Introduction to the Ten Commandments, 2026

  Coming right up here at T.A.G.

Hey folks,

Why not start the year by learning what the Law of God is? Seriously. Do you know the forgotten Laws of God? Does your church teach them? I'm not talking about knowing where to find them in the Bible. I'm not talking about how to say them in order. Do you know them? Do you know what they are? Do you, or our nation, violate them daily? Is it that big a deal to know them and to follow them?

“My son, keep my words
and treasure up my commandments with you;
keep my commandments and live;
keep my teaching as the apple of your eye;
bind them on your fingers;
write them on the tablet of your heart.” Proverbs 7:1-3

Does that sound like knowing how to say them in order? What about this?

"My son, do not forget my teaching,
But let your heart keep my commandments,
for the length of days and years of life
and peace they will add to you.

Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you;
bind them around your neck;
write them on the tablet of your heart." Proverbs 3:1-3

Teaching our children the Ten Commandments in Sunday school is not bad. Knowing that Commandment 5 is the first with a promise is good. Understanding that Commandment 6 says "Thou shalt not kill" is good. Bad translation. Should be “murder,” but we will get to that. However,

"Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and your gates." Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Understanding the Ten Commandments is more than just counting. 1 to 10. “For the length of days and years of life and peace, they will add to you.” Did you know that? God even gives us a promise. Follow My Law, and live.

It's not just memorizing them. It's not just doing one study on them. God tells us this.

Proverbs 6:20-23

"My son, keep your father's commandment
and forsake not your mother's teaching.
Bind them on your heart always;
tie them around your neck.

When you walk, they will lead you.
when you lie down, they will watch over you;
And when you wake up, they will talk with you.

For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light,
and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life,"

The Ten Commandments were not given to man to make man's life more difficult. To refrain man from the things he loves.

"By this, we know that we love the children of God when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome." 1 John 5:2-3

When asked what we must do to be saved, what did Jesus tell us?

"And behold, a man came up to him, saying, 'Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?’ And he said to him, ’Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.’ He said to him, ‘Which ones?’ And Jesus said, ‘You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’

The young man said to him, ‘All these I have kept. What do I still lack?’ Jesus said to him, ‘If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.’ When the young man heard this, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions." Matthew 19:16-22

Jesus put the Law of God ahead of even Himself. He told us this.

"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.

Therefore, whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:17-20

If you love Yeshua, or Jesus as translated, you must follow the Ten Commandments.

"If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you." John 14:15-17

Believe it or not, the Ten Commandments were given to man to make man's life easier. To keep him from the snares of the devil. Understanding, not only what they are, but what they mean, is crucial to every child of God's growth and well-being. If we keep them?

"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full." John 15:9-11

You see how important it is not only to know what they are but also to understand what they mean. It is really hard to follow something if you have no idea what you are supposed to follow. Therefore, for the next few weeks, when we get together, we will go into an in-depth study of these, The Forgotten Laws of God, which are The Ten Commandments.

I remember a long time ago, when I was first saved, someone approached me to ask about the Ten Commandments. I thought, "Everyone knows them." But in that moment, I realized not everyone does. For those who are lost, the basic teachings of God are not so straightforward. For the religious, these simple truths can also become complicated. And for the child of God, it is sometimes in that simplicity that we can become lost.

Won't you join us as we return to the basics? Just like anything else, if you don't have a solid foundation, you can and will be swayed. The Law of God is alive and well. It is meant not only to be learned but also to be followed. It has not changed, and it will not be abolished. No matter how individuals attempt to disregard it, that does not mean it is absent or that God will hold you blameless for ignoring it.

May the comfort of the Holy Spirit and the peace of our Lord Jesus be with you all. May God bless and be with you, always.

Peter

Merry Christmas 2025

 Merry Christmas 

"And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, everyone into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men." Luke 2:1-14

Dear children of God,

On this special Christmas morning, as we gather to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, I invite you to reflect on the profound significance of this day. Christmas is more than just a time for exchanging gifts and indulging in festive cheer; it commemorates God's greatest gift to humanity – the gift of hope.

In a world often shrouded in darkness and uncertainty, the birth of Jesus serves as a beacon of hope, illuminating the path toward salvation and eternal life. Through his humble arrival in a manger, God demonstrated his unwavering love for humankind, descending from his heavenly throne to walk among us, sharing in our joys and sorrows, triumphs and struggles.

