Yesterday we talked about starting with one believer and then building a team of advisors to keep you accountable. It is not just for yourself, or for the benefit of others who have the opportunity to guide you along your path. The one person that you are truly accountable to is Almighty God.
Matthew 12:36 says, "But I tell you that everyone will have to give an account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken."
Paul acknowledges this and similarly echoes this verse in Romans 14:12 which reads, "So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God."
As a writer and as a person, I put a strong value on spoken words. I still like to write letters. And whether you are writing or speaking, it is not only what words that are spoken, but also what is heard through the ears and in the minds of others. Words are powerful; to say the least.
Think about a person you admire. Are they eloquent with respect to the words they choose?
Let's take this theme on step further. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 4:2, "Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful."
As someone who is being spoken to, it is imperative in valuing the words spoken to us, that we can believe and have faith in their validity. We want to believe that the advice we are getting is inherently good. And if we are to be better off having received such advice, it requires faith and trust in the advice given.
Look in the book of Luke for some sound advice. Luke 12:48 says, "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked."
Just prior to that as Jesus is talking to His disciples, in Luke 12:2-3 he records, "There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs."
Having grown up in a small town, these two verses carry a lot of weight, and ring true, so to speak.
My mother and father knew what I had done and what I had said before I ever returned home. They also held me accountable.
To me, the spoken word is directly in line with the parable of the harvest; "you will reap what you sow." As leaders, you will have the opportunity to be heard in the assembled group of your peers. Words are not only to elevate you, but others as well. Counsel in private, and praise in public.
What can you say to others today that will affirm, and add value to others, whether it be one or many?
Thursday, July 27, 2017
Tuesday, July 25, 2017
Accountability: Part IV
Accountability is not about having a "big-brother" to watch over you, or check-in with. It is more about have a sounding board. Someone other than yourself in this world to confide in. It will help to keep you on a straight and narrow road, away from trouble, away from strife and live a life that is better than just the inside-of-your-own-head.
Think of it as building a team. There may be only one advisor, or many; but having a point-of-contact in whom you can trust and consider a "first line of defense" is never a bad plan. Most of you who have children who participate in high-school athletics have probably heard, "There is no 'I' in TEAM." Having those whom you feel confident to help you find your way, or add valued advice to the solution that you already have in mind will strengthen your decisions. Once you personally feel confident about what you are to do, you then turn to God for guidance.
Start with at least one other believer, and then build a team. Jesus appointed twelve disciples to further His work. They had one assignment: to reach far and wide and to all crevices on earth with the Gospel; the Good News that Christ is our Savior. The disciples were hand-picked to be accountable to Jesus for the mission He had placed in them.
Is it not a good idea to have one person in addition to Christ that we are accountable to?
Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:11, "Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."
This verse highlights two key points. When you edify others, it is that type of encouragement that fuels further positive action by the whole team. Everyone feels better when they are spoken about with encouraging words; words of affirmation.
The second key point is that Paul praises them for the work that the Thessalonian people are already doing. He acknowledges that they are already, "doing good work." Again, this encouragement provides motivation. And when a group of people are on the same page, striving toward a common goal with a specific purpose in mind, everybody wins.
He provides more praise and further instructions in the following verses. In verse 12, he asks the people to "acknowledge those who work hard." In verse 13 to "hold those who work hard in high regard." Verse 14 explains that they "should be wary of those who are idle and disruptive, help the disheartened and the weak, and be patient." Do not "pay wrong with wrong, " in verse 15. In verses 16, 17 and 18 he asks them to "rejoice always, pray continually, and to always give thanks as the work that they are doing is God's will."
Let's review the steps in these 7 verses:
12: Acknowledge hard work
13: Hold others in high regard
14: Be patient with those who are not following God's will for His people
15: Wrong doing should not be paid in return with wrong
16: Always rejoice
17: Pray continually
18: Remember that your efforts are in line with God's will.
I challenge you today to review your steps.
Provide affirmation, lift others, be patient, right wrongs with encouragement and proof, rejoice, pray continually and stay in God's will.
