Personal Accountability: Do You Have It?

Acts 17:11
11 Now these [Jews] were better disposed and more noble than those in Thessalonica, for they were entirely ready and accepted and welcomed the message [concerning the attainment through Christ of eternal salvation in the kingdom of God] with inclination of mind and eagerness, searching and examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. AMP

To Whom or What are you accountable to? Ask your self these questions:

1. Do you read and study the Bible daily?

2. Do you apply the truth revealed to your life immediately?

3. Do you submit your life to both Jesus the Living Word and the Bible which is the

Written Word?

4. When the Word is preached, sung or portrayed in the Arts, such as skits or dramas is your heart softened and is it responsive with action and not just emotion?

5. When you see a need do you seek God about how it might be met or do you ignore it?

6. Are you careful to eagerly receive and then check out the message of a speaker by the Word?

Are you Accountable and if so to whom or what?

A Call to Spiritual Formation

Throughout the centuries from the day of the resurrection of Jesus our Messiah to His father's side those who have followed Jesus and sought a life of total dedication to Him have been seen as mystics, saints and have even been martyred as they sought to live a life totally in God.

The material below is from the Renovare' site. If you want to live the 'In God Life' this ministry will provide you with awesome insight and materials.

Renovaré, is a nonprofit organization that advocates, encourages, and resources intentional living and spiritual formation. Drawing from the example of Jesus Christ and the historical Church, Renovaré encourages people to develop renewed, sustainable, and enriched spiritual lives. Find out more about this excellent ministry and learn how you can live the "in God Life."

Then go to the link and sign up to answer the call to transformed into His image and live your life in Him! http://acalltospiritualformation.info/ A Call to Spiritual Formation San Antonio, 2009

"Christian spiritual formation is the process of being shaped by the Spirit into the likeness of Christ, filled with love for God and the world."

God calls us all to become like Jesus. Jesus says, “I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”* We experience this abundance of life – here and now – as our passions, character, understanding, and relationships are increasingly aligned with those of Christ. This lifelong transformation within and among us is the continual gift of God’s Spirit. We are called to be renewed into the likeness of Jesus – but we do not always fully embrace this calling. Sometimes we seem content to be known as “Christians” without intentionally engaging with this work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Other times we desperately long for a new way of life, wanting to grow in our walk with Jesus, but needing help and encouragement. We, therefore, commit to pursue passionately and to receive joyfully God’s grace to be more fully transformed into the image of Jesus Christ.

John 7:37–39 *John 10:10 Romans 8:29 1 Corinthians 11:1 1 Corinthians 15:49 2 Corinthians 3:17–18 2 Corinthians 4:16–18 2 Corinthians 5:16–21 Galatians 4:19 Ephesians 1:3 Ephesians 3:16–19 1 John 3:2 1 John 4:17

As we are rooted in Jesus and in the kingdom he proclaims, we are progressively transformed. Jesus is the center of all life and history, both the source and goal of all creation. God shaped this universe as a place where the love and life of Jesus Christ might flourish. Because we are formed in the divine image, we have the capacity to receive and express this life and love. Although human disobedience corrupts the divine image in us, God still forms a people able to love the Lord their God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love their neighbors as themselves. Jesus makes this possible through his life, death, and resurrection. In him we experience a restored relationship of love with God and one another, and continual transformation into his likeness. We are becoming a reconciled and renewed community – which is both the goal and the substance of life in God’s kingdom. This is the good news we proclaim with joy to the whole world. Genesis 1:26–28 Genesis 3:1–7 Proverbs 8:22–31 Isaiah 42:5–9 Jeremiah 31:33–34 Mark12:28–34 John 1:1–18 John 13:34–35 Romans 5:9–11 Romans 8:1–11 Romans 8:19–23 Ephesians 2:11–22 Colossians 1:9–23 1 Thessalonians 5:23 1 John 2:7–11

