Do We Still Need the Commandments?

We’re all familiar with the idea of laws. We know the Ten Commandments, and we understand all of the rules that have been built on top of them. They spell out what how we ought to live, but they really provide no recourse. That recourse came from Jesus, when He took on Himself the penalty of the sins of the entire world, then and in the future.
But now that we have received grace from Jesus, are we done with the law?
The growing feeling among people is that with the belief in, and grace of Jesus, that being in the grace of God means that they don't have to do some of the things.
that God has told us to do. In fact, while we may not admit how we lessen their priority in our day-to-day life, as adults, some may not even remember the 10 commandments!
Rather, we should see how the law has pointed to Jesus all along, revealing His character, and helping us see our need for His grace, by which he empowers us to live for Him, for without the law we would not even know how deeply in trouble we are, such is our affinity to rebel.
We should realize though that the Commandments provide a moral framework that guides believers in living out their faith in practical ways. They are not followed out of fear or obligation but as a response to God’s love, helping to shape a life that
reflects His grace. The fact is that we, each one of us, are so prone to straying even after receiving His Grace that we need a reference to return back to, if we truly
love and believe in Christ and our Father.
To be clear, "the Ten Commandments are not optional for believers in Jesus Christ, nor do they become irrelevant when we get saved. They are the pathway of knowing life to its fullest and living life to its limits" - says Pastor Jack Hayford who served as Chancellor of The King’s University (formerly The King’s College and Seminary) in Southlake, Texas.
He goes onto to say - "The same that was true of Egypt is true of our culture; only the idols have changed. No longer the sun god, Ra, now the idol is sex or the great god of science and many more". This could be as simple a thing as a car, our children or anything we may give more importance to.
"Every one of the ten directives God spoke are for our blessing, not to show His muscle, intimidate people, or badger them with His greatness. They represent God’s heart toward man’s deliverance and destiny and are given to make possible the prospering of our lives".
Lastly, the question is why do we believe in the need for Jesus or His grace? It's only because we know we have fallen way, way short, of the Law and the only recourse is Jesus.
How will we know that if we don't even know the Law and its importance?

The Truth About the Trinity: Pastor Rajiv's Mid-Week Message

 

When the Walls Start Closing In...

Refer Luke 7:22

Anxiety and worry are crippling issues for many people. In this age of technology, it is easier than ever before to compare ourselves to one another, which can lead to a lot of thoughts of inadequacy, insecurity and worthlessness. "The two listeners" in their book called God Calling, describe this feeling as below:

How can you be "joyful when days were rain-packed, nights tortured by chronic insomnia, when poverty and almost insupportable worry were our daily portion, when prayer went unanswered and God's face was veiled, and fresh calamities came upon us...... Disheartened, one of us would gladly have ceased the struggle and passed onto a another and happier life". 

In truth many, if not all, some of us go through such times and feelings.  What do we do about it?

Pastor David Jacobs has this to say and suggest- Consider  Philippians 4 verses 6 and 7 - 

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

"What does Paul say in this verse: don't worry about anything! "Be careful for nothing." NOTHING! If only it were that easy...but can it be?

"I would like you to try something the next time you feel anxious or worried: immediately mention it to God when it happens. Notice the feeling, mention it, and see what happens. I think you will be surprised by the results. I often feel most anxious in the morning: I think about the things that I need to do that day, the things I didn't do yesterday, and the things I will think about tomorrow. Basically, I am a nervous and anxious wreck. I have a habit that has helped me greatly with this issue, however: every morning, I wake up and pray.

Immediately. I don't toss and turn in bed, I don't check my phone, I don't make coffee...I go immediately to pray. The effects have been tremendous in terms of dealing with my anxiety.....

The first reason I like to pray in the morning is because it quiets my mind. Suddenly the day ahead of me becomes more clear. I know what things I want to deal with immediately, what things I can put on the back burner, and what things I might not have to deal with at all. Second, although you might think I would be sleepy as a result, I have found that I actually wake up. My mind is fresh and free to wander a bit, and I have a nice conversation to start the day. Third, and I believe this is the most important, I am given an opportunity to thank God for all that I am grateful for. 

This prayer of thanksgiving starts my day on a positive note, and it trickles down into all the things that I do that day."