Romans 1:12 NLT
When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.
As we walk through our life as a Christian, it is vital that we have a good team around us. Trying to walk alone will only leave you frustrated and spiritually dry.
When we try to go it alone, we leave ourselves exposed to attacks from Satan. But when we have a solid group of people that we can support and that support us, we can help each other grow spiritually.
Proverbs 27:17 NLT
As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.
Matthew 18:20 NLT
For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NLT
Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.
The only way this works is if we work together.
The term “accountability partner” is frequently referenced within churches all across the country. Also used in recovery programs as well.
It has been my experience that most people want to be held “accountable” until it’s time to be held accountable.
You might be saying to yourself, “John, what do you mean by that?”
Most of the decisions that we make generally come in the heat of the moment.
From making a snap decision to quit a job, or take a drink, or an outburst of anger. A key here is that we need to separate ourselves from that snap decision long enough to pick up the phone and reach out to our accountability partner.
If we can do that, we can put ourselves in a position not to act out in a way we shouldn’t. We can seek the necessary council that we may need to help us not fall into sin. We can pray with them.
James 5:16 NLT
Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.
There is one thing that I struggle with regards to this “accountability” concept, and that is when people who want to be held accountable don’t participate.
The only conclusion that I can make is that they have their minds made up to do what they will do, from taking a drink to quitting a job to moving to another local church.
It wouldn’t matter how much scripture you would put in front of them; nothing would stop them from making the bad decision.
Understand, I don’t point the dirty end of the stick at them for this because I certainly can have this tendency myself. But I am working on that; I am trying to put that space between what I am about to do and actually doing it to pray and make the phone call to someone that I trust with my spiritual life.
Understand this as well; God will use this stubbornness in our hearts to His glory as well. His Will will be done despite us. When we act outside of His will for our lives, we will forfeit blessing in this life and the life to come.
He won’t let us off the hook; if we run from the situations He puts us in because we are uncomfortable, you can be sure that He will put us in another situation somewhere down the road that will resemble what we were running from.
A key here is to recognize that the trials we face are there for us to learn from not run from!
We are all a work in progress!
Philippians 1:6 NLT
And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
I will end this post with a couple of challenges to those reading this:
Read the Bible… EVERY DAY! The Bible is where God speaks to us.
Make sure when you read the Bible that you let God’s Spirit show YOU what you need to change in your life, not what needs to change in the world. You are the only thing that you can come remotely close to changing, and even that will come by God’s hand, everything else in God’s Hand.
Joshua 1:8-9 NLT
Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Surround yourself with other Christians. Yes, there will be those who you will not understand. You will be confounded by others, but you will meet the people who will help support your spiritual growth and that you will be able to support.
Hebrews 10:25 NLT
And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
Hebrews 12:1 NLT
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the people You have placed in my life.
I pray that You help me be encouraging to those around me and give me the humility to reach out to those around me for encouragement, especially before I do anything against Your will.
I know Jesus is coming soon, I pray that You bring us together in a spirit of harmony to bring those around us into Your fold.
Thank You for everything You provide.
In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray, Amen!! 🙏❤️
