Here we are entering into a new month, a new year and a new decade!  Are you looking forward with joy and anticipation to knowing Christ in a greater measure?  I do not mean knowing about Him, but knowing Him and His ways.  Is your heart’s desire to have a deeper personal relationship with God, the Creator of all things?  He is willing are you?
 
“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”  
Romans 15:4
 
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 
2 Timothy 3:16-17 
 
Of God’s word, Scripture it self tells us:
“Forever, O LORD,
Your word is settled in heaven.”  Psalm 119:89
 
In Matthew 24:35, Jesus tells us,
“Heaven and earth will pass away but My words will by no means pass away.”
 
In 1 Peter: 1:15 we see,
“But the word of the LORD endures forever.
Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.”
 
And we know from John 1:1,
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
 
All these being so, to know Him, it is necessary for each to get into the God inspirited written word of God! 
 
It is important that we know Hebrews 4:12 for as we grow in Christ, it is our Lord who works mightily through His word in the hearts of His beloved.
“ For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
 
In His teaching of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew chapters 5-7), Jesus taught many things to the multitude gather there.  Things that all Believers are to heed.  How did they respond?
“And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority…”  
Matthew 7: 28-29
 
In Matthew 5:48 Jesus says,
“Therefore you shall be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect.”
 
And in 1 Peter 1:14-16,
“as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy for I am holy.”
 
It is God who is at work in each one of His own to conform us to the image of His beloved Son.
“For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first born among many brethren.”  
Romans 8:29
 
This is the time to deliberately set aside each day, a time to be with the Lord on a one to one basis.  And to be more sensitive to the Holy Spirit; to become acquainted with His nudges.  He will direct your path and those nudges will help keep you from wandering thoughts and misdeeds.
 
Scripture reveals in Romans 12 some of the Believers’ responsibilities. 
“Let love be without hypocrisy.  Abhor what is evil.  Cling to what is good.
Be kindly affectionate of one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in  tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer.”  Vs.9-12
 
What a blessing:  As we come to know more clearly God’s will, the word leads into a more effective prayer life.   
 
I know that you know these things, but seek for a greater understanding and application in your life.  Really study the word, see where a passage will lead.  How glorious it is to lose yourself in this Book of books.  God is GOOD and He is to be glorified in all of creation.  Amen