Jesus' life was a testament to the power of hope. He dedicated his life to teaching, healing, and offering solace to those in need. He challenged the prevailing norms, spoke truth to power, and embodied compassion and forgiveness. His message resonated with the downtrodden, providing them with a glimpse of hope amidst their despair.

The culmination of Jesus' earthly journey—his ultimate sacrifice on the cross—stands as the ultimate symbol of hope. Through his death and resurrection, he conquered sin and death, opening the gates of heaven to those who believe in his redemptive power. His sacrifice offers a promise of eternal life, a hope that transcends the limitations of our earthly existence.

As we celebrate Christmas this year, let us not forget the true essence of this season: the gift of hope. Let us embrace the hope that Jesus brought into the world, empowering us to face life's challenges with courage and resilience.

Let us extend this hope to others, sharing it with those who may feel lost in darkness or overwhelmed by despair. Let us be beacons of light, reflecting the love and compassion that Jesus exemplified.

Remember, dear friends, that hope is not merely wishful thinking; it is an active force, a driving motivation that compels us to strive for a better future aligned with God's divine plan for our lives.

May the spirit of Christmas fill your hearts with joy, peace, and the unwavering hope that only Jesus Christ can provide.

Merry Christmas!

The Perfect Gifts

 You received it for free. You are free to share.

Remember when you were a kid—played all day in the summer. Saturday morning cartoons and free weekends, even during school. Then you heard your friends talking about the gifts they wanted—that special something. You may have seen a commercial on TV about them. Now you want them too. So you hope and “pray” to your parents and ask them to receive this special something.

Christmas is right around the corner. Now, as a child, you have seen, heard, and believed that you will receive this gift. Christmas morning, you wake up, and there it is, under the tree. You become ecstatic. Filled with so much joy, you can think of nothing else that matters more than you receiving this special thing. You run out of the house (this is before cell phones and the internet). You run out of the house, hop on your bike, and off you ride to your friends to show them what you got.

Did you earn this? Did you work for this? No. You heard of it, saw it, desired it, and believed you could receive it, and you did receive it Christmas morning under the tree. Those were the times. Those were the days.

I got some good news for you. A special something is waiting for you to hear about it, see it, and have faith that you will receive it. It is the gift of Salvation. It is the gift of Jesus. It is the gift that was hung on the tree, for you to receive for free. Let us pray.

Heavenly Father, LORD God, we gather together to hear you, to hear your Word, and we pray for eyes to see, ears to hear, and a spirit that can understand what you wish us to understand in your Word today, and always. Your Word declares that your love for us was so great that you sent your only begotten Son to die for us. To pay the price for us. To give us the gift of Salvation. Please help us to understand this better, in Jesus' name we pray, Amen!

Let’s set aside the fact that God already gave you the second greatest gift you could ever receive. Life. You exist. You are here.

“For you formed my inward parts;
You knitted me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.

My frame was not hidden from you,
When I was being made in secret,
Intricately woven in the depths of the earth.

Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
In your book were written, every one of them.
The days that were formed for me,
When, as yet, there was none of them.” Psalm 139:13-16

God tells us that He loves us so much that He counted the number of hairs on your head, Luke 12:7. Just the fact that you are here is a gift. You exist because God made you exist and called you out of nothing. This alone should be good enough for all to worship Him and be obedient to His Word.

However, as some children do on Christmas morning, we often take this gift for granted. We use it in ways that were never meant to be used. We abuse it and others, we neglect it and harm it. We do not care about its true value.

God knows this, like any good parent. He knows that we do not understand its value. He understands we may not know how to care for it. He understands that we may destroy it by misuse. What does He do? He gives us the GREATEST gift we could ever receive. A warranty, if you will. A second chance, if you will. A great out-of-jail free card, if you will. He gave us Jesus.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

Stop. Why did Jesus come? Because we worked for it?

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

No. Did we earn it?

“For the wage of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23

No. Do we deserve it?

“For one will scarcely die for a righteous person--though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die-- but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.“ Romans 5:7-8

No. Back to John 3

“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”

Stop. Read this with me. Hold your place in John 3, but turn to John 1, verse 1

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.” John 1:1-3

Who is this talking about? Jesus. “All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.” He who formed everything. The universe and everything in it. Created you. He loves you. And wants you to be saved. He is patient. He is kind. He is love.

