Back in January of this year, baseball fans were shocked to hear that four-time All Star and 2010 American League MVP Josh Hamilton had gone on a drinking binge in a Dallas bar.  You may recall that drugs and alcohol had kept Hamilton out of baseball for a four-year period. He had publicly credited his faith in Jesus with helping him overcome these addictions.

Soon it became apparent that one of the main reasons for this relapse was the departure of Hamilton’s accountability partner from the Texas Rangers to the Milwaukee Brewers. Johnny Narron had travelled with the Rangers and watched over Hamilton as a mentor and counselor for the previous four years. Once in January 2009, Hamilton had slipped away from Narron while working out in Phoenix and ended up in a bar where he became severely intoxicated. Realizing how significant it was for Hamilton to have an accountability partner, the Rangers immediately found a replacement in the person of Shayne Kelley.

It should not surprise us to know that the Scriptures stress the importance of accountability for every follower of Jesus. Our first and highest accountability is to God Himself. (Romans 14:12) But we are also called to accountability relationships with others. Here are three examples:

1 Thessalonians 5:11—“Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, just as you are in fact doing.” The Greek word translated “encourage” is parakaleo, which literally means “to come alongside another to help.” Oikodomeo, the Greek word translated “build up” literally refers to building a house. Does this verse not describe accurately what an accountability partner is meant to do—to come alongside us and help us stay on track and build us up?

James 5:16—“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.” This verse acknowledges that in a relationship where there is accountability, there needs to be humility to “fess up” when we slip up. The proper response to such vulnerability is prayer support. The promised result is nothing short of astonishing…Healing!

Hebrews 10:24—“And let us consider how to stir up (provoke) one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another…” Clearly, the purpose of accountability is to spur one another on to be like Jesus. This can only be accomplished by meeting together regularly.

The late Chuck Colson of Prison Fellowship ministries used to meet regularly with a small group of men. At their meetings, they would ask each other the following seven questions:

1. Have you been with a woman anywhere this past week that might be seen as compromising?

2. Have any of your financial dealings lacked integrity?

3. Have you exposed yourself to any sexually explicit material?

4. Have you spent adequate time in Bible study and prayer?

5. Have you given priority time to your family?

6. Have you fulfilled the mandates of your calling?

7. Have you just lied to me?

Notice how these questions demand vulnerability and humility of everyone in the group. Notice also that with such transparency, there is room for confession, prayer support and encouragement. This is a great example of The Accountability Factor at work.

Do you have an accountability partner or group that helps you stay on track? If yes, praise God! If not, perhaps now is the time to seek and find one.

If you are joining us in the 12:12:12 fast beginning tomorrow, may I suggest that you find a partner who will keep you accountable every day? It will dramatically increase your chances of being on track.

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” (Proverbs 18:21)

“Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” (Luke 6:45)

These are only two of many verses in the Bible that stress the importance of the words we speak. Words create worlds. Words not only describe reality, they can destroy, in reality.

This is why in yesterday’s post, where we introduced the 12:12:12 Fast from Dec. 1-12, we emphasized the need to refrain from The 4 C’s—Criticizing, Condemning, Complaining and Comparing.

As valuable as refraining from destructive talk may be, it is equally important to replace those words with a different reality.

Input determines output. Output determines outcome.

That is why David prayed: “Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips.” (Psalm 141:3).

So, we begin by editing our input and auditing our output. And we practise Christian Speech Therapy. Here is a script you can use.

• I am a child of God, a joint heir with Christ. All that the Father has is mine. I lack nothing. He supplies all my need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus and grants the desires of my heart when I delight in Him. He makes all things work together for my good.

 • I am fully forgiven and free of all guilt and condemnation. I am seated in heavenly places with Christ. I stay healthy and healed in body, soul and spirit. I have the mind of Christ. The Holy Spirit helps me make wise choices.

 • Therefore I am anxious about nothing. In everything I give thanks. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  No weapon formed against me will prosper. When I lay hands on the sick, they recover. When I share the gospel, I make disciples of the nations. Everyone in my family is saved and passionately serving the Lord. I am blessed to be a blessing.

You will notice that The Speech Therapy Script is simply a compilation of 21 different verses from the Bible. Together they constitute a powerful package of potent promises that God makes to all who are part of His family through faith in Christ.

Please read them out aloud with conviction and at least some emotion right now.  Can you not feel the power of God that is latent in them? Wow!

We discovered that when we practised this Christian Speech Therapy at least once a day for a minimum of 21 days, we began to experience changes in ourselves.