Our engagement with God’s transforming grace is vital. Renewal into the image of Christ is not a human attainment; it is a gift of grace. God mercifully uses all our experiences, including our suffering and trials, to teach and transform us. Even so, transformation requires our involvement and effort. We need to make ourselves available to the Holy Spirit’s work in all our life experiences, particularly through intentional engagement with historical Christian disciplines, including Word and sacrament. These practices open us to the presence and grace of God. As a result, we become, through time and experience, the kind of persons who naturally express love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self‐control. Matthew 5:43–48 Matthew 11:29–30 Luke 6:40 John 7:38 John 15:5–17 Romans 12:1–2 Galatians 5:16–25 Philippians 2:12–13 Philippians 3:12–16 Titus 2:11–14 Hebrews 5:13–6:1 Hebrews 12:7–13 James 4:7–8 1 Peter 2:2 1 Peter 4:1–2

Spiritual formation happens in community. As we long to know and follow Jesus and be formed into his likeness, we journey with those who share this longing. God is calling the church to be a place of transformation. Here we struggle to fulfill our calling to love. Here we learn to attend to the invitations of God’s Spirit. Here we follow the presence of God in our midst. Spiritual community is the catalyst for our transformation and a sending base for our mission of love to the world. Matthew 18:20 Luke 6:12–19 John 17:20–26 Acts 2:42–47 Romans 12:4–8 1 Corinthians 12:1–7 Galatians 6:1–2 Ephesians 4:1–16 Hebrews 10:23–25 1 Peter 2:4–10

Spiritual formation is, by its very nature, missional. As we are formed into the likeness of Christ, we increasingly share God’s infinitely tender love for others. We deepen in our compassion for the poor, the broken, and the lost. We ache and pray and labor for others in a new way, a selfless way, a joy‐filled way. Our hearts are enlarged toward all people and toward all of creation. Isaiah 60:1–4 Matthew 5:14–16 Matthew 28:18–20 John 3:16–21 John 20:21–23 2 Corinthians 5:20 Galatians 6:10 1 John 4:7–21

We invite all people, everywhere, to embrace with us this calling to become like Jesus. By God’s grace, we will seek to become lovers: lovers of God, lovers of people, and lovers of all creation. We will immerse ourselves in a lifestyle that is attentive and responsive to the gracious presence of God. We commit ourselves to the community of Christ’s beloved, the church, so that we can learn this way of love together.

We entreat you to join us. To Sign and/or download A Call to Spiritual Formation, go to http://ACallToSpiritualFormation.info Matthew 5:1–10 Matthew 13:44–46 Mark 1:15 Luke 9:23–24 Romans 12:1–2 2 Corinthians 6:1 1 Timothy 6:11–12 Revelation 21:2 Revelation 22:17

Where is Your Tribe

If God has given you a Vision and calling Tribe strategies will help you build it!

The material below is from Tribe Strategies http://tribestrategies.ning.com/ and Seth Godin

TRIBE = A community built around a similar vision, philosophy or interest."

A group needs only two things to be a tribe: a shared interest and a way to communicate." --Seth Godin in Tribes

http://sethgodin.typepad.com/

What is a tribe? (From Tribe Strategies Site)

A social community built around an idea, a vision, a goal, a common interest, a common problem, a unique product or service, to facilitate the sharing of experiences, education, support and encouragement.What do I do with a tribe?
Share your ideas
Expand your vision or dream
Make a positive impact on the world
Interact with others who have common interests, experiences or goals
Sell your product or service
Educate others interested in your subject
Add value to others’ lives
Create a movement

How do I build my tribe?
Social media strategy
Word of mouth
Business cards and email signatures with links to facebook,
LinkedIn, Twitter, and your website
Ezine articles leading back to your website
Amazon recommendations
Newsletters
Public talks/seminars/workshops

Blog An overview of the tribe process:
Find your tribe -- Determine your niche then spread the word about your tribe, online and in the real world
Gather your tribe -- Put your social web strategy in place and create a virtual meeting place (social website) so your tribe can communicate
Feed your tribe -- Offer free advice, research, ideas. Allow members to share with each other
Trade with your tribe -- Sell your services or products to tribe, exchange information

___________________________________________________________

Check this information out and let God connect you with the Tribe you are called to lead!

