gniknihT ni a tnereffid yaw!! Thinking in a different way!! All year we have been studying different names of God and those of His Son. Why do we learn them? Why are they important? What do they show us about God?

The relationship based on love and respect that we have with our parents mirrors our relationship with God, our spiritual Father. Just as our parents give us rules and obligations to follow for our benefit, so does our spiritual Father. These guidelines are God’s instruction on how to have a better life now and provide us the opportunity for eternal life in the future! God’s instructions are found in His Ten Commandments. These commandments teach us the proper relationship we should have towards God and our fellow human beings.

We show our love to God by honoring and obeying Him. We should respect and worship Him to the greatest of our abilities. One of the most important ways to respect God is found in the Third Commandment. The Third Commandment concerns the sanctity of God’s name. We are commanded by God to honor and respect His name.

Exodus 20:7 You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain. "Vain" means empty, useless, false, unreal, and worthless. In short, taking God’s name in vain refers to the abuse, misuse, blasphemy, cursing, or manipulation of the Lord’s name.

According to The New Webster’s Dictionary and Thesaurus, the term "to honor" means "to treat with significance." To treat something with significance is the opposite of taking something "in vain." The commandment includes a stern warning to those who would take His name in vain (Exodus 20:7). Why do you think God feels so strongly about His name?

Why would you find it offensive if others were to treat your name disrespectfully? Names identify and instruct as to what something is. We all want good and honorable things associated with our names, because our names are reflections of who we are. All agree that a strong relationship is based upon respect. One of the most important ways to respect God is by reverencing His name. He tells us not to only obey Him, but also to hold His name as holy.

How do we misuse God’s name? When people of other religions mention their god’s in a way that is taking more importance than God or Jesus When people of other religions mention their god’s in a way that is taking more importance than God or Jesus When we think or say things using God’s name in a way we should not. When we think or say things using God’s name in a way we should not. Saying one thing about what we believe in God but acting in another way. Saying one thing about what we believe in God but acting in another way.

Psalm 145 Psalm 145 A psalm of praise. Of David. A psalm of praise. Of David. 1 [a] I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. 1 [a] I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. a 2 Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever. 2 Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever. 3 Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. … 3 Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. … 14 The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. 14 The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. 15 The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. 15 The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. 16 You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. 16 You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. 17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made. 17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made. 18 The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. 18 The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. 19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. 19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. 20 The LORD watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy. 20 The LORD watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy. 21 My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever. 21 My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever.

How do you think a person will treat Christ's name when he or she realizes that salvation is only through Jesus' name, that we receive the Holy Spirit in His name, and that God will answer prayers in His name ?

Jesus John 20:31 31But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. Acts 2:21 21And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. God John 16:23 23In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 23In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Holy Spirit John 14:26 John 14:26 26But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

What we do is as important as what we say !!! If we call ourselves Christians, our actions and attitudes are a reflection on the character of God. Saying we are Christians but fighting. Saying we are Christians but fighting. Saying we are Christians but using language we should not. Saying we are Christians but using language we should not. Saying we are Christians but lying or acting in a dishonest way Saying we are Christians but lying or acting in a dishonest way

Exodus 20:7 You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.

In Matthew 22:40 Christ asserts the proper attitude we should have towards God: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment." In Matthew 22:40 Christ asserts the proper attitude we should have towards God: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment." To love God is to respect and honor Him. God loves us just as our parents do. Like our parents, He shows us His love by instructing and guiding us. To love God is to respect and honor Him. God loves us just as our parents do. Like our parents, He shows us His love by instructing and guiding us. Our relationship with Him can be peaceful and strong if we follow His instruction with respect and loyalty. Reverencing God in all ways is how we show our respect and loyalty. Our relationship with Him can be peaceful and strong if we follow His instruction with respect and loyalty. Reverencing God in all ways is how we show our respect and loyalty. Since God is good, all good things should be associated with Him and, that includes His name. We are well blessed for having a proper relationship with God. Since God is good, all good things should be associated with Him and, that includes His name. We are well blessed for having a proper relationship with God. Our blessing is becoming part of the God family and living with Him in His Kingdom forever. It is a reward of eternal life! Our blessing is becoming part of the God family and living with Him in His Kingdom forever. It is a reward of eternal life! ehT dnE