Taking Inventory for 2022

 

Intro: At the beginning of each new year businesses take inventory to see what they did last year and see what they need to change for the upcoming year. As we begin this year we need to open our hearts to the Lord and allow Him to take inventory of our spiritual life and see where we need to improve for 2022. King David a man after God's own heart gives us good example to follow. He said in; Psalms 26:2 Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; Try my mind and my heart.

I. Ask God’s Spirit to examine you. Getting saved is only the beginning. Ask God to study you in careful way and show you where you need to change! God’s purpose for all His people 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.    Are you fulfilling the purpose of God in your life? Do you even know your purpose? Our purpose in life is to constantly be changed into that new person Christ created us to be. We are changed in our thinking as we pray and read God’s word. We find His good, perfect and acceptable will for us. We were created to bring praise, honor and glory to Him while we are in this world. This is the way to worship God

II. Ask God to prove you through your actions.

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

2. Is your life being shaped more by others’ expectations of you than by God’s priorities? Remember God's priority is to conform you to the exact likeness of Christ.

3. Are some of the things you are doing based on guilt, or a desire for someone's approval or a need to make a good impression? Do others see Jesus in you?

4. Does God see the motive for your actions based on His will, yours, or someone else?

5. Take note each week as to the use of your time. How much time do you spend carrying out God's priorities for you? His priority is for you is Romans 12:1-2 (NKJV)
¹  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
²  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

6. How much time is spent on the things of God such as Prayer, bible reading, mediating and studying His word?

7. Ask God if any activities you are involved in might not be on His agenda for you.

8. When your activities have a reason, God’s reason, you can be more effective for Him and receive more of His blessings, and be less affected by the opinions of those who may not understand why you do what you do. God blesses His activities!

III. Ask God to try your mind and heart! [Proverbs 24:10]

a. Try means to test the quality of something: Proverbs 24:10 (NKJV) If you faint in the day of adversity, Your strength is small. Adversity is a time of difficulty, & hardship! A lot of people talk the talk of faith, but do not walk the walk of faith when tested. Galatians 6:4-5 (NKJV) ⁴  Let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. ⁵ For each one shall bear his own load.

b. We are to be examining and judging our own lives under the leading of the Holy Spirit, not the life of our brother or sister. Scripture is forceful on this point: every man is to keep busy examining his own work and life, and no one is exempt. All must answer for themselves, not for their neighbors. And every man must expect to be dealt with by the Divine Judge Jesus Christ, according to your character and conduct in this life. The apostle Paul is an excellent example of one who lived faithfully for Christ. 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 2022!

Conclusion: What you and I are seeking in the end is to be who God created us to be. We want to be able to say at the end of this year, “I have lived up to the potential God gave me.” What a way to start the New Year. Not just in theory, but in everyday practice.

Invitation: Allow God to examine your heart right now? Where do you stand in your relationship with God? Close, somewhat close or distant. Do you even have a relationship with God? If not, confess your sins to Christ and ask Him to forgive you and invite Him into your life to take charge of you. If you know Jesus as your personal Savior allow God to test your motives and purposes for what you do and help you live a better life for Him? Allow God to examine your heart continually throughout this year and allow Him to show you your heart as He sees it. Will you rededicate your life to Him as we begin 2022?