Five (5) Action Steps for 2022

Hello family! I trust that the year is going well for you, and I want to help you make it better! An Inspired Message for 2022 (linked here) is a blog post that was solely written by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and it gives a great insight into God's plan for the year ahead and what He'll have us (as many that believe it) do in this year. Today, I'm outlining 5 action steps that will help you benefit from the inspired message for the year 2022. These steps are 100% applicable to any true believer in Christ Jesus! At the end of the action steps, Jeremiah will encourage you and me with a few words too!

1. Make God your Priority: Please note that when I say prioritize God, I'm not just saying put Him at the top of your list and have other things follow closely behind❌. The way to make God your priority is clearly outlined in the first commandment "Love the Lord your God with all your heart...". Note: ALL not most. Making a list such as God first, family or money second shows your heart is divided. Frankly, prioritizing God is a lifetime commitment, a journey of submitting more and more of our heart, mind, and strength to Him, however, you can either start or make huge progress this year! Making God your priority involves spending quality time with Him (studying the bible, praying) and obeying His commandments.

2. Examine your Heart: Another way I can put this is RETREAT. Since our hearts, soul, and body are constantly acting, we need time to slow down, examine the motives behind our actions, and ensure they are fully committed to God. 2 Chronicles 16:9 tells us God is looking for those whose hearts are fully committed to Him in order to strengthen them... 2022 is not a sprint but a marathon. It is a year of divine restoration and alignment. People will literally fulfill their purpose in life this year and you don't want to be too weak to fulfill yours. So, set out time at intervals to wait on God. While you wait ask God if your heart is in the right place. Ask Him to search your heart just like David did (Psalm 139:23-24) and receive His strength for the next phase.

3. Exercise yourself unto godliness (1 Timothy 4:7-8): Instead of arguing about whether or not speaking in tongues is for everyone why don't you exercise yourself praying in the spirit? The fruits of the spirit are godly and so are the gifts of the spirit, so exercise yourself in these areas. The verb exercise means to use or apply. It also means engaging in physical activity to sustain or improve health and fitness. Similarly, we are also encouraged to use our giftings and to apply the fruits of the spirit daily. Exercising yourself unto godliness also means engaging in spiritual activities that will sustain or improve your spiritual health. For example, as a believer part of your health status is faith. To sustain or improve your faith, you have to engage in studying the word because faith comes by hearing, hearing by the word of God (Rom 10:17). Besides faith, you and I have been uniquely made by God with diverse purposes and roles to play in the Kingdom. if you've discovered yours, be sure to engage in activities that will sustain and improve it not kill it.

4. Make Wise Associations: Proverbs 21:16 and 1 Corinthians 15:33 informs us of a "bad company or association". It simply shows that there are people you shouldn't be friends with or associate with and God is interested in how you make this decision. I strongly advise you to first join a bible believing, prayerful, and Holy Spirit-inclined church. Choose a family of believers where you can serve and be served. Just like associating with real money frequently makes it easy to tell fake money from real money, associating with a Christ-centered community can sharpen your ability to make godly associations outside the church. Your associations will be greatly instrumental in achieving your goals this year.

5. Practice Humility by Serving: There's an emphasis on staying humble this year because people will be greatly helped by God and further tempted to attribute the glory to themselves. The only way to overcome this temptation is to practice humility. One of the ways to practice humility is by serving. Matthew 23:11-12 explains it clearly - "But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased, and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.". This verse explains that the greatest person will serve because if he exalts himself then he will be humbled but if he humbles himself by serving (as stated earlier) then he will remain exalted or perhaps be further exalted. The way to stay up as God helps you is to continue to serve. Don't always be served instead work with your hands, use your resources, give your time in service to God and men above and below you.

Finally, Jeremiah encourages everyone to seek the face of God consistently this year, desiring to walk in His will always. Allow God to do the perfect work in you - not in your own power, effort, or strength but by His grace and His spirit.

Love always,

Moyo and Jeremiah

In The World In Faith