As the new year approaches taking inventory is on the mind of a lot of folks. Merchants understand the importance of knowing what they have and what they need. In other words, they need to know where they stand. Assuming all is well is a big mistake. However, there is another inventory we need to take that is of far greater importance. I’m talking about the need to take an inventory concerning our relationship with God. As Paul says, “Examine yourselves”.

Let’s face it–the chances are good that you don’t like to face the facts regarding your spiritual condition–most of us don’t. However, we need to give this some serious thought. We are commanded to do so. As unpleasant as it is, we need a spiritual check-up, and to do it we must keep some facts in mind. Here’s the facts–

Believers in Christ are known as such by their affection for Him. That is an undeniable fact, clearly set forth in God’s Word. But there is more. Our new affections bring new appetities also. We long for what we love. When we truly love Christ we will have a desire to please Him. This desire is God-given.

The moment we receive Christ as our Lord and Savior the Holy Spirit enters our heart and proceeds to transform us. He gives us new hungers, new hopes, and noticeable help. He doesn’t just engage us, He empowers us and enables us to do what was previously impossible. We, and others, begin to notice that we are different–we now will to do His will. It was with this in mind that Paul wrote, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”(2 Cor. 5:17)

While we aren’t perfect we are at least headed in the right direction. Salvation doesn’t just affect us in the sweet bye and bye, it affects us in the nasty here and now. As a result of our new nature we have new affections, new appetites, new attitudes, and new actions. It’s not just a matter of us changing, it’s a matter of us being changed. We are different because the Holy Spirit is conforming us to the image of Christ.

Now, here’s the sad thing–many presume they are saved and profess to be saved when there is absolutely no evidence that they are. They either refuse to examine themselves or they deny the unmistakable evidence–believing all will end well, when all the evidence is to the contrary. They are oblivious to the obvious. They are lost and unaware of it. What could be more sad than that?

So, how is it with you? Have you honestly examined yourself in the light of God’s Word? Is there evidence that you have indeed been born again? Do you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you will go to heaven when you die? Can you truly say that you love Christ more than anything and want to please Him in everything? Is your love of Christ evident? Have you examined yourself lately? Will you do so today?

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.” Revelation 3:20

Have you ever noticed that we tend to be impressed by the wrong things? For example–we usually give more thought to how bad the world is than we do to how good God is. No wonder we get depressed!Why don’t we focus on God? Can you think of anything more impressive than God? He is amazing in every way. However,the most amazing thing is not that we have an interest in God, but that He has an interest in us. Think about it–the great God who is in need of nothing invites us to invite Him into our life. Wow–now, that’s amazing! That’s grace!

The late Adrian Rogers said :Over and over again, people will ask me this question, “If there is a God, why is there so much suffering?” There’s never an easy answer to that question when someone is grieving or suffering, but God has taught me that the universe has a disease. And God cannot remove the pain until the last vestige of sin is gone. The worst thing that could happen to human beings would be for us to live in a world cursed by sin, and yet the world seem to be a paradise. We would never come to God.

God has showered this world with immeasurable mercies. Focus today not on the suffering, but on the provision of God’s grace.

Here’s the point–instead of trying to understand God we need to trust Him. And, we learn to do that by keeping our focus on Him rather than the world or self. As our knowledge of God increases so does our faith. We should not be surprised that there is so much sin and suffering in the world. We should be shocked that it’s not worse than it is. We should be amazed that God, who is holy, wants anything to do with us–because we are sinful. We have rebelled against God and violated His righteous standard. That leaves us undeserving of His favor. Remember, “It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.”(Lam.3:22).Keep your focus on the fact that we don’t deserve anything and you will be thankful for everything. Regardless of how bad it is, thank God that we don’t get what we deserve–it would be a lot worse!

Do you sense God knocking at the door of your heart, beckoning you give Him entrance, that He might fellowship with you? Do not delay–accept His invitation, open the door of your heart, let Him in, yield to His desires and you will experience the greatest blessing in life–the pleasure of His presence. Do it now!

As we prepare to enter the new year the following story from “Senior Living” got my attention. I pass it on because I believe there is a valuable lesson here for us:

The 16th-century Venetian artist, Titian, portrayed Prudence as a man with three heads in his painting, “An Allegory of Prudence.” One head featured a youth facing the future, another represented a mature man eyeing the present, and the last head portrayed a wise old man gazing back at the past.

Over their heads, Titian wrote a Latin phrase that translates, “From the example of the past, the man of the present acts prudently so as not to imperil the future.” Oftentimes our past failures and fear of repeating them again torment us. But we need to remember the kind of wisdom Titian displayed in his painting, so we can avoid the kind of anxiety that keeps us from enjoying life to the fullest right now.

The apostle Paul was able to forget his past and look forward to his future. He said, “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14).

While his memory wasn’t completely erased of past faults, he knew that God had forgiven him and he was free from any guilt or pride that had been bottled up inside. As you live in daily fellowship with the Lord, trials only make you more like the Savior. Don’t let your past cloud your present and future. Determine this year to have one driving passion—to know Christ more intimately than ever before.

— Pray and rededicate your life to Christ following Paul’s example. Ask Jesus to enable you to live fully in the present, gain wisdom from the past, and face the future with courage.

We never know what a day might hold. Life can get hectic in a hurry. One second we can be on a mountain top rejoicing, the next second we can find ourself in the valley of despair–scared to death. There seems to be nothing we can depend on for sure. However, there is one thing we can always rely on–we can rest assured that Christ will be with us!

In 1863 Octavius Winslow wrote these wonderful thoughts in response to the Lord’s promise:

“Lo, I am with you always–even unto the end of the world!” Matthew 28:20

Whose presence is thus promised and pledged?

It is the presence of Christ! The Christ who is God. “Immanuel, God with us!”

The Christ who . . .
made all worlds,
created all beings,
governs all empires,
controls all events!

The Christ who replenishes . . .
earth with beauty,
heaven with glory,
eternity with song!

The Christ before whom angels and archangels, principalities and powers bend, and at whose name every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess that He is Lord!

The Christ . . .
whose glory is divine,
whose beauty is peerless,
whose wealth is boundless,
whose love is as infinite as His being!

The Christ who . . .
bore and put away your sins forever,
uplifted and forever removed your curse,
paid all your great debt to Divine justice,
sorrowed for you in the garden,
suffered and expired in your stead on the cross,
rose from the grave, ascended up to heaven, lives and intercedes for you, representing your person and presenting your prayers and praises with ineffable acceptance and delight–to His Father and your Father, to His God and your God.

“Lo, I am with you always! Mark! Behold! I the Incarnate God, I who opened my bleeding heart for your redemption on Calvary, I who am your dearest Friend–I am with you always, in all places, and at all times, unto the end of the world!”

O honored saint of God! You have…

the Divinest in the universe to love you,

the Mightiest in the universe to shield you,

the Loveliest in the universe to delight you,

the Dearest in the universe to soothe, cheer, and gladden you!

O favored disciple of Jesus–you have such a one ever at your side! 

This is the promise of promises—the richest pearl of all the promises, exceeding in its mightiness and preciousness; while it is the substance, sweetness, and pledge of all the rest!

I have often said, God wants for you exactly what you would want for yourself if you were as smart as God. I believe that. Our attitude about everything would change if we saw things through God’s eyes. Here’s a good example, taken from a daily devotional called “A Good Thing”, of what I’m talking about: