Blog Entries tagged 'accountable'

Sheep-Like People

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

After working there a while, and spending all day with large groups of people, he had noticed a common theme: people were just like sheep.

1 Corinthians 5:1-13

Reference: v. 6 Your boasting is not good. Don't you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough? (NIV Bible)

Explore: A mate of mine used to work at a museum in the city. He would take groups of people around giving them all the information they required. After working there a while, and spending all day with large groups of people, he had noticed a common theme: people were just like sheep. He couldn't believe that people would just follow someone else, even if they were doing the wrong thing or going in the completely wrong direction.

Application: The Apostle Paul recognises the sheep-like following of people when addressing the Corinthians. When they are lax at holding their fellow believers accountable, Paul knows that it won't just stop with one person. Our bad habits and behaviour are like yeast working its way through dough. Soon enough everyone will be doing whatever they want. While it is never easy to have conversations with another person to hold them accountable for their actions, if we don't enter in to those discussions then it can have a broader impact than just on that one person. If we are together as a whole community then the good behaviour, as well as the bad behaviour, has an impact on everyone. We are like sheep, may we not go astray.

Prayer: Lord, help us to have the courage to address issues when we see them. May we speak to our brothers and sisters with love and integrity. Amen.

What are some common behaviours in the communities you are involved in?

Writing Your Resume

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0100

Whilst displaying your capabilities in a resume, you need to show how well you are suited for the job without giving the impression that you could potentially run the place!

Matthew 25.14-30

Reference: v.21 "His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'" (NIV Bible)

Explore: I hate writing resumes. I must say that I haven't written many of them in my time, but I don't find it a pleasant process. As you write out all your qualifications you have to maintain a healthy balance. Whilst displaying your capabilities you need to show how well you are suited for the job without giving the impression that you could potentially run the place! To communicate all of this on a few pieces of paper is difficult, particularly if the interviewers have had no previous knowledge of your work. A resume is a time when you need to account for your past work.

Application: In the kingdom of heaven you don't have to write a resume - phew! However there will come a time when we are called to account for our past work. The starting point is not a concern to the master, it is the end result that he desires to see.
What would your resume say? There is always more we can do, but God never expects perfection. This parable is a great reminder for us to put our 'talents' to work in places that matter so that when we meet our master He too will say: Well done, good and faithful servant!

Prayer: Lord, you gave everything to us and yet we are sometimes so hesitant to give back in return. May we not hold too closely things that will perish but work towards that which is everlasting. Amen.

What are the things in this world that you think are important to work towards?

Love is Blindness

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 23:22:13 +0100

David does not see the mutiny from his own son

2 Samuel 15.1-12

Reference: v. 9 The king said to him, “Go in peace.” So he went to Hebron.

Explore: Absalom has arrived back in Jerusalem and has now spent four years deceiving the king and stealing the hearts of David’s people. And when Absalom goes to David to ask permission to go to Hebron, David does nothing and lets Absalom go. Now, I’m not sure whether David knows about Absalom’s conspiracy but when it comes to his family, David certainly fulfils the saying ‘Love is Blindness’. While David brings the whole of Israel under his rule, he struggles to lead his own sons.

Application: Now, I’m a big believer that everyone makes their own decisions. Let’s face it, even God’s children make foolish decisions, so a human’s child is bound to go down the same track! However, it is still a father’s responsibility to hold his son accountable. David was able to chastise his army commander and yet not his own son.
No one likes discipline. And as a parent, I don’t even like dishing out discipline. However if we don’t hold one person accountable then they may have a negative effect on many people. If we see sin in someone’s life then we need to act with boldness and love to help them to be accountable to God’s ways.

Prayer: Lord, your ways are perfect and just. Help me to see the folly in my own decisions and continually redirect my path back to you. Amen.