Shining like stars

Another poem (or quote) that I like to apply to my life is:  “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” ― Maya Angelou.No matter what we like (or love) from this world, we (as Christians) should apply scripture to it to test it and to see if it holds water in our theology and the way that we live as Christians.  That being said, we should take serious the things of this world and identify whether they are building us up as disciples of Christ or tearing us down.

In my men's group (Men of Faith) I had shared that I went to see a movie with some friends that was related (in a distant way) to my work.  The movie really was worldly and ultimately a stumbling block to my other brothers so I felt the Spirit in me calling me to repentance and to confess that to my brothers.  When I tested this movie against Scripture it couldn't hold water.  Therefore, I could be unrepentant about it and hold it back from my brothers or I could free myself and confess to them and repent to God.  There was, at first, a defiant part in me that said that it didn't cause me to stumble nor did it cause me to lust and so on, but when I was really honest, how could I teach and facilitate other men if I could entertain sin?  I could not and that is what the Spirit revealed in me.

How about letting our light shine:

Matthew 5:13-16 (ESV) Salt and Light

13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.  14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that[a] they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Philippians 2:12-18   (ESV) Lights in the World

12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.  14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 17 Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.

Matthew 7:12  (ESV) The Golden Rule

12 “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

People will always forget what you said and what you did, BUT they will never forget how you make them feel.  So tell me, if you are trying to be the salt and light to the world, what does it take to reach the lost (the sinner) and show them the love of Christ?  If and when we decide to become honest with one another, then we have to ask the question in each of our lives:  What is that sin that we have no mercy for?  For some it could be lust, for others it could be cohabiting couples and for others it could be homosexuality - where we have no love and no compassion.  If we are doing what Scripture tells us (above) we can live in such a way that others will want to know what makes us shine and how we can love (even the unlovable sin).  That is not to say that we have to affirm their lifestyle or be their judge - we don't.

In my men's group, we have what others may refer to as a successful ministry (not by what any man does, but by what God does)!!!  Simply put, we worship (songs in the beginning), then we have large group where facilitators will share either a life experience with Scripture or a theme or an event in their life and then we break out into small groups (pray, share and walking with others).  This, of course, is all wrapped with Scripture.  This is not a program or an event or a scheduled way to build discipleship, rather, this is real men being real with their own lives (not being afraid to abase themselves in front of other men) and sharing life together, confessing sins to one another and loving each other.  We are a family!

If you are going to take you pathway to discipleship to another level then consider doing some of the following things:

• Get into a men's group where these things happen
• Serve in a ministry in your church
• Serve in your community
• Love a sinner (be intentional in their life, pray for them and walk a mile or two in their shoes with them - don't sin with them, just walk with them)
• Read Scripture daily
• Pray often

Try this for the next few months and see where God takes you and I!

Blessings,Dante

If....

If I could change my past....If I didn't do that....

If I could only avoid.....

If I could crucify Jesus just one more time then my sin.....

Sometimes, we as Christians, rely too much on the ways of this world, on our old self (sin nature) and on the influences of darkness that tries to keep us away from the path of righteousness.  Scripture has much to say about this:

• Romans 8 (ESV) Life in the Spirit:  1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.[a] 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you[b] free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin,[c] he condemned sin in the flesh
• John 10:25 Jesus answered, "I did tell you" but you do not believe.  The miracles I do in my Father's name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.  My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  I give them eternal life, and they shall never parish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.  My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand.  I and the Father are one.
• Philippians 2: 12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed  not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence - continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is GOd who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
• Colossians 3:16 Let the world of Christ dwell in your richly as your teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms ,hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hears to God.  And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving  to GOd the Father through him.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:16 Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.  Do not put out the Spirit's fire; do no treat prophesies with contempt.  Test everything.  Hold on to good.  Avoid every kind of evil.

You and I (those of us who profess and are transformed by the blood of Jesus Christ) have put on a new self in Christ Jesus and are called to put our old self (our old sin nature) to death daily.  The flesh wars with the Spirit as the world wars with our souls - Idolatry our choice to avoid or to surrender to God's will instead of ours.

As Christians, it should no longer be If, then, else.  Rather it should be - IT IS FINISHED.  We do not need another crucifixion or Savior or any condition to be put before us.  We need to surrender to God's will in all of our lives and do His will instead of us.

