Priorities – Taking “Inventory”

Scripture Text

Psalms 26:2 (NKJV)
 Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; Try my mind and my heart.

Intro: This time of year all businesses begin to take inventory for the purpose of determining what they accomplished for the past year and from that information, they formulate a plan for the New Year. We Christians need to do the same thing. We take inventory of what we have accomplished spiritually and formulate a plan for 2015.

I. Allow God’s Spirit to examine ~ study you in a very careful way. (v:2)

 a. Ask Him to show you where you need to change!

God’s purpose for all His people in this life is to conform them to the image of Christ.

Romans 8:29 (NKJV)  For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Conform means to be in agreement on every point. Is your life being brought into agreement with Christ’s way of doing things? Let God examine and show you the truth.

 b. Are you fulfilling the purpose of God in your life? Do you even know your purpose? Romans 12:2 (NLT)  Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Our purpose in life is to constantly be changed into that new person He created us to be.We are changed in our thinking as we pray and read God’s word. We find His will for us.We were created to bring praise, honor and glory to Him while we are in this world.

II. Allow God to prove you through your actions

   a. Prove means to show the character or ability expected of one, especially through one's actions. Are you most like the Father God in your actions or the world?

Is your life being shaped more by others’ expectations of you than by God’s priorities?

Are some of the things you are doing based on guilt, or a desire for approval or a need to make a good impression? Does God see the motive for your actions based on His will, yours, or someone else’s? Take note each week as to the use of your time. How much time is spent on the things of God? Ask God if any activities you are involved in that may not be on His agenda for you. When your activities have a reason, God’s reason, you can be less affected by the opinions of those who may not understand why you do what you do. God blesses His activities!

III. Allow God to test you in mind and heart!

   a. Test means to subject to strain, as of endurance, patience, affliction, trouble; or duty. Proverbs 24:10 (NKJV)  If you faint in the day of adversity, Your strength is small. James 1:3 (NKJV)  Knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. A lot of people talk the talk of faith, but do not walk the walk of faith when tested. 2 Corinthians 13:5a (NCV)  Look closely at yourselves.Test yourselves to see if you are living in the faith.

What you and I are seeking in the end is the freedom to be who God is calling us to be.

  Philippians 1:20-21 (NLT) ²⁰ For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I  will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die. ²¹ For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. This should be the goal for our lives this year of 2015! Not just in theory, but in every day practice.

Invitation: Will you allow God to examine your heart as we give this invitation? Allow Him to show you your heart as He sees it. Where do you stand in your relationship with God? Do you even have a relationship with God? Will you allow God to test your motives and purposes for what you do? Will you take action and look back on what you did last year and see how much it fit God’s plan for your life! Will you come and rededicate your life to Him as we sing the song of invitation?