1 of 1

Key Bible Verse: Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again [or from above]" (John 3:3). Bonus Reading: John 3:1-21

Bud, an ex-Marine, was our no-nonsense plant superintendent. Shortly before retirement, he was hospitalized with a bronchial infection. As I entered his room, I sensed his "I'm-still-in-charge" demeanor was gone. I'd hardly said hello when Bud blurted out, "John, I'm worried."

"Look," I said, "they'll get on top of this infection … "

"No," he cut me off, "that's not my concern. I've been thinking since I got in here. I'm not sure things are right between God and me."

"Bud," I said, shifting gears, "Would you like to be certain of your relationship with the Lord?"

"I really would."

So we talked about how sin has separated us from God and how Jesus died for us on the cross, providing a way for our relationship with God to be restored—if we're willing.

"So what do I do?" "You've got to put out the welcome mat. The Lord won't force you to do anything. But if you ask Him, He's more than willing to come to you. He'll become your closest friend."

Bud's simple prayer of acceptance came from his heart. "John," he said, his eyes misty, "this is probably the most important thing I've ever done."

—John D. Beckett in Loving Monday

• Do you know God? Lay out the welcome mat today.

Thought to Apply: If there are a thousand steps between us and God, He will take all but one. He will leave the final one for us.

—MAX LUCADO (Texas pastor)

Credits: Adapted from— Tuesday: Loving Monday (InterVarsity, 1998)

Copyright © 2000 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity. For reprint information click here.

To sign up for a risk-free trial issue of Men of Integrity click here.

To order multiple copies of Men of Integrity for your men's group, click here.

 1 of 1

share this page

Prayer for the Week

				Try an Issue of Men of Integrity Free! Name Street Address City/State/Zip E-mail Address No credit card required. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. Offer valid in U.S. only. Click here for International orders. If you decide you want to keep Men of Integrity coming, honor your invoice for just $19.95 and receive five more issues, a full year in all. If not, simply write "cancel" across the invoice and return it. The trial issue is yours to keep, regardless. Give Men of Integrity as a gift Buy 1 gift subscription, get 1 FREE!

FREE Newsletter Sign up for the Men of Integrity Newsletter (All fields required)    RSS Feed   RSS Help