“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”

“Not wishing ANY to perish, but that ALL should reach repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9

He does not want anyone to die and go to hell. He never intended for humans to go to hell, and NO! He is not some hateful taskmaster just waiting for you to mess up so He can send you to eternal torture and suffering. He made the way simple. He paid the price for you. All you have to do is accept it. If you choose not to? That is your decision. Not God’s. Back to John 3 verse 18

“Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.”

That is it. It is that simple, folks.

“Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son. And this is the testimony that God gave us: eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.” 1 John 5:10-12

Why? John 3:19

“And this is the judgment: the light"

Stop. Notice it says the light? Not a light. Not one of the lights. THE light.  

"has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God." John 3:16-21

The greatest gift you can ever receive is waiting for you to accept it. If you have, you should be running out the door and hopping on your bike. Well, ok, maybe not a bike, but going out to tell everyone the Gift you have received—the Gift of Eternal Life with God.

It is the Holiday season, of course. Now is a perfect time to invite someone to church. Share with them the true reason for the season. Explain to them that just as you did not earn it or deserve it, they can have it too.

Have you received this gift? Would you like to? Simply "That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, You shall be saved." Romans 10:9.

Say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be, no matter what you think of your worthiness, say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us pray.

Oh, heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus' sacrifice for me. I believed He rose from the dead. I repent of my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!

The email, if you wish to contact me, is truthbygod1@gmail.com

May the comfort of the Holy Spirit and the peace of our Lord Jesus be with you all. May God bless and be with you always.

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus is Lord!

Book of Deuteronomy Chapter 28

 Chapter 28

Blessings for Obedience

1 If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. 2 All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God:

3 You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country.

4 The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land and the young of your livestock—the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks.

5 Your basket and your kneading trough will be blessed.

6 You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out.

7 The Lord will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven.

8 The Lord will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The Lord your God will bless you in the land he is giving you.

9 The Lord will establish you as his holy people, as he promised you on oath, if you keep the commands of the Lord your God and walk in obedience to him. 10 Then all the peoples on earth will see that you are called by the name of the Lord, and they will fear you. 11 The Lord will grant you abundant prosperity—in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your ground—in the land he swore to your ancestors to give you.

12 The Lord will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. 13 The Lord will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the Lord your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom. 14 Do not turn aside from any of the commands I give you today, to the right or to the left, following other gods and serving them.

Curses for Disobedience

15 However, if you do not obey the Lord your God and do not carefully follow all his commands and decrees I am giving you today, all these curses will come on you and overtake you:

16 You will be cursed in the city and cursed in the country.

17 Your basket and your kneading trough will be cursed.

18 The fruit of your womb will be cursed, and the crops of your land, and the calves of your herds, and the lambs of your flocks.

19 You will be cursed when you come in and cursed when you go out.

20 The Lord will send on you curses, confusion, and rebuke in everything you put your hand to, until you are destroyed and come to sudden ruin because of the evil you have done in forsaking him. 21 The Lord will plague you with diseases until he has destroyed you from the land you are entering to possess. 22 The Lord will strike you with wasting disease, with fever and inflammation, with scorching heat and drought, with blight and mildew, which will plague you until you perish. 23 The sky over your head will be bronze, the ground beneath you iron. 24 The Lord will turn the rain of your country into dust and powder; it will come down from the skies until you are destroyed.

25 The Lord will cause you to be defeated before your enemies. You will come at them from one direction but flee from them in seven, and you will become a thing of horror to all the kingdoms on earth. 26 Your carcasses will be food for all the birds and the wild animals, and there will be no one to frighten them away. 27 The Lord will afflict you with the boils of Egypt and with tumors, festering sores, and the itch, from which you cannot be cured. 28 The Lord will afflict you with madness, blindness, and confusion of mind. 29 At midday, you will grope about like a blind person in the dark. You will be unsuccessful in everything you do; day after day, you will be oppressed and robbed, with no one to rescue you.

30 You will be pledged to be married to a woman, but another will take her and rape her. You will build a house, but you will not live in it. You will plant a vineyard, but you will not even begin to enjoy its fruit. 31 Your ox will be slaughtered before your eyes, but you will eat none of it. Your donkey will be forcibly taken from you and will not be returned. Your sheep will be given to your enemies, and no one will rescue them. 32 Your sons and daughters will be given to another nation, and you will wear out your eyes watching for them day after day, powerless to lift a hand. 33 A people that you do not know will eat what your land and labor produce, and you will have nothing but cruel oppression all your days. 34 The sights you see will drive you mad. 35 The Lord will afflict your knees and legs with painful boils that cannot be cured, spreading from the soles of your feet to the top of your head.

