One who keeps a mitzvah [commandment] guards his soul, but one who neglects His ways will die. Proverbs 19:16, TLV

It’s Not Rocket Science, but it is Brilliant.      Our Heavenly Father’s commandments are simple, straight forward, really, but it’s amazing how difficult they are to keep them.

Don’t lie. Honor the Sabbath. Don’t covet. Honor our parents. And so on.

We probably know all the 10 Commandments (Exodus 20), but did you know Jesus took those commandments even further? He said that not only can we not DO the sin, but we also can’t THINK or entertain the sin in our mind (Matthew 5:17-48).

When our heart and mind are fixed on our Heavenly Father, our body will be better able to submit to His will. Our soul will be guarded from the sins that so easily entangle us (Hebrews 12).

One of the most practical and beautiful of prose about adhering to our Father’s commandments is in Psalms chapter 19, especially verses 8-10:

The Torah [Law] of ADONAI [the LORD] is perfect,
    restoring the soul.
The testimony of ADONAI is trustworthy,
    making the simple wise.
The precepts of ADONAI are right,
    giving joy to the heart.
The mitzvot [Commandments] of ADONAI are pure,
    giving light to the eyes.
The fear of ADONAI is clean,
    enduring forever.
The judgments of ADONAI are true
    and altogether righteous.

Still, when we fail–and no doubt we will–it’s important to remember that because of Yeshua’s atoning sacrifice, our loving Father accepts our repentance and guides us through any repercussions for those sins. The Holy Spirit counsels and teaches us lessons we can learn. Then we can help others (Psalm 51).

It’s not rocket science, but it is brilliant!

Think More About It

Have you struggled with guarding your heart? Does it seem too complicated in this world?

Until tomorrow, may our souls be guarded by His commandments, my friends.

Praying for Israel

Happy is the one who has not walked in the advice of the wicked,
nor stood in the way of sinners,
nor sat in the seat of scoffers.
But his delight is in the Torah [the Law] of ADONAI [the LORD],
and on His Torah he meditates day and night. Psalm 1:1-2, TLV

What a great reminder for us all. As we pray for Israel, let’s pray that Israelis–Jewish, Arab, and Christian–would delight in the LORD’s Law and seek to live a life of delight and joy. Amen? God bless you!