“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)
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.
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.
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.
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.)
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.
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
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!
today!