(Science has proved that when we repeat new thought patterns 21 to 30 days in a row, new neural pathways are developed in the brain, leading to new behaviour. Isn’t that astounding?)

No longer could the enemy convince us to believe his lies about our identity as children of God, our inheritance or our position in Christ.

The voice that reminded us of past failures and tried to arouse guilt would be promptly silenced by the affirmation: “I am fully forgiven and free of all guilt and condemnation.”

We actually found it difficult to make unwise choices, as we began to realize that “we have the mind of Christ” (I Corinthians 2:16) and the help of the Holy Spirit.

Get the picture?

Now you know why we stress the significance of Christian Speech Therapy.

Let the first session begin right now!

Over the past three years, we have experienced several periods of fasting in the two churches I pastor (Morgan’s Point & Forks Road East) in Wainfleet Township in the South Niagara region of Ontario, Canada.

Whether the fasts last 10, 11, 21 or 40 days, they always produce two distinct results.

1. We are guaranteed to experience breakthroughs in health, relationships, finances–you name it, we got it!

2.  We can count on witnessing incredible changes in ourselves–in every realm–spiritual, mental, emotional and physical.

For example, this Lenten season’s version, which started out being “Forty Days of Fasting Plus” eventually got dubbed as “The 4 C’s Fast”.

It was based on a verse from that famous passage on fasting in Isaiah 58 which includes this simple injunction to “put away the pointing finger and malicious talk” (v. 9).

The idea was deceptively simple: Refrain from Criticizing, Condemning, Complaining and Comparing. But it was by no means easy.

Some remarked that they would have much preferred to stay away from another set of 4 C’s instead–Chocolate, Chips, Cookies and Candy!

Those who stuck to it faithfully discovered that it had a greater impact on their lives than anyone could’ve imagined.

Sulojana and I have found it very difficult to allow any of the 4 C’s to creep into our speech ever since. When we do, we catch each other in the act with a well-timed “4 C’s!” followed by a very predictable liturgical response: “Oops!”

Several days back, in another post I wrote about Interval Training, where you alternate short intervals of intense physical exertion with longer periods of rest and repeat several times. Repeat every other day. It will take no longer than 10-15 minutes in total per session, but the effect in reducing and eliminating stubborn belly fat is nothing short of amazing.

I am now beginning to realize that Fasting for short periods is more like Intervals for the soul! It involves putting up with pain/discomfort for a short period of time, but the results are long-lasting and very noticeable.

We are being led to exercise one more Fasting Interval this year.  We’ve labelled it THE 12:12:12 FAST.

Beginning Dec. 1 and ending Dec. 12, it will last a relatively short period of 12 days.  The purpose of this fast is twofold:

1. PRESS IN for fulfilment of promises and prophetic words in the first 12 days of the 12^th month of the 12^th year.
2. PRESS ON toward God’s future plans for us in 2013 & beyond.

On a PERSONAL level, we encourage you to make a list of what remains unfulfilled in 2012, so you can press in for their fulfilment. Seek the Lord for revelation regarding what He has in store for you in 2013.

CORPORATELY, there will be a Directive for every day of the Fast, based on twelve “12:12” Scriptures, that will come out as daily revelations on www.destinywordoftheday.com.

As with all our fasts, what you give up FOOD/DRINK-wise is between you and the Lord. Please consult your physician if you need assistance.

• Please refrain from THE 4 C’s.
• Reduce/Cut out your MEDIA intake–e.g. TV, Internet, Facebook.
• INCREASE QUIET TIME in God’s Presence by 5 minutes a day.
• INPUT THE WORD OF GOD at least once a day through Scripture Readings and the Speech Therapy Script (tomorrow’s topic!).

We invite you to join us on the 12:12:12 Fast and experience the lasting effects of Interval Training for your soul.

A popular song by Paul Baloche and Don Moen contains these lines:                                                                                                            For all You’ve given to me,                                                                For all the blessings I cannot see,                                                    Thank You, Lord! Thank You, Lord!

On this American Thanksgiving Day, may I suggest that we focus on giving thanks for that which is not readily visible or apparent? Here is a list to get you started.

1. Generational Blessings that were passed down from our ancestors. Sometimes we tend to focus on the illnesses, character flaws, sinful tendencies and other unwelcome flotsam from our genetic pool. How about lifting up with gratitude the welcome gifts we received unsolicited instead? Innate talents, creativity, godly heritage and ___________ (please fill in the blanks).

2. Foundational Blessings, which, like the foundation of a house, are not visible. Shall we give thanks for the first stewards and settlers of our country, the first members of our families who immigrated and paved the way for us to be here today, the vision which guided the founders of our nation, the values that undergird our constitution, and ________________ (your turn!)

