Let the Roosters Crow!
Journey Girls,
I can't hardly believe that we have come this far on our journey together already! Only 12 days remaining! It is bittersweet for me, because I have come to love and anticipate this time with you each day. Alright, it's time for some updates! I need to know what scriptures you are memorizing, how your time in the Word is going, what prayers have been answered, how your fasting is going and how you are planning on spending your hours in community service. It's accountability day! :)
I believe that it is vital for growing christians to have accountability in their lives. Accountability must be intentional! We must take the initiative to protect ourselves from the enemy's attacks. Proverbs 15:22 says, "Plans fail for lack of counsel but with many advisers they succeed." Sometimes, we choose to opt out of accountability because we don't want to be vunerable. We have been hurt before and we are to afraid to trust again. Please don't allow a previous bad experience to keep you from the growth God has for you through Biblical accountability! Accountability in your life helps to keep you healthy spiritually. The goal is to keep you focused and strong in your relationship with the Lord and with others. This helps us to maximize our effectiveness in our lives and ministry.
We see many examples of warnings and accountability in scripture. The Lord often placed warning signs in people's lives when He was trying to get their attention. How many times do we have warning signs in our lives that we ignore. Accountability partners help us to see more clearly when the warning signs are being missed. They help us to avoid pitfalls in life.
Read Ezekial 3:16-19. This was a warning to Israel. God had made Ezekial a watchman for the people. He was not only to warn them, but to teach them that God would hold them responsible for their behavior. I believe that many times we need some "watchwomen" in our lives. Godly women who will lovingly come alongside us and help to keep us strong in the Lord. They need to be women who love God's Word and are led by His Spirit. Women who are trustworthy, committed and have a servant's heart. Pray for God to place names on your heart and pray about intentional accountability.
I recommend Lori Salierno's book, "When Roosters Crow," as a place to start. It is a fresh approach to Biblical accountability and integrity. Lori talks about her "Roosters." She uses this term for her accountability group and it comes from Luke 22:31-34, 54-61. You remember the story. The Lord told Peter that before the rooster crowed, he would deny Him three times. Peter replied, "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death." (vs. 33) And then, we see later after he denied knowing Christ for the third time, the rooster crowed. "The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him. . ." (vs. 61). The rooster crowing was Peter's wake up call. Many times we have warnings in our Christian walk, but we ignore them. We all need wake up calls and it is much better when they come from a group of Christian girls who love you, instead of something that brings devastation.
I will be the first to admit that the times in my life that I implemented accountability, I grew spiritually and avoided many pitfalls. However, the times in my life that I avoided accountability, I have had pitfalls and struggled in my walk with Jesus. Don't be afraid to be accountable to others. Sometimes they see clearer when our vision is clouded by circumstance. I have a couple of lifetime roosters in my life who always tell me the truth, even when I don't want to hear what they have to say. They are honest, loving and always encouraging me in my walk with Christ. My one rooster always knows when I need to hear her crow! She let's me know when I am beginning to live in defeat, instead of victory! She can tell me things when no one else can. I am so thankful to have a rooster in my life who loves me no matter how ugly I am. She always keeps me in line and helps me to dig deep into the Word of God. I love you Rooster! (you know who you are!)
Accountability partners also act as an encouragement, a support and even sometimes a "cheerleader" on our behalf. We can pour our hearts out to them, pray with them, and help hold them up when they are weak. We can help to bear their burdens. Galatians 6:2 says, "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." I love this example in Exodus 17:12. Moses was tired and Aaron and Hur held his hands up for him. They came alongside him and helped him to remain steady during the battle. They stayed on each side until the victory came.
Many times, some of our deepest prayer needs are shared with our accountability partners. They can serve as prayer warriors on our behalf. Luke 15:8-10 tells of a woman who had lost a coin. When she found it, the first ones she called was her friends. This word in greek is "tas philas" and means "female friends." How wonderful that she had a group she could call upon when she had a praise report! She called her girlfriends! I like to imagine that they were her accountability partners.
