Whether your mother and father are your biological parents or others who raised you, they are the reason you have life. Of course we know some did a better job at loving, protecting, and nurturing than others.

It hasn’t been very long since my youngest adult child said to me, “Mom, thanks for giving me life.” Although I just replied with a casual, “You’re welcome,” I later thought to myself, “How wonderful that she realizes the value of life enough to thank me for my part in that special creation.” The fifth of my blog post “Lighthouse Lamps” is God’s directive from the Ten Commandments in how we should act toward our parents.

With all of these directives God wants to illuminate where you and I are going in life. We step out of the light at our own peril. However, it is never too late to step back into God’s directives after having left the Way. Or it’s never too late to begin the journey with the Lord for the first time. According to Second Peter 3:9, “The Lord . . . is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

The first four instructions had to do specifically with our relationship with God: have One God, don’t make idols and worship them, use God’s name only in a respectful way, designate a special day of the week to rest and worship. The fifth through the tenth instructions have to do specifically with the relationship we have with all people. See the fifth directive below, after the photos, in modern English, French, Spanish, and German; it tells us how we should treat those who gave us life. You may also hear these words in an app such as Goggle Translate.

English—Honor your father and your mother. Exodus 20:12 NIV (Holy Bible New International Version)

Français—Respecte ton père ta mère. Exode 20.12 NFC (La Sainte Bible Nouvelle Français Courant)

Español—Honra a tu padre y a tu madre. Éxodo 20.12 DHH94 (La Santa Biblia Dios Habla Hoy 1994)

Deutsch—Ehre deinen Vater und deine Mutter. 2.Mose/Exodus 20,12 HFA (Die Bibel, Hoffnung Für Alle)

If you want to have a personal relationship with God the Father as He revealed himself through God the Son Jesus Christ, say a prayer similar to this one I have written for you:

Dear Father God. Thank you for the life you gave me. I have not always obeyed your commandments. So I am sorry for my sins and ask Your forgiveness. I believe in Jesus as Your Son and my Savior. I have decided to turn a different direction in my life with Your Word as my teacher. Help me find a church of other believers where I can worship you and grow in my faith. Amen.

Encouragement and Instruction from God’s Holy Word
Connie Carlisle Polley, 2021
ConnieCarlislePolley.com
NonnyDay.com

View all blog posts in this series–10 Lighthouse Lamps

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