36 The Lord will drive you and the king you set over you to a nation unknown to you or your ancestors. There you will worship other gods, gods of wood and stone. 37 You will become a thing of horror, a byword and an object of ridicule among all the peoples where the Lord will drive you.

38 You will sow much seed in the field, but you will harvest little, because locusts will devour it. 39 You will plant vineyards and cultivate them, but you will not drink the wine or gather the grapes, because worms will eat them. 40 You will have olive trees throughout your country, but you will not use the oil, because the olives will drop off. 41 You will have sons and daughters, but you will not keep them, because they will go into captivity. 42 Swarms of locusts will take over all your trees and the crops of your land.

43 The foreigners who reside among you will rise above you higher and higher, but you will sink lower and lower. 44 They will lend to you, but you will not lend to them. They will be the head, but you will be the tail.

45 All these curses will come on you. They will pursue you and overtake you until you are destroyed, because you did not obey the Lord your God and observe the commands and decrees he gave you. 46 They will be a sign and a wonder to you and your descendants forever. 47 Because you did not serve the Lord your God joyfully and gladly in the time of prosperity, 48 therefore in hunger and thirst, in nakedness and dire poverty, you will serve the enemies the Lord sends against you. He will put an iron yoke on your neck until he has destroyed you.

49 The Lord will bring a nation against you from far away, from the ends of the earth, like an eagle swooping down, a nation whose language you will not understand, 50 a fierce-looking nation without respect for the old or pity for the young. 51 They will devour the young of your livestock and the crops of your land until you are destroyed. They will leave you no grain, new wine, or olive oil, nor any calves of your herds or lambs of your flocks, until you are ruined. 52 They will lay siege to all the cities throughout your land until the high fortified walls in which you trust fall down. They will besiege all the cities throughout the land that the Lord your God is giving you.

53 Because of the suffering your enemy will inflict on you during the siege, you will eat the fruit of the womb, the flesh of the sons and daughters the Lord your God has given you. 54 Even the most gentle and sensitive man among you will have no compassion on his own brother or the wife he loves or his surviving children, 55 and he will not give to one of them any of the flesh of his children that he is eating. It will be all he has left because of the suffering your enemy will inflict on you during the siege of all your cities. 56 The most gentle and sensitive woman among you—so sensitive and gentle that she would not venture to touch the ground with the sole of her foot—will begrudge the husband she loves and her own son or daughter 57 the afterbirth from her womb and the children she bears. For in her dire need, she intends to eat them secretly because of the suffering your enemy will inflict on you during the siege of your cities.

58 If you do not carefully follow all the words of this law, which are written in this book, and do not revere this glorious and awesome name—the Lord your God— 59 the Lord will send fearful plagues on you and your descendants, harsh and prolonged disasters, and severe and lingering illnesses. 60 He will bring on you all the diseases of Egypt that you dreaded, and they will cling to you. 61 The Lord will also bring on you every kind of sickness and disaster not recorded in this Book of the Law, until you are destroyed. 62 You who were as numerous as the stars in the sky will be left but few in number, because you did not obey the Lord your God. 63 Just as it pleased the Lord to make you prosper and increase in number, so it will please him to ruin and destroy you. You will be uprooted from the land you are entering to possess.

64 Then the Lord will scatter you among all nations, from one end of the earth to the other. There you will worship other gods—gods of wood and stone, which neither you nor your ancestors have known. 65 Among those nations you will find no repose, no resting place for the sole of your foot. There the Lord will give you an anxious mind, eyes weary with longing, and a despairing heart. 66 You will live in constant suspense, filled with dread both night and day, never sure of your life. 67 In the morning, you will say, “If only it were evening!” and in the evening, “If only it were morning!”—because of the terror that will fill your hearts and the sights that your eyes will see. 68 The Lord will send you back in ships to Egypt on a journey I said you should never make again. There you will offer yourselves for sale to your enemies as male and female slaves, but no one will buy you.

Not the Situation, Rather, How You Respond 3

 Just understand it is temporary.

