For a Joy that Is Complete--Jan. 1, 2015

[Adapted from Jan. 1, 2013 archive]

You send our your command,

and your word runs swiftly, O God.

You called Abram to walk before you

and be blameless.  He could not

carry out that command--

much less can I.

Still, Jesus promised that if we ask,

we will receive, and our joy will be complete.

Help me, then, to ask.  Help me to ask for a life

lived in Christ, rooted and built up in him,

established in faith.  And let me abound

in thanksgiving for your grace.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 98; 147:12-20; 99; 8

Gen. 17:1-12a, 15-16

Col. 2:6-12

John 16:23b-30

Selected Verses

Ps. 147:15

[The LORD] sends out his command to the earth;
          his word runs swiftly. 

Gen. 17:1

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless.  …"

Col. 2:6-7

As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

John 16:24b

"…Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.”  [Jesus to this disciples]