Don't Misuse God's Name

The third commandment of God's Big Ten is, "Do not misuse God's name. Yet, I hear people say, "Oh my god!" even though they are not thinking about God at all. The TV show OMG uses the acronym that means the same. Other times people say "Jesus" or "Jesus Christ" when they are not praying to or talking about our Lord. Such careless use of God's name grieves Him. It is down right disrespectful to our God.

God loves us and calls us by our names. He wouldn't think of calling us by any other name. If he did, we probably wouldn't answer. Have you heard Him call your name? I have and it makes me feel loved. It makes me feel special. We should respond to God's call by returning the favor--by saying His name with reverence.


Application
I wouldn't like for you to say my name in a curse. Would you like me to yours? I didn't think so. Let's  not use God's name unless we are praying or speaking reverently of Him.

Prayer
Lord Jesus, help us to use your name with love and care. We pray for the people who think nothing of using your name so carelessly. Teach them your ways, Oh Lord. Show them your paths." Amen.

The Ten Commandments

God wrote the Ten Commandments on stone  to give us hearts of flesh. Do you know them? Have you kept them? Check them out and see if they are relevent in your world today.

1. Do not have any other gods before me. I am the one True God.
2. Do not make or worship idols. Don't let anything become more important than God.
3. Do not miss use God's name. Only say God's name with reverence.
4. Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy. God worked six days and rested one day. That's what He wants for us.
5. Honor your father and your mother. Do what they say.
6. Do not murder. Do not kill another person out of anger or malice.
7. Do not commit adultery. Husbands and wives should not have close relationships with others of the opposite sex.
8. Do not steal. Do not take what is not yours.
9. Do not lie. Do not say things that are not true.
10. Do not covet. Be content with what you have.

Can you keep all these? The truth is we cannot. Although we may think we haven't disobeyed God, He looks into our hearts and He has a different value system. Jesus said for a person to be angry at another person was the same as murder. He also said for a man to look with desire at another woman besides his wife is adultery. These are hard standards because they are God's ways. We may think that we are better than someone else, but the only person we should compare ourselves with is Jesus because HE is the only one who is perfect.

To be close to God, we cannot have sin in our lives. He knew we would choose to do wrong things, but He made a way for us to have a relationship with Him anyway. He loved us so much He sent His son, Jesus, the only perfect person, to die on the cross for our sin, the wrong things we do. When we admit our need of Jesus in our lives, believe that He died to forgive us, and confess and ask Him into our hearts, we will live with Him forever. He promises He will never leave us but always be with us, through good times and bad. Do you see His ABC plan? It is:

• Admit
• Believe
• Confess

Do these and Jesus will be your best Friend forever. I hope you will. I am praying for you.

Lord Jesus, I am praying for the ones reading this post. Give them new hearts to love you. Amen.