A religious leader approaches Jesus asking a rather pointed question–‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment…?’ (Matt. 22:36). Without a moment’s hesitation, Jesus says this–‘…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 first commandment’ (Matt. 22:38).

Here’s my question–how can you command love? Love me or else? Doesn’t quite cut the mustard. Not in our culture, where love is voluntary. A choice to make. A reaction to someone or something that grabs our hearts and minds in the most positive ways. I love my wife. My sons. Our precious grandchildren. My brother and sister. Our church family. Don’t have to force the issue when I say that I love them.

Why do I love my wife? Let me count the ways. My first impression of Sue was her kindness. She was exactly that then and still is. I love her for many more reasons as well. But no one had to command me to love her. That wasn’t necessary. The more I got to know my wife, the more I loved her. And still do. Even more so.

The same with Jesus. The more I know Him, the more I can’t help but fall deeper in love with my Lord and Savior. All the hints God gives in the Old Testament foresee the coming deliverer. The One from God who would also be God in the flesh. Whose humble beginnings were in that little town of Bethlehem. Jesus’ stories, called parables, capture imaginations two millennia later. His healings and miracles reveal someone much more than mortal man. And finally, how misunderstood and mistreated He was by those who should have known better. They did know but turned their backs on Him anyway. Nevertheless, He died for all who place their hope and trust in Him. How could we not love Jesus?

I remember when I first heard about my Savior’s love for me. I’d never heard even a whisper of that in the church I attended. Had no idea that Jesus knew I existed until one Sunday evening when I heard Billy Graham speak on his radio program, ‘The Hour of Decision’. That was my hour when I decided to trust Jesus.

How He’s changed me. Challenged me to be less fearful. More giving and loving. And best of all, since I know myself better than anyone else, His forgiveness. How I need that…past, present, and future! And He gives me what I need. Not only for me. You too?

Heaven awaits at some unknown time. I used to stupidly say that ‘heaven is my home, but I’m not homesick.’ Well, I’ve changed that tune, big-time. For I still want to do what the Lord wants me to do here and now, spending good times with family and church, but to be with Him then and there, well, won’t that be heavenly? Just out of this world!

You see–I love Jesus. And I know what He means about commanding love. That the longer I know Him, the more love I’ll have for Him. It flows from my heart because of who He is. Those of us who know Him can’t help but love Him!

Lord Jesus, I love you and thank you for all you mean to me. Amen.

So many people, even those of us in the Rebel colonies (!), seem captivated by royalty. Their lives and foibles. Their comings and goings. Ups and downs, of which there are plenty of both. Who would want to be one of them, anyway? Not me. Such a lack of privacy, coupled with the temptations of oodles of moolah, along with disloyalties behind every tree. Yet we’re fascinated by them.

The Book of Deuteronomy gives clear instructions for a king. Of ancient Israel, in this case. But as I read Deuteronomy 17, I’m impressed with how applicable those words are for anyone at any time and place. Good words for royalty and for peasants like me!

Moses penned them over 3500 years ago. In ancient times, with technology in its infancy at best, they had the brainpower to memorize what God said and passed it along by word of mouth. Pen and ink, paper and parchment, were too primitive or pricey for the average Josiah. So, they kept God’s Word in their minds and spoke with each other about what the Lord had to say. All with pinpoint accuracy.

Deuteronomy 17: 14-20 gives God’s directives through Moses to any future monarch. They’re stated as a series of negatives and positives. Which shall we start with? Let’s hear some no-nos. What to avoid. Like being a king who has no relationship with the Lord God. The King of Israel not knowing and obeying Yahweh God? Seems rather wacko. On the contrary, it’s was more the norm then and now. Nevertheless, Moses lays down the Law–the ruler must not be an ungodly infidel. Period. No discussion allowed. Finis!

Many years ago I promised the Lord that I’d never be involved in a church that didn’t preach the gospel. Where the offer of salvation by Jesus alone wasn’t made. Where current cultural issues ruled its roost. Rather, I pledged to be in a church where the pastor and congregation take the Bible seriously and are devoted to following Jesus. You’ll sense the difference if either of these is missing. If so, high-tail it out of First Church of Dodge and find one that truly honors the Lord. Take the royal high road as God commands.

Again, the king should know the Lord personally and not be a materialistic greedmonger. Not having wives galore. In other words, someone who is faithful, obedient to God, and helpful. A money-grubber and flagrant sex fiend is not the kind of leader the Lord supports. Okay, that’s the gist of the negatives.

Now off into something more positively heartwarming. All good. Not only for royalty but for all God’s people. Here’s what the Lord says–‘And when he (the king) sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself in a book a copy of this law, approved by the Levitical priests. And it shall be with him, and he shall read in it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God by keeping all the words of this law and these statutes, and doing them, that his heart may not be lifted up above his brothers, and that he may not turn aside from the commandment, either to the right hand or to the left, so that he may continue long in his kingdom, he and his children, in Israel’ (Deut. 17:18-20).

