Six questions to ask yourself in conducting a personal audit.
1. Am I content with who I am becoming?
I must be sure my profession does not consume my person. It’s important that I be more than I do or have. When the time comes for me to leave my title and power, will I have anything to fill the vacuum? As I mature am I moving from power to wisdom; from the offensive to being sought out?
…Throw off your old evil nature–the old you that was a partner in your evil ways–rotten through and through, full of lust and sham. Now your attitudes and thoughts must all be constantly changing for the better. Yes, you must be a new and different person, holy and good. Clothe yourself with this new nature.(Ephesians 4:22-24 Living)
(See Job 22:23; Ez.18:30-32; 2 Cor. 5:17; Col. 2:11; 3:8,9; Heb 12:1; James. 1:21)
2. Do I have a quiet center to my life?
For many of us our life motto seems to be, “When in trouble, when in doubt, run in circles, scream and shout.” God’s word however encourages us to Be still and know that I am God.(Psa. 46:10) There is an important difference between the fast track and the frantic track. By way of contrast, Jesus quietly went about doing good. He had a quiet center. A peace, which evidenced the presence of God. Do I? (See Psa. 131:2; 23:2; Isa. 30:15; 32:17)
3. Is my prayer life improving?
Do my decisions have prayer as an integral part or do I make decisions out of my desires and then immerse them a sanctimonious sauce I call prayer?
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer…present your requests to God. (Phil. 4:6)
(See I Ki. 3:5; 2 Chr. 7:14; Ps. 37:4; Matt. 6:6-9; 7:7,8; 21:22; Jn. 14:13,14; 16:23,24; Jas. 5:16-18)
4. Is my humility genuine?
There is nothing so arrogant as false humility. Humility is not denying the power that I have but admitting that the power comes through me, not from me.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. (Phil. 2:3)
(See Ps. 37:11; 131:1; Prov 11:2; 27:2; Isa 57:15; 66:2b; Jer. 45:5; Micah 6:8; Lk. 18:14; 1 Pet.5:5)
5. Is obedience in small matters built into my reflexes?
Do I try to bargain with God or rationalize with him? Obedience largely determines my relation with Christ. Good intentions count for little.
Obedience is the test of whether we really live ‘in God’ or not. The life of a man who professes to be living in God must bear the stamp of Christ. (I Jn. 2:5, 6 Phil Trans.) (See Prov. 19:16; 19:17; 1Jn. 5:3; Lk. 6:46)
6. Do I have joy?
Joy is perfected in the full belief in the total sovereignty of God. Doubt dilutes joy. Does my joy extend into my suffering; understanding that my suffering is my maturation?
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.(Jms. 1:2-4)
(See Neh. 8:10; Isa.12:1-3;61:10; Rom.15:13; 2Cor 6:10)
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