The Last Two Days & The Cooperative Program

The last two days have been rough ones around Arkansas. Two nights of tornadoes and severe thunderstorms make this calm morning with birds chirping a welcome event. As I sit alone in our dining room working on the Bible study for tonight's service, I hear the birds and I hear a clock ticking. It's a battery operated clock so it kept ticking while the power was out. I can also hear the hum of the refrigerator. That was silent for about 24 hours. We are blessed that the power outage wasn't longer and that the food in the fridge stayed cool enough that we don't have to throw everything out.

I can also hear the occasional vehicle drive by. Couldn't hear that with the hard rain and strong winds. I guess you could say things are back to normal now.

But not for the dozens of people across our state who have endured loss the last two days. Some lost family members. Some lost property. Some lost home. Some lost security. For them, today is not back to normal.

Can I go on as normal knowing that people around me cannot? I can't just ignore them, can I? No.

I have several opportunities to be involved. First, I can pray. Only God can really meet the needs these people are experiencing. So I am praying that God intervene in a God-sized way. I know he most often uses people as the conduits for this miracle, so I need to be available to help in ways I can. And I need to be generous with financial support.

A local TV station is promoting a drive for contributions to Red Cross. Other agencies are seeking donations.

Did you know that each time you give to a church that contributes to the Cooperative Program of the Southern Baptist Convention you are giving to disaster relief? (You should ask your church to contribute to CP!) Arkansas Baptists are deployed across the affected areas clearing debris and cooking meals for the displaced and the workers. The other organizations may do a good job and are both effective and efficient with the money given to them, I don't really know. But I do know that Cooperative Program dollars assigned to disaster relief are making a difference. And I contribute every week.

Arkansas Baptist Disaster Relief trainings take place around the state pretty often. Check this site for the training schedule or here for more information and pray about getting involved with both your checkbook and your hands.

5 Questions

I've just completed a series of sermons about the 5 most important questions you will ever answer. The audio for these sermons is available on our church's website.

http://www.crbclr.org/sermons

I hope you'll find these helpful as you navigate the sometimes-rough-waters of life.

Who Will You Worship?
Who Will You Believe?
Who Will You Marry?
Who Will You Forgive?
Who Will You Tell?

Testing Faith

I visited with an elderly woman today. She is dealing with a fractured vertebrae and cancer. She asked that I pray that her faith would be stronger.

As I talked with her I came to believe that her faith is pretty well grounded in Christ. She's a Christian. She loves the Lord. What bothers her is that she's uncertain about what she is going through. That uncertain translates into a lack of faith in her opinion.

Faith is a funny thing. You may think you have it but you really don't know until it is tested. There mere fact that faith is tested often shows the limits of our faith. Faithfulness is a lifelong journey. I express faith when I call on Jesus for salvation. That is a faith by which I am saved. Then there is the faith by which I live. Not necessarily a different faith but a different application of faith.

The faith by which I live strengthens (or fades) as I experience things that test my faith. For example, if I am laid off from my job and am unsure about how I will provide for my family, my faith grows when I confidently trust God to provide for us. Or my faith fades when I leave God out of the solution. If this test of my faith produces stronger faith, then I am prepared for greater tests in the future. The next time I'm laid off I probably won't struggle as much as the first time because my faith is strong enough to handle it - assuming my faith has not faded in the meantime.

But what if I am diagnosed with a serious disease? Is my faith strong enough for that? Maybe or maybe not. Once again, my faith is tested. The test is an opportunity for my faith to grow. Jesus asked the disciples why they had such little faith. It wasn't that they had no faith, just that their faith was smaller than the circumstance. When circumstances are bigger than our faith we can make two choices: we can focus on God and our faith grows or we can focus on the circumstance and our faith fades.

Faith passes the test when we can say in the face of uncertainties, "God will take care of this, too."

The woman I talked with today is facing that test of faith. I think she's passing the test. But I also think she is expressing the human uncertainty. That's normal when we face something new. For her, faith trumps uncertainty. She will have stronger faith because of this.

I don't know what you are facing today but I do know your faith will be tested. If not today, it will be soon. Everyone is in one of three places. You are facing a test. You just faced a test. Or you will soon be facing a test. Will you say, when facing the test, "God will take care of this, too"?

"Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" (Heb 11:1).

"You know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance" (James 1:3).

I hope you faith (and mine) grows.

Making a Difference?

