Vulnerability and Submission

Our journey in following Jesus has been quite a ride. My wife, Monique, and I have frequently been asked, how did you get to the point when you let go and trusted God for everything, launching out into marriage ministry. We both believe the launching point was a Sunday morning at church when we were given the opportunity to share with the congregation what God had one in saving our marriage from the brink of destruction.

That morning, the Holy Spirit spoke through us to proclaim Jesus Christ and the victory He had in bringing us back together from a time of separation. We were vulnerable, open and transparent with the people who God brought to church that Sunday. We submitted to God's leading and shared our sin before God and His followers. We embraced His love, acceptance and forgiveness which results in a hope that surpasses all understanding; a living hope for all marriages.

Submission is a love word. Have you ever thought of submission in regards to being loving? Read the passage below in the language of love, submission and vulnerability, from Jesus to his Father and before others.

Matthew 26:36-44 Amplified Bible

36Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and He told His disciples, Sit down here while I go over yonder and pray.
37And taking with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, He began to show grief and distress of mind and was deeply depressed.
38Then He said to them, My soul is very sad and deeply grieved, so that I am almost dying of sorrow. Stay here and keep awake and keep watch with Me.
39And going a little farther, He threw Himself upon the ground on His face and prayed saying, My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will [not what I desire], but as You will and desire.
40And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and He said to Peter, What! Are you so utterly unable to stay awake and keep watch with Me for one hour?
41All of you must keep awake (give strict attention, be cautious and active) and watch and pray, that you may not come into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
42Again a second time He went away and prayed, My Father, if this cannot pass by unless I drink it, Your will be done.
43And again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were weighed down with sleep.
44So, leaving them again, He went away and prayed for the third time, using the same word

As we enter into a life of discipleship, we must put on the character of Christ, Christ in us, rooted in humility, submission and vulnerability. God opens doors for us to begin the disciple-making process when we take this simple step of faith. He has not given us a spirit of timidity, join with Him and connect with another person today.

Accountablilty??

"Accountability is a principle of law and it will never ever, ever, ever, ever, assist you with sinning less. Accountability is a good thing when you measure tasks, it is never the right principle when you measure behavior, because it is a principle of law. Is it really possible for Christians to put so much confidence in the work of Jesus Christ (at Calvary) that we really do believe that He has already put in us a righteousness that can love, and instead of having to show you how good I am at anything, I humbly need to learn from you how to be loved? We get that right, and an early church changed the world."

What did he say? I'm listening to the TrueFaced Grace Series, a study through Romans 3-8, which is reaffirming what I believe to be true and it is being confirmed in relationships all around me. If you would be interested in purchasing this series on CD, and I highly recommend it, go to www.leadershipcatalyst.org

I have come to believe that by in large, "the church", doesn't understand GRACE; and for the most part lives under the law. Satan loves this by the way.

I do believe that discipleship cannot occur apart from environments of grace and relationships of trust. My experience is that these two essential ingredients in discipleship produce an "iron sharpening iron" relationship that is also healing and nurturing. What do you think?