THOUGHTS FOR THE NEW YEAR

As we turn the page to a new calendar year, we often think of making certain changes in our lives. It is a good time to assess where we are to help us better know how to get where we want to go. As followers of Jesus, one of our main goals should be Christlikeness - being like the Master we profess to follow and serve. We should regularly examine our lives so we know where we are in our growth toward Christian maturity. Below are some basic questions to ask ourselves as we assess our current place on our journey toward. If we are honest with ourselves and with God, we will see areas that we, with the Lord's help, need to work on in this new year. I call the "Measuring Sticks of Maturity."
Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. - 2 Corinthians 13:5

Ask yourself:

1. How abundantly do I bear the fruit of the Spirit? (Galatians 5:22,23)

2. How broadly do I love?

3. How quickly do I forgive?

4. How easily am I offended?

5. How hastily do I judge?

6. How willingly do I serve?

7. How faithfully do I keep commitments?

8. How generously do I give?

9. How contently do I live?

10. How patiently do I endure hardship?

If you are like me, perhaps you see some areas in your life that could stand to see some growth. As we enter this new year, may the Lord work in us to make us more like Jesus.

Time for an exam

John and Charles Wesley met with a group of others from Oxford University to devote themselves to a rigorous search for holiness and service to others. This was a kind of a no nonsense "life group” or " accountability group" in which members fasted until 3 PM on Wednesdays and Fridays (these were called "stationary days"), received Holy Communion once each week, studied and discussed the Greek New Testament and the Classics each evening in a member’s room, visited prisoners and the sick, and systematically brought all their lives under strict review. The name “Holy Club” was given in mockery to the group by fellow Oxford students. The group never exceeded 25 members. Another well known figure who was a member of the Holy Club was George Whitefield. One other notable member was Benjamin Ingham. You'll hear more about him in future blogs. He actually shows up in my family tree!

In order to hold each other accountable and keep one's life in check, each member of the Holy Club would ask themselves daily (yes, daily!) the following 22 questions.

22 questions each member asked themselves every day

1. Am I consciously or unconsciously creating the impression that I am better than I really am? In other words, am I a hypocrite?
2. Am I honest in all my acts and words, or do I exaggerate?
3. Do I confidentially pass on to another what was told to me in confidence?
4. Can I be trusted?
5. Am I a slave to dress, friends, work, or habits?
6. Am I self-conscious, self-pitying, or self-justifying?
7. Did the Bible live in me today?
8. Do I give it time to speak to me everyday?
9. Am I enjoying prayer?
10. When did I last speak to someone else about my faith?
11. Do I pray about the money I spend?
12. Do I get to bed on time and get up on time?
13. Do I disobey God in anything?
14. Do I insist upon doing something about which my conscience is uneasy?
15. Am I defeated in any part of my life?
16. Am I jealous, impure, critical, irritable, touchy, or distrustful?
17. How do I spend my spare time?
18. Am I proud?
19. Do I thank God that I am not as other people, especially as the Pharisees who despised the publican?
20. Is there anyone whom I fear, dislike, disown, criticize, hold a resentment toward or Disregard? If so, what am I doing about it?
21. Do I grumble or complain constantly?
22. Is Christ real to me?

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Perhaps you would consider printing this list, putting it in your Bible, and slowly and meditatively read through it regularly. Oh, come on... repentance is good for you! (Oh, yeah, and for me too!)