Sweet ones, we all need roosters in our lives. Those who can come alongside us during the battles and help to hold us. Those who will lovingly tell us when we are missing the warning signs that the Lord is sending us. Those who can encourage us (Hebrews 10:23-25), those who can help to restore us when we have fallen. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10) and those who can rejoice with us when we have reports of praise. Please pray about enlisting accountability partners in your life. Your journey will be so much better when you allow others to be a part of it with you.
So, we are back to where we started. How are you doing on your journey? Don't feel bad if you haven't gotten as far as you had hoped. Just start today and allow the Journey Girls to come alongside you and help get you back on the right track. You are so precious to me and I love each one of you so very much! I am so proud of your progress! I am praying for you and I cannot wait to hear from you.
Today, in the comments, please let me know where you are at in God's Word. Tell me what scriptures you are putting to memory. Tell me where God is leading you to spend some time in service to others. Let's stay accountable and encourage each other as we head towards the end of our journey together.
I love you,
Elisabeth
I can't hardly believe that we have come this far on our journey together already! Only 12 days remaining! It is bittersweet for me, because I have come to love and anticipate this time with you each day. Alright, it's time for some updates! I need to know what scriptures you are memorizing, how your time in the Word is going, what prayers have been answered, how your fasting is going and how you are planning on spending your hours in community service. It's accountability day! :)
I believe that it is vital for growing christians to have accountability in their lives. Accountability must be intentional! We must take the initiative to protect ourselves from the enemy's attacks. Proverbs 15:22 says, "Plans fail for lack of counsel but with many advisers they succeed." Sometimes, we choose to opt out of accountability because we don't want to be vunerable. We have been hurt before and we are to afraid to trust again. Please don't allow a previous bad experience to keep you from the growth God has for you through Biblical accountability! Accountability in your life helps to keep you healthy spiritually. The goal is to keep you focused and strong in your relationship with the Lord and with others. This helps us to maximize our effectiveness in our lives and ministry.
We see many examples of warnings and accountability in scripture. The Lord often placed warning signs in people's lives when He was trying to get their attention. How many times do we have warning signs in our lives that we ignore. Accountability partners help us to see more clearly when the warning signs are being missed. They help us to avoid pitfalls in life.
Read Ezekial 3:16-19. This was a warning to Israel. God had made Ezekial a watchman for the people. He was not only to warn them, but to teach them that God would hold them responsible for their behavior. I believe that many times we need some "watchwomen" in our lives. Godly women who will lovingly come alongside us and help to keep us strong in the Lord. They need to be women who love God's Word and are led by His Spirit. Women who are trustworthy, committed and have a servant's heart. Pray for God to place names on your heart and pray about intentional accountability.
I recommend Lori Salierno's book, "When Roosters Crow," as a place to start. It is a fresh approach to Biblical accountability and integrity. Lori talks about her "Roosters." She uses this term for her accountability group and it comes from Luke 22:31-34, 54-61. You remember the story. The Lord told Peter that before the rooster crowed, he would deny Him three times. Peter replied, "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death." (vs. 33) And then, we see later after he denied knowing Christ for the third time, the rooster crowed. "The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him. . ." (vs. 61). The rooster crowing was Peter's wake up call. Many times we have warnings in our Christian walk, but we ignore them. We all need wake up calls and it is much better when they come from a group of Christian girls who love you, instead of something that brings devastation.
I will be the first to admit that the times in my life that I implemented accountability, I grew spiritually and avoided many pitfalls. However, the times in my life that I avoided accountability, I have had pitfalls and struggled in my walk with Jesus. Don't be afraid to be accountable to others. Sometimes they see clearer when our vision is clouded by circumstance. I have a couple of lifetime roosters in my life who always tell me the truth, even when I don't want to hear what they have to say. They are honest, loving and always encouraging me in my walk with Christ. My one rooster always knows when I need to hear her crow! She let's me know when I am beginning to live in defeat, instead of victory! She can tell me things when no one else can. I am so thankful to have a rooster in my life who loves me no matter how ugly I am. She always keeps me in line and helps me to dig deep into the Word of God. I love you Rooster! (you know who you are!)
Accountability partners also act as an encouragement, a support and even sometimes a "cheerleader" on our behalf. We can pour our hearts out to them, pray with them, and help hold them up when they are weak. We can help to bear their burdens. Galatians 6:2 says, "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." I love this example in Exodus 17:12. Moses was tired and Aaron and Hur held his hands up for him. They came alongside him and helped him to remain steady during the battle. They stayed on each side until the victory came.
