By Chuck Lawless
chucklawless.com
You might already have set goals for the new year, and I assume that some are related to your spiritual walk. Whatever your goals are, though, I encourage you to think about adding these goals to your list as well.
They may surprise you, but they reflect challenges I’ve seen too many believers face.
- I will never make my spouse or children feel like they have to schedule an appointment to get time with me. They notice it when everyone else gets our time.
- I will speak to someone every day about God’s goodness. Someone. Every day. If we get there, we’ll also do more evangelism.
- I will take every step necessary to avoid pornography. The stuff’s potent. And destructive. To think we’re immune to its lure is to be foolish.
- I will pray daily with my Christian spouse. It doesn’t need to be a long prayer — even a quick prayer is better than none — but we should be praying with our spouse.
Stay informed
- I will read or listen to the news every day. I’m amazed by how ill-informed church leaders are about the world God loves. We miss prayer and missions opportunities when we know nothing except our own little world.
- I will say “thank you” to a faithful church member at least once a week. Write a card. Send an email. Make a phone call. Most of our churches have many faithful, sacrificial members who never get a thank you.
- I will fast once a month. I realize believers differ on the necessity of fasting, but Jesus seemed to assume His followers would fast (Matt. 6). This won’t happen unless we prioritize and schedule it.
- I will finish that project I’ve been working on far too long. You know what that project is. If you believe God has wanted you to do it, get it done.
- I will read at least one book per month. One book may not sound like much, but it’s more than many church leaders read. Enlist a reading partner, and keep learning as you lead others.
- I will always be praying for at least (a) one nonbeliever, (b) one wayward believer and (c) one faithful believer. Pray with intentionality this next year.
- I will view my physical well-being as a spiritual matter and a gospel witness. For many of us, that means we will exercise more, eat better and get more rest.
- I will study about the needs of missions at least once a quarter. I would prefer you do it at least monthly, but let’s start somewhere. Great sites for studying missions needs are imb.org, peoplegroups.org, namb.net and joshuaproject.net.
EDITOR’S NOTE — We would add thebaptistpaper.org and thealabamabaptist.org to #12.
Letters to the Editor
I am writing regarding your Oct. 3 issue titled “Aging Well.” This issue was very enjoyable to read and informative as well. I specifically enjoyed the articles about genetic testing for Alzheimer’s and about the new drug approved by the FDA.
My biochemistry class has been discussing Alzheimer’s, so I was excited (and slightly traumatized) to see it in The Alabama Baptist. Your article summarized the mechanism of action for Kisunla well, and also the creation of Alzheimer’s through amyloid plaque. However, according to research I’ve done, some of the medications may not be as effective as the manufacturers are claiming.
I also enjoyed the “Aging Well” issue because my own parents are getting older. I found the story of Mrs. Kyles to be delightful, and it reminded me a lot of them.
John Ali Hedayat
Tuscaloosa
“We are a small church, but we want to have a big impact in the lives of the children and in our community,” said pastor Marlin Kimball of West Point Baptist Church in Kentucky, reflecting on the church’s winter VBS. “They come to VBS, and we sow the seeds of the gospel, work on crafts, and do all of the normal VBS activities. It’s something we all look forward to every year.”
“I went through brief periods of anger, especially when I watched other families in the trauma unit rejoice when their loved ones improved,” writes Becky Kirby on the challenges widows face after losing a spouse. Kirby lost her husband in a tragic car accident.
“During those 15 days, I read the book of Philippians several times and realized God’s divine peace really is inexplicable. I decided to stand firm on those promises in the Word … He IS in control and in that I could rest.”
“We were looking for an outreach opportunity that could bring people from our community inside the church who wouldn’t normally visit,” said Matt Mueller, a member of FBC Shelbyville, Kentucky. “Mini-golf works because it appeals to anyone. A 3-year-old and 90-year-old can both play.”
10 ways to pray for Syria
As Syria has faced ongoing crisis, Open Doors calls on the global community to uphold the people of Syria — especially the Christian minority — in prayer, and to advocate for peace and stability in the region.
Ways to pray:
- Pray for unity among leaders, that they keep the Syrian people’s interest as a first priority.
- Urgently pray for peace in Syria, that the cycle of violence would cease, that there would be no spirit of vengeance against anyone, and that God’s justice and mercy would prevail in this land that has been troubled for more than a decade.
- Pray for the leaders of all factions to be moved toward reconciliation and for the protection of innocent civilians.
- Lift up Christian communities in prayer, asking for strength and courage.
- Pray for the church to remain a beacon of hope and love, even as it faces immense challenges.
- Pray for church leaders, that they (re)commit to their calling to serve the church and their society at large.
- Ask God to grant wisdom to church leaders as they guide their communities.
- Pray for safety and resilience for families forced to make impossible choices about whether to stay or to leave.
- Pray for the other minorities (Alawites and others), that they will be protected to avoid more bloodshed.
- Pray for healing for Syria as a nation, that broken relationships would be restored and that the hope of Christ would shine, bringing comfort to the weary and a future to those who feel forgotten. May the global Church stand in unity, interceding for our brothers and sisters in Syria and for all those longing for peace and justice. (Open Doors)
“We can be so busy in doing the Lord’s work that we neglect to spend time with the Lord,” said David Eldridge, pastor of Dawson Memorial Baptist Church in Birmingham, noting an essential thing for pastors is the “care of the soul.”
He also noted, “We live in a society of contempt fueled by cable news and social media. So many are condescending and critical of others. I think pastors must work hard to avoid negative statements such as, ‘They’re never going to change,’ or ‘Nothing can be done.’ We must never conclude that a person or circumstance is irredeemable; we must pay attention to opportunities for redemption.”
Mere legalism can never accomplish our call to sanctified living. Outward expressions of faith must be born out of inward commitment to the Lord. The psalmist encourages, “Give the Lord the glory due His name; Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness (Ps. 29:2).”
In fact, our best efforts to worship God apart from repentance over sin will inevitably fall flat. We must lift up holy hands, without wrath and doubting (1 Tim. 2:8). Even prayer is impossible if we refuse to reckon with the iniquities in our hearts (Ps. 66:18).
Adam B. Dooley, pastor
Englewood Baptist Church
Jackson, Tennessee
Contentment
Contentment and thankfulness are antitheses of anger.
Be content where you are without being complacent.
Be thankful for the good and bad. Both add to your interesting life story.
Be patient.
God will provide what is needed for you, when you need it to fulfill your responsibilities.
Acceptance of God’s perfect will is the answer to all our problems.
Unless we accept life completely on God’s terms, we cannot be happy.
First Thessalonians 5:18 “in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Ultimately, you must have Jesus in your heart to be content.
Pray this way: “Lord Jesus, I need You. I open the door of my heart and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Take control of my life. Forgive my sins; I turn away from them now. Make me the kind of person you want me to be. As an expression of my faith, I now thank You for hearing my prayer and coming into my life. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
If you prayed this way, tell someone what you have done, and be baptized by a Bible-believing church. This will solidify your commitment to Jesus, and you will be taking the first important steps in your journey to Christian maturity.
Thanksgiving to God for loving us enough to send Jesus!
Bob Cosby, M.D.
Birmingham
Few things are as important as taking time for boys and girls and teaching them how to be Christians.
Pastors have many demands every day. Sometimes evangelizing and discipling others get swept into lesser priority because of these many tasks.
One day, opportunities will flee and influence will be gone. The most important legacy pastors and congregations can leave behind is a new generation who serve the Lord.
Michael J. Brooks
Siluria Baptist Church
Alabaster
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