3. Freedoms and Privileges we enjoy today that were purchased at a premium price, mostly by people who are anonymous to us. Let gratitude flood our hearts for those who laid down their lives for us, those who continue to place their lives at risk so we can continue to exercise our freedom of choice without fear of reprisal in political, religious, social, economic and ___________spheres? (Good choice!)

4. Blessings in disguise which can only be celebrated with gratitude in retrospect: a crisis that shaped us into being who we are today, a seemingly insurmountable obstacle that produces an incredible story of overcoming, an unceremonious job loss that leads to unparalleled success and _________, all of which confirm the certitude of Romans 8:28: “In ALL THINGS God works for the good of those who love Him.”

5. Serendipitous Blessings which are often erroneously described as “coincidence”–chance meetings that led to choice opportunities, blind dates that blossomed into marriage, “lucky to be at the right time at the right place with the right person” stories that ended with lives being saved and changed, and ______________ (feel free to use additional pages, eh?)

6. Prayers at work on our behalf of which we were blissfully unaware. Children who have come (back) to Jesus because “my mother’s prayers followed me”, peace in the midst of the most troubling circumstances, miraculous healings and supernatural interventions that defy logical explanation and _____________ (Wow! What a testimony!)

What else would you add to the list? Please feel free to share them with the rest of us.

But first, shall we sing?

Yesterday’s post “How to Kill the Old Self”, which advocated the spiritual equivalent of “horticultural homicide” by neglect and starvation, elicited a response from another faithful DWOD subscriber.

She wondered about the value of killing a plant simply by pulling it out by the roots, i.e. “the prayer/counseling approach.”

Great point, Susanna! Thanks for bringing up this vital method that is used widely across the Body of Christ to bring about healing and restoration to many.

Sulojana and I can attest to the effectiveness of this approach after spending 15 hours of intensive ministry through prayer counsellors Daryl & Lynn Hovey using the RTF (Restoring The Foundations) model nearly two years ago.

It was one of the best investments of time and money we have ever made, as we allowed the Holy Spirit to help us pull out bitter roots (Hebrews 12:15) that we had allowed to grow in our spirits (among other things). The freedom we experienced was priceless!

At the end of the Healing Week, they sent us home with some specific instructions on how to maintain this freedom and keep the enemy’s access points glued shut for good.

I must admit that I have not always faithfully stuck to the follow-up process. Consequently, I have been sensing the need for more prayer ministry in the very near future.

The Holy Spirit brought some revelation about how subsequent sessions could be even more effective when I made a casual observation in the process of cleaning up our yard yesterday.

I noticed that the same noxious weeds which had protested violently to being uprooted while they were still flourishing came out with nary a whimper once they had been famished to death!

In other words, even in the natural, it is easier to pull out a dead plant by the roots than a live one!

Makes me wonder what would happen if I were more intentional about neglecting and starving my old self to death. At the next prayer/counselling ministry session, would whatever remains be pulled out by the roots with less difficulty…and more completely?

What do you think?

Barb Wrishko, our good friend and faithful follower of DWOD, raised a very important question after reading yesterday’s revelation: “Patch-It or Hatchet?”

“How do you take a hatchet to the old self?”

Let me take a “stab” at answering this question.

To be more precise, let me share with you all what the Holy Spirit told me when I asked Him the same question. He simply asked: “How do you kill a plant, Jeeva?”

Obviously, He had seen the entry in the Book of Life beside my name: “Notorious for serial horticultural homicide.” Lol!

I knew the answer right away. My most successful strategy for killing plants was to ignore them and starve them. Worked like a charm every time!

I would walk right by the plants and do absolutely nothing. Go away for a few days without arranging someone to care for them. No water. No food. No good!

Our “old self” can only continue to live if we allow it to. When it demands attention with lies, doubts, old patterns of coping with reality, lustful desires, evil thoughts, etc., we simply ignore it.

Giving it our time and attention only encourages the old self to keep on living and keep on growing in stature and size.

Because the truth of the matter is simply this: “What we nourish will flourish. What we famish will vanish.”

What we give attention to will gain life…be it the old self or the new self. What we withdraw attention from will die…be it the old self or the new self.

This is why the apostle Paul follows up the injunction to “put to death the old self” with one to “put on the new self.” (v.10)

I would highly recommend y’all read Colossians 3:1-17 a few times with the plant analogy in mind and you will begin to see those verses in a new light!

So, that’s how you kill the old self, Barb! You ignore the sucker, starve her/him and commit the spiritual equivalent of serial horticultural homicide 🙂

Your thoughts?