Let go and let God.  Draw nearer to God and He will draw nearer to you.

When you hear that "if" in your life, or that doubt or that guilt or the enemy's attacks and guilt factor, simply say, "guilty" and then say out loud again, "covered in full by the  blood of Jesus Christ!!!"  Your debt, as a born again Christian, has been paid in full.  That means that your sins of the past, the present and the future have been covered.

Repent, work out your salvation with fear and trembling and turn toward God.  Surrender your will and listen to His will.

Blessings,

Dante

Watch yourself

There are two poems that mean a lot to me and my walk.  I like them both because they impact my life in the way that I walk and the way I want to share my life with others.  This past weekend I lead our men's group and we talked about discipleship.  I asked three of my leaders to come up to the front with me and to share what discipleship means to them.  Along with that, I asked them so questions like why do they do what they do?  Why do they stand in the gap?  In God's math, do they feel like they get more than they give?

One of the poems that I really like (and quote often) is the 5 watches:

“Watch your thoughts, they become words;watch your words, they become actions;watch your actions, they become habits;watch your habits, they become character;watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”  - Frank Outlaw

W - watch your words - Matthew 12:37  (NIV) 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”  Psalm 141:3 (NIV) 3 Set a guard over my mouth, Lord;  keep watch over the door of my lips.  Scripture says what needs to be said here.

A - watch your actions -  1 Peter 2:12 (NIV) 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

T - watch your thoughts - Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.  Why are we, as disciples, called to renew our minds?  Simply put, we were once lost but now are found.  For those of us that bear the Fruit of the Spirit, we know that there is a war that goes on from our old selves to our new selves (in Christ) and we have to put that old self (and its thoughts) to death daily.

C -  watch your character - 1 Timothy 4:16 (NIV) 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

H - watch your habits - Psalm 119:56 (NIV) 56 This has been my practice: I obey your precepts (a general rule intended to regulate behavior or thought).

We are called to go and make disciples.  We are called to renew our minds.  We are called to love our brothers.

As striving to be the disciples that Jesus wants us to be, then we have to understand that nothing we can do can ever erase the debt or earn our way into heaven - Jesus paid it all.  Jesus is the answer.  Therefore, as disciples, what are we called to do:

• to be pure (God is Holy)
• to stewardship (of our time, of our talent and of our treasure) - It's all God's.  What we do with it will either give him all the honor and glory or it will give it to the world.  Whom will you serve?
• to discipleship - how we live, even without words, should imitate Jesus and our lives should point others to Jesus.

I will even challenge you on this.  If we look at our walks in 3 steps:  Biblical purity, biblical stewardship and then discipleship, then I want to challenge you on this question:  How can we be an effective disciple (being more Christ-like) if we do not hone in on purity and stewardship (of a time, talent and treasure) before we can become a serious disciple.  Acts 11:26b (NIV)  says this:"So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch."  Did you catch that?  When they first became born-again (profess and confess and transformed) their lives a new in Jesus Christ they were known as Christians.  As they walked with Barnabas and Saul (Paul) for a whole year they were then known as disciples.  A Sensei literally means one who has gone before.  Both Barnabas and Paul were sinners, saved by grace, and went before the others as Apostles.  They met men and women where they were and did life with them together in relationship.  They taught them, shared with them and prayed with them.  They were in Scripture together and talking about real life issues and providing for one another.  They were first called Christians and then, after a year, they were known as disciples of Jesus Christ.

If the world is watching us (and they are), is our life pointing them to our old self (our old sin nature) or our new self in Jesus Christ.  Is our life pointing them to the Savior?  If they look at our purity (are we striving toward holiness as we are commanded?)  If they look at our stewardship (investment, giving, serving, and so on) does that point them to Jesus?  If we have purity and stewardship (this does not mean that we have it altogether and we live perfect sinless lives - of course we cannot), but it does mean that the Spirit and His Fruit is present in our lives.  We show humility and love in all circumstances.  Do you think that would be an effective disciple?  I most certainly do!  Challenge - look at Scripture and tell me whether or not you agree with me?

Watch your thoughts, they do become words.

Watch your words, they do become actions.

Watch your actions, they do become habits.

Watch your habits, they do become your character.

Watch your character, it does become your destiny.

Blessings,

Dante