Many times, some of our deepest prayer needs are shared with our accountability partners. They can serve as prayer warriors on our behalf. Luke 15:8-10 tells of a woman who had lost a coin. When she found it, the first ones she called was her friends. This word in greek is "tas philas" and means "female friends." How wonderful that she had a group she could call upon when she had a praise report! She called her girlfriends! I like to imagine that they were her accountability partners.
Sweet ones, we all need roosters in our lives. Those who can come alongside us during the battles and help to hold us. Those who will lovingly tell us when we are missing the warning signs that the Lord is sending us. Those who can encourage us (Hebrews 10:23-25), those who can help to restore us when we have fallen. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10) and those who can rejoice with us when we have reports of praise. Please pray about enlisting accountability partners in your life. Your journey will be so much better when you allow others to be a part of it with you.
So, we are back to where we started. How are you doing on your journey? Don't feel bad if you haven't gotten as far as you had hoped. Just start today and allow the Journey Girls to come alongside you and help get you back on the right track. You are so precious to me and I love each one of you so very much! I am so proud of your progress! I am praying for you and I cannot wait to hear from you.
Today, in the comments, please let me know where you are at in God's Word. Tell me what scriptures you are putting to memory. Tell me where God is leading you to spend some time in service to others. Let's stay accountable and encourage each other as we head towards the end of our journey together.
I love you,
Elisabeth
10 Response to Let the Roosters Crow!
Journey Girls,
I will go first! :) I have been reviewing some favorite scriptures that I had put to memory, such as Philippians 4:8 and 2 Corinthians 10:5. I am also attempting to memorize Philippians. This could take me forever, but my goal is to memorize it in 2010. (we will see how that goes). I have been in God's Word each day (you have played a vital role in that!). I am still fasting from Diet Coke and sweets. This has gotten a little easier, but I must admit, I am looking forward to a big Diet Coke and some chocolate on Valentine's Day! :) I am still praying about my service time. I am trying to work out finances to be able to spend a week in Atlanta working with CLI. God is answering many prayers in my life. He is bringing healing to my heart, which has been huge! He has protected my boy at college and I am seeing his relationship with Jesus grow. He is sustaining my husband and healing his heart as well. I am believing God for the next steps of our journey of faith! I love my Journey Girls and I cannot wait to hear from you!!!! :)
I can confirm how important it is to have roosters in your life. My rooster has continued to keep me accountable and I am very blessed. I am working on memorizing Psalm 121. So far I am on vs. 1 and 2. I have given up chocolate and it has been harder than I thought. Giving up something only makes you think about it more. For my service work I so far have spent one day making blankets for Haitti with our youth and I am planning a girl's only event for our teenagers in a couple of weeks. Busy, Busy, Busy!!! The hardest thing for me right now is finding quiet time. Praise God my graduate class is moving along.
Christy,
Thank you so much for sharing where you are at on your journey! Thank you for your continued encouragement and support! I love and appreciate you so much! I am praying for you!
Love,
Elisabeth
I have so loved this journey!! Thank you so much for doing this, Elisabeth. I have been studying my Bible more this month than I have in ages. Between this study, our church daily devotion, and our youth "Believing God" study, I am spending much of my unobligated time in the Word. I am still fasting from carbonated beverages (especially, my Diet Coke!) and I haven't slipped up since that very first day. WOOHOO!! I admit there are times when I see my family drinking a big ole glass of Coke and I think about snatching it right out of their hands...but i haven't!! I have spent a lot of time in Psalm 139...I need to be reminded of just how special I am to God. I have had occasion this week to remind one of "my girls" in my bible study, that she is "fearfully and wonderfully made" and she is God prize possession, never to be treated as anything less. I have also been working on John 14:1-3 which we hear so often at funerals but I like to imagine the time and care that Jesus is taking to prepare a place for me. The "Believing God" study is absolutely blessing my soul. I am overwhelmed seeing God speak to these young women this way. We have 11 girls in the study now. I expected to see some of them drop off but instead we started with 9 and have had 2 more join in...Praise God!! I have been volunteering some time at the Salvation Army Thrift Store helping to sort donated clothing. We are taking the youth there this Saturday to spend 4 hours and try to make a huge impact on that ministry just sorting and hanging all of the many bags of year end donations they have received. I am feeling a little sad to see this journey come to an end but I am looking forward to what God has for us next!! Love you!!
