Apostle Allison Smith Conliff focuses on the theme of personal responsibility and spiritual discipline, specifically within the context of a congregational fast. The Apostle emphasizes that individuals are accountable for their own lives and must sow into the spirit rather than the flesh to avoid spiritual corruption. Central to the message is the idea of sacrificial offering, where physical hunger through fasting serves as a rigorous discipline to draw closer to God and unlock supernatural breakthroughs. Ultimately, it serves as a call to action for believers to honor God with their best and maintain a sincere, heartfelt connection to the divine to receive heavenly rewards.

The Apostle emphasizes that personal responsibility is a foundational requirement for every individual, rooted in the biblical principle that "every man shall bear his own burden". This concept is explored through various lenses, ranging from spiritual accountability to the discipline of daily living.

The message asserts that personal responsibility is inescapable because human beings are not their own owners. Whether an individual acknowledges it or not, they have a Creator to whom they must eventually give an account for how they lived their life and whether they did good or evil, because of this coming judgment day, the Apostle argues it is logical for a person to calculate their actions and choices carefully.

A key aspect of personal responsibility is the need for an independent relationship with God. Apostle Allison uses the following points to illustrate this:

• Moving Beyond "Hotspot" Faith: The Apostle uses a modern analogy, comparing those who rely on others' prayers to someone using another person's internet hotspot. They warn that once that "connection" is blocked, the individual is left without access; therefore, every believer must develop their own prayer life and "live wiring with heaven".
• Total Commitment: Personal responsibility involves bringing oneself under the blood of Jesus 100%. The Apostle notes that if God does not have the whole person, then Satan has the remainder, highlighting that the state of one’s soul is an individual's primary responsibility,.
• Access to the Supernatural: While human ability is limited, taking the responsibility to honor God is what provides access to His supernatural power. Access to the kingdom is granted only to those who personally choose to give God access to their lives,.

The concept of "sowing and reaping" is used to define the practical outcomes of personal choices:

• Flesh vs. Spirit: Individuals are responsible for what they "sow." Sowing to the flesh, acting on temporary feelings or selfish thoughts, leads to corruption. Conversely, choosing to sow to the Spirit results in everlasting life.
• Self-Discipline in Fasting: The Apostle notes that fasting is a discipline, not a spiritual gift. It requires a personal decision to endure physical hunger to seek God, as everyone is responsible for their own sacrificial offering.
• Integrity in Service: Responsibility extends to the intent behind actions. Doing things "for a show" is discouraged; instead, individuals are urged to put their "heart in it" when performing tasks like cleaning, giving, or blessing others.

Finally, personal responsibility includes the choice to remain steadfast despite "detractors" or "mockery". The Apostle highlights that how others behave is their own responsibility but the believer’s responsibility is to keep moving and keep building regardless of the negative attitudes of those around them.

Personal responsibility in this context is like owning a private well; while you may benefit from the rain that falls on everyone, your survival during a drought depends entirely on the depth you have personally dug into the ground to reach the water source.

Rec. Date: 5th Feb, 2023