Today’s Bible Verse
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Acts 2:42 (NIV)
We’re In This Together
This verse is referring to when the original church was established. If you read Acts 2:42-47, you will see some important characteristics about the church: it was growing constantly; Christians always spent time together, and everyone was committed and submitted to the teaching and guidance of their spiritual leaders. As a result, even in the midst of extreme persecution, the church remained strong, resolute, and never stopped serving God! This happened because they were interdependent and humbly submitted to leadership. They remained open about their personal lives and allowed their leaders to guide and encourage them in the word! This is how Jesus Christ established the church through His 12 disciples: interdependent, submitted under Godly leadership, and growing together always!
The worldly culture we live in, however, prides itself on independence and a “Do It Yourself” mentality. This worldly idea has driven many Christians to isolate their personal lives, personal struggles, and inner battles from other believers and Godly leadership. In my personal experience, when I chose to hide my inner struggles and isolate my personal life, it left me in bondage. I felt I could figure it out on my own. I didn’t want someone telling me how to take care of my insecurities, pride, anger, and frustrations. However, that prideful independent and isolated spirit caused me to stay in the bondage. I learned when we isolate our personal lives from Godly leadership, it’s because we are trying to isolate ourselves from God. I was afraid that I may be judged, rejected, exposed, and embarrassed. But these were all lies from the enemy.
This is where we must know the truth: isolation does not bring freedom, but bondage. And in that bondage, there’s pride, fear, worry, and insecurity, and those things are devoid of God’s freedom and blessing. I decided one day that I’m done with this isolated life. I chose to be HHOTA (Humble, Honest, Open, Transparent, and Accountable) with my leader, and something supernatural happened. I immediately experienced freedom and victory. I received blessing, support, and encouragement that brought strength!
God gifted us with spiritual leaders and fellow believers to walk with us, so we will succeed and never feel alone. Every Christian has a responsibility to fight the good fight of faith, but every Christian is not supposed to fight alone. A leader isn’t there to pick up the sword for you, but they will encourage, train, and show you how. Today, I can honestly say my greatest breakthroughs have come when I chose to be HHOTA with my spiritual leader. And my consistency in the Lord is linked to the accountability of being surrounded by other men and women doing the exact same thing.
So let’s remove the deceiving lie of the enemy that independence and isolation as a Christian are beneficial. Let’s abolish today the DIY, I got this on my own Christianity, and let’s allow God’s supernatural freedom and victory to touch every area of our lives by being completely HHOTA with our spiritual leaders! (Pastor Branson Silva)
Change My Story
When Peter first admitted his sinful past to Jesus and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” the response he got was, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people” (Luke 5:8,10). So, Jesus’ response to our ‘HHOTA-ness’ is not judgment and condemnation but instead encouragement, forgiveness, and promotion. This is exactly what I’ve experienced with my life group leader.
I encourage you to stop walking alone as a Christian, so you can experience encouragement, forgiveness, and promotion! If you haven’t joined a life group yet, email us today (info@wolhawaii.com)! If you’re in a Life Group already, I encourage you to decide to live HHOTA today. As you do that, I know it will bring God’s supernatural and complete freedom to you!
Today’s Declaration
I acknowledge that isolating myself from my church, my Life Group, and those God has placed into my life will never bring freedom to me, just more bondage. I need the encouragement of my family in Christ to continue growing as a disciple.
Today’s Bible Reading
- Old Testament: Hosea 1-3; Job 23
- New Testament: John 14:1-14; Revelation 1:1-8
