John Wesley's 22 Questions

John Wesley, over 200 years ago, created the following questions to help believers become more spiritually accountable.  Our circumstances may have changed, but human nature has not.  These are still practical and relevant for any individual or group interested in growing spiritually.  

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?

Remember the unborn

Here are some ways to remember the unborn as we pause to remember that our country made it legal to murder children in a mother's womb 39 years ago:

How to remember the unborn

Protect the unborn

-Psalm 139   God "sees" us as a person before we are born.

   

-Jeremiah 1:5   God has a plan and purpose for us before we are born.

-Unborn children are referred to as people by God, and therefore deserve the same protection as a baby or person who is already born!

  

Avoid the crisis

-Unplanned pregnancies occur most often when we make unhealthy and unholy lifestyle choices

-We must promote and support healthy marriages- the proper context for pregnancy and parenthood

-We must help our teens and single adults abstain from sex until marriage

    -provide real help, not just legalistic rules.

    -openly discuss sexuality with them in the context of what the Bible says about it

    -discuss with teens how modern media portrays sex vs. what God says about sex

    -be a parent before you are a pal!  Parenthood requires us to provide healthy boundaries

    -but remember, rules without a relationship with our kids = rebellion.  We must have both!

-Stay personally accountable-  don't ever say "adultery will never happen to me!"

-Support pregnant women-  no matter the situation!  

    -men, step up and take the lead in serving her when you become the father of an unborn child!

Offer Hope

-When a crisis pregnancy happens, be there!

-visit  www.ahopecenter.com  

-Is God asking YOU to volunteer as an advocate for life?

  

Find comfort during loss

The Bible declares that Children who die are safe

Truths about children

-Children are born sinners

    Ephesians 2:3

    Psalm 51:5  Indeed, I was guilty when I was born; I was sinful when

                       my mother conceived me.

    -if children were not born into sin, they would not ever die!

-Salvation is by grace alone

    Ephesians 2:8-9

    -Baptism cannot save an infant

    -prayer or activity after death doesn’t save an infant

       -no scripture supports this,  Heb. 9:27 refutes it

-Children are declared as “innocent” in the Bible

    Deuteronomy 1:39

    Jeremiah 19:4-7

    Mark 10:14-16

        -true faith is modeled by the unassuming trust displayed in children

        -Jesus would not have blessed children if they had rejected Him

   -How can a child…

            Openly reject Jesus (refuse to believe)?

            Know or comprehend the consequences of their sin?

                -this idea is the basis for legal classification of  “minor”

  

-We will see our children who died

    2 Samuel 12:22-23

    -David would see “him” (a person)

    -implies a relationship with his child in eternity

Choose Life Today: 

We must Remember the Unborn

-as we choose our new President

-as we elect other political officials

-as we petition currently elected officials

-as we choose to give financially

-as we pray for our friends, family and neighbors 

-as we serve men and women expecting a child

Be Generous!

I try to be generous when I hear about causes and issues that need money.  Mind you, I'm not extravagant, nor do I give to every cause I hear about.  I'm rather picky actually.

As hear the Salvation Army bells, read year-end letters asking for one more "tax-deductible" gift, and watching many people struggling in a down economy, my desire grows.  I want to help, but how?  Who should I help?  How much should I give?

Sometimes I have "misgiving giving."  Whenever I am haphazard (have no plan), ignorant of how trustworthy the organization is, or when I am wondering if this will keep me from fulfilling my prior donation commitments.  I'm also uneasy whenever I feel manipulated or made to feel guilty by people asking me for money.  I want to enjoy giving!

So here are some Generosity Practices I try to live out, based on 2 Corinthians 8:1-5:
1.  Don't dwell on my circumstances-  I will never have enough money to give away, nor do I never have any money to give away.  Generosity is not about how much I have.

2.  Give according to my ability-  I can't wait for a financial windfall to become generous.  God is asking me what I'm going to do with what I already have.  My pledges and gifts must be worked out within my current budget.

3.  Give beyond my ability-  Even the poorest person can be generous.  I need to be willing to give "beyond my abilities" and watch how God enables me to do it!  I must be willing to become financially poor in order for others to become spiritually rich.

4.  Give to trustworthy people-  If I don't trust you, I won't give to you.  You may be a great person.  Your organization may be the best solution to a current problem.  But, I need to know you a bit, to trust you with my money!

That said, I start my giving by contributing at least 10% to my local church.  Here are some reasons why:
1.  I believe God tells us in Malachi 3:10 to give a tithe (10th or 10%) to the "storehouse" and test whether or not He will bless us.  I have and He has!  My storehouse is the local church, the place I get "fed" so to speak.

2.  Jesus said "I will build my church" in Matthew 16:18.  I want in on what Jesus is doing!

3.  Trust-  I believe in my church, her vision, the people, the leadership, and God's ability  to use our church to fulfill His purposes

4.  Our church focused locally and globally-  we give away at least 10% to missions  beyond ourselves.

5.  Fun-  I enjoy watching God use my money to help people spiritually and physically!

6.  Helps me grow-  I trust God more when I give, and I appreciate the accountability to our church to ensure I am keeping up to date in my giving obedience to God.  That little "giving report" I receive at the end of the year reminds me of how well I am staying committed to this.

In conclusion, here are the steps I go through when starting to give:
1.  Give myself to God first!  Pray, read God's Word,  remember that He owns everything and I am simply His manager of the resources He gave me.

2.  Give to trustworthy causes-  do my homework

3.  Give voluntarily-  2 Corinthians 9:7 says to give as I have determined in my heart, and to give cheerfully!

4.  Start with what I already have- I need to plan my giving into my current budget, according to what I have right now

5.  Live for spiritual riches-  2 Corinthians 8:9 says Jesus became poor so that I might become rich!  Giving to meet people's needs physically and spiritually in Christ's name is the only investment with an eternal reward.

Give generously and be blessed!