I'm working this morning in a coffee shop while waiting on a lunch meeting about church planting. Two things about that statement - first, this is the loudest coffee shop I've ever been in! At the next table are two women who have just returned from working out. Their conversation makes me blush. Just a few more feet away are two men talking business. Money and more money are their goals. As I listen to the various conversations, I don't really expect people to be talking about yesterday's sermon (if they heard one) but I would expect Christians to at least reflect what they hear in biblical preaching and teaching.

Maybe it's a stretch to think the people sitting near me attended church yesterday or are Christians. The truth is that most people in Little Rock do not attend church even half the Sundays each month. Many people never attend church. Fewer and fewer weddings and funerals are held in churches. Christian ministers speak at fewer of these occasions anymore. Bottom line: we are making little impact on the masses.

That brings me to my next thought - church planting. We'll never reach the masses if we never reach the individual. How many people living near our church know much about us? How many of them know about heaven and hell? How many of them are prepared for eternity? The location of the church and the sign out front are mass appeals - and ineffective appeals. We reach the people one at a time when we establish relationships with them. Church planting is about building relationships with people who are not in church and probably not Christians. Those relationships lead to Bible studies which lead to conversions which lead to Christian communities called churches.

I have been struggling with a call to be involved in church planting for the last 15 years. I'm not really sure what that call is - I just know I need to be involved. That's why I am leading CRBC to pray for the city of Talitsa in Russia. That's why I will lead CRBC to join with other churches to plant a church in central Arkansas. That's why I'm having lunch with a church planting strategist today.

But I'm not convinced that leading my church to plant churches is what this call is about. My call to faithful Christianity and to pastor includes church planting. But is this call a call to be a church planter? Am I supposed to be the guy at the new work rather than the guy at the established church? I can give you a dozen reasons why I shouldn't be the guy. I keep thinking of the one reason I should be: God may be calling me to make a difference, to impact eternity by leading a church plant.

Last night's Bible study was about Jesus calling Andrew, Peter, James and John. One of the points in the text is that these men responded to the call immediately and completely. No hesitation. No fear of risking security. If God is calling me to this, I want to be as responsive as his first disciples.

Pray for me about that.

Are You Ready?

I don't know if the economy is rebounding or not. Some gurus say it is and others warn of another drop in the market. And since we live in a world economy, the stuff going on in Libya and the disaster in Japan make the future more uncertain.

But I do know one thing: God is God. He's present. He's loving. He's in control. He's able. He's my savior. He's my Lord. He's coming again.

Is all the instability around the planet the beginnings of birth pains signaling the end of time? I've read articles claiming just that. The Bible does say that wars, rumors of wars, famine, earthquakes, etc., will signal the end just like contractions indicate the soon arrival of a new baby.

The Bible also says that we cannot know or predict accurately when Jesus will return. The timeline of the past 2000 years is dotted with failed predictions. And disasters have always been with us. I do believe that conditions on earth are right for the Lord's return, as best as I can interpret the Bible and the times. But I cannot say that this is THE right time.

I like the way Jesus and Paul talked about all the predicting. They both said to be prepared and to help others be prepared. So rather than spend all my time trying to figure out whether or not Jesus is about to return, I'm going to do all I can to make sure others are ready for his return.

Are you ready? When Jesus comes he will gather all those who have believed in him for salvation - living and dead. For the living, this will be the first moment when accepting Christ will not be an option. For the dead, well, they lost the opportunity when they breathed their last breath. Since we do not know when Jesus will return or when we will die, we must take this moment very seriously. Are you ready?

I'd love to help you or answer any questions you may have. Please reply.

Defending the Gospel

Let me put this out upfront: I have not read Rob Bell's new book Love Wins.

But I have read a few reviews and hundreds of headlines.

Seems that Bell denies the reality of hell. So what? Well, if hell does not exist is heaven a myth, too? If hell does not exist is there any reason to repent of our sin and turn to Christ? If hell does not exist is the gospel relevant at all?

The biblical response is that hell is reall and so is heaven. Repentance and turning to Christ is necessary for salvation. The gospel is relevant.

I'd like to see more splash in the news and on the social networks about the "Good News" and men and women who are getting the gospel to people around the world.

I'm not against all the people who are talking about Bell. This is a real-life application of the illustration many preachers have used at one time or another. How do authorities train agents to identify counterfeit currency? Not by examining the fake bills but by examining the real thing so closely that a counterfeit is obvious.

Rob Bell's gospel is a counterfeit and all the noise is the legitimate reaction.

Ready for Change

Don't let the title of this entry fool you. The change I'm ready for is a change in my heart. I want to be closer to the Lord. I want to be more available to him for his work. I want to know him better and reflect him better.