Have you ever seen pictures like this? This is a picture of a town following a Tornado passing through. This is what was left in its wake. Each one of these piles of rubbish was a home. A place where people lived, dreamed, loved, and lost.

Each one of these people had cherished possessions that they kept in places of honor or locked up to protect them. Never in their wildest dreams did they think that one day, this is what they would be looking at. It is all gone. Everything. In an instant, their lives were forever altered.

In most cases, people in this situation do what they can: they move on, rebuild, and start gathering new possessions. Why? Because everything they used to have is gone, and all that exists in this physical realm is temporary; it will all disappear one day. Just look at what Jesus said to His disciples when they admired the beautiful buildings and synagogues of that time.

"Jesus left the temple and was going away when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” Matthew 24:1-2

Why would He say that? Because it is true. We read things like this.

"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more." Revelation 21:1

And this

"For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind." Isaiah 65:17

Just like the houses and even the lives of those involved, this world, and all that is in it, is temporal. This is what we will be discussing today. Let us pray.

God, we love you and come before you today with thanksgiving and a willingness to learn from your Word. Please be with us and grant us eyes to see, ears to hear, and a spirit of understanding, as we enter into your Word and learn what you wish us to learn, in Yeshua’s name, amen!

We know that we cannot predict when it will happen. Yeshua, or Jesus, tells us this.

"Just as it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of Man. They were eating and drinking and marrying and being given in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot, they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, but on the day when Lot went out from Sodom, fire and sulfur rained from heaven and destroyed them all, so will it be on the day when the Son of Man is revealed." Luke 17:26-30

I want you to think about this. Forget the "End Times" for a second. I know, many love to think about, talk about, and even argue about the "End Times." However, I want you to think about that Tornado. The day before, everyone in that town was simply living their lives. They were going to work or school, they were dating, getting married, or going on vacation. Saving up for that next big thing. They were arguing about what was for dinner and what movies to watch. The kids were playing and laughing. Then, with minimal warning, it was all gone out of nowhere.

What will happen tomorrow? What about before we even finish discussing this today? We truthfully do not know. It does not have to be the end of the world to be your last day on earth. All those things that you loved and cherished, displayed or locked up for safety, all gone.

You know what else is gone? Sickness and disease. Death and morning. Sadness and fear. God Himself will wipe the tears from your eyes. Why are you worried about anything?

Jesus tells us that we should

"Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." Mattew 6:33

He says,

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal."

Why?

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21

Ever been through a storm? Think about that tornado again. Or even that hurricane; I lived in Florida for 22 years. I’ve seen my fair share. What happens after the storm? The skies are clear, and the sun comes out. All is calm and starts to get better. It was temporal. It was for a moment in time, and now it is gone.

Things happen. Good, bad, and yes, even the ugly. Bad things do happen to good people. This is not even a question. It is a fact. You have to keep in mind that this is all temporal.

The Good? No matter how good, it is a moment in time.
The Bad? No matter how bad, it is a moment in time.
The ugly? Yup, it is just a moment in time.

Whatever the “thing” is that is happening, it is a moment in time. Think about this. So is your very life. On average, if you are blessed with a long time on earth, we are talking 75 years. 75. Think about that. You go to school more than 75 days a year. You work more than 75 days a year. You get 75 birthdays, summers, winters, springs, and falls. If you are blessed with that long a time here.

But what is 75 years in the span of eternity? 75 years here, with sickness and disease, death and sorrow, storms and pain, loss and gain. Compare that to an eternity. Forever. This is what happens after this.

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

And he who was seated on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." Also, he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." And he said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.”

This is for us and the children of God. If you are not?

“But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death."

God had to set aside His divinity and take on flesh to come, teach, and save those of us willing to believe and accept Him. He needed to do this to bridge the gap we created between mortality and immortality. But look here. Daniel wrote this.

"And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt." Daniel 12:2

Jesus put it this way.

"Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment." John 5:28-29

You will live on. After this life here in the temporal world, you will continue to live. Where you go next is your choice. Does it make more sense to you? Building up treasures here on earth that you will leave behind? Focusing on the things of this temporary world? No. I tell you, it is much wiser to start seeking first the Kingdom of God. Trust in Him to provide for your needs. Trust in His Word to tell you the difference between sin and what is good and acceptable for the LORD. Make sure you are prepared when the time comes to move on.

