35. He is Adonai Tsuri v’go’ali; Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

At Sinai G-d shows that the keeping of commandments is a sign of His sanctification (redemptive cleansing from sin). Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you. Exodus 31:13.

Recognition of the Redeemer then leads to full recognition of the covenant between G-d and Israel. This was first given in the Garden of Eden when the I Am promised to send the One Savior. I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou [Satan] shalt bruise his heel. Gen. 3:15.

This covenant was renewed over and over. Abraham was given the promise: And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed;. Gen26:4.

He showed His understanding of this covenant when he told Isaac: My son, G-d will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together. Ge 22:8.

Through this covenant the whole world would be blessed, for Messiah, the Lamb, the child Jesus, would die for all mankind. This relationship must be acknowledged by both Jew and Gentile. It is the first command.

And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice. Ge 22:18

If you are unsure of your eternal destiny or have questions about salvation please visit our web page: http://libertyministriesgj.com/Salvation.htm.
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8th

July 8

1st Commandment. Applies to all three versions.

I am the Lord your G-d who has taken you out of the land of Egypt.

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9th

July 9

"Exodus 20:3 The first commandment is concerning the object of our worship, Jehovah, and him only, Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

- The Egyptians, and other neighbouring nations, had many gods, creatures of their own fancy. This law was pre-fixed because of that transgression; and Jehovah being the God of Israel, they must entirely cleave to him, and no other, either of their own invention, or borrowed from their neighbours.

The sin against this commandment, which we are most in danger of, is giving that glory to any creature which is due to God only. Pride makes a God of ourselves, covetousness makes a God of money, sensuality makes a God of the belly. Whatever is loved, feared, delighted in, or depended on, more than God, that we make a god of.

This prohibition includes a precept which is the foundation of the whole law, that we take the Lord for our God, accept him for ours, adore him with humble reverence, and set our affections entirely upon him.

There is a reason intimated in the last words before me. It intimates, That we cannot have any other god but he will know it. That it is a sin that dares him to his face, which he cannot, will not, overlook." John Wesley

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10th

July 10 

  2nd Commandment. (Hebrew) Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

This Hebrew second commandment is the same as the first commandment of the non-Catholic translations. To get a Jewish perspective:

"Because G-d appeared to them at the Red Sea as a mighty warrior, at Sinai as a sage teaching Torah, in the days of Solomon as a handsome lad and in the times of Daniel as a compassionate old man, G-d said to them: Just because you perceive Me in many guises, do not think that there are many gods; rather, it is I who was at the sea, I who was at Sinai, I who is in every place -- "I am G-d your G-d." (Midrash Tanchuma)

"G-d is the only one who controls all events and occurrences. No other entity – not your government, not your boss, not your spouse – can benefit or harm you unless G-d has so decreed. Every one of us shares a special relationship with G-d, and no power can interfere and disturb this relationship." Naftali Silberberg

"G-d talks to us in many voices: benevolent, authoritative, wrathful, romantic. Romantic? Just read Isaiah 54, or Song of Songs...And like a jealous lover, He insists that ours be a monogamous relationship." Yanki Tauber

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Again and again the commentaries speak of the relationship we are to have with our G-d! When we try to acknowledge G-d for who He really is He promises Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.. Jer 33:3.

Yet we cannot knock all the idols off our hearts' shelves until we recognize Messiah Yeshua! Only then can we can we have a relationship with G-d as we...look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. Zec 12:10b.

Will you Call unto Him? He is there to forgive and Redeem!

Isaiah 53: 1-12. Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?
2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.
3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4 ¶ Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.
9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
10 ¶ Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

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11th

July 11

2nd Commandment. (Hebrew) Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

2nd Commandment. You shall not make unto you any graven images.

12th

July 12

13th

July 13

Our Father, the Strength of our House

If ye love me, keep my commandments. John 14:15.

... Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10.

Psalm 84:5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee...

Remember, Hebrew is read from right to left.

http://www.livingwordpictures.com/

If you do not have the supplemental material from July 1 containing the ancient Hebrew alefbet, it can be also be found in the February 2011 Daily Devotional, A Taste of Hebrew Word Pictures.

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14th

July 14

3rd Commandment: You shall not take the name of the Lord your G-d in vain.

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15th

July 15

3rd Commandment:

You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.

Exodus 20:7 The third commandment is concerning the manner of our worship; Where we have a strict prohibition.

Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.

