Full of Joy

"As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full." (John 15:9-11 NKJ)

May our great God and Savior bless you abundantly in this new year of 2013. My prayer for you is that you will grow in the Lord and the power of his resurrection, knowing what is the magnitude of his love and filled with his fullness.

This new year begins, as has all the others, with expectations of fresh adventures; refreshing new opportunities; re-commitment to our goals or setting new ones; and of course positive changes that will transform our lives.

These first few days offer the perfect time for refocusing our lives on God and "the things above." This is to say, we can renew a personal commitment to things that truly matter and are of value to us. Now is the time to begin your annual Bible reading program. Even if you don't complete a "through-the-Bible-in-one-year" program, daily reading of God's story is crucial to your spiritual health and growth.

There are any number of excellent Bible reading plans available on the internet and Christian websites. I simply recommend, opening your Bible and begin. Start at Genesis 1:1 or with a favorite passage and continue daily to :"search from the book of the Lord, and read."  A mere goal to read through the Bible in one year is an insufficient reason for reading the Bible. A Christian's goal for daily Bible reading should be to increase in the fullness and stature of the Son of God (i.e., grow in the Lord.)

And daily prayer should accompany daily Bible reading, sprinkled with regular fasting to maintain a growing faith. These elements of discipleship (Bible reading, prayer and fasting) form the Christian's fuel for abiding in Christ's love. They crank the Christian's engine for obeying Christ's commandments. They form the Christian's reservoir of Christ's joy and keep it full.

Dear Father, thank you for your love, your commands and your joy. I pray that you will fill all our days of 2013 with love, obedience, joy and peace. I pray this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior. AMEN

Be full of joy today!