To me this message can be applied universally. It may be best to start with the words in verse 12 and work up, or even in some situations to apply the urging in Paul's letter in reverse. Or finally, in such a way that each of the steps could be applied in a fashion that has no definitive order based on the circumstances at hand.
If you are fervent about following the will of God, His guidance will help you put the steps in the correct and perfect order.
Think of it as building a team. There may be only one advisor, or many; but having a point-of-contact in whom you can trust and consider a "first line of defense" is never a bad plan. Most of you who have children who participate in high-school athletics have probably heard, "There is no 'I' in TEAM." Having those whom you feel confident to help you find your way, or add valued advice to the solution that you already have in mind will strengthen your decisions. Once you personally feel confident about what you are to do, you then turn to God for guidance.
Start with at least one other believer, and then build a team. Jesus appointed twelve disciples to further His work. They had one assignment: to reach far and wide and to all crevices on earth with the Gospel; the Good News that Christ is our Savior. The disciples were hand-picked to be accountable to Jesus for the mission He had placed in them.
Is it not a good idea to have one person in addition to Christ that we are accountable to?
Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:11, "Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."
This verse highlights two key points. When you edify others, it is that type of encouragement that fuels further positive action by the whole team. Everyone feels better when they are spoken about with encouraging words; words of affirmation.
The second key point is that Paul praises them for the work that the Thessalonian people are already doing. He acknowledges that they are already, "doing good work." Again, this encouragement provides motivation. And when a group of people are on the same page, striving toward a common goal with a specific purpose in mind, everybody wins.
He provides more praise and further instructions in the following verses. In verse 12, he asks the people to "acknowledge those who work hard." In verse 13 to "hold those who work hard in high regard." Verse 14 explains that they "should be wary of those who are idle and disruptive, help the disheartened and the weak, and be patient." Do not "pay wrong with wrong, " in verse 15. In verses 16, 17 and 18 he asks them to "rejoice always, pray continually, and to always give thanks as the work that they are doing is God's will."
Let's review the steps in these 7 verses:
12: Acknowledge hard work
13: Hold others in high regard
14: Be patient with those who are not following God's will for His people
15: Wrong doing should not be paid in return with wrong
16: Always rejoice
17: Pray continually
18: Remember that your efforts are in line with God's will.
I challenge you today to review your steps.
Provide affirmation, lift others, be patient, right wrongs with encouragement and proof, rejoice, pray continually and stay in God's will.
To me this message can be applied universally. It may be best to start with the words in verse 12 and work up, or even in some situations to apply the urging in Paul's letter in reverse. Or finally, in such a way that each of the steps could be applied in a fashion that has no definitive order based on the circumstances at hand.
If you are fervent about following the will of God, His guidance will help you put the steps in the correct and perfect order.
Friday, July 21, 2017
Accountability: Part III
I want to go back this morning to the time during the Last Supper. We see Jesus setting an example of a servant, washing the feet of the apostles. He is showing the disciples an outward expression of how they should care for others, just as He had. He encourages them to continue in His example.
I like to think of this as "reverse accountability." It is not at all proper to think that those you are guiding and teaching to only be accountable to you. Leaders are to set the example, and therefore be accountable to whom they lead. John 13:16-17 says, "Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them." In this verse, we see Jesus sharing with the disciples that we are all on a level plane. No one is greater than any other.
Going back just a few verses, I love the beautiful picture that is painted during the meal. It seems almost surreal to think of the "Son of Man" taking time from His last meal with the disciples to wash their feet. This is not the picture of the past or modern day king of many a nation. Jesus removes His clothing, wraps a towel around His waist, pours water into a basin and begins to wash the feet of the disciples. John 13:4-5 reads, "so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began washing the disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him."
Jesus sat at the head of the table. He was in the sitting appropriately in the middle of the Twelve.
Why was it He that displayed such an act of servanthood?
We can find the answer to this in John 13:12-15. "When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set an example that you should do as I have done for you.
These few verses are what brings to me the idea of "reverse accountability."