This storm? Temporal.
This job was lost? Temporal.
This heartache? Temporal.
This sickness? Temporal. Even if it leads to death here.

1- Lay a solid foundation that can not be moved.
2- Seek first God and His kingdom in all things and all ways. He is in charge.
3- Accept things for what they truly are. Not overwhelming. Not scary. Not ever much to worry about. God is now, has always been, and will always be, in charge.

If you are His child and He is your Father, what do you possibly have to worry about? Yes, things will happen. Yes, storms will come. Yes, there will be times of sorrow and discomfort. If you are His child, just know, it is temporary. No matter what it may be.

If you are not His Child? I would seriously consider rethinking that fact. Only through Yeshua, or Jesus as translated, are you able to do that. "That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Yeshua, and shalt believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, You shall be saved." Romans 10:9.

The email, if you wish to contact me, is truthbygod1@gmail.com

May the comfort of the Holy Ghost and the peace of our Lord Jesus be with you all. May God bless and be with you always.

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus is Lord!

Book of Deuteronomy Chapter 27

 Chapter 27

The Law Inscribed on Stones

1 Now Moses, with the elders of Israel, commanded the people, saying: “Keep all the commandments which I command you today. 2 And it shall be, on the day when you cross over the Jordan to the land which the Lord your God is giving you, that you shall set up for yourselves large stones, and whitewash them with lime. 3 You shall write on them all the words of this law, when you have crossed over, that you may enter the land which the Lord your God is giving you, ‘a land flowing with milk and honey,’ just as the Lord God of your fathers promised you. 4 Therefore it shall be, when you have crossed over the Jordan, that on Mount Ebal you shall set up these stones, which I command you today, and you shall whitewash them with lime. 5 And there you shall build an altar to the Lord your God, an altar of stones; you shall not use an iron tool on them. 6 You shall build with whole stones the altar of the Lord your God, and offer burnt offerings on it to the Lord your God. 7 You shall offer peace offerings, and shall eat there, and rejoice before the Lord your God. 8 And you shall write very plainly on the stones all the words of this law.”

9 Then Moses and the priests, the Levites, spoke to all Israel, saying, “Take heed and listen, O Israel: This day you have become the people of the Lord your God. 10 Therefore you shall obey the voice of the Lord your God, and observe His commandments and His statutes which I command you today.”

Curses Pronounced from Mount Ebal

11 And Moses commanded the people on the same day, saying, 12 “These shall stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people, when you have crossed over the Jordan: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin; 13 and these shall stand on Mount Ebal to curse: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.

14 “And the Levites shall speak with a loud voice and say to all the men of Israel: 15 ‘Cursed is the one who makes a carved or molded image, an abomination to the Lord, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and sets it up in secret.’

“And all the people shall answer and say, ‘Amen!’

16 ‘Cursed is the one who treats his father or his mother with contempt.’

“And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’

17 ‘Cursed is the one who moves his neighbor’s landmark.’

“And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’

18 ‘Cursed is the one who makes the blind wander off the road.’

“And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’

19 ‘Cursed is the one who perverts the justice due the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow.’

“And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’

20 ‘Cursed is the one who lies with his father’s wife, because he has uncovered his father’s bed.’

“And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’

21 ‘Cursed is the one who lies with any kind of animal.’

“And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’

22 ‘Cursed is the one who lies with his sister, the daughter of his father or the daughter of his mother.’

“And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’

23 ‘Cursed is the one who lies with his mother-in-law.’

“And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’

24 ‘Cursed is the one who attacks his neighbor secretly.’

“And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’

25 ‘Cursed is the one who takes a bribe to slay an innocent person.’

“And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’

26 ‘Cursed is the one who does not confirm all the words of this law by observing them.’

“And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’ ”

Not the Situation, Rather, How You Respond 2

 Know that God is in charge.

We are currently discussing different situations. All types of situations will happen in your life. Some are big, some are small. Some will feel overwhelmed. Yes, even some that seem impossible. This is just part of life. There is no question that situations will come; rather, it is how you deal with them.

Last time, we discussed that this is a fact, whether you are a child of God or not. This does not matter either. Remember what the Word says?

“But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” Matthew 5:44-45

Jesus spoke about how evil and good coexist and will continue to do so until the harvest, or end times. It doesn't matter if you are a child of God or not; things happen. However, if you ARE a child of God and have a strong foundation in the Word and faith, it's much easier to handle them.

