Jackie's Journey "Do You Find Yourself Acting Impulsively?"

“Do You Find Yourself Acting Impulsively?”

Self-control is rejecting my own desires and what I want “right now”.  Regardless of what is going on around me, I set my limits and do what is right.

Lack of self-control is a phenomenon that affects all of us.  Some of us are battling quietly inside or some of us are overtly stomping our feet saying what we think without thought and demanding what we want.  Our natural impulse tells us to act immediately and it seems undeniable in the moment!

My grandson, Maverick, invited us to his eighth grade graduation.  There were no more seats, so my daughter and I climbed the stairs to get a better view of the stage.  As the names were called for each student’s recognition of accomplishment, each one stood and took the long walk to the microphone.  Leaning against the bannister, I impulsively commented on a young graduates very short dress with her extraordinarily long legs. Instantly, a gentleman standing a few feet away, reminded me that my statement was rude and there was nothing that could be changed…this beautiful young girl had long legs!   Being properly rebuked, I instantly realized my unfiltered and rude comment was cause for me to remain silent for the rest of the ceremony!

I can’t say what provoked me to say such a thing, but the thoughtless comment was irresponsible, offensive and impetuous.  “Self – control is instant obedience to the initial promptings of God’s Spirit”. Bill Gothard In this case, a little self-control was in order, and neglected, when the Spirit whispered in my ear, “not profitable, don’t say it”! There was no instant obedience to the prompting of God’s Spirit.

Do you ever find yourself acting impulsively?

Dignity is the capacity to hold back on the tongue what never should have been in the mind in the first place.  Blessed is the woman who having nothing to say, refrains from giving wordy evidence of the fact!  There you have it!

“Even a fool is thought to be wise IF she keeps silent,

and discerning IF she holds her tongue.” 

(Personalized) Proverbs 17: 28

 “She who guards her mouth and her tongue

keeps herself from calamity!”

(Personalized) Proverbs 21: 23

 I am grateful for the stranger who spoke up and reflected my need to take control of my tongue that day. God spoke through him for my benefit…

Thank you, Sir, wherever you are…

~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America.  Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California.  My passion is discipling and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights. 

Jackie's Journey "Who me...Accountable?!"

“Who me…Accountable?!”

When I think of a princess my mind goes to the blessing of a precious new LIFE coming in the form of a tiny little girl.

“Life is a stewardship, not an ownership; a trust, not a gift!

With a gift you can do as you please;

 BUT with a trust you must give an account!”

 “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight!  Everything is uncovered and laid bare before HIS eyes and to HIM we must give an account.” Hebrews 4: 13 Personally, this verse has always been a “call to action”.  It has been a strong motivating force in my life.  Those of you who know me, know that I am the “little much afraid” in the book, Hind’s Feet In High Places.  I am the person who forces herself to walk through the door of fear to find God’s GRACE and freedom on the other side!

The fact that God is holding me accountable has driven me to take the stewardship of my life: as a missionary, a pastor’s wife, a mother and a grandmother very seriously.  This God of love is going to hold me accountable one day!  And there will be no excuses! (“…but you don’t understand, God, there were circumstances beyond my control…etc.)

“…will he not repay each person according to what he has done?” Pro. 24: 12b

Scripture tells us that babies are a gift to us that come with stewardship.  They are entrusted to us for a short time and our responsibilities for that tiny life are enormous.  Our failure to take that trust and do it God’s way (not our own way, which is our natural inclination) will, of course, result in total failure…

I hate failure!  (Apart from HIM I am a failure!)

 We are commissioned by God to guard our every word, thought, action and habit.

“Why?” you ask.  “Why can’t we just “be ourselves”

and say and do what we want?  WE ARE MATURE WOMEN!”

Maybe, because we are bent on evil apart from HIM!  We are not full of grace.  HE is!

We are to:

 Watch our thoughts; they become words.

Watch our words; they become actions.

Watch our actions; they become habits.

Watch our habits; they become character.

Watch our character; for it becomes our DESTINY!

