Remember
how Moses got so mad at the Israelites and broke the first set of Ten
Commandments? Picture it in the Ten
Commandments movie. God keeps repeating over and over in the Bible in the
Old and New Testaments—keep my commandments. See the following verses.
…but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to
those who love Me and keep My commandments. Exodus
20:6
My son, do not forget my teaching, but let
your heart keep my commandments…. Proverbs
3:1
If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.
John 14:15
Jesus
tell us in these red letter verses that He was giving us this advice so that we could have His joy! Joy is something that
brings great happiness—especially a spiritual kind. Now there’s a promise to
claim…we can have His joy and it will fill us up. That is kind of a feast of
joyousness. The NASB version of the Bible has “joy” listed 182 times. That is a
lot of joyfulness. We can claim it every day…not just during this “joyful”
season of Christmas.
What
gives you joy? Well—for starters knowing that we’ve gone an hour or a day
without breaking a commandment—remember it is in thought as well as in action
that that counts for meeting Jesus criteria. Other sources of joy for me are laughing
with my grandchildren, walking in the fresh crisp air, baking a cake or cookies
for someone without being asked to do that, and just watching others around me
share hugs and appreciation of each other. This time of the year really is a
joyous time—especially at mealtimes with family and friends. May you create
some joyous memories with your family and friends during this advent season.
Lord Jesus—as we look into the manger scene
and see you as the Baby—the gift to us from God the Father may we be filled
with joy and motivated to keep your commandments.
© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New American Standard
Bible (NASB).
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