Today, we will be discussing this simple fact. God is in charge. Let us pray.

Heavenly Father, we come before You today with open hearts and arms. We love You and thank You for all things in our lives, and for giving us the ability to call You Abba Father. As we enter Your Word today, we pray that You are with us and grant us understanding so we can find comfort in any situation, knowing that You are in control. We ask this and pray in Jesus’s mighty name, Amen!

God is in charge of everything, from your existence, life, and death, and everything in between.

“Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10

He created everything!

"For by him, all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities, all things were created through him and for him." Colossians 1:16

Then He created Mankind, as stated in Genesis 1:26, and at His appointed time, He made you.

"For you formed my inward parts;
You knitted me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from you when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.

Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
In your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them." Psalm 139:13-16

For this conversation, I will assume that you are a child of God. He is now your Father. He is now in total charge of you and your life.

“But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, 

and will be secure, without fear of evil.” Proverbs 1:33

Does this say there will be no evil in your life if you are a Christian? A follower of Christ? No. It says we should and will have no “fear of evil.” We are told that as children of God, the world will hate us, persecute us, and do all kinds of wicked things to us, simply because of Him. No. We will not have a comfy, fluffy life, where it's all sunshine, lollipops, and rainbows.

We do not know what this day will bring when we wake up—God does. We do not even really know what will happen in the next hour. Take me as an example. I went to work at the church. When I got done, I remembered all the kids and my wife were home, so I decided to take them to lunch. I left the church. What happened? A head-on car crash.

Some of you know the story. I am now disabled. I had to learn to walk again. All that. Did I know that was going to happen? Nope. Would I have maybe gone a different way? Yup. Would I call that a good thing? Nope. However? I am a child of God. I have claimed Romans 8:28 as my own.

“And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

How can I see the accident as a good thing? More time with the family. More time to serve in the kingdom. The ability to simply slow down and enjoy life, whether I like it or not. Why? Because I AM a child of God. God IS in charge.

You just need to let go. Let go of fear. Let go of doubt. Release your need for control and understanding. Embrace God and allow Him to take charge of your day. One of the most important ways to do this is by renewing your mind.

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2

We have talked about this before. God is your Father. Come what may. Lose my Job? God is my Father. Lose my home? God is my Father. Get sick? God is my Father. People attacking me and lying about me? God is my Father. I am told in the Bible that God is my Abba Father. Translation? God is my Daddy. If you are a child of God, He is your Daddy, also.

Is it disrespectful to call the Alpha and the Omega, the Creator of the universe and the omnipotent God, “Daddy?” Ideas of simplicity, intimacy, security, and affection also refer to childlike trust and obedience. So, to convey a sense of warm and trusting intimacy, I say NO! It’s ok. If you want to have that relationship with God, then have it. If you call Him Daddy, make sure He is. I would recommend doing so in private and in your personal prayer life, but YES. That is the relationship He wants with all of us. Never forget who He is along the way.

Things happen. Yes, bad things do happen to good people. Yes, you will have trials and tribulations. Some examples in the Word? Look what happened to Saul when he became Paul? Paul was Saul before he was converted. His sole purpose in life was to hunt down, abuse, imprison, and even slaughter God's chosen people. He received great power and a position in his religion for doing such a good job. Then Jesus appeared before him and asked him to follow Him. He said yes and became Paul. So great a saint that he wrote a lot of the New Testament that we read today.

After his conversion? Put in prison over and over. Faced death over and over. Received 39 lashes from the Jews 5 times. Beaten with rods 3 times. Stoned one time. Shipwrecked 3 times. Spent a day and night at sea. And was in continual danger from robbers, as well as his own people.

He was always in danger in the city, in the country, at sea, from those he thought to be brothers. Often hungry and thirsty, cold and naked. I suppose you could say he had his share of trials and tribulations.

Another? Look at Job. 

"There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil." 

He was rich. He had a large family. But he was a child of God. The devil himself walked into the throne room of God and asked God to tempt him. First, Satan takes away all that Job has. Then he infected Job with sores all over from head to toe.

Look at Peter. You know the story. He told Peter that Peter would deny any knowledge or association with Him three times before the rooster crowed three times. The third time, He looked at Peter, and Peter ran away.

