"My story is important not because it is mine, God knows, but because if I tell it right, the chances are you will recognize that in many ways it is also yours. Maybe nothing is more important than that we keep track, you and I,of these stories of who we are and where we have come from and the people we have met along the way because it is precisely through these stories, in all their particularity,as I have long believed and often said, that God makes himself known to each of us most powerfully and personally." -Frederick Buechner



Tuesday, April 19, 2011

So by being accountable to God, He provides a way for the blessing of relationship with Him. I John 1:9
"if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." NKJV  There is freedom is openness and forgiveness.  Think about a time when you had a secret. It can be a "good" secret - like a gift for someone you love. Think about the waiting time between getting the gift and giving it. Sometimes keeping it a secret becomes a big job. You have to be careful not to give any "hints" but you certainly don't want them to go out and get it themselves.  The month of December can be a long time if you are hiding a very desired present from someone.  There is relief and even joy when you finally get to give it to them! That's the joy of being open and honest, transparent if you will with another person.

My friend, Mike had this to say after yesterday's post on Facebook. I went to a conference where a guy named Tal Prince was the speaker - his view of accountability was not like the Promise Keepers kind - AFTER the fact - his accountability team stayed close to him all day long, calling him when they knew he would be tempted and in danger, asking him how they could pray for him and be with him BEFORE he gave in. GREAT STUFF!  I agree totally!  That's the joy of relationship. If you have accountability with someone in your life. They are in your life.  They are aware of your general life routine - where you work, if your married or dating, number of kids, what your hobbies are, etc.  They learn your strengths and your weaknesses and therefore can have valuable insight into your life. One way this is referred to in the Bible is as "one another".  Check out these scriptures: (these are my synopsis - read them for yourselves)
Romans 15:14 ...admonish, counsel and instruct one another
Galatians 5:13 Serve one another
Ephesians 4:32 speak the truth as is useful and kind. Forgive one another
Colossians 3:16 teach, admonish and train one another


There are more scriptures using the phrase one another. Check your concordance if you want to see more. So lets keep learning together, teaching one another.  Do you have an example of a specific time you were accountable to someone else that you could share with us?

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