I have enjoyed the postings so much. I've been memorizing 2Chron 31:20-21. I came across this one day and thought Hezekiah was such a beautiful example of how to live for Christ. I've also been memorizing Phil 2:1-11 because the Lord has been showing me for quite some time now about how far I have to go to truly be a humble servant. I've been fasting from french fries (oh how I love them!) and music in my car on the way to work and back (1 hour total each day). As much as I love my "worship" time with my music, I realized I needed to make my mind available for God to speak to me and for me to pray. It has been amazing. Even good things in our life can get in the way if we aren't careful! I'm still not clear about my service area. I know I am loving God's word and experiencing the power of answered prayer. I sure hope you keep this up after the journey is over! I love you!
My journey has been fruitful. I have been doing a "I saw the Lord" study and reading the bible in a year and a couple of other devotions. I am doing love dare, trying to focus personally on how I treat my spouse and children. I want to be able to show those closest to me the love of 1 Cor 13. I am memorizing Eph 3 and reviewing other verses. I haven't decided my community service yet. I might do a mentoring kids program. It is good to hear how God is working in all your lives.
Rhonda,
Thank you so much for sharing your heart and where you are at on your journey. I am so excited for you and your Believing God girls!! That is so awesome! I am praying for you as you lead. Praying also for their understanding of God's Word. I love the scriptures that you are hiding in your heart! :) I also love the fact that you are already volunteering in your community and taking the youth to volunteer as well. GOD is so good!! Thank you for sharing in this journey with me. Thank you also for taking the time to post. I love and appreciate you so much!!
Ginger,
Thank you so much for sharing in this journey! I love hearing where you are at in God's Word and how He is working in your life! I absolutely love Philippians 2! Awesome passage of scripture!! I am praying for you as you seek His face concerning your service area. I know He is using you in a mighty way and will continue to use your life for His glory! Music is a tough thing to fast! I admire you for spending this time in prayer and listening for His voice. I love you Ginger and appreciate you so very much! Thank you for being on this journey with me!
Maggie,
Thank you so much for sharing! I love the fact that you are focusing "in house" before you focus on the community! Love Dare is an awesome resource! I know that the LORD is going to bless your marriage and bless you children. You are a wonderful example of His Love! I appreciate you and will continue to pray for you as you seek your service area. I love you and thank you so much for being on this journey with me.
I love Lori's book When Roosters crow... I remember hearing her speak on it at International youth convention in Orlando and rushing right out to get the book in the lobby afterward.... I've been focusing on creation scriptures... focusing on how God is the creator of all things... reminding myself that the amazing creator of our vast universe loves even me no matter whether I feel worthy or not...some of my favorite parts of scripture are Job chapters 38-42... I just get so excited about all that God does! and I think "That is MY DADDY!!!!" The wonder that he allows us to call him Daddy!!!! (also been reading "Captivating" by John and Stasi Elderedge)... I've also been recently focusing on scriptures that remind me to be joyful and laugh and that remind me that He will keep me in His peace that passes understanding... 2009 was a very dark year for us as a family... we suffered many losses and I failed miserably at many trials...I am putting my hope in Luke 6:21 "Blessed are you who weep now, for you WILL laugh"... I love your and Tom's motto for the year... Laugh again in 2010! I was so looking forward to the service project time with the Youth at Salvation Army as Rhonda mentioned... but we were snowed out... Mike reminded me that taking the time to go through our things stored away to find things to donate to the needy is a way of volunteering also... I've not found as much time to do that as I'd hoped...my fast has changed quite a bit... I went from learning to run with high hopes, to resolving to walk... for longer periods of time... There is a greater hope coming as to why I've changed my fast. ;o) God is so good and no matter what happens, HE IS IN CONTROL and I'm SO thankful that He is! It is such a relief to know that he has us in the palm of his hand. Love you all!
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