Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Exodus 17:8-19:15
Matthew 22:34-23:12
Psalm 27:7-14
Proverbs 6:27-35

What would you do if given the opportunity to meet with God in a dense cloud and hear His voice?  I tell you, I would definitely follow all of the advice Moses passed along to Israel.  Just the thought of hearing the voice of God is something that causes me to pause here at my desk in wonder and awe.  Many years ago, my mother used to take me to see movies and especially to Radio City Music Hall.  Initially, she probably took me so my father would not have to babysit me and probably for the company as well.  I do know that I saw many movies and shows with her, but none lasted more in my memory than The Ten Commandments.  I still remember the movie theater, the town and especially the movie (I was all of 7 years old), so you can imagine the impression this movie and God made on my life .  All of the miracles that Moses performed, the burning bush, his hair gone white on the mountain top, the parting of the Red Sea, and coming down with the ten most simple rules from God for a good Godly life. 

Matthew confirms the commandments with the greatest of these being to Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  And the second is to Love your neighbor as yourself.  If we love God with all of our being, it should be easy to love our neighbors and ourselves because there would be no room for evil to dwell within us.  Unfortunately, even given these ten basic rules to a wonderful life, God also gave us free will. This ability to make our own choices always leads us into dangerous waters.  Thank God we can ALWAYS come back to Him because he is the only loving Father when we repent.  Even if we do not repent immediately, He never leaves us alone.  This brings me such comfort, because there were many times when I truly felt all alone.  However, the Lord, in His infinite wisdom has put SO MANY Godly people in my life who are of constant support and encouragement that I know that He sent them.

Matthew also reminds us to listen to the rules of those in charge but do not practice what they preach.  Even in today's world, many in power exalt themselves way above their status.  It is so nice and comforting to know that the Lord loves the humble.  The ones who pray in private and do not show themselves as important or better than anyone else.  We are His children and His sheep - to follow in His footsteps with love, understanding and forgiveness is truly the best path.  This world does have a way of pulling us into detrimental thinking and acting, but if we remember the commandments and the fact that God only wants the best for us you would have to be crazy not to follow.

And there you have it - my interpretation of the ease with which to attain a wonderful life.  Now I just have to follow the rules!!!  AMEN and God bless you all.