Empowering You for a Life of Passionate Particpation in God

Abba's Glory, Inc

Empowering You for a Life of Passionate Particpation in God

1.Enjoying the Journey of a Life of Passionate Participation in God!

We seek to connect with (encourage and strengthen) those who desire to live a life of Passionate Participation in God and to enjoy the oneness Jesus has with the father as spoken of in John's gospel chapter 17 where Jesus asked His father to give those who believed in Him the glory and honor that He was given and to make them one in Him and in the father.

2. Empowering those who love Jesus but are unhappy with what church has become:

A. To Empower, and Raise Up a new generation of believers who will fully embrace the cry of

God's heart that we 'Live a Life of Passionate Participation in Him.'
B. To provide a connecting place for those who follow Jesus and are tired of church as a dead

institution and want to connect with those who are discovering a Passionate Life of

Participation in God.
C. To make available resources for those believers who are passionate about Jesus and all that

He began to do and teach.
D. To welcome those who have chosen to take up the mantle and towel of the King and fully

embrace His Kingdom.
E. To offer a social network for those want all that Jesus has for us in a Life of Passionate

Particpation in Him

We are in the process of developing:
A 'School of the Spirit and the Word' for those who want a life of Passionate Particpation in God:
1.( Becoming all that Jesus desires)

2.( Doing all that Jesus began to do and teach)
Look for our group on Faithbook, Facebook and Faith-Space.com

Company history
Abba's Glory was birthed out of a vision to see Jesus' words in John 17:22 come alive in everyone who believes in and wants the full measure of what Jesus has for them."I have given to them the glory and honor which You have given Me, that they may be one [even] as We are one" AMP

"Struck by the growing number people who love Jesus and are urgently seeking more of his life in their own, who are desperate for a life of passionate participation in God and not the mere shadow of His promised life, Abba's Glory seeks to empower believers to take hold of both the promise and act upon the permission God has given us to discover all that Jesus began to do and teach!"

By The Mercy of God

2 Cor 4:1-6

4:1 THEREFORE, SINCE we do hold and engage in this ministry by the mercy of God [granting us favor, benefits, opportunities, and especially salvation], we do not get discouraged (spiritless and despondent with fear) or become faint with weariness and exhaustion.
2 We have renounced disgraceful ways (secret thoughts, feelings, desires and underhandedness, the methods and arts that men hide through shame); we refuse to deal craftily (to practice trickery and cunning) or to adulterate or handle dishonestly the Word of God, but we state the truth openly (clearly and candidly). And so we commend ourselves in the sight and presence of God to every man's conscience.
3 But even if our Gospel (the glad tidings) also be hidden (obscured and covered up with a veil that hinders the knowledge of God), it is hidden [only] to those who are perishing and obscured [only] to those who are spiritually dying and veiled [only] to those who are lost.
4 For the god of this world has blinded the unbelievers' minds [that they should not discern the truth], preventing them from seeing the illuminating light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ (the Messiah), Who is the Image and Likeness of God.
5 For what we preach is not ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves [merely] as your servants (slaves) for Jesus' sake.
6 For God Who said, Let light shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts so as [to beam forth] the Light for the illumination of the knowledge of the majesty and glory of God [as it is manifest in the Person and is revealed] in the face of Jesus Christ (the Messiah). [Gen 1:3.] AMP

2 Cor 4:7-9

7 However, we possess this precious treasure [the divine Light of the Gospel] in [frail, human] vessels of earth, that the grandeur and exceeding greatness of the power may be shown to be from God and not from ourselves.
8 We are hedged in (pressed) on every side [troubled and oppressed in every way], but not cramped or crushed; we suffer embarrassments and are perplexed and unable to find a way out, but not driven to despair;
9 We are pursued (persecuted and hard driven), but not deserted [to stand alone]; we are struck down to the ground, but never struck out and destroyed; AMP

Church: Epicenter of God's Life Revealed

I believe the body of Christ longs for more than stale bread and tales of yesterday's great adventures. People are desperate for true God life, desperate for a leader who is not attempting to do church by program or modeled after someone else's victory story.