 Your little princess is watching, listening and learning…she was listening before she was born…she is reading your spirit and her destiny is being formed.  We cannot allow the enemy any entrance into her life.  She deserves the opportunity to become all that HE has predestined her to be for His glory and His purpose. Eph.1: 11, 12; Rom. 8: 29

Often, I look into the face of the most precious mama that ever lived and I see her responsibility for me wasn’t just those first years until I went away to college…she still sets the bar for me at 98!  I still watch her words, actions, habits and listen and learn.  Christina and Kim, my two daughters, are still holding my feet to the fire and looking for an opportunity to use me as an excuse for their wrong choices!  And my seven grandchildren are watching their grandma to see if her God is real!

BUT most importantly, God has HIS eyes on me and is listening and HE IS HOLDING ME ACCOUNTABLE FOR EVERY ATTITUDE, THOUGHT, WORD, ACTION, and HABIT!

GRACE IS NOT:

Ø  God’s passive indulgence - letting us do what we want! (Our present cultural philosophy – everyone is entitled and we are the exception to every rule!)

Ø  God’s removal of consequence when HIS laws are broken!  (We reap what we Sow!  No escape!  If we disobey…we pay!) Col. 3:25

Ø  Freedom to reject God’s commands!  (God’s laws are NOT a “Smorgasbord”…I like this command; it works for me; I’ll keep it!  That one does not work for me; throw it out!)

 GRACE IS:

  The desire and power to do what God wants!  It is Active!

 LIFE is a trust that we will give an account to God one day

 and GRACE is the key to its stewardship…

“Therefore, brethren, BE STRONG IN GRACE

(Be strong in the desire and power to do God’s will)

that is in Christ Jesus.”  2 Tim. 2: 1

~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America.  Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California.  My passion is discipling and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights. 

Jackie's Journey "Things We Never Graduate from..."

I have three graduating grandchildren this month.  Catherine, my first grandchild, is graduating from high school and Christopher, her brother and Maverick are graduating from eighth grade.  Eighteen years gone…like the snap of a twig!

Most graduates tend to stop thinking, reading and learning when they finish high school or college.  The important part of education is to take what you learn and make personal life-applications that will better prepare you to face the world out there. The goal is to make you successful and a benefit to others in the process.

I was a graduate that went directly into Missionary Training after leaving college.  We entered Boot Camp in Wisconsin and then a year and a half later we graduated again and left for Language School in Camdenton, Missouri to gain understanding on how to break down a tribal language.  The following year we graduated, received all our shots for a foreign country, packed our bags and we were in Panama before I knew it and learning Spanish in the little town of Chepo, while waiting for Kim to be born and building our house in the jungle. 

Still thinking, studying, reading and teaching, we headed interior with the intent of learning Kuna and developing an alphabet for this particular group of people.  I had a six-month-old little girl on my lap when I first started my linguistic box.  I had finished teaching my 4 year old to read and she was sure she was now ready for kindergarten!  So far, no break in the studying, teaching and learning…the thinking part was on overload, but we just kept on…

“Pressing on toward the goal…

Forgetting the past

Reaching toward what is ahead…

The prize for which God has called us

Heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Phil. 3:12-14

Of course there was a huge need to acquire the language of this group if they were to hear the words of God in their tongue and there was much time-consuming effort put into listening, pointing to objects and note taking, studying phonemes and learning speech patterns…I saw no light at the end of the tunnel!

Before the linguistic work was done we had opened up a small clinic with medicine donated from compassionate Canal Zone doctors who took pity on us and periodically flew in to help us.  More studying, learning and reading!  I loved helping the people when they were hurting and the clinic gave us an open door into their homes and hearts. 

Returning to the US because of my health, we immediately were asked to help pastor a church in Gardena, California.  We trusted the Lord for His timing to return to Panama and began to open the Word, study, teach and disciple in this very special church, as the Lord opened doors. 

It’s been many years and ministries later and we have yet to stop learning, studying, reading, discipling...!  We have pastored and planted churches here in the U.S., Mexico and Panama.  We have worked in retreats, small groups, camps and dorms.  We have seen God establish his work just about everywhere we have been and we have yet to find a place where we finally graduate and have no need to study, read or teach…

Life is the school and trials and struggles are the best teachers,

not the only ones, but the best!! 