Be someone who takes their Bible earnestly and thoughtfully. Quit horsing around. Simmer down, already. Spend quality and quantity time in its pages. After all, it’s not some podcast or internet news outlet. Nothing artificial about God’s intelligence. Hardly. It’s the revelation of the Lord Almighty. Give it the respect it’s due. Delve deeper into it rather than toying with what the culture dictates. Not everything in society is evil. Hardly. But when it comes to truth, well, you know, God has the final word. So, let Him have it!

Read those verses in Deuteronomy 17 again, and ask yourself if you’re putting them into action. Am I living like a royal child of the King of Kings? And listening to Him? Am I? In truth, I must admit that I need some improvement. I see that. But through prayer and patience, relying on the Lord to do what He wants with good old me, those upgrades and spiritual retrofits are on their way. Slowly. But surely.

Lord, I want to live the way you want me to live. For Jesus’ sake. Amen.

I was reading about what’s called the ‘Imposter Syndrome’. Usually hits very successful people. People with power and wealth. That we envy? Maybe. Maybe not. For many of them, the fear of being discovered, called out as the fakes, phonies, ands imposters that they feel they really are, absolutely shivers their timbers. If only others knew, giving them the jitters from being called a playactor or worse, a wolf in sheep’s clothing, rather than the real thing.

Probably, there’s some of this in each of us, if we’re honest. The person we present to the world somehow lacks genuineness and transparency. We’re not all we’re cracked up to be. The person inside does not match the one outside. Know what I mean? Again, if they only knew.

Like how mean-spirited I can be in my thoughts. The revenge I’d like to see happen while writing about forgiveness and kindness. Those cutting thoughts about someone I consider a friend. That I can be hard-headed and harder-hearted. I could go on and on, but I fear you’ll discover the real person within me! Or will you?

Reading John 15, I’m challenged to hear what Jesus says. To listen intently and without distraction, if that’s possible. Lend Him my ears. And, most of all, to believe what He says. Like what? That I’m a child of God (vs.1-5). Really? That I’ll grow closer to Jesus as I follow Him. Honestly? That my life will be productive for the Lord and others (vs.5-8). No kidding? This is the real deal. Jesus isn’t faking it. But remember, it’s only as long as we stay close to Him. And you know whether you are or aren’t. Don’t you?

Prayer matters (v.7). Not so much my feeble words as the One who answers prayer. And that I’m loved by God the Father and by Jesus, His only Son (v.9). Chew on that for a while. That Jesus calls me His friend (v. 15). Can you imagine? He’s not really that desperate, is He? No! But if He only knew the real me. If only. But He does. Everything. Through and through.

Reading this chapter from John’s Gospel, I’m challenged to believe what Jesus says. Be all in. Allow His promises to sink in for a change, crowding out that imposter feeling of being a phony-baloney Christian. If only He knew. Well, as I said before, He does. Still, He gives His promises. It’s not about me and how good I am. For good I’m not, truth be told. You want good? Look above to the Lord.

So, I’m taking Him at His Word. Yes, two steps forward, one back, remembering that Jesus is patient with the likes of me…and you. After all, He’s our friend. Remember? While you’re at it, take that syndrome and cross it out with all that our Lord did and does, said and says. And stand tall. Standing on what? Right! His promises.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for calling me your friend. Amen.

I shy away from those who seemingly know all the ins and outs of Jesus’ second coming. Ever since I accepted the Lord Jesus into my life and welcomed Him, getting off my high horse and showing some humility for a change, knowing how undeserving I was and am, I’ve been suspicious of second-coming hucksters, out to profit from being so-called prophets of the Lord. When His disciples ask about the details of His promised return, Jesus sets them straight. Makes it clear as a bell.

Matthew 24: 36–‘But concerning the day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.’ Get it, boys? The inside story is God the Father’s, and He’s keeping it to Himself. Not to the angels. Not to God the Son. Without exception, only the Father. It’s His prerogative concerning the when, where, how, and what of end times. Details kept close to the vest. We’re in the dark while He’s not.

Does this bother you? Need to know? Have to know? Why keep us in the dark? What’s to hide? Good questions. Here’s a better one: What to do in the meantime? As I read my Bible, I discover that God is good and kind, caring and loving. Yes, He will judge and discipline me when appropriate. He knows what’s best for me. And for you, too. Remember, He’ll never abandon us. When He promises to stay with us, He means it.

With a clearer view of God in mind, I can trust that whatever happens at Jesus’ second coming will be right on target. No mistakes from heaven above. This helps me. I can have some peace, struggling less with things that I can’t know. Staying in the dark, while holding God’s hand, is not so scary after all. Quite the contrary.

But it’s not all darkness. Read Matthew 24: 45-51, and once again you’ll discover what we can do while we wait. Like a good Boy and Girl Scout: ‘Be Prepared’! Take your Christian life seriously. Don’t fool around with your faith. Be who you say you are. Not only on Sunday, but follow Jesus every day of the week as if each one is the Lord’s day. Get in step. But remember to follow. Let Jesus take the lead.

And discover the gifts He’s given you for service, and use them. What He shows you to do, do. That’s enough to keep Satan’s wish of our idle hands quashed, while making us productive members of God’s family. The other stuff? Let’s leave that to the Father. After all, He knows best.

Matthew 24: 42–‘Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming’. Enough said! Is it?

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for showing me the way to godly living. Amen.