So I'm ready for change. I just am not sure exactly how or when it will come. I'd like to experience all these things right now. But maybe I'm just not ready for it. My relationship with Christ is precious to me but I can grow. I will put myself in the hand of the Spirit and allow him to do with me whatever he will. I'm ready.

Prayer will be a key. Bible study will be a key. Witnessing will be a key. Serving will be a key.

Starting now is mandatory. Will you join me?

What Matters

I'm glad Deana was looking for what really matters when she met me. I'm not that attractive. I don't have money. I have some bad habits you don't really need to hear about. I'm not friends with influential or famous people. I'm an introvert with a dry sense of humor and much to critical of others.

But I love Jesus. I am a Christian who desires to know God. I want to walk closer with him today that yesterday, and tomorrow than today. I want to love my wife as Christ loved the church. I want to lead my children to love and honor Christ. I want to be part of a church that impacts eternity everyday.

Chasing the "cute guy" or the "gorgeous woman" is like, as Solomon might say, chasing after the wind. Exhausting. Frustrating. Fruitless. Demoralizing. Demeaning. In the end, still chasing.

And still alone. Even if you caught her (or him).

Not sure why Deana decided on me, but this one thing I do know: I got the best deal.

Learning in the Valleys

I don't really understand why sickness, disease, job loss, or broken relationships happen to us. But it seems that within my circle of friends and influence there is always a handful of people dealing with some hardship like this. Sometimes I am the one struggling through a valley.

In the midst of the struggle our vision is blurred if not altogether blinded. We can see only the immediate need but I think it would be helpful if we could see beyond the valley. Just like driving in fog is easier with low beam headlights than with high beams, we tend to focus on the near, of which we are the center.

I know a person who almost is through a series of treatments for a terrible disease. As I walked through this season of life with this person I heard him tell about lessons he was learning while in this valley. Lessons about material things and how to treat others and what is really important. I hoped the lessons in the valley would mold this person into one more closely modeling the character of Jesus.

Now he's beginning to act like his old self again. If that's the case, he didn't apply what he learned in the valley. Maybe he didn't really learn anything after all. Unless we have reached perfection in Christ-likeness, we should not emerge from the valley our same old self. We should be different. We should be more like Christ.

God may or may not cause the hardships a person experiences. For sure, he allows what he does not directly cause. For sure, he is present in the valley. Whatever the cause or reason for your passing through a valley, be sure to leave the old self behind and come away from your troubles having applied what you learned in the valley. Let the valley be the opportunity to become more like Christ.

Benevolence

One of the most difficult tasks of church leadership is determining how to use benevolence resources. The real needs are great but they seem to be matched with an equal or greater number of unnecessary requests - some are even scams. In our church, much of the decision lies with the pastor - that would be me. I pray for discernment and wisdom so that our resources are put to the best use. My understanding of "best use" is to help with needs within the church family AND to meet needs of those outside the church FOR THE PURPOSE OF SHARING CHRIST WITH THEM.

Benevolence without that purpose is just welfare. Believers will need benevolent help. Our church will help them as we can so that this person or family can better understand God's love. We hope that the situation they are currently in will be a point along the journey to spiritual maturity. And we hope that our benevolent help for people who do not know Christ as Savior and Lord will result in their realizing the need for salvation - a point along the journey to spiritual new birth.

A lot of organizations can help meet needs but the church cannot see benevolence as an end in itself. Rather, it is a means to a greater end of drawing people to Christ. A church ceases being a New Testament church when it leaves this greater end out of its objectives.

Acts 20:35 quotes Jesus saying, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Christians may sometimes need to receive. Christians always need to give.

Waiting on the Lord

I read today's entry in Oswald Chamber's "My Utmost for His Highest." The point was that we should move through life following God's timetable rather than our own. How often do you rush ahead without really considering what God wants? I do that too much and it's time to wait.

I rushed into something 31 years ago that was not according to God's timing. I rushed into something 28 years ago that was not on God's master plan. I rushed into something 12 years ago that was not on God's agenda. I'm sure there are other occasions that also meet this criteria. The three things I mentioned have marked my life and are obstacles even today. I didn't wait on the Lord.

The three things I mentioned represent three different areas of life. I knew in my head that God is supposed to be the center of everything in my life. I knew in my head that God has a plan for me that is all-inclusive. I just didn't know it in my heart so I rushed. Instead of waiting on the Lord I either ran ahead of him, ran away from him, or ran around him.