What these examples, and many others, have in common is this: during their trials and tribulations, they never lost sight of their goals. They maintained their faith. They understood that if they chose to remember that God is in charge and is always with them, then God would never leave or abandon them. They faced their challenges not in the flesh, but in the spirit.

Paul wrote a lot of the New Testament. Job received much more than he lost. Peter became such a strong Saint that his shadow healed the sick and became known as a pillar of the faith.

However, none of these things is worthy to be compared to that which awaits us in Heaven. I’m going to ask you a question. Are you a child of God? If you have not already done so, and you are ready to be forgiven and adopted into His family, say this prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be, say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. Let us pray.

Oh, heavenly Father, I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I believed He rose from the dead. I repent of my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!

If you are His child, if you are doing God's Will, God is on your side. If you are led by the Spirit, the Spirit is with you. If you are following Yeshua or Jesus, as translated, Jesus is with you. If God is for you, who can be against you? Who can succeed in stopping you from doing what God has ordained you to do? The truth is, no one can. Nothing can. There is nothing greater than God. While you are living for Him and doing His Will, there is no longer anything or anyone greater than you as His child.

Things happen. Situations of all kinds will come. Jesus himself told us this. Rejoice and be glad when they do, for in these times, is when God is closest to you. Trust in Him. Rely on Him. Never lose faith. Never respond to these things in the flesh. But remain in the Spirit. Allow God to show you the way through. He is now, and always will be, in charge.

Join us next time as we conclude this series with the important reminder that, regardless of the situation, never forget this simple truth: it is temporary.

The email, if you wish to contact me, is truthbygod1@gmail.com

May the comfort of the Holy Ghost and the peace of our Lord Jesus be with you all. May God bless and be with you always.

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus is Lord!

Book of Deuteronomy Chapter 26

 Chapter 26

Offerings of Firstfruits and Tithes

1 “When you come into the land that the Lord your God is giving you for an inheritance and have taken possession of it and live in it, 2 you shall take some of the first of all the fruit of the ground, which you harvest from your land that the Lord your God is giving you, and you shall put it in a basket, and you shall go to the place that the Lord your God will choose, to make his name to dwell there. 3 And you shall go to the priest who is in office at that time and say to him, ‘I declare today to the Lord your God that I have come into the land that the Lord swore to our fathers to give us.’ 4 Then the priest shall take the basket from your hand and set it down before the altar of the Lord your God.

5 “And you shall make response before the Lord your God, ‘A wandering Aramean was my father. And he went down into Egypt and sojourned there, few in number, and there he became a nation, great, mighty, and populous. 6 And the Egyptians treated us harshly and humiliated us and laid on us hard labor. 7 Then we cried to the Lord, the God of our fathers, and the Lord heard our voice and saw our affliction, our toil, and our oppression. 8 And the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great deeds of terror, with signs and wonders. 9 And he brought us into this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey. 10 And behold, now I bring the first of the fruit of the ground, which you, O Lord, have given me.’ And you shall set it down before the Lord your God and worship before the Lord your God. 11 And you shall rejoice in all the good that the Lord your God has given to you and to your house, you, and the Levite, and the sojourner who is among you.

12 “When you have finished paying all the tithe of your produce in the third year, which is the year of tithing, giving it to the Levite, the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, so that they may eat within your towns and be filled, 13 then you shall say before the Lord your God, ‘I have removed the sacred portion out of my house, and moreover, I have given it to the Levite, the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, according to all your commandment that you have commanded me. I have not transgressed any of your commandments, nor have I forgotten them. 14 I have not eaten of the tithe while I was mourning, or removed any of it while I was unclean, or offered any of it to the dead. I have obeyed the voice of the Lord my God. I have done according to all that you have commanded me. 15 Look down from your holy habitation, from heaven, and bless your people Israel and the ground that you have given us, as you swore to our fathers, a land flowing with milk and honey.’

16 “This day the Lord your God commands you to do these statutes and rules. You shall therefore be careful to do them with all your heart and with all your soul. 17 You have declared today that the Lord is your God, and that you will walk in his ways, and keep his statutes and his commandments and his rules, and will obey his voice. 18 And the Lord has declared today that you are a people for his treasured possession, as he has promised you, and that you are to keep all his commandments, 19 and that he will set you in praise and in fame and in honor high above all nations that he has made, and that you shall be a people holy to the Lord your God, as he promised.”