Fifth Commandment

Deutoronomy 5:16
"Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is giving you."

That is stated in the Old Testament. This is what's written in the New Testament...

First commandment: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' ~Matthew 22:37-38

Second commandment: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' ~Matthew 22:39

The Fifth Commandment in the Old Testament has a promise which is... "...so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is giving you."

I have a testimony of a youth in our outreach church shared by our pastor. This girl just graduated Nursing and she wanted to undergo a Nursing Board Examination review in Baguio. But her dad asked her not to take the review, instead, asked her to take care of her sick grandmother. She obeyed her dad. She never reviewed for the exam. When the day of the examination came, she confidently went to take the examination. When the results came out, she passed the examination. Funny how our pastor compared her to a youth who fasted and prayed but didn't pass the exam.

Sometimes, GOD uses certain situations for us to learn important things that are forgotten nowadays. It is not always about fasting for something. Some people might be fasting 30 days a year but then they are still disobedient to GOD.

You might say that the New Testament is what's important now. Well, I must say, that's the reason why JESUS concluded it in 2 wise commandments. Love GOD and love your neighbor. You cannot say you love GOD if you don't love your neighbor. Why? Coz GOD created them, too. Neighbor includes your parents.

You might also say your parents are not worthy of your love. Well, let me ask you then, are you worthy of JESUS' love? No one is worthy.

Romans 3:23
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

Still, HE died for us.

John 15:13
"Greater love has no one than this, that He lay down His life for His friends."

Good thing we aren't in the Old Testament anymore, because if we are, here is what's going to happen...

Exodus 21:15
Anyone who attacks his father or his mother must be put to death.

Exodus 21:17
Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.

My personal testimony: I have been a rebel. I thought running away from my parents was the best decision I've had in my life. Guess what? GOD led me back to them. I won't state everything but my dad's family has a generational curse which consists of not only one but lots of vices. The only way to cut that curse is to turn to the right path which leads to GOD and faith and trust in GOD. My dad hasn't been a good parent to us but he never heard us say that to him. Not a word. I believe that sometimes, it's more than just words and prayers. You have to act on your faith. Growth starts within you not around you. My mom never stopped praying for him. Sometimes, GOD tests your faith, prayer life, patience and perseverance. Sometimes, GOD makes you wait not only a year but more than 10 years. Yes, we waited more than 10 years. In fact, more than 20 years. GOD changed my mom and us, her daughters. It was worth the wait. Why? Now, my dad has completely changed. He reads the Bible every morning and evening. He has a morning and evening devotional with my mom. He stopped ALL his vices. Sometimes, we have to cut the curse and never tolerate it. Curses have consequences. But, we have to do it patiently and gently. When someone is in curse, he doesn't listen to anyone. He is stubborn.

Always remember: they are GOD's creation, too. HE wants to be with them as much as HE wants to be with you. (credits to Cody)

Curse - the cause of great harm, evil, or misfortune; that which brings evil or severe affliction; torment.

John 12:37-41
37Even after Jesus had done all these miraculous signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him. 38This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet:
"Lord, who has believed our message
and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?"

39For this reason they could not believe, because, as Isaiah says elsewhere:
40"He has blinded their eyes
and deadened their hearts,
so they can neither see with their eyes,
nor understand with their hearts,
nor turn—and I would heal them."41Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus' glory and spoke about him.

It was prophesied that...

Mark 13:12
Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death.

Read the whole chapter Mark 13

You don't want this, do you? Would you want to be in heaven while your loved ones are in the lake of fire?

Intercede and act on your faith.

I believed that my dad will change. He did. He started to change when he saw me change. It is not overnight, though. It is not all at once. It happened gradually. Also, GOD used an accident to convict him totally. GOD changed him.

As what the LORD said, we are the light in the darkness and salt of the earth.

Believers, prove that you have the LIGHT...

Luke 6:38-40
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

He also told them this parable: "Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.

Matthew 5:13-16
"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

I've read an article about 5 communication tools in a marriage. I believe some of this stuff is applicable to our parents and other people too. The article was written by Rob Flood. If you want to read his article, just click on his name.

I'd state some of the tools and relate it to others not just spouses.

1. The Principle of First Response: The course of a conflict is not determined by the person who initiates, but by the person who responds.

Example testimony: There is a parent who curses his child all the time whenever he makes a mistake. The child chooses to not speak and just pray.

It is always how we respond to a complication not how it was initiated. Wise men think before they speak.

2. The Principle of Physical Touch: It is difficult to sin against someone while you are tenderly touching them.

You should also be affectionate to your parents and give them the love even if it isn't given back to you for you know that what you sow is what you reap. And they'll realize someday in due time. In GOD's Perfect Timing.

3. The Principle of Proper Timing: The success of a conversation can be maximized if the timing of the conversation is carefully chosen.

If it is not the perfect timing, it will not happen. If you talk to a person whenever he's drunk or mad, it is useless.

4. The Principle of Mirroring: Understanding can be enhanced if we measure it often throughout a conversation.

We must understand that it is always "greater is HE that is in me than he that is in the world."

5. The Principle of Prayer: Success in communication is more likely when we invite God to be an active participant and guide.

We also have to communicate to others and to GOD. As what my mom always believes, communication is a big must in every relationship.

BE A BLESSING IN WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED! THERE IS A PURPOSE WHY YOU ARE PLANTED THERE. BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT SO THAT GOD'S LOVE WILL OVERFLOW TO UNLOVABLE PEOPLE. ONLY BELIEVE.

Make an impact. Make a difference. Make a ripple. Tip the scale.

GOD BLESS YOU ABUNDANTLY! GOD BE WITH YOU!

ALL THE GLORY BELONGS TO GOD ALONE!!!

P.U.S.H.

When we feel GOD's love, OVERFLOW!