One of the requirements for partaking in the Lord’s Supper is “each one must examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup” (1 Cor. 11:28). In general, churches do communion once a month and too many people wait for that event to examine themselves. However, Scripture encourages us to examine ourselves and strive to “make the most of every opportunity in these evil days” (Eph. 5:16). Inventory your thoughts! Businesses inventory what is in the storeroom. We need to know what is in our storeroom (His Temple); “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit” (1 Cor. 6:19).
The psalmist asked God to search him (Ps. 139:23) and cleanse him of secret faults. We can leave it up to God to search our house but the Lord commands us to examine ourselves. I hear people say, “Just turn it over to God.” Yes, you can do that but God already told us what to do. Imagine what God is thinking when He already told us what to do and we ignore His guidance. Inventory your thoughts and renew the right spirit within. We understand measuring ourselves spiritually is difficult, but it is necessary. Taking a spiritual inventory involves more than counting money given to charity, the number of times we feed the hungry, or what office we hold in the church. It is a heart thing and God knows your heart!
Every year (every day) we have an opportunity to begin again. Encourage yourself and be like the Apostle Paul, “forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead” (Phil. 3:13). The Lord says in Revelation 21:5, “I am making everything new!” The Psalmist sang a new song (Ps. 33:3). The old covenant became new with a vision of a kingdom of priests (Isa. 61:6 & 1 Pet. 2:5). Ezekiel prophesied about those scattered throughout nations receiving a new spirit (Ezek. 11:19). John saw a new heaven and new earth (Rev. 21:1). We have an opportunity to be new creations in Christ.
Begin the New Year with a new spirit that is comfortable not knowing. Trust the Lord about what is coming but be prepared. Do not be like the foolish virgins who took their lamps to meet the bridegroom but no oil (Matt. 25:3). Do not be like the rich man tormented in the afterlife because he was unmerciful in this life. Get your house in order and strive to be one of the sheep on the Lord’s right hand: feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, take in the stranger, clothe the naked, care for the sick, and visit prisoners. Do not deceive yourself, God will separate those who truly follow Him from pretenders. “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Cor.5:17).
Minister Nettie Pennington, Associate Minister, Springfield MB Church
