Keep Your Cotton-Pickin’ Hands Off
At a summer religious camp for children one of the counselors was leading a discussion on the purpose God has for all of his creation. They began to find good reasons for clouds and trees and rocks and rivers and animals and just about everything else in nature. Finally, one of the children said, “If God has a purpose for everything, then why did He create poison ivy?” The discussion leader gulped and, as he struggled with the question, one of the other children came to his rescue, saying, “The reason God made poison ivy is that He wanted us to know there are certain things we should keep our cotton-pickin’ hands off of.” God’s Ten Commandments provide the basic moral and spiritual compass for all humanity. They tell us what we should do and what we should “keep our cotton-picking hands (and eyes) off of.”
God’s Commandments are the foundation for our laws
They lay the foundation for all of our laws. They are built into the foundation of our nation, consitution, and the Declaration of Independence. Our government may try to pass laws that remove any display of the Ten Commandment from government property, but to remove the commandments, would be to strike the very laws we live by out of the statutes that govern society. Could you imagine living in a society where there are no laws that prohibit murder or theft?
When you remove God’s laws, we’re left with chaos and lawlessness
The more we try to remove God’s laws from our lives, the more chaotic and lawless the world becomes. The state of our society today begins with the breaking of the very first of these commandments: You shall have no other gods before Me. When we take God out of the equation, only lawlessness remains. God wants to be God over all parts of our lives. When we move Him out of that position, Satan creeps in with temptations and too often, we fall into sin.
God’s Commandments show us His Character
God never intended His laws to be a rigid list of rules so that life would be miserable. Instead the list is a display of His character and shows us the way to have a full and abundant life. Our greatest joy comes when we live in such a way that we show His character in all that we do and say. Since God knows our thoughts and He knows the way that each one of us naturally responds in different situations, His laws provide the means towards having healthy relationships with others and with Him.
God’s Commandments show us our Need for a Savior
God also knew that no human being would ever be able to keep these laws, except for His holy and righteous Son, Jesus. Still He gave them so that we would have a moral compass to follow and to show us our own sinful nature in need of a Savior. Where we err in sin, God’s grace abounds in the loving sacrifice of Jesus.
God’s Commandments have consequences when broken
Just as with our governmental laws, where a law is broken there are consequences, so there is a consequence with breaking God’s law. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death.” The good news is that this statement is followed with a “but”….”but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” God’s grace and forgiveness comes much easier than that of the government! It’s a simple gift of faith and trust and the belief of Jesus as God’s only Son. The government would have you pay the fine and/or do the time. God simply says, “Come to Me with a repentant heart by faith and ask Me to forgive you and I will.”
The Valentine’s Collection
Beloved Collection: This Valentine’s Day, let your spouse know how much you love them. Based on the Bible Verse, Song of Solomon 3:4, the bottom line reads, “I have found the one whom my soul loves.”
I have found the one whom my soul loves: Based on Song of Solomon 3:4
God’s Plan: God’s design for marriage is one woman, one man Woven into oneness with Christ – this is God’s plan
Greatest Valentine’s: On Valentine’s Day, we celebrate love and there’s no greater love than Christ who laid down His life so that we can have eternal life. Includes John 3:16.
Here are some of our favorite designs
Godfidence 
Anything is possible 
With my song I will praise Him 
All Things New 
Joy of the Lord 
Way Maker 
Walk by Faith 
Script Unstoppable God 
Print Unstoppable God 
Unstoppable Force 
Steps of a Good Man 
Something New 
Seek and Find 
Revive Us Again 
Resist the Devil 
Raise a Hallelujah 
Path of His Commands 
Prayer Warrior 
Beloved- Mr and Mrs 
Mr and Mrs – God’s Plan 
Man of God 
He Left 99 for Me 
Cast All Your Cares 
Giants 
Faith over Fear 
Faith Can Move Mountains 
Don’t Worry 
Don’t Quit 
Created to Praise 
All things are Possible 
What the Lord Requires 
Living for the world to see Jesus 
Face Masks now available! 
All things are possible 
Run with perseverance 
Revive us again, Lord
Need some music to get you through the day? Check out one of our Playlists on YouTube
You can also watch our animated devotionals on the YouTube Channel
God, Love and Marshmallow Wars by Julia M. Bruce
What’s Inside God, Love and Marshmallow Wars?
God, Love and Marshmallow Wars is a book that includes 365 daily activities and takes you on a guided journey through Biblical principles about Godly marriage that you can then apply to your marriage, as well as helping you talk through concepts that can help you develop a solid relationship. Inside you will find simple, quick activities that include:
- Scripture to memorize and meditate on.
- Conversation Starters.
- Concepts from the Bible on Godly marriages.
- Romance Builders.
- Relationship Builders.
- Personal reflections.
- Date ideas.
- Group date ideas for you and other Christian couples.
Available in hardback, paperback and ebook from Westbow Press Bookstore, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble. Click the icons below to purchase from your preferred bookstore. Now also available at WalMart online.
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