When Jesus said 'He came to bring life and that more abundantly', He was not speaking about mere self gratification, material abundance or earthly popularity or power! He was speaking about Sodzo, a word for salvation in the NT that carries with it the idea of mending and making whole, which is a part of "What Jesus began to do and teach," Acts 1:1.

But it is much more, it carries within it the idea of being made whole = into what we were created to be, made in the image, or likeness of God. This has to do with our construction and design. We are Spirit beings, with a free will living in a body which is temporary. We were created with God's DNA so to speak. We have been given the ability to create as well as procreate. We have the ability to be in relationship with God the most high, and to align our lives in every way with Him and thus be unique vessels of Him and all that He is.

When we realize that He embraces us out of love and by His grace His power can work through and in us, then everything that is of Him in us brings honor to Him and that which is not of Him must die if He is to have His way in us. I am reminded of the parable of the vessels in 2 Timothy 2:14-26, some clay and some gold. The true value of our vessel is based on our willingness to submit to and align ourselves with Him, His ways, His Word and His Spirit. Our Character must become like that of Jesus. In Philippians 2:5-11 Jesus humbled Himself. Elsewhere in the NT we see that he became a man and He did the Fathers will by the Spirit's power.

Our walk with and life in God is both very practical and very spiritual. Each of us must align our lives with the Word and seek Him in a relationship that must become the most important thing in our lives. While we are living our life we must do so in a way that those around can both relate to God's work in us and know us as normal people with the supernatural God above all God's working in and through us.


The gifts we have been blessed with are just that, gifts. I long to see all of God's people walk in the wholeness, freedom and fulfillment that God has both designed and created them for!

I believe the local church (people of God) is meant to be the spiritual, relational and practical epicenter of God's Life for those who call upon His name. It is His Grace, Mercy, and Power working in us which produces His image or likeness.

When we look at what 'Jesus began to do and teach', we see that He sent the Holy Spirit that we might be living witnesses (those who see, experience and tell about) of His life working in and through us.

Christian will you be the Church: Epicenter of God's Life Revealed?

Vision Birthed From the Heart of God

We talk a lot about Vision in the Church, in business, in day to day following Jesus and in politics today.

When you are around people with a clear vision they have certain qualities that are appealing to other people.

People with a clear Vision from God are focused on the Goals of God's heart, they are full of faith that the Vision will come to pass, they have hope even when things do not look the way they had hoped, they have a positive influence on those around them that the Vision is within reach and as a result others buy into the vision.

This comes not just from vision casting or sharing the vision but from the fruit or impact the Vision has on the vision bearer. When the Vision is fresh and alive it brings freshness and life. When the Vision is dim, contrived or is lacking in vitality it is hard for someone to follow it or the person bearing it. I have noticed that hope springs from vision and vision from faith or belief that what is not yet is what can be.

Faith is the key to vision. There are a lot of people who live in fear and doubt and who are always looking for or are wandering around seeking someone or something to give them hope. They are in need of a healthy relationship with God. He is the giver of life, a life that flows continually to those who are in an ongoing relationship with Him.

Today, we are tempted to have a fast food version of our relationship with God, when what we really need is a time of restful feeding on the green grass of His Word and of drinking from the still water of His Spirit, of letting Him minister to us by talking with us and calling us by name, and of letting him rub His healing ointment into the hurts and bruises we receive from everyday life. When we do this and do it again and again we find the life, hope and vision that inspire others to see in us a glimpse of Him. This glimpse of Him, what He is and wants to do, generates loyalty and passion for the Vision He has given us. People follow a vision when they can see hope and faith alive, not when it is a part of the latest promotion or idea, which gets pounded endlessly into their information pathways.