Eventually, I ran back to him. And he was there each time waiting on me. How much easier (and better) had I been waiting on him. I hope I've learned my lesson.

Lame Duck Session of Congress

Let's see...

Tax reductions are extended for all income brackets. That's a good thing because it allows Americans to keep their money. The government is not efficient nor equipped to do much of what they try to do. Let the government field a military and other entities to protect the public. Let the government maintain national infrastructure. Let the people and free markets take care of everything else. In order to do that the people must keep more of their money rather than send it to the government. Now the government must reduce spending. A balanced budget must accompany lower taxes.

The DREAM Act is dead. This was viewed as an attempt at amnesty for many illegals. We need to protect our borders. We need to deport illegals. We will be better off by spending our money to achieve these goals rather than spending to educate and medicate them.

"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" has been repealed. In the early years in the Clinton Administration, the president and Congress struck a deal on gays in the military. Up until that time, gays were not allowed to serve. The compromise, known as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" allowed gays to serve as long as nobody knew they were gay. The military could not ask. The gays just had to keep it a secret from their commanding officers. What happened in Congress then was the first step toward what happened today.

Conservative Christians could look at this week as a "Win" because we got two out of three. But the biggest concern for us should have been the advancing of the homosexual agenda - and we lost on that one. I'm not diminishing the importance of smaller government (we haven't won anything on this yet) and lower taxes. People should take control of their own lives rather than allowing someone else to give you everything.

That opinion does not fly in the face of grace. Grace is where God gives us something we could in know possible way gain for ourselves. Welfare, entitlements, or handouts give people a reason to not work and get things for themselves. That's not the case 100% of the time so we'll always need some form of welfare, but it's gotten out of hand in the US. Take responsibility, people, and stop taking the handouts!

There is also a conservative Christian perspective on immigration. The US must be careful how it lets people in. And the laws governing this must be followed. Is that unbiblical? I don't think so. God is very careful about who is considered part of his family. The rules are very strict about getting in. Read the New Testament and you'll see that God is careful about how aliens are treated - welcome if they follow the rules.

And the Bible is clear about homosexuality. It is a sin. Since it is a sin, it is forgive-able but it is not OK. Albert Mohler wrote an article that lays out the Christian perspective on the repeal of DADT. Please take a look at it. http://www.albertmohler.com/2010/06/04/homosexuality-and-the-military-whats-really-at-stake/

I like what Rep. Boenher said last week. He will not compromise, he will look for common ground. Compromise is always lose/lose. Common ground is the only way to get to the right answers.

And I like what Mike Huckabee said about the lame duck session of Congress. He said Congress should ends every session at the election. No session of Congress until January 1 (or whenever) the following year with the newly elected congressmen. That would put an end to stuff like this. The new Congress would have extended the tax cuts, stopped the DREAM Act, and left "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" alone.

"Dandy" Don

Don Meredith passed away today at the age of 72. He suffered a stroke a few years ago, had emphysema, and died of brain hemorrhage.

You may remember him as the quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys. I don't. Roger Staubach was the first Cowboys QB I remember. But Meredith was a Cowboy legend having earned a spot in the team's ring of honor.

He retired from playing at age 31 and moved into ABC's Monday Night Football booth next to Frank Gifford and Howard Cosell. That's how I remember "Dandy" Don. Football was different then. And football broadcasts were different. Those three men captivated this young boys imagination and cultivated love for the game At least, for the game as it was then.

I watched Sunday Night Football last night and really got a sick feeling watching the players showboat and try to hurt each other. Maybe that was also part of the game 40 years ago but this young boy couldn't see it. Many players today make more money in one year than the best players did then in their entire careers. All professional sports has taken the same turn…for the worse, in my opinion.

But MNF with "Dandy" Don was a weekly event that drew attention to what has now become an icon in America's game. By the way, it saddens me to call the NFL "America's game" because I am a huge baseball fan. But the truth is the truth.

I guess Madden came closer than anyone else in being the character/icon that Meredith was. He is my favorite football announcer because he was part of the scene when I began loving football. It's a sad even but one that takes me back to happy times.

"Turn out the lights, the party's over."

I wonder if Don Meredith was a Christian. Nothing he could accomplish in football matters to him right now. The only thing that matters is whether he embraced Jesus as Savior and Lord before he died.

It's the same for me and you. Embrace the Light of the World before the lights on your party go out.

Reluctant to Change

I just saw a commercial for the TV program "V." In the ad a woman shows a typical human reaction to change: the humans have to fight back because the aliens "are trying to change us."

