Sabbath Rest

Commandment 4:
"Remember the sabbath day to keep it holy."

There is the need to continually remind us of this. We are so busy in life that it does us good to follow this commandment.

The children of Israel were not permitted to do any work whatsoever, travel any great distance, or perform any physical activities on the sabbath day.

Besides being a time to relax and refresh, it is a day of recharging! I want to encourage you to follow the habit of attempting to always attend church.

Church is a place where you will hear the truth. It is a place of comfort and genuine direction. Also, it is a place where true friends are.

Don't get too busy to worship God!

Have a great day!
Love,
Dad

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The law is bondage, suitable for slaves. The gospel is freedom, such as children enjoy. The legalist tithes, because he is afraid not to. The believer gives generously, because he has Christ. The legalist strictly observe what he calls the Sabbath day, because he is afraid God will punish him if he breaks it. The believer has ceased from his own works and comes to rest in Christ, the true Sabbath. The difference is, indeed a matter of principle. The principle motivating the legalist and ruling his life is fear and works, hoping to gain acceptance with God either for justification or sanctification, on the basis of his obedience to the law. The believer's principle of life is faith in Christ. His rule of life is love. And his motivation in life is the glory of Christ. -Don Fortner

What Proceedeth Out of the Mouth

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

Respect towards others is noticed by others. We are in need of continual reminding to hold up others.

Much more important is our attitude toward God. This third commandment deals not only with our tongues in disrespect towards Him, but also what our true feelings are about Him.

Whatever proceeds out of the mouth is an indication of what we have in our heart.

God is to be honored and glorified with our very being. He only is worthy!

Have a good day!
Love,
Dad

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My children do not have a complete understanding of the reasoning behind the rule in our house of "watching your tongue." This is particularly the case when every time they go outside to play, the neighbor kids are using the words that we do not use. It is so important to be "different" from the world; to be aware of what proceeds from our mouth (not just taking the Lord's name in vain), but more importantly what captures the affections of our heart. Is it the things of this world or an heavenward focus? Praying for the latter for our children is paramount to life!

The New Year 2011

I Asked the Lord
(Words by John Newton, 1725-1807)

I asked the Lord that I might grow
In faith and love and every grace
Might more of His salvation know
And seek more earnestly His face

'Twas He who taught me thus to pray
And He I trust has answered prayer
But it has been in such a way
As almost drove me to despair

I hoped that in some favored hour
At once He's answer my request
And by His love's constraining power
Subdue my sins and give me rest

Instead of this He made me feel
The hidden evils of my heart
And let the angry powers of Hell
Assault my soul in every part

Yea more with His own hand He seemed
Intent to aggravate my woe
Crossed all the fair designs I schemed
Cast out my feelings, laid me low

Lord why is this, I trembling cried
Wilt thou pursue thy worm to death?
"Tis in this way" The Lord replied
"I answer prayer for grace and faith"

"These inward trials I employ
From self and pride to set thee free
And break thy schemes of earthly joy
That thou mayest seek thy all in me"

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"Help me not to shrink from any cup of suffering you might have prepared for me." -Paul Miller

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Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained. Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
(Philippians 3:12-21)

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I will try to pray in the new year that it will be one in which each of us finds our all in Him. May our Lord richly bless you and shine His face upon you in 2011.