REACHING HURTING WOMEN MINISTRIES

REACHING HURTING WOMEN MINISTRIES OFFERS FOUR TOPICS FOR CONTEMPLATION EVERY MONTH OF THE YEAR. EACH TOPIC IS A 12-MONTH STUDY SERIES ASSIGNED TO A SPECIFIC FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH. IN MONTHS WITH FIVE FRIDAYS I’LL BE REVIEWING INSPIRATIONAL MEDIA.

On the first Friday of each month in 2022 we’re studying the Ten Commandments; why we need to know, memorize and obey them.

“Do not murder.” ~ Exodus 20:13

MURDER : to kill a human being with premeditated malice

Commandments six through ten secure critical structures of our civilization. They protect the essential foundations of life, property, family; justice and truth; not only for the individual but for the community as a whole.

Many people mistakenly believe the Sixth Commandment says “Do Not Kill.” This Commandment isn’t about accidental killing or for the purpose of self-defense. Neither is it about the defense of the nation in wartime or capital punishment. Both of which are sanctioned to government authority by God.

The sixth Commandment is specifically focused on the sacredness of human life in God’s eyes. Since man is made in God’s image, humans are the only one of His creations which would be considered to have the sanctity of life.

“You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment!” ~ Matthew 5:22

Unless we seek to understand why God made the Commandments in the first place, we miss their deeper meaning. Jesus expanded on the Commandments by bringing them down to what’s at the root of a person’s attitude. Rather than focusing on the outward actions, Jesus is teaching us to guard our heart.

Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. ~ James 1:19-21

In the verses above, James, the half brother of Christ, teaches us that anger doesn’t develop the righteous life God wants for us. We must intentionally purge our heart of all evil and plant God’s Word in our hearts. That is the only power that will save our souls!

UPDATE YOUR MEMORY

Our memory aid for the Sixth Commandment shows us the image of a bomb in the shape of a 6, reminding us to not murder people.

Take a few minutes and glean wisdom from Dennis Prager’s teaching on The Sixth Commandment. Be blessed!

RESOURCES:

The Evidence Bible

Thompson Chain Reference Bible

New Living Parallel Study Bible*

Spirit-Filled Life Bible

The Rational Bible: Genesis by Dennis Prager

The Rational Bible: Exodus by Dennis Prager

The 10 Commandments: What They Mean, Why They Matter, and Why we Should Obey Them by Kevin DeYoung

Pathway to Freedom: How God’s Laws Guide Our Lives by Alistair Begg

The Ten Commandments: Reasonable Rules for Life by Dwight L. Moody

The Evidence Bible: Ten Commandments Memory Aid

REACHING HURTING WOMEN MINISTRIES OFFERS FOUR TOPICS FOR CONTEMPLATION EVERY MONTH OF THE YEAR. EACH TOPIC IS A 12-MONTH STUDY SERIES ASSIGNED TO A SPECIFIC FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH. IN MONTHS WITH FIVE FRIDAYS WE’RE REVIEWING CHRISTIAN MEDIA.

On the fourth Friday of each month in 2022 we’re studying the RHW 2022 Theme: God’s Law, Grace & Freedom.

“Without God’s law and grace there is no opportunity for recovery from any addiction and therefore no true freedom!”

After King Solomon’s death in 931 BC the stressful relationships between the Hebrew tribes divided them into two kingdoms; with Israel being the northern kingdom and Judah the southern kingdom. The contrasting stories of the kings who reigned over the two kingdoms show us lives of those who chose to live according to God’s law vs those who decided to go their own way.

I promise that I will honor those who honor me, and those who despise me will be considered insignificant. ~ 1 Samuel 2:30

When we look at the history of the kings of Israel and Judah we can see that the kingdoms suffered under the kings who didn’t follow the Lord. However, God’s grace was shown to the kingdom and the people as long as the king obeyed and honored God’s laws.

A surprisingly low number of kings were faithful to God. Out of the 39 kings who reigned over Judah and Israel only eight from the southern kingdom of Judah were good. All 19 kings from the northern kingdom of Israel did evil in the eyes of the Lord.

He will never forget His agreement or His promises, not in thousands of years. ~ Psalm 105:8

The good news is that God is not only a loving law giver, He is a gracious promise maker. And He keeps His promises to a thousand generations. Although the kings in the divided Hebrew kingdoms failed miserably to follow God’s laws, He graciously kept the promise he kept not only to Abraham, but to King David.

For when you die and are buried with your ancestors, I will raise up one of your descendants, your own offspring, and I will make his kingdom strong… Your house and your kingdom will continue before me for all time, and your throne will be secure forever. ~ 2 Samuel 7:12; 16

The promise to David included the heir that would later become the Messiah, Jesus Christ The Righteous One Who brought the power of grace to free all humanity from evil and sin.