Number one...

We looked yesterday at one of the foundational principles of the "Big Ten," and discovered that they are not mere suggestions for us.  They are commands... a mandate... rules... laws... whatever you choose to call something said by One in authority over those that are under said Authority.  I know, I know, American dogma says that no one can tell you what to do, and that you are your own being, and that you are in complete control of your destiny.  However, the real secret that people who have access to mass-media as an outlet won't acknowledge is that God is the boss, and we are made to serve and worship.  Further, we are made to serve and worship Him, and Him alone.

"Thou shalt have no other gods before me."

Exodus 20:3

Since we're in the process of memorizing this set of ten, and doing so in order, at least this is a short one to start with, right?  I mean, it's only eight words, and even in the KJV text, it's not really that complicated.  Or is it?  And we say as we read this, "clearly we don't go and worship other gods on altars, and there is no such thing as Baal, and it's not like we 'worship' anything other than the Father, so why is this one tough at all?  I don't think we have issues here."  Yeah... except for when anyone refers to someone else as "a god" because they are attractive or excessively talented in one particular area, or when someone makes the statement that they "worship the ground" that someone walks on for the same reasons.  And, friends, you should know that just because you don't personally know or associate with anyone who actively worships idols and other "gods" does not mean that those people do not exist.  (And since we're supposed to be the salt and light in the world that brings those people to the truth, if you don't know any, then you need to step outside your circle.)

And therefore I submit to you a point of thought on this particular Commandment, in that while it may be easy to memorize, it is not as easy as we assume to live out.  To make that a little more clear, let me put it another way: if anything in any situation, whether good or bad, ever comes even the smallest bit before God the Father, then you have violated the Commandment.  And that holds true from the big decisions in life all the way down to the small ones.  He deserves the placement before any and all things, in any and all situations, with absolute and reckless abandon to anything else, because He is WORTHY (Psalm 106:1), and nothing else really compares.

Further, I would challenge you today, along with the memorization of the verse itself, to redefine a word with me.  Now this one may shock your vocabulary system a little, as it definitely does mine, but it is something that must be looked at, because words are powerful.  Words are how we express what we feel (Matthew 12:34), and they can never be taken back once they are said.  So I want to look at the word "awesome."  For something to deserve this connotation, it must inspire awe.  Now, to paint that picture, I will attempt to illustrate what true "awe" looks like.

Have you ever seen something that caused you to wish you could speak, but you were simply unable to form words or even sound?  Have you ever seen something that makes you want to dance and leap, yet you are forced to your knees and unable to move?  Have you ever seen something that makes you want to raise your hands high, yet you are unable to lift them from your side?  Have you ever seen anything so bright that you wish to close your eyes, but are unable to look away?  That is something that inspires awe... one glance that puts you on your knees, arms out, jaw dropped, unable to blink, unable to move, speechless, with total focus and nothing else on the brain, and the desire from the sight to leap and sing and shout and dance and wave your arms about with pure uninhibited joy.  That is what something "awesome" is... and "awesome" is what God is.

Therefore, before you use that word today, please think about it.  There are many other ways to describe something in any language (especially English), you know?  Plus, to place any song or phrase or item of clothing or TV or book or person or church or any other thing on this earth on the same level as God... well, that's just wrong.  But, before you get down on me for being legalistic, please know that I am grateful on all our behalf that Christ came to stand in our place, and that this is merely one way we can choose to show honor to God the Father, Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit in our use of verbiage.  And it is not an easy thing to eliminate such a popular expressionary term from everyday use, which is why I am thrilled that grace abounds and covers us.

However, just because we have grace does not excuse us from honoring Him.  And, after all, with all He did for us (you know, the creation stuff, and the saving from bondage, and the eternal salvation granted through His death on a cross for our sins), is it really too much to ask that we make so small an adjustment? 

God bless you all!!!