Two Commandments

The Bible is a big book. Some find it intimidating. Isn’t it amazing that as large as it is, it can be summarized in this statement from Jesus? “What is the greatest commandment?” The word used is “mega.” The greatest.  Jesus answered in vs. 37 and then said that this commandment was the “greatest and […]
“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And He said to him, “‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’ “This is the great and foremost commandment. “The second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.'”On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”

The Bible is a big book. Some find it intimidating. Isn’t it amazing that as large as it is, it can be summarized in this statement from Jesus? “What is the greatest commandment?” The word used is “mega.” The greatest.  Jesus answered in vs. 37 and then said that this commandment was the “greatest and first.” First – foremost, chief, most important.

The second one, as important as it is, is not the first one. Jesus emphasizes that in other places when he says that if we love anything, even our own life, more than we love him we are not worthy of him.

All of the other commands of God hang on these two commands. Two commands. Two primary principles of life. Love God with all of your being and love your neighbor as you love yourself. And loving God is first and greatest.

Heart of the Gospel

The heart of the gospel is the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. Paul expresses it in this manner: 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that...

Eclipse

An eclipse is an exciting thing. It was evident Monday at about 2:00 p.m. when I was driving back to the office from making some visits. The traffic was minimal. I even saw several vehicles pulling off the road to catch a glimpse of the moon covering the sun. I even...

The Same Story

Frank Wampol did an outstanding job on Sunday morning directing our hearts toward a better understanding of the emotional and physical agony that Jesus experienced during his crucifixion and the time leading up to it. Before Sunday, I knew that Frank was going to...

You’re Kidding

We were in Pigeon Forge with some of Jane’s family. While there, we visited the replica museum for the Titanic. A very interesting exhibit. We were at the bottom of the replica of the grand staircase listening to the guide explain the rich details of this beautiful...

Theme Verse

You will bring them in and plant them on your own mountain, the place, O LORD, which you have made for your abode, the sanctuary, O Lord, which your hands have established. (Exodus 15:17 ESV) This is the theme verse for this year’s Leadership Training For Christ...

Changing Seasons

I need spring to come and winter to end. Honestly, this has been a constant thought in my mind since mid-January following a series of unfortunate events: a trip to the ER, an ablation scheduled, missing a conference due to heart issues, waiting for the ablation,...

Jacob and Esau

I’m sure you remember the story of Jacob and Esau. But if the following brief summary is not familiar to you, read the whole story beginning in Genesis 25:19. 24 When her days to give birth were completed, behold, there were twins in her womb. 25 The first came out...

I Voted

I voted today. I took advantage of the right given to me as a citizen of this country to cast my vote for those who will lead our nation, state and county. I was even given a sticker to declare to others that I had voted.   It was only one vote, but it was my...

My Thoughts

My thoughts are mine! Aren’t they? One of Jane’s favorite expressions is, “I knew you were going to say that.” She loves to make me think she knows everything I’m thinking or that I’m going to say. I have to admit, she gets pretty close. But she’s not always right....

Our Comforter

Kimberly and I adopted our first dog together in 2013. She was a husky/German shepherd mix named Chloe. She was a big dog with a very loud bark. When I served in youth ministry, I often traveled out of town overnight. Kimberly traveled with me on occasion, but when...