When they see vision which has come from faith and hope alive in someone it gives them a reason to seek God for themselves and in the building of their relationship with God they gain faith, hope and His vision for them.

The Bible uses the imagery of trees bearing fruit as an outward demonstration of His life flowing through us to produce the fruit of the Spirit, which is the true mark of His life within. Jesus in John 15 speaks about the need for the branches to stay connected to the vine if they are to have His life which produces vision. When we have a healthy ongoing relationship with Him we make it possible for people to get a glimpse of Him.

We have a choice; we can allow others to get a glimpse of Him which brings faith and leads to vision or a glimpse of us without Him, which will lead the people to not have hope or a purpose and then they will wander aimlessly.

Faith birthed in the revelation of God's desire and design is the key to vision. Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the assurance of the things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen,” NASB revised version.

Free School of Supernatural Living Registration

Hello followers of Jesus, Prayer Warriors, Revivalist and Faith Revolutionaries!

Please accept this invitation to Register for our 1st online class in our Abba's Glory School of Supernatural Living beginning August 3rd. Register at equipper@live.com.

This class will use facebook, Twitter, Instant messaging, email and my website and blogs to deliver content and to handle discussions.

'One:One' will explore what it means to live a Supernatural life with weekly class material, daily tweets, and weekly instant message discussions.

Today's 'One:One' Twitter concept. "A Life of Passionate Participation in God is the living and daily inheritance of each born again believer."

www.abbasglory.com
http://www.facebook.com/wayne.newcomb
http://twitter.com/Equipper
http://equippersnetwork.blogspot.com

Discovering the Kingdom of God

I was suprised earlier this week when i was reading an article by an author I respect and he said, ' we should be focused on jesus and not the kingdom of God.' The first thought that came to me is 'What did Jesus himself say about the Kingdom of God and then if he is the king of the Kingdom how can we separate the two?'

So, like any good studentI began doing some research and was surprised by the number of books that deal with the Kingdom of God either partially or as their only topic. I say surprised because we hear so little teaching or preaching on the subject today.

But before I make any recommendations as to what books might be good to read or own you should do some self directed research, also known as personal Bible study.

The list below can be followed as steps in your study.

1. Set up a notebook to keep your research notes or printouts in. You can organize your notebook according to your own thinking. I would suggest using page tabs for the different sections.
2. Look up the words kingdom, kingdom of God and kingdom of heaven in the concordance in the back of your Bible.
3. Follow the cross references listed in your Bible.
4. Use an exhaustive concordance which is designed for use with the Bible translation you use the most to get a complete list of the references.
5. Use your notebook to write down the Greek and Hebrew reference numbers and use them to look up the definitions of the words used in the Old and New testaments for the references you find.
(If you are using a Bible software program, save the list to your word processing program and set a file for all of the materials you find related to your kingdom research.
6. Organize the scripture references by categories that match the usage of the words in some type of topical system that makes sense to you.
7. Look up the words you have found in your research in a word study tool, such as Vine's Expository Dictionary or one of the many other word study tools available at your local Christian book store, theological library or within your Bible software. This will add a greater understanding of the ways in which these words are used in scripture.
8. If you have a topical Bible tool this is where you will want to use it to compare what you have discovered with what the author has written concerning the Kingdom.
9. The next group of tools you will want to use are Bible Dictionaries, Bible handbooks and Bible encyclopedias. These will provide greater context historically and theologically. I will recommend which these will be most helpful and some additional resources in the next article.


By now you will have a good understanding of the usage of king, kingdom, kingdom of God and kingdom of heaven in the Bible. In the following three steps you may want to pick a color for each word and use it to mark your Bible as you read.


10. Read the Intertestimental books to discover more about what the Jewish people were expecting concerning the coming of the kingdom of God between the end of the Old testament and the beginning of the New testament.
11. Read the Gospels starting with Matthew to find out first hand what Jesus taught concerning the Kingdom or God or Kingdom of heaven. Remember Jesus came to fulfill the law and the prophets.
12. Read the rest of the New Testament to see how this teaching was dealt with by the New Testament Church. Even if not mentioned by name look to discover how the rule and reign of God was to be applied in the daily life of the believer.


