The Ten Commandments

The 10 Commandments:

Batteries Included!

From Exodus 20: 1-17 NLT

1. I am the Lord your God... You must not have any other god but me. (v. 2-3) Put God FIRST!.

2. You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind. (v. 4) Worship only God.

3. You must not misuse the name of the Lord your God. (v. 7) Use God's name with respect.

4. Remember to observe the Sabbath. (v. 8) We do this when we go to church.

5. Honor your father and mother. (v. 12) Respect and obey your parents.

6. You must not murder. (v. 13) Don't hurt others.

7. You must not commit adultery. (v. 14) Be faithful in marriage.

8. You must not steal. (v. 15) Don't take what isn't yours.

9. You must not testify falsely. (v. 16) Don't lie.

10. You must not covet. (v. 17) Don't be envious of others.

Ever ripped open a gift and - Wow! - It's that way cool toy you were just hoping someone would buy you! But... it needs special batteries and "batteries are not included." Your new toy is great, but it's dead. Major frustration. It can be like that trying to live a godly life. How do you keep all God's commandments: honor your parents, don't steal, don't lie, don't covet someone else's stuff, etc.? Great commands, but where do you get the power to consistently obey them? Hey, the answer is right in the Ten Commandments. The last six commands tell you how to love people and relate to them, but the first four are all about loving God. Love God sincerely, have a good relationship with him, and you'll have the power to love others (also in Mark 12:30-31 "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."). If obeying God's commands sometimes seems like a tough order, remember: batteries ARE included!