We will never graduate from a daily time in the Word.

We will never graduate from a daily conversation with God in prayer.

We will never graduate from the need to “walk in the light, as He is in the light”,

instantly obedient to His will.

We will never graduate from hearing and following His leading, as we reach out to

present the truth of His birth, death and resurrection to a dying world.

We are never meant to graduate!

We will never finish until the curtain closes the final time…

~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America.  Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California.  My passion is discipling and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights. 

Jackie's Journey "What is a Mother?"

“What is a Mother?”

If this had been presented to us this way, I don’t believe any of us would have volunteered to participate!

POSITION AVAILABLE

Mom, Mother, Mommy, Mama, Ma

JOB DESCRIPTION

Long term, team players needed, for challenging,

permanent work in an often chaotic environment. 

Candidates must possess excellent

communication and organizational skills and be willing to work

variable hours, which will include evenings and

weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts on call.

Some overnight travel required, including trips to

primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and

endless sport tournaments in far away cities!

Travel expenses not reimbursed.

Extensive courier duties also required…

RESPONSIBILITIES

 Commitment for the rest of your life.

Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, until someone needs $5.

Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly.

Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule

And be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat

In case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone crying wolf.

Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges…

Author Unknown

My mother turned 98 this past January and I am so grateful that she not only, signed up for the position but is still on the job, is my best friend, and is my most encouraging cheerleader.  She is a hard act to follow and I will be forever grateful to God who has allowed me to walk through my life with her.

                                                   My Mother on her last birthday...!

Celebrate Your Mother today...and everyday...

~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America.  Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California.  My passion is discipling and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights. 

Jackie's Journey "Still on the Fence?"

The fence in my backyard is a kaleidoscope of color and buzzing with activity.  There is new life in my garden…rabbits, with fluffy bunnies, squirrels and their scurrying offspring, raccoons, crows, coyotes, deer …and none is more captivating and entertaining than the assembly of fluttering birds…hummingbirds stopping on their long trek north, tiny yellow finches, chirping red robins, nesting swallows… all come in droves to eat from the sumptuous feeders that my tiny backyard provides.

While living in the jungle we expected to be awakened by the town rooster or by a flock of colorful parrots squawking loudly in the surrounding Quipo trees. Birds have habits that make them good studies for life lessons.  We live in a community that anticipates the arrival of a small bird that returns every year on or around March 19th and that little creature never fails to migrate within 48 hours of this appointed time!

The Cliff Swallow and its most notable characteristic is mentioned in Scripture four times.  “The swallows observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the Lord.”  Jeremiah 8:7   The distinguished characteristic of the swallow is its predictable return every year in the same month to San Juan Capistrano.  We have a nest outside our bedroom window and this tiny bird returns every year and entertains our Ragdoll kitty for weeks!

Just as there are fixed times for the arrival of the swallow, there are fixed times for God’s judgment.

Do you find your walk is wrapped in His presence

or is your “up and down” spiritual life inviting God’s correction?

 “Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young…a place near your altar.” Psalm 84:3   

Is your home a place that makes room for Him in your pursuits of life? 

Is your life drawing those around you closer to His presence?

The prophet Isaiah, in his many warnings to the “easily forgetful Israelites” (not unlike us!) notes Hezekiah’s anguished cries and the persistent chatter of this little bird in Isaiah 38:14  “Like a crane or a swallow, so did I chatter:  I did mourn as a dove…” I, somehow, take comfort in this petite, yet tenacious little bird as I step near my bedroom window and appreciate her gentle and non-intrusive echoes.  It resonates protective, yet nurturing.  The sound is quiet…like the wooing of the Holy Spirit. 

Can you hear the Spirits voice when He speaks to you?

Elijah did when he heard the “gentle whisper” on the mountain in I Kings 19:12.

I love the reference to the swallow in Psalm 26:2.   “Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest.”  An undeserved curse is as unpredictable as the flight of the swallow and returns to the one who spoke it without affecting the one who is cursed.  The swallows’ flight pattern may be unpredictable but their destination and arrival time can be precisely set!