That made me think about the Holy Spirit working in our lives. As Christians, we are being transformed, made new, changed from what we were/are to what God wants us to be. And we can be just as turned off by change as the woman in the commercial. Why is that?

One reason is our selfish nature. We want to be in total control of our lives. We don't like it when anyone has authority over us. Don't believe it? Do you drive 70 mph on the interstate or 73? Do you push the limits of the dress code at work or school? You may say that things like this don't really matter, but they show a lack of respect for authority. And a reluctance to change. So when the Holy Spirit convicts you about your language or how you treat your spouse, you push back. And you justify your actions either by comparing yours to someone else's or convincing yourself that it's not really that bad.

God created us to bring glory to him by honoring him, worshiping him, and obeying him. He also created us with a free will so that we can choose to do these things. Or we can choose not to do them.

If you believe God is all-knowing then you must believe he knows what is best for you. If you believe he is all-loving then you must believe he wants what is best for you. If you believe he is all-powerful then you must believe he can do what is best for you.

So when we choose to reject the Holy Spirit's work in our lives we are saying we know better, we care better, and we can do better. That's arrogant and selfish. And it robs you of God's blessings.

A reluctance to change will cost you. You are to be a new creation You are to be transformed. You are to be clay in the potter's hands.

Thanksgiving

Every day this week is a unique experience. Riley is out of school all week for Thanksgiving. So we are watching a bunch of Nick and Disney shows. Those of you with kids or grandkids about 9 years old know what I'm talking about!

Then he gets tired of that and plays Wii. Then he gets tired of that and…

But I'm glad he's home and I can be with him. Not many dads get that chance. I didn't get it with my older boys.

So this Thanksgiving I'm thankful for my boys. Jim is 26 and is married to Ashley. He lives in Conway and teaches music in one of the middle schools. He's a good guy.

Caleb is 24. He lives in Bentonville and works at Best Buy in Rogers. He's a sharp guy who's making a good way for himself.

Riley is 9, lives at home, and is in 4th grade at Arkansas Baptist Elementary School. He's a good kid and will be a good man, too.

We don't get to spend holidays together but I'm thankful for them. And I love them.

Enjoy the unique experiences with your children. They'll be grown and gone before you know it. But that's just a chance to enjoy more unique experiences. Don't ever stop being their dad. They may not know it or admit it, but they need it as much as you do.

A week in Alaska

Everybody ought to have the chance to do what I've just done. Spend a week in Alaska with Christian people who are excited about what God is doing through their church.

Alaska is a beautiful place. Even though most of the days were either snowy or overcast, the natural beauty is breath-taking. Just knowing that even more amazing scenic views are behind the clouds and under the snow makes me want to come back. I hope to come back with family and friends.

If/when I do, I'll make it a point to meet up with Scott Coffman and the folks at College Heights Baptist Church. We formed friendships this week that I know will endure time and distance. With email, skype, facebook, and other wonders of technology that we have these days, keeping in touch will only be hindered by our lack of desire. Lord, help me stay in touch with these wonderful Christians.

So, I'm packing up and heading home later tonight. Catching the redeye to Houston. Then on to Little Rock by 2:00 tomorrow. I'm thankful for the trip, the sights, the people, and the experience. And I'm ready to get home to my family and my church.

Alaska

I'm in Alaska for a Men's Advance for churches in the Soldotna area. Then I'll be part of revival services at College Heights Baptist Church in Soldotna. I'm here through Thursday.

Not doing what you might think. I am a preacher and I love to preach and teach. But in my wide variety of experience, I am a musician of sorts. I don't think I'm all that, but I do enjoy it. And I spent many years leading music in churches and singing in gospel groups.

Through a strange connection of events, I'm here to lead music for the conference and revival. I kinda like that. I enjoy the few minutes each Sunday when I sit at the piano and lead our church in worship. But I'm a little apprehensive doing this for folks who have been led to believe I'm good at it. Danny Johnson is quite the salesman – even though he won't admit it.

So here I am. November is Alaska reminds me of Russia. There's not as much snow, yet, and the temperatures are around 0 degrees C instead of 0 degrees F. But the tall pines weighted down with snow is a pretty sight – and one that makes me think of the Sverdlovskaya Oblast.

Chuck, the man who owns the facility where I am staying – a VERY nice facility – took me out onto the deck this morning with excitement. It was 8:00 but still very dark because we are so far north. He took a spotlight and shined it alongside the road leading to the house. I large moose was munching on some grass sticking up through the snow. Chuck says it's only about a year old – just a small moose. But it must have been seven or eight feet tall! I hope I get to see a BIG one.

