Can it be possible that it is 2009?! Perhaps it is time for each of us to thoughtfully take inventory of the things we have learned this past year.
I know that we all have been through circumstances, individually and/or collectively, that have cause us to be pressed into our precious Christ Jesus. We all know that this is a way to come to KNOW HIM in a living reality. Knowing Christ in a living relationship is what we desire and I pray that 2008 was a fruitful year. As we look forward to 2009 may our prayers be for a greater knowledge of Him.

Jesus tells us in John 14:15,
" If you love Me, you will keep My commandments."
Then He says in John 14:21,
"He who has My commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me; and he who loves Me shall be loved by My Father, and I will love him, and will disclose Myself to him."

".and I will disclose Myself to him"

Love and obedience are the basis for coming to know Christ in a greater reality. He WILL disclose Himself to those who love Him and obediently keep His commandments.

Concerning obedience Jesus tells us:
It is basic to ones character:
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts upon them, may be compared to a wise man, who built his house upon the rock."
Matthew 7:24  (Read Vs. 24-27)

It is essential to membership in God's family:
"For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother." Matthew 12:50 (Read Vs. 46-50 for the whole
meaning.)

It is the key to spiritual knowledge:
"Jesus therefore answered them, and said, 'My teaching is not Mine, but His who sent Me.
If any man is willing to do His will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it is of God, or whether I speak from Myself.'" John 7:16-17

It secures the blessing of divine fellowship:
"Jesus answered and said to him, 'If anyone loves Me he will keep My word, and My Father will love him, and We will come to him, and make our abode with him.'" John 14:23

And what is the commandment?
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another." John 13:34

John 15:12,
"This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you."
And verse 17,
"This I command you, that you love one another."

The Apostle John repeats this command,
"For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another." 1 John 3:11 And verse 23 "An this is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us."

Let us obediently do just as Christ Jesus commands and selflessly love one another just as He has and does love us! I will close with 1 John 4:7-8 "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
The one who does not love does not know God, for God IS love."

Scripture makes it very clear love and obedience are not an option, but a command!

All praise and glory to our mighty loving God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Amen