Is your speech predictable?  Do you speak truth with kindness?

What does your husband and your children hear?

The arrival of our Savior was predicted, appointed and His mission was undeniable.  In life there are few certainties, but many variables.  However, settling the course of our eternal future is a given…it’s predictable…we will die.   As predictable as the return of the tiny swallow, death is inevitable!

What we do with Jesus Christ will determine our eternity! 

 Does His humility draw you to Himself and His way of life (Philippians 2: 1-5)

 or…are you still on the fence?

~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America.  Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California.  My passion is discipling and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights. 

Jackie's Journey ""What Helps the Medicine Go Down?"

“What helps the Medicine go down…?”

 I am a mom and as a mom I am continually challenged with the need to communicate clearly.  First, I have to get past the typical and prevalent counsel of the world outside Scriptural truth, finding the path that will lead my girls and grandchildren to understand the only true and absolute values in life that will free them to know themselves, their children and the ultimate plan and purpose God has for them.  This is often over-shadowed by worldly pressures and ideologies.

The challenge of communicating in a foreign language with my neighbor and friend, Mikaela

We all want to be heard.  We want our little ones to listen to us.  After all, our job is to make them successful!  Fortunately, our children are a face-to-face venture.  We are looking into cherub faces and reading what prompted their attitude or wrong response. 

Communication is a forever challenge.  There are so many “impersonal” ways to dialogue in this day and age.  A response of more than three words with an emoji of some sort is usually all that is required.  There is no face-to-face, no reading of their expression, no sensing their heart and understanding the attitude that is pre-empting their response.  Judgments are made based on guessing the heart of the person responding. 

Was I misunderstood?  Was I heard?

Was I clear and kind in my communication?

With technology as it is, one never knows for certain what is being communicated or how it is being received.  You presume the high road and trust the person on the other end of the e-mail, text, tweet, FB, etc. is open to doing the same.  We all need help and correction and the people who love us enough to tell us where and how we would be more successful if we would “grow up” in an area of our life are to be commended, specifically if the help comes with a right motive and attitude.

It’s more difficult to receive a messenger who is angry; however, it is important to listen, nonetheless.  We don’t choose the messenger God sends!  It doesn’t “make the medicine go down” easier, but if received, the benefit and blessing is the same.

As a wife, it certainly goes a long way in helping the “medicine go down” when my husband takes the time to express his understanding my response toward him, rather than just taking the issue on.  Men are programmed conquerors and the temptation is usually…just let me solve the problem, without attention to validating the personal need we have to be heard.

“Be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” James 1:19

Every challenge we face today will either lead us

into the victory of gratefulness

 or the trap of bitterness.

How are you communicating these days?

~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America.  Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California.  My passion is discipling and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights. 

Jackie's Journey: "The Finished Work"

“The Finished Work”

“Our Lord has written the promise of the resurrection,

not in books alone, but in every leaf in springtime.” Martin Luther

Springtime, after 10 years of drought, has displayed its beauty as never before!  The parched California ground has been flooded with life-giving rain and the mountains and valleys have exploded into the most spectacular and abundant colors and fresh new life! 

Revival has come to a dry and thirsty land!

The death, burial and resurrection of Christ, which we celebrated yesterday, was the revival of revival!  Easter is the annual reminder to us of the desperate need we have for revival in our lives daily.  Revival is the power of the Holy Spirit transforming God’s Word into our soul.   There has never been a need, as great as today for revived lives, revived families, fellowships, communities and nation. The desperate need is there but the realization of our personal need is not!  And revival starts with us!  

“For revival is not a green valley getting greener, but a valley full of dry bones being made to live again and stand up an exceeding great army. (Ezekiel 37)  It is not good Christians becoming better Christians—as God sees us there are not any good Christians—but rather Christians honestly confessing that their Christian life is a valley of dry bones, thus qualifying them for the grace that makes all things new”! (Roy Hession)  For the Christian, death is a promotion!  New Life springs from our continual choosing to die to our pride and selfishness.

