A closer walk with God is a worthy goal, but it can only be accomplished if we pursue it passionately. If you really want something badly in life, whether it's a blouse, a house or even a spouse, you'll have a passion to obtain it that drives you toward success. That's exactly what Lloyd is talking about in this study - a passionate pursuit after God.

Today on Bridging the Gap we'll put aside irrational fears and concentrate of a fear we'll all have if we're wise - a fear of God. As Lloyd reminded us yesterday, that doesn't mean we should tremble at the thought of God, and live in fear of what awful thing He's going to do to us if we sin.

Everyone has fears in their life. Some of them are more rational than others. The most rational fear any of us can have is a fear of God. Afraid of God? What's that all about? Well, fear of God as defined by God's word is a very healthy thing. We're going to see exactly what it means today as we again return to the book of Proverbs.

John Rockefeller was once asked how much money was enough, and his reply was "just a little bit more". Living well really doesn't have anything to do with material wealth, as we'll see today. It has more to do with living a life pleasing to God. That's where wisdom comes into the picture.

Today we begin a new series in the Proverbs. The theme throughout this book is wisdom. Now the word wisdom has a very specific definition in this book - It's really an extended series of tests you can apply to your life to see if you're really living by God's standard of wisdom.

The new year seems to be an appropriate time to set new goals and take an honest look at our relationship with God. Have you done that? Pastor Lloyd will lay some pretty specific groundwork for a fresh start with Jesus Christ today, as we again look at Romans thirteen.

Today we are going to bring you a special message from pastor Lloyd for the new year, and to say this message will challenge you, is a huge understatement. Lloyd is basing today's message on Romans chapter thirteen, verses eleven through fourteen. These four verses display Paul's ministry perfectly.

Today we'll wrap up Lloyd's series on sharing the gospel, titled "Eternal Influence". As we bring you the final message in this series, let me remind you that there is a great opportunity to share right now, with our country and the world in complete turmoil.

You and I never know when an opportunity will come up to share the good news of salvation through Christ, so, as the Boy Scouts say, we should "be prepared". But we also need to approach those opportunities with the right attitude and tone. Our country is in desperate need of a change of heart, and the gospel message of salvation through Jesus Christ is what can make that change. That's what today's message is all about - sharing the gospel the right and effective way.

With our country in upheaval, there's never been a time when the good news of salvation through Christ has been more needed. And I know you have loved ones who are unsaved. How do we reach these people without offending them or alienating them? John chapter four will be our focus.