Jesus was not placed on this earth to be served, but rather to serve. Not yet known to the disciples, Jesus knew where He was going. The final steps were already in motion. While He would ask if they had to be done, He simply states in Luke 22:42, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done."
Jesus may have been serving the disciples, but He knew that He was also being held accountable to God. He knew without doubt that He was soon ascending to a higher place. He therefore submitted to God above and became a servant to His disciples. First a servant, then a "King in Heaven."
My takeaway from this is that embodying the role of a servant can propel you to higher places. Serving others becomes ascension.
"Wash the feet" of others, and see where it takes you. Not for personal gain, but simply to remind yourself that serving others becomes a choice that is also best for you. You can move higher by becoming lower.
Ask yourself, "What can I do today to serve?'
I like to think of this as "reverse accountability." It is not at all proper to think that those you are guiding and teaching to only be accountable to you. Leaders are to set the example, and therefore be accountable to whom they lead. John 13:16-17 says, "Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them." In this verse, we see Jesus sharing with the disciples that we are all on a level plane. No one is greater than any other.
Going back just a few verses, I love the beautiful picture that is painted during the meal. It seems almost surreal to think of the "Son of Man" taking time from His last meal with the disciples to wash their feet. This is not the picture of the past or modern day king of many a nation. Jesus removes His clothing, wraps a towel around His waist, pours water into a basin and begins to wash the feet of the disciples. John 13:4-5 reads, "so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began washing the disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him."
Jesus sat at the head of the table. He was in the sitting appropriately in the middle of the Twelve.
Why was it He that displayed such an act of servanthood?
We can find the answer to this in John 13:12-15. "When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set an example that you should do as I have done for you.
These few verses are what brings to me the idea of "reverse accountability."
Jesus was not placed on this earth to be served, but rather to serve. Not yet known to the disciples, Jesus knew where He was going. The final steps were already in motion. While He would ask if they had to be done, He simply states in Luke 22:42, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done."
Jesus may have been serving the disciples, but He knew that He was also being held accountable to God. He knew without doubt that He was soon ascending to a higher place. He therefore submitted to God above and became a servant to His disciples. First a servant, then a "King in Heaven."
My takeaway from this is that embodying the role of a servant can propel you to higher places. Serving others becomes ascension.
"Wash the feet" of others, and see where it takes you. Not for personal gain, but simply to remind yourself that serving others becomes a choice that is also best for you. You can move higher by becoming lower.
Ask yourself, "What can I do today to serve?'
Wednesday, July 19, 2017
Accountability: Part II
Accountability seems to me easy to explain and easy to understand. It is nothing more than saying, "I did it." You could say it another way in saying, "I am personally responsible for ..."
The Apostle Paul understood accountability. He was accountable first to Jesus, and then to himself. He framed his actions knowing that the strength and power in his mission was in direct relationship to holding himself accountable to Christ. That is not to say that it did not take a monumental change in perspective. The self-proclaimed "Chief of Sinners" fell blind, but when his eyes were opened and his sight restored, he was instantly a different man.
He became a "Man on a Mission." He became a "Man on Fire." What Paul became was a man with a "passion" for Jesus and His people. He cared not if you were a Jew or Gentile; he felt a personal responsibility to reach those for the glory and the kingdom of God.
He personified Jesus, and perfected his craft in the cities, villages, synagogues and public forums. Paul became the "mouthpiece" that Jesus desired and needed to advance the early Christian church. His profession was speaking and writing to the leaders and those he felt may be influential in furthering his cause. Other than God, their was no "superhuman figure" who could challenge or change his unwavering commitment in spreading the gospel story. He was sent on a mission, he was diligent in following instruction and he "ran the good race" for Jesus Christ.
In 2 Corinthians 5:7-10 Paul writes, "For we live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad."
Talk about a "punch in the throat?" Like me, many of you may also feel as if those few verses hit you like a "ton of bricks." Enough with the bad taste in figurative language, let's dissect those 4 verses in 2 Corinthians 5.