 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy,

to offer your bodies as living sacrifices,

holy and pleasing to God,

which is your reasonable service.” Rom. 12:1

Some give Him a place; some give Him prominence; but what Christ wants in our lives is pre-eminence.  The fruit of His being pre-eminent in our life is a spiritual renewal that restrains the anger of God, restores our God-consciousness and reveals His continual activity in us.

For those who have humbled themselves under the mighty hand of God at that place where sin is washed away, it has meant revival of their Christian lives in the truest and simplest sense of the word.

As we celebrated the finished work of our Savior yesterday, let’s use this reminder to revisit our need for personal and continual revival.  His death and resurrection came with plan and purpose.  It was to give us life from death.  New life does not begin with someone else.  It begins in each of us.

Let’s exchange dry bones for New Life!

 “If you are risen with Christ, seek those things which are above,

where Christ sits on the right hand of God.”  Col. 3:1

~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America.  Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California.  My passion is discipling and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights. 

Jackie's Journey "Princess Prayers"

“Princess Prayers”

Once upon a time, in a magnificent castle perched high on a hill, lived five princesses.  Their names were Joy, Grace, Faith, Charity and Hope.  They were blessed to be the daughters of the King…together they explore the kingdom, grow in virtue and discover the importance of beauty within.

As moms we prayerfully believe God to reach each of our little prince and princesses for His kingdom.  Our greatest joy is to know our little one is secure in the heart of the King of Kings.  We look for ways to creatively take the Word of God and through reading and teaching, to see each one come to understand the acceptance and provision of our loving God.  Developing character and virtue is included in those teachable moments we are given consistently every day!

Inspired by Jesus’ Parables our little girls can learn about God, His Kingdom and His love for them from a princess perspective.  This month The Princess Parable Series is overjoyed to announce the arrival of our newest release, “Princess Prayers”!

The five princesses invite you to join them

as they begin to pray verses of God's Word

into the heart of your little one

through the pages of Princess Prayers.

Arriving just in time for Easter, “Princess Prayers” is available at www.Amazon.com, www.Barnesandnoble.com  or a local bookstore near you.

~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America.  Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California.  My passion is discipling and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights. 

Jackies Journey "Obedience Required?"

As moms we’ve got this wired.  When we talk about obedience, our mind instantly goes to the need we have to teach our little prince and princess to be obedient, to listen and respond to our voice and learn the difference between the peace obedience brings and the chaotic consequence that comes when disobedience triumphs. After all, we are convinced that the right choice will determine their success in the future.  In the Princess Parable Series we were careful to reinforce the principle of obedience to their authority and father, the King.  It is important that our little ones learn to respect us and hear our voice, so, that one-day, they will hear the voice of the King of Kings.

This is great for the kids, but what about us?

Obedience should be the inspiration of every action and approach to Him.  As moms we are confronted continually with circumstances that call us to note if obedience to God’s truth is the rule in our life or just the exception.  If our obedience is the exception to the rule and disobedience is the practice, we need to be reminded that the provision for our success has already been made for us!  We have been given everything we need to live in godliness (obedience required!)…so we have no excuse!  “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness…!” II Peter 1: 1

Obedience to what the Word says has supreme importance in the Bible

and should have in our hearts and minds.

 Have we given obedience that supreme place of authority over us?

 It is easy to get up running and not look back until we collapse in bed at night!  Often disregarding that little voice that calls us to yield to the one certificate of Christian character…obedience to what He says.  “Seeing you have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth. I Pet. 1: 22   “The whole acceptance of the truth of God was not just a matter of intellectual assent or strong emotion; it was a subjection of the life to the dominion of the truth of God.   The Christian life was in the first place obedience”.  Andrew Murray 

”He that says I know Him but does not keep His commandments is a liar”! I John 2: 4 Obedience is the demonstrated fruit that authenticates a new and productive life.  Obedience is the secret of a good conscience and assures us that God hears us.

