Ready in 2022

A whole new year!

The Optimist

The optimist says: Holy cow! a whole new year. Things are gonna be different this year. I’ve got a new lease on life. I’m gonna do all those things I’ve been meaning to do and my life is gonna be better for it.

The Pessimist

The pessimist says: A whole new year to mess up. 2020 was bad. 2021 wasn’t any better. 2022 is looking to be more of the same.

The Realist

The realist says: It’s no different than yesterday. Sure there’s a new picture on the calendar, but that happens every month. Let’s see if we can muster up a little more juice to make some changes this year. I hope this year goes better than last year.

The Christian

The Christian says:

Psalm 118:21–29 ESV

21 I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation. 22 The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. 23 This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. 24 This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. 25 Save us, we pray, O Lord! O Lord, we pray, give us success! 26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! We bless you from the house of the Lord. 27 The Lord is God, and he has made his light to shine upon us. Bind the festal sacrifice with cords, up to the horns of the altar! 28 You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God; I will extol you. 29 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!

As the new year begins and the old one dies away, embrace the truth that each and every day is the Lords. He is your victory! He is your strength! Give thanks to Him and worship Him.

So let’s enter into 2022 ready. Ready to do the will of God. Ready to make a difference.

Todays passage is found in 1 Peter 3:8-17. Let’s turn in our Bibles and read together what God has for us to learn today.

1 Peter 3:8–17 ESV

8 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. 10 For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; 11 let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” 13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

Preparing for 2022

by . . . Maintaining and Building

1 Peter 3:8 ESV

8 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.

1. Unity of Mind

Through the Bible and the Holy Spirit.

2. Sympathy

Through shared experiences of loss

3. Brotherly Love

Through a desire to be in fellowship

4. A Tender Heart

Through an understanding of how hard this life is to live.

5. A Humble Mind

Through a commitment to learn from others rather than judge them.

. . . by Guarding Against

1 Peter 3:9–11 ESV

9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. 10 For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; 11 let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.

Vengeance

Slander, Gossip, deceit, and hateful speech.

Living for Evil

Pursuing Adversity

. . . by Setting your Mind

1 Peter 3:12–17 ESV

12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” 13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

Be excited about Good

Honor Christ the Lord as Holy

Even if you suffer for doing good.

Even if you are intimidated.

Even if you are harassed.

Give a Defense

When they ask why you have hope?

With a clear conscience.

So your conduct speaks for itself.

Do God’s Will

1 Peter 3:17 ESV

17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

As 2022 starts we know that new moments to celebrate and new trial are in front of us. It is only by living in obedience to and seeking God’s will that we will succeed.

In our families . . .

In our friendships . . .

In our work . . .

In our church . . .

In our community . . .

Are you ready for 2022?

What is God’s will for you?

In what ways are you preparing to share the gospel this year.

What difference will you make so that people will see that you are different?

Who will be worshiping God with us by 2023 that doesn’t even know Jesus as Savior yet?

This coming year,

Maintain and Build your walk with Jesus

Guard your heart and mind against sin and evil

Set your mind on the things of the Lord

Look for chances to tell others about your hope in Jesus!