Writing to the Christians in Rome, Paul tells them how the many details in the Old Testament laws can be simplified.

In Romans 13:9,10 he writes, “The commandments say, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”

This simplification ties right to the answer Jesus gave to the Pharisees when asked, what was the greatest commandment. Jesus told them loving God with all your heart, soul, and mind, but the second greatest is to love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:40 says, “The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

Even today, remembering these two simple rules is the basis for how God wants us to live. If we evaluate our actions against these two rules, we can see if we are staying on the right course.

Dear Lord, “Love You and love our neighbor,” is really the essence of living the Christian life. Help us all to remember that. If we all did, our world would become a much better place. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

One of the questions people have about the accuracy of the Bible is, how can we be sure there is no transmission error, meaning error in the message between the time the events occurred and when they were recorded in the writings we have today.

I came across an interesting way to answer that question in “Why Trust the Bible?” by Greg Gilbert, he uses the following example.

Can you recite the words to the nursery rhyme “Jack and Jill?” “Jack and Jill went up the hill to fetch…..” Did you learn this by reading it? Most of us learned this by hearing it told to us by our parents, and we told it to our children, but we remember the words verbatim. Do you know when this was originally composed? 1791 Over 200 years ago.

So we obviously have a clear example of people’s ability to maintain the original words of a story for many years without having to have the original text available for reference. Giving us more confidence in what 2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.”

Dear Lord, thank you for giving us the wisdom in the Bible. Help us to find strength and confidence in its teaching. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

I read an article some time ago about six or seven billionaires who are investing millions of dollars in projects to extend life. Peter Thiel, the billionaire co-founder of Paypal is one of the leading investors in what he calls the “Immortality Project.” He said, “I would like to live longer, and I would like other people to live longer.”

I wonder if these venture capitalist have read the following verses?

Ephesians 6:2,3, “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.”

Psalm 34 12-14, “Does anyone want to live a life that is long and prosperous? Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies! Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.”

And most importantly, to truly have eternal life, John 3:16, “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”

Dear Lord, You gave us our lives, and you determine what they hold. Help us look to your wisdom and guidance, and do your will so that we may live long and prosperous lives. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

I think we have all seen the basketball game with the half court shot at the buzzer that wins the game, or the “walk-off” home run in the crucial baseball game, or the seemingly impossible kick to win the soccer match, and the thousands of spectators in the stadium jump to their feet and cheer.

This is the image I envision when reading Luke 15:7, “..there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!”

I can see the saints and angels jumping to their feet and cheering when someone who has rejected Jesus for years, drops his or her resistance and accepts Salvation.

Dear Lord, it is amazing to know that those in heaven cheer for the salvation of those on earth. Help us remember to do our part in helping those who are lost become saved. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

You have probably heard about the controversy in the press lately about the government monitoring emails, and having access to other electronic communications. It is interesting to think about this topic in light of the following scripture:

Romans 13:3,4 “For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong.”

I thank God regularly for the amazing gift that is the USA and the system of laws and government that we have. The Fourth Amendment to the US Constitution, which protects American’s from unreasonable searches and seizures, is an important piece of American law, and should be respected. We have a responsibility to participate in our system of government, to debate and resolve issues that arise from changes in technology. However, as Christians, like Paul said, do what is right and we do not need fear the government.

Dear Lord, thank you for the gift of a Constitutionally Limited Republic that you have given us who live in America. Help us remember that the government is under your power, like all things. We have no need to fear, but we have responsibility to do your will as best we can. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.