HELPFUL IDEAS

1. Pray before, during and after your study that God would reveal the truth of His Word to you by His Holy Spirit!


2. Remember take good notes, review your notes after each new step to see what you have learned and how and if it fits together with the rest of what you are discovering.


3. Make room or even a distinct section in your notes for questions, observations, reflections and insights you have as you go through your study.


4. Ask God how to apply the things you are discovering.

 5. Keep a record of the prayers you are praying as God reveals the truth about His Kingdom and how to live in it and share it with others as you are move along on your Kingdom quest.DO NOT GET LAZY
If you will follow the order given above you will have the joy of discovering God's Truth as the Holy Spirit reveals it to you. If you jump ahead to see what others have written you will deprive your self of the revelation you would gain by doing the work yourself.


APPLY AND SHARE WHAT YOU ARE LEARNING
Along with your study, prayer and meditation you will want to apply what you are learning in day to day life as well as discussing it with other believers.

ENJOY THE JOURNEY for we are pilgrims on the earth.


Heb 11:1010 For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. NIV


Heb 11:1616 Instead, they were longing for a better country — a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. NIV


Heb 12:26-28
26 Then [at Mount Sinai] His voice shook the earth, but now He has given a promise: Yet once more I will shake and make tremble not only the earth but also the [starry] heavens. [Hag 2:6.]
27 Now this expression, Yet once more, indicates the final removal and transformation of all [that can be] shaken — that is, of that which has been created — in order that what cannot be shaken may remain and continue. [Ps 102:26.]
28 Let us therefore, receiving a kingdom that is firm and stable and cannot be shaken, offer to God pleasing service and acceptable worship, with modesty and pious care and godly fear and awe; AMP


Artwork by Graham Braddock
http://www.christian-artprints.com/GB%20ROAD.htm#picture%20jump

The Death of A Vision the Hope of A Calling

Did you hear, a vision died today? What happened? Was it murdered, did it die a natural death, or was it aborted? Who was to blame? How did it happen? How many lives were affected? What will the people do now?

These seem like odd questions to ask about the death of a vision, but they are asked each time a Christian ministry, church or ministry program that sprang from God's heart dies. It might be helpful if we defined vision here as,' the hoped for outcome or expression of a current plan to fulfill the calling God has placed in a person or group of people to accomplish God’s work on the earth.

It could be said that these visions for ministry spring from a person's calling just as children do from their parents. It could also be said that the death of a vision causes the same emotional grieving process to take place that the death of a person might bring. This is true because visions for ministry are born out of our calling from God and thus are a creation of His work in us and through us.

You may have felt this grief or seen it others when they are seeking to blame someone for the pain felt when a vision ceases to exist or when the person who was instrumental for the vision moves on or passed away. We must learn that the death of one vision for ministry or the person instrumental for the vision is not the doorway to hopelessness and despair. The same God who created us in His image also creates in us fresh vision for accomplishing the same calling in new ways and sometimes in new places.

If God has called you to be a teacher it does not matter what your current ministry or job title is, you will seek and find a new way or vision to teach those God has placed around you. In Genesis 3:26 it says that we were created in God's image or likeness. One of the qualities of this likeness is that people are designed to create. This is more than the creation of physical life. Our gifts, talents, education and background cause each of us to have a different set of materials to draw from as God works His creative miracle though us to create new visions for ministry, which spring from the calling of God activating us to fulfill His call in our lives.

Walking through the death of a vision is a painful thing. Our relationship to a vision for ministry is much like a relationship with a person. The closer and more committed we are to the vision the greater the potential for deep grief and all its symptoms when the vision dies.

We must remember that God who has called us and who is responsible for our visions for ministry is the God of hope and that he will create in us a new vision or way to accomplish the calling he has placed in us. We must look to the author and finisher of our faith for fresh visions to carry out our calling for from His calling springs our hope. Hebrews 12:2.