Verse 7: Living by faith is not an easy task. Faith is something that we must grow into. It takes daily action and thought to increase your personal faith muscle. One way to do so is to have a "running conversation" with God. Make it a point to allow Him to bear the challenges that you face. When you can clearly see the outcome, your faith will be increased.
Verse 8: Despite Paul knowing that he had a mission to complete, he longed to be with Jesus in heaven. A "heavenly mindset" allows us to both strengthen and be effective in our work. Be able to say, "Not my will, but Yours be done."
Verse 9: This verse seems to me a challenge. When we reach heaven, there will be no pain. Not so on earth. Strive to be the best you can be. On earth, we can undoubtedly never be perfect. It's not possible. If we attempt to "stay at home" in the body of Christ, we will be able to harness His power with the aid of the Holy Trinity.
Verse 10: The end of this verse could easily make us all uneasy. We will face judgment. Remember that there is no sin greater than any other. Doing our best, and striving to stay away from and thwart sin as it surely will come helps build a barrier from the devil and builds a stronger relationship with Jesus. That is what He desires; a relationship.
Start today by having a running conversation with Jesus. Ask for His help in the known and unknown. Develop plans with the aid of the Holy Spirit by asking for His protection and for Him to intervene where you will not have answers. Look to heaven, and attempt to emulate God's wonderful work in the present. Fear not judgment; focus more on your work for the Lord.
The Apostle Paul understood accountability. He was accountable first to Jesus, and then to himself. He framed his actions knowing that the strength and power in his mission was in direct relationship to holding himself accountable to Christ. That is not to say that it did not take a monumental change in perspective. The self-proclaimed "Chief of Sinners" fell blind, but when his eyes were opened and his sight restored, he was instantly a different man.
He became a "Man on a Mission." He became a "Man on Fire." What Paul became was a man with a "passion" for Jesus and His people. He cared not if you were a Jew or Gentile; he felt a personal responsibility to reach those for the glory and the kingdom of God.
He personified Jesus, and perfected his craft in the cities, villages, synagogues and public forums. Paul became the "mouthpiece" that Jesus desired and needed to advance the early Christian church. His profession was speaking and writing to the leaders and those he felt may be influential in furthering his cause. Other than God, their was no "superhuman figure" who could challenge or change his unwavering commitment in spreading the gospel story. He was sent on a mission, he was diligent in following instruction and he "ran the good race" for Jesus Christ.
In 2 Corinthians 5:7-10 Paul writes, "For we live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad."
Talk about a "punch in the throat?" Like me, many of you may also feel as if those few verses hit you like a "ton of bricks." Enough with the bad taste in figurative language, let's dissect those 4 verses in 2 Corinthians 5.
Verse 7: Living by faith is not an easy task. Faith is something that we must grow into. It takes daily action and thought to increase your personal faith muscle. One way to do so is to have a "running conversation" with God. Make it a point to allow Him to bear the challenges that you face. When you can clearly see the outcome, your faith will be increased.
Verse 8: Despite Paul knowing that he had a mission to complete, he longed to be with Jesus in heaven. A "heavenly mindset" allows us to both strengthen and be effective in our work. Be able to say, "Not my will, but Yours be done."
Verse 9: This verse seems to me a challenge. When we reach heaven, there will be no pain. Not so on earth. Strive to be the best you can be. On earth, we can undoubtedly never be perfect. It's not possible. If we attempt to "stay at home" in the body of Christ, we will be able to harness His power with the aid of the Holy Trinity.
Verse 10: The end of this verse could easily make us all uneasy. We will face judgment. Remember that there is no sin greater than any other. Doing our best, and striving to stay away from and thwart sin as it surely will come helps build a barrier from the devil and builds a stronger relationship with Jesus. That is what He desires; a relationship.
Start today by having a running conversation with Jesus. Ask for His help in the known and unknown. Develop plans with the aid of the Holy Spirit by asking for His protection and for Him to intervene where you will not have answers. Look to heaven, and attempt to emulate God's wonderful work in the present. Fear not judgment; focus more on your work for the Lord.
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