Confession and Accountability

Over the past few months God has been dealing with me a lot about my lukewarmness. Scripture says "Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is." Eph 5:15-17 (NIV) I have been disobedient to this passage too many times to count. I have failed to make the most of every opportunity so many times. I may not know exactly what God's will is for my life in regards to ministry and a job, but I do know that His will for my life is to be like Jesus "A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher." Luke 6:40 (ESV) And here is the truth of the matter I want to be like Jesus, the American Jesus, the one who is easy and comfortable, the one who would waste His time on movies and video games not necessarily on bad things just trivial things. I want to be like Jesus minus the cross. Honestly I want to experience the "deeper life" to live like the book of Acts in all the good stuff, the miracles and the gifts of the Holy Spirit, but I want to avoid the suffering if at all possible. I am convinced to live life the way Jesus called us to live it the cross is not optional it is a requirement. "And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." Luke 9:23 (KJV) Scripture tells us to confess our faults one to another (James 5:16) And so I am confessing that I have been disobedient to God's Word instead of living worthy of the high calling of Christ Jesus I have wasted countless hours on the trivial, I did not lay aside the weight that so EASILY entangles me (Heb 12:1) I don't want to continue to waste my life. I want to live totally and completely for the Glory of God. I want to live a life radically abandoned to, and for, Jesus Christ! Last night I watched "the passion of the Christ" and I cannot stop thinking of the Leonard Ravenhill quote "Are the things you're living for worth Christ dying for?" After watching the movie and taking time to examine myself before taking communion I repented of wasting my time (along with a lot of other things) Now I want to in obedience make the most of every opportunity. I want to be able to say in truth "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20) So here is my second reason for writing this, not only to confess my faults but to ask for accountability. I know its easy to talk about living radically for the Lord, not always so easy to live it out. Hebrews 3:13 says "But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." Hebrews 10:24-25 "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."(KJV) I want my life, my marriage, my parenting, my words, my actions, my thoughts, to all be pleasing in God's sight. And I have asked God for his grace and His strength to live like this. so while "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:" Philippians 1:6 I am in obedience to Hebrews 3:13, 10:24-25 asking for my brothers and sisters to challenge, encourage and hold me accountable. I not only welcome this I NEED this.
His Servant
Nick