- Supposing that, having taken Jehovah for their God, they would make mention of his name, this command gives a caution not to mention it in vain, and it is still as needful as ever. We take God's name in vain,

• First, By hypocrisy, making profession of God's name, but not living up to that profession. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 2Ti 2:19
• Secondly, By covenant breaking. If we make promises to God, and perform not to the Lord our vows, we take his name in vain. When thou shalt vow a vow unto the LORD thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it: for the LORD thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee. De 23:21
• Thirdly, By rash swearing, mentioning the name of God, or any of his attributes, in the form of an oath, without any just occasion for it, but to no purpose, or to no good purpose. And though they say, The LORD liveth; surely they swear falsely. Jer 5:2.
• Fourthly, By false - swearing, which some think is chiefly intended in the letter of the commandment. And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD. Le 19:12.
• Fifthly, By using the name of God lightly and carelessly. Hear ye this, O house of Jacob, which are called by the name of Israel, and are come forth out of the waters of Judah, which swear by the name of the LORD, and make mention of the God of Israel, but not in truth, nor in righteousness. Isaiah 48: 1.

The profanation of the form of devotion is forbidden, as well as the profanation of the forms of swearing; as also, the profanation of any of those things whereby God makes himself known. For the Lord will not hold him guiltless - For the land is full of adulterers; for because of swearing the land mourneth; the pleasant places of the wilderness are dried up, and their course is evil, and their force is not right. Jer 23:10.

Magistrates that punish other offences, may not think themselves concerned to take notice of this; but God, who is jealous for his honour, cannot condone it. The sinner may perhaps hold himself guiltless, God will not hold him guiltless - But more is implied, that God will himself be the avenger of those that take his name in vain; and they will find it a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. edited from John Wesley's Commentary on the Ten Commandments

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16th

July 16

4th Commandment:You shall remember the Sabbath and keep it Holy.

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• Parents have a duty. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.Eph.6:4.
• Employee employer relations: Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Eph. 6:5. And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him. Eph. 6:9.
• Submitting to government authority: Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Rom. 13:1
• Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
  Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.Eph. 5:21-22; Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rom. 12:10-11. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; Eph 5:25.
  Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. Col 3:19.

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20th

July 20

21st

July 21

• Capital punishment. We have the responsiblity to make sure that this is administered scripturally to protect those who would be killed unjustly.
  1. There must be at least two witnesses. At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death. Deuteronomy 17:6.
  2. The witnesses testify under penalty of receiving the same sentence as the defendant if they commit perjury.
     If a false witness rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong; Then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before the Lord, before the priests and the judges, which shall be in those days; And the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and hath testified falsely against his brother; Then shall ye do unto him, as he had thought to have done unto his brother: so shalt thou put the evil away from among you. Deuteronomy 19:16-19.
• Justifible War. The example of Jesus is to stand between humanity and evil. That's what the cross was all about. Jesus stood between us and our own birthright in hell. He stood between us and our lost nature. He stood between us and the Devil, who had led us into a slavery to Sin and Death. Earthly government must stand between humanity and evil if it is to operate as God would. How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah. Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked. Psalm 82: 2-4.
  
• Self Defence. God makes it clear that there is no sin when an action is committed in self defense. We have a responsibilty to defend against evil, but we must do it in accordance with God's plan. Cursed be he that doeth the work of the Lord deceitfully, and cursed be he that keepeth back his sword from blood. Jeremiah 48:10.
  By the way that he came, by the same shall he return, and shall not come into this city, saith the Lord For I will defend this city, to save it, for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake. 2 Kings 19:33- 34.
  But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the Lord wrought a great victory. 2 Samuel 23: 12.
  How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah. Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked. Psalm 82: 2-4.

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• Any heterosexual or homosexual hooking up, playing around, or shacking up. Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. 1Corinthians 7:2.
• Any marital arrangement outside of one man- one woman. And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. Matthew 19:4-6. This instruction by Jesus is also recorded in Mark 10:6-9.
• Lusting with or without actions: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. Matt. 5:28 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 2Tim. 2:22.

This commandment encompasses the proper use of our bodies. God warns of STDs, as well as other harm that will come to the body in an emotional sense. Most importantly, fornication prevents us from being in total fellowship with our Lord, for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, Deut. 5:9.

Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.
But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.
Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that commiteth fornication sinneth against his own body.
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. 1Corinthians 6:15-20.

• rob ourselves of what we have, by sinful spending, or of the use and comfort of it by sinful sparing; But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. 1 Tim. 5:8

• rob others by invading our neighbour's property, taking his goods, or house, or field, forcibly or in secret, Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another. Lev 19:11.

• lie and cheat in our businesses. The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death. Prov. 21:6 Thou shalt not have in thy bag divers weights, a great and a small. Thou shalt not have in thine house divers measures, a great and a small. But thou shalt have a perfect and just weight, a perfect and just measure shalt thou have: that thy days may be lengthened in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. Deuteronomy 25: 13-15.

• not restoring what is borrowed or found, And if a man borrow ought of his neighbour, and it be hurt, or die, the owner thereof being not with it, he shall surely make it good. Ex 22:14.