Just a few minutes ago I raised the blinds on my window to take a picture of the pretty scene just outside my room. I took a couple of pictures, turned away for a few seconds, then turned back to see the same moose walking past. I am a little slow getting the camera set to take a picture so I just have his backside. Check it out on www.facebook.com/bobloyd.

It's gonna be a great week It will be full of worship, teaching, sharing, and beautiful scenery. I'll try to post some pictures here as well as on my Facebook page.

Migrating

I bought a MacBook Pro last week. Now I’m trying to get everything from my HP laptop over to the MacBook. Not everything on the old computer will be useful on the new one. Not everything on the old computer will even work on the new one. For me, this is a hit and miss opportunity.

But it makes me think about people who come to Christ for salvation. (Not that Apple should be compared to our Savior.) Many new believers try to simply plug their old lifestyle into the new life. Just like with the computers, not everything is useful and not everything works.

Some things about the MacBook are similar. The ABCs and 123s are in the same place on the keyboard. But the CTRL, FN, and ALT keys I have become very comfortable with are not in the same place and maybe not even there at all or maybe called something else and doing something else.

And what happened to “My Computer”? Finding stuff on the MacBook takes me a while.

I’ll have to learn new applications for word processing, presentations, and spreadsheets. I may buy Office for Mac but I expect there will be some adjusting to do even taking this easier pathway.

In short, life is different now. And life is different for a new believer. It’s easier to keep on doing what you’ve always done. It’s safer to stick with the same friends. It’s more comfortable going to the same old places. But Christianity requires that we change. God’s Spirit is with us to make sure the change goes as planned – and that’s a good thing! All we have to do is follow the Spirit’s leadership.

Sure wish changing from a pc to a mac was that easy.

chasing false gods

Tonight in the worship service at CRBC, I preached from 1 Kings 11:1-13. Most of us would, when we read the text, remember that Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines. But that’s not the problem and not the point of the text. The problem is that Solomon disregarded God’s word regarding marriage and how a king should conduct himself and followed false gods. The result of the problem was 1,000 sexual relationships in his life, God was angry at him, and God revoked an intended blessing that Solomon’s descendants would always be on the throne of Israel.

So I got to thinking about these questions.

Do I seek God’s counsel and then obey what I learn?
Do I spend time in prayer concentrating on myself or on others?
Do I share the gospel with others or even care that they may be lost?
Do I give of myself to my church?
Do I honor God with my money…all of it?

The answers to these questions indicate whether I am following the Lord wholeheartedly or sometimes chasing after false gods. False gods of pride, success, secular solutions, selfishness.

Like Solomon, sometimes I get full of myself. Do you ever think you are bulletproof? Do you think some or all of the Bible’s commands do necessarily apply to you? Do you have patterns of selfishness in your lifestyle and spending habits?

God was angry at Solomon. The thought of God being angry with me scares me. I want to please my heavenly Father. I want to hear him say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” I want others to know that Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation and eternal life.

Father, I confess that I am a sinner. Forgive me and purify me from all unrighteousness. Please make me into the person you want me to be. Lead me in paths that honor you. I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Accountability

A friend left for Fort Worth early Monday morning. He made a commitment to the Lord before he left that he would share the gospel with at least one person each time he stopped along the way. He called me mid-morning and left a message, “Hey, call me. I need an accountability partner.” I could only imagine what kind of temptation he was facing.

I returned the call and he told me about his promise to the Lord. He wanted me to hold him accountable to that promise. He called me again last night on his way home. He has shared his faith with someone each time he has stopped for food or gasoline or anything.

I find that I can make promises with ease. Good promises that reflect good intentions. But as good at making promises as I am, I’m better at breaking them. Especially promises I make to the Lord. I need someone to hold me accountable.

Accountability requires transparency and I’m about as good at that as I am at keeping promises and commitments. David wrote these words in Psalms. “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24 NIV). That is transparency before the Lord.

Being transparent before the Lord is much easier than being transparent before our friends and family. The Lord KNOWS everything. My friends and family know only what I reveal to them. I can hide NOTHING from God but my friends and family know very little about me.

Why is transparency so important? Why does accountability matter? My friend traveling to and from Fort Worth put it like this. “How can I share the gospel with someone when I know I have unconfessed sin in my life?”

O God, search me, test me, know me, lead me.

And may I find at least one person with whom I can confide for the purpose of accountability.