25th November - "Accountability"

Welcome:

Daily Readings: (Message Translation at www.biblegateway.com)

Nehemiah 13

Amos 5

2 Tim 2

Daily Discipler: p316 "Accountability" 1 Thessalonians 2:5-12

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20thess%202:5-12&version=NKJV

Memory Verse:

2 Tim 3:16-17

"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man f God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Reflections:

Accountability is a "Dirty Word"

Todays DD reading focussed on accountability. Often when we think of accountability we think of "Control". We think of being accountable to someone as if they are our "Boss" Our scripture from 1 Thessalonians would suggest that a "Biblical View" of accountability is based less on "Control" and more on "Mutual Love" As we take this discipleship journey together, it is not based on control, (even though some of you are asking to be accountable to me) Neil Anderson asks which order these words should be in ? Authority, accountability, affirmation, acceptance.

I think this is the wrong order (as does Anderson) Jesus began by acceptance and affirmation. When people know they are accepted and affirmed (loved) they more readily place themselves under voluntary accountability and recognize authority. The Apostle Paul said even though he could have claimed power and authority, he was like a nursing mother with her children (gentle and caring)

Thought for the day: why can't we be honest with each other in our families and ministries ?

Personally, I haven't revealed inner secrets because I am worried about what others will think about me, as a result, I haven't spoken openly, and have assumed an awful lot. The down side to this is that I have pretended that I am "Better" than I am, and it leaves others assuming "I am Better than them" (which of course isn't true, if you see the inner me)

Brian Doerksen sings a song "Change me on the inside" which reflects every time I try to bring about change, I only touch the visible me. There's only one way I'm really gonna change. Change me on the Inside, Change me on the inside, Change me on the inside.

Accountability is mostly about acceptance and affirmation that leads to true honesty and therefore mutual respect and influence. I trust that if you are taking this discipleship journey with me, you will be as open and honest as you can be (on this public blog) and we can scratch below the surface of the spiritual journey that all believers crave for.

Todays DRP reading: from Nehemiah emphasizes that when something is wrong, sometimes radical change is needed to fix it (and Nehemiah was one for the Job) but listen to the reading from Amos 5 in the Message - is this pertinent for TODAY's Church ?

I'm fed up with your conferences and conventions. I want nothing to do with your religion projects, your pretentious slogans and goals. I'm sick of your fund-raising schemes, your public relations and image making. I've had all I can take of your noisy ego-music. "When was the last time you sang to me ? Do you know what I want ? I want justice - oceans of it. I want fairness - rivers of it. Thats what i want. That's all I want.... (read the rest of the passage to get the context) It makes me think, so much of what takes place in church is about "Public Image' because we are more motivated about "Attracting Attenders" than doing what God really wants. James reminds us that true "Religion" that God loves is caring for Widows and Orphans and keeping ourselves clean of the worlds ways. Yet our churches keep running "Headlong" into copying and mirroring the worlds ways to attract the world. We were never called to attract the world. If we do what God wants, we are attractive to the world. Jesus said they will know you are my disciples by your "Love" for "one another"

The church's first mandate is to be the Church - not an empire building publicity and ego organisation. Maybe we need someone like Nehemiah to come in and clean us out again..... ?

Well thats it for our first day of discipleship reflections. (and we didn't cover every reading, but this is pretty common) I am not offering a formula for discipleship, but rather an opportunity for you and I to develop a "Dialogue" and hold each other accountable for our faith journey with the Lord.

Add your reflections as comments: you might like to try to answer this:

"Why can't we be honest with each other in our families and ministries" ?

Bless ya,

Jabin