• withholding just debts, rents or wages; Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob him: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning. Le 19:13.
  Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by wrong; that useth his neighbour’s service without wages, and giveth him not for his work; Jer 22:13.

• rob the public in the coin or revenue, Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no? ...And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar’s, and unto God the things which be God’s. Lu 20:22, 25.

Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Eph. 4:28.

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The ninth commandment requires the maintaining and promoting of truth between man and man These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates: Zech. 8:16),

and of our own Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. 1 Pet. 3:16; Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest. Acts 25:10),

and our neighbour's good name Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true. 3 Jn. 1:12,

especially in witness-bearing A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies. Prov. 14:5, A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies. Prov. 14: 25.

We need to speak truthfully now for eventually it will all come out in the wash.Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. Mt 10:26. He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him. Dan 2:22

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On the flip side we can also cause damage by speaking too much "truth". God does not expect us to be a totally "open book" to any stranger who comes along. He is the example of having discretion to teach us what we "need to know". The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law. De 29:29

We need the discretion to speak truth, but not expound with unnecessary needless details or in a foolishness. Sometimes our need to have the floor causes us to do as much harm by speaking too much. As the old TV show Dragnet put it, "Just the facts, Ma'm."

King Hezekiah foolishly showed some Babyonian envoys everything pertaining to national affairs, and thus revealed to them exactly just how much plunder they would find when they came back to ransack Jerusalem. And he said, What have they seen in thine house? And Hezekiah answered, All the things that are in mine house have they seen: there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shewed them.
And Isaiah said unto Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD.
Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store unto this day, shall be carried into Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD. 2Kings 20:15-17.

We need to teach our children that if anyone starts asking them personal questions about things that are beyond pleasantries they need to say, "I think you should talk to my Mom or Dad about that".

God also warns against misusing the tongue, or using "truth" as a weapon to be unkind or downright mean. If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain. Jas 1:26
Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell... But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. James 3:5-6, 8.

We should remember to KISS. (Keep it Simple!, Silly).

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July 28

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A. No mere man, since the fall, is able in his life perfectly to keep the commandments of God: For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not. Eccl. 7:20,
but does daily break them in thought, And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done. Gen. 8:21.

word, But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Jas. 3:8,
and deed. For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. Jas. 3:2.

A. Some sins in themselves, and by reason of various aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God than others. Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.. Jn. 19:11; If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. 1Jn. 5:16.

A. Every sin deserves God's wrath and curse, both in this life and that which is to come. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Eph. 5:6; Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup. Ps. 11:6).

A. To escape the wrath and curse of God due to us for sin, we must believe in the Lord Jesus Christ: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Jn. 3:16,
trusting alone to his blood and righteousness. Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 1Pet 1:18-19.
This faith is attended by repentance for the past: Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 20:21;
and leads to holiness in the future. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. Ro 6:22.

A. Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving grace: But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. Heb. 10:39,
whereby we receive: But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Jn. 1:12,
and rest upon him alone for salvation: And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: Phil. 3:9,
as he is set forth in the gospel: For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; he will save us. Isa. 33:22.

A. Repentance to life is a saving grace: When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life. Acts 11:18,
whereby a sinner, out of a true sense of his sins: Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Acts 2:37,
and apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ: And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. Joel 2:13,
does with grief and hatred of his sin turn from it to God: I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus; Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke: turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou art the LORD my God. Surely after that I was turned, I repented; and after that I was instructed, I smote upon my thigh: I was ashamed, yea, even confounded, because I did bear the reproach of my youth. Jer. 31:18-19,
with full purpose to strive after new obedience. I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies. Ps. 119:59.

And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets. Matt 22:40.

Jesus said that these were the two great commandments. Yet His further explanation shows that they are inseparable.

1. If you love and treat God the way He should be treated, you will also treat others in the way He does. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. Joh 13:35.
   ALL people are part of His creation, ALL need a Saviour, ALL are loved by Him, ALL are treated equally! Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: Ac 10:34.
2. If you do not love others it is obvious you do not love God. Churches who name the name of Christ are filled with fighting, grudges, class warfare, envy, racism, etc., etc., etc. because our thoughts and deeds are "me, me, me". If the natural man cannot extend perfect selfless love to another person, he cannot love the ONE he has not seen. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? 1Jo 4:20.

So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. Matt 7:12.

And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" He said to him, "What is written in the Law? How do you read it?" And he answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself." And he said to him, "You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live. Luke 10: 26-29.

• For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. 1 John 3:11.
• Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. Romans 13:8-10.
• But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 1Jo 3:17.
• For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Galatians 5:14

PS: you can't love God till you've received His love via the shed blood of Jesus at the Cross of Calvary! If you are unsure of your eternal destiny or have questions about salvation please visit our web page: http://libertyministriesgj.com/Salvation.htm.

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