By Pastor Naomi Mitchell
For Carter County Times
God has always been and still is in the details about everything from the first day of creation to now. During my Bible studies this past couple of weeks, I have been reading in Exodus and Leviticus.
In Exodus 24:12, And the Lord said unto Moses, “Come up to me in the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them.”
Moses obeyed God’s voice to “come up” and be in His presences. The glory of the Lord was like a devouring fire upon that mountain.
In the book of Exodus, God gave Moses the Ten Commandments for the people. Moses was on that mountain for forty days and forty nights as God gave him great and intricately detailed commandments.
The Ten Commandments still govern our lives today including loving your neighbor!
A commandment is an authoritative directive or instruction from God intended for obedience rather than just a harsh order. It represents Gods guidance for moral conduct, covenant, faithfulness, and righteous living, aimed at the wellbeing and blessing of the people.
Going to the New Testament we read the Great Commandments of Jesus (Matthew 22). Love God: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. Love Others: Love your neighbor as yourself. God’s commands for humanity, primarily found in the Bible, focus on loving God and others, moral living, and spiritual devotion. Key mandates include the Ten Commandments (e.g., no other gods, no murder, honor parents) and Jesus’ commands to love your neighbor, forgive others, make disciples, and live with thankfulness. Forgive others: Release grudges, as you have been forgiven. Serve others: Lead through service and humility. Deny self: Take up your cross daily and follow Jesus. Make disciples: Spread the gospel to all nations. Live thankfully: Do everything without complaining or arguing. Walk humbly: Do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. General spiritual commands: Pray continuously: Maintain a consistent prayer life. Gather together: Do not neglect meeting with other believers. Be born again: Experience spiritual rebirth. Watchfulness: Stay alert and ready for Christ’s return.
The Ten Commandments and the commands Jesus gave are not mere restrictions but are often better understood as “guides for life” showing “the path” to follow as often highlighted in Psalm 119. God expects obedience to come from the heart, not just external legalistic compliance. Keeping the commandments of God leads to blessings and security in Him. Joshua 1:9 says, “have I not commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed; for the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest.”
Amen! So be it!
JOYFUL House of Prayer, 2519 Quicksand Road, (P.O. Box 856), Jackson, Kentucky 41339. Send Comments/Prayer Requests: Pastornaomi4god@gmail.com. FB: JoyfulHoprayer. Services: 10am Sunday and Joyful Kids Class at 10:30am, 6:30pm Thursdays. Radio Broadcast: WJSN 97.3 FM & WEKG 81.0 AM Sundays 1-2pm.