“And whatsoever we ask we receive of Him,

Because we keep His commandments

and do the things that are pleasing in His sight.” I John 3: 22

Our little ones know when we are lying on the phone (that so and so is sick or not home).  They know when we write a doctors excuse for the school office for an unexcused absence.  They watch us text and drive.  They listen to our attitudes and conversations with others and our spouses.  They watch as we take notes in church and nothing changes.  They see us consumed with social media, FB, Pinterest, Instagram, etc. They read our spirit when we are fearful.  They are continuouslywatching and listening…

Are we living a double standard where disobedience is accepted behavior

or do they see a confirmation that obedience

has that supreme place of authority in our lives?

 Obedience is not optional!

~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America.  Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California.  My passion is discipling and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights. 

Jackie's Journey "Who Keeps the Ten Commandments...Anyway?"

How often have I heard my husband ask this question?  Maybe 10,000 plus times!  This blog is his study, developed in a small town in Nebraska the months before leaving for Panama and over the years it has become mine.  Please join me for a walk down a memory lane that is forever current! You won’t be sorry…

Clearly our lives are fraught with choices.  Life happens and the consequences of our daily decisions become the testimony of a life well spent or the one that was wasted!  The Ten Commandments were given to show us our spiritual condition and our great need for God in those decisions.  They were never given as a guideline for us to live by because there is no way we could ever measure up!  They do, however, clearly and consistently illustrate that the choices we make between obeying or violating them determines the end result! (Exodus 20: 3-17)

Why did God give us the Ten Commandments?

Are they a mirror into our souls to reveal who we really are?

Does everyone have these moral laws written on their hearts? Romans 2:15

1.     The first commandment is to have no other gods before Him.  Selfishness and pride have become gods in our culture!  How much time do you spend on the Internet, social media, etc.  Do Hollywood personalities interest you more than time with God?

2.      Do not tell lies.  Who do you know who does not tell lies? Easy to answer a cell call or text while driving.  Slowing down when police are spotted.  Making promises that are too often not kept.

3.      Do not steal.  We rob joy from others.  We steal emotionally through anger, selfishness and pride.  Is immorality in mind or body a theft?

4.     Love God above all things.  Is He not below most of our pursuits?  Our “rights”, what we put before our eyes, sex, drugs, sports, alcohol and much more, are often first.

5.     Do not commit adultery in mind or body is the command.  Where are the innocent of this?  How do you respond when lust and adultery are accepted in music, social media, etc.  Do you turn it off?   Today morals are mocked!

6.     Do not murder.  Jesus said hatred in our hearts is murder! Do you have bitterness in your heart?

7.     Do not use the Lord’s name in vain.  “Oh my God, it’s going to rain.” “Oh my God” is spoken without thought and listened to in most communication and on every media. It’s commonplace in our culture! We can’t turn it off!

8.     Do not desire your neighbor or their things?  Surely, we see coveting, envy and jealousy as a prevalent problem! What car does your neighbor drive? Just asking…

9.     Keep the Sabbath day holy.  Sunday is our resurrection day. How is it used? After church, most of the day is reserved for me, myself and I!

10. Do not bear false witness (gossip).  Who do you know who is not a gossip?

11. Obey your mother and father.  Who does that?  Some do better than others, but we are all rebellious at heart. What do you do when authority is challenged, rejected, belittled or neglected in the media or personally?  Do you accept it and say or do nothing?

How is it possible to break all the commandments and love God?

I’m a mom and I know nobody but a perfect God has kept all of these!  The pathway to God is to first examine our hearts in the reflection of these commands.  They reveal the spiritual cancer in our souls, that sinful nature which draws us to the dark side of life.  An honest evaluation will strip us of self-confidence and turn our hearts to the only one who can rescue our souls.

God said that every inclination and thought of the heart is only evil continually.  Gen 6:5   There is none good, no not one. Romans 3:10-12  

What is the purpose of the 10 Commandments? 

Its purpose has never changed.  It reveals our true self and our desperate need for Him.  His life in us requires our death to self.  “If anyone wants to come to me, He must first deny himself, pick up the cross daily and follow me.” Luke 9:23

Those who obey His commands live in Him, and He in them.

 And that is how we know He lives in us.”  I John 4:24

~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America.  Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California.  My passion is discipling and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights.