At the beginning of each new year my heart's desire is that we each would come to know Christ Jesus in a greater measure. Not to know more about Him, but to know Him! In this past year many difficulties have taken place in so many lives. The question is: "Did they become stepping stones?"
Therefore, do you know Him better? Do you love Him more? Is the fruit of the Spirit more evident in your life?

Is your heart like that of the Apostle Paul in Philippians 3:12-14?
" Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet, but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

In thinking of these things, two verses of Scripture come to mind. Jesus tells us in John 14:15, "If you love Me, you will keep My Commandments."
Then He says in verse 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."

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.

In answer to Judas' (not Iscariot) question in John 14:23, "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.'"

Of obedience, Jesus tells us in Matthew 7:24, "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."
(Read Vs. 24-27 for the whole parable of the two builders.)

We see in Matthew 12:50 that obedience 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." (Read Vs. 46-50 for the whole meaning.)

Not only do we love Christ Jesus, but He gives us a commandment to love one another, "This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you." John 15:12

Let us obediently do just as Christ Jesus commands and selflessly love one another just as He has and does love us!
"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."
1 John 4:7-8

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

Let us press on this new year with joy and expectation! Rejoice and be glad for our God is in control and He reigns!

Thank you Lord for what You have done and are doing in these lives that belong to You. Amen