Day 40~Called to Give~The Community Life of a Disciple

God dares us to give sacrificially. Never allow others to out-give you. Give until it hurts, then share Christ.

We need to be the most giving people on the planet. Everything Jesus gave was for the purpose of the advancement of the Kingdom. Sharing the gospel is more effective when we accompany our words with works of love as Jesus did. So I am taking the advice of St. Francis of Assisi who said, "Preach the gospel at all times and when necessary use words"....AMEN!!!

Day 39~Called to Serve~The Community Life of a Disciple

Serving people opens the door for the gospel.

WOW...As a baby in this walk with my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, I really have learned so much from the Discipleship Dare. Obvious things I was over looking and things that Christianity is all about, I mean must know things.

Do you truly have a servants heart? Are you serving unconditionally?.....even people that betray you? Jesus washed the feet of his disciples by just doing it, even Judas, the disciple who would betray Him!!!! That's deep, that's the man I wanna be!! You can bet He was being smiled down on....

Father, help me to open my eyes, to be more aware of my surroundings, to be more like you Jesus, serve people with this huge servants heart that you have gave me. Lord I just ask that when the opportunity arises that I will not hesitate to serve, and that others will see you shining through me so bright that there will be no denying that it is you. So that it does open the door for me to share the Word, to share my testimony, to let others know of your great love for them. Thank you Jesus, in your name....AMEN.

Day 38~Called to Love~The Community Life of a Disciple

"God gives us specific people at specific times to show His love. God calls us to love people when they least expect it or deserve it."

"Love reels unbelievers in."

Surrendering all to God should be the first thing on every one's to do list, and then loving anyone and everyone out of habit, loving them no matter. This can be really harder than it sounds, but we must know, that this is what GOD has called us to do.

Lord, I want to fulfill this calling of loving others habitually, Loving them to they ask why? Always showing the Father's love. Because Lord I know that NO matter the situation your love is a love like no others, and it changes life's, so Lord, use me to reach the unreached, Father, use me to bring people back to you that might have fallen away....In Jesus name, Amen.

Day 37~Called to Forgive~The Community Life of a Disciple

Being known as a person who doesn't forget, who holds grudges, that will get retaliation one day is not a good thing. Before, if you wronged me, I made it point to see you again one day!! At the same time, that vicious circle, cycled around to me also.

It takes all of your energy to live in the past, and makes your future very dim.

We can talk to we are blue in the face about leading by example, but we need to be about it and not talk about it. Example, By asking people for forgiveness, is to teach on how to forgive. Allot of times its those little things that we do, that are really huge things we are teaching, without even knowing it!!!

Lord, we want to be the most forgiving people for your Kingdom, Help us to sincerely forgive those who have hurt us, to forgive at all times, so we can change the world around us and project your love. In Jesus name.

Day 36~Called to Live~The Community Life of a Disciple

Constantly I feel I can always step up my game to the next level and be more Passionate. Feel like I can always be doing more. Praying to God before almost every decision. Striving to be more like Jesus!!

Father God I just praise you for this week of deeper learning and the opportunities you have given me this week in Pittsburgh at Multi Church Movement (MCM). Lord I want to be passionate, I want to be more radical in expressing my Love for everything you have done. If you could help me to live an abundant life, only depending on you and not me, to be able to spread your Love to others as you have spread it to me. To break shackles and chains in your name. Father God I want to develop an enduring spirit, always staying the course. I pray these things in Jesus name.Amen!

Day 25~Words of Life & Death~The Community Life of a Disciple

Lord, today I am committing to speaking Life into people, instead of saying things that take Life from them. Father help me to always encourage others to do what they think is impossible. Father I ask that you will help me to see the good in others and bring it to light, leading them in a positive direction. I ask these things in Jesus' name.

Speaking negatively in anyway is leaving more of an impact than we think on someone. Even in a joking manner, more than likely that person is dwelling on it or is questioning themselves if its true or not. I say this, because I have experienced it one time or another, like most of us.

To be able to watch Jesus' take a broken person and change them into a confident person in Him is phenomenal. To serve the Lord, and let your light shine in this way, pleases the Lord.

Day 34~Gentle Words~The Community Life of a Disciple

"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."Proverbs 15:1

I've been told I'm and observer, a descent listener, I can probably say where that stems from, but I'll just let you wonder what I mean by that...HAHA

As I embark on this fun and exciting quest to follow Jesus, I find myself doin' things I never imagined. As I mentioned before I can look back and see where some of the pieces go together for today, For what the Good LORD is preparing me for. While I was running from the LORD all angry, I can remember talking to some of my dudes many times, saying, "GOD gave me a big heart, but it scares me because this big heart can get ugly." I mean I was always 'Daniel against the world, The world against Daniel'....So all those years I was a perfect candidate for Discipleship. Thou shalt not love the things of the world, Right??

I should probably makes some kind of point here....The Bible says, the world behind you and the cross before you!! With the world behind me, I can be the gentle person the God has created me to be, not a worldly crazy person that I was.

Lord, please help me to never take my eyes of of you Lord, always showing Godly character at all times, through every situation in all directions...sowing seed, and arising when you call my name. Thank you Jesus for your grace, thank you for your desire, I love and praise you. AMEN

Day 33~Edifying Words~The Community Life of a Disciple

Lord Father, I thank you for your building me up for whats 2 come, I thank you for the teaching and challenges, I thank you for taking me out of that point in my life where I cut others down for whatever selfish cruel reasons, and thank you for bringing me to a point where I can a be a "Barnabas" or place a "Barnabas" in someones life. As you place them in my life LORD!!!

Day 32~Vain Words~The Community of a Disciple

The Third commandment is so powerful!!

When we was out there living selfishly and working for the enemy, saying the Lords name in vain was almost second nature, I guess that just goes to show you how much the enemy was winning at that time.

My brother Wes Caple told me once at a Thursday night service that I never really grasped, if people didn't really believe in the LORD then why do they insist on using HIS name in vain, you don't hear these other so called higher powers( I don't wanna say Gods ) being used. For example Buddha, or whatever the faith might be.

I heard it like this, most of the time when people like myself were living addicted lifestyles and using hurts and hang-ups to fuel ourselves to run on, Satan had a strong hold on us from an early start, because we threatened him, he knew how powerful we would be for The Kingdom!! AMEN?

Before I deeply got passionate about making disciples for all nations, Baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit....When I used the Lords name in vain I still would feel conviction as I pondered on a way out of the ungodly things I was doin'....Christ was with me all along, determined to shine through!!

Day 31~Truthful Words~The Community Life of a Disciple

I graduated today, PRAISE GOD!!!

Being a liar is just as good as a thief. Once you do it, it takes a long time to get that trust back, if at all. Jesus wants us to be open in our Faith, not hiding anything, if your hiding it, your more than likely not suppose to be doing it in the first place.

I stay always being honest, I know I don't like to be lied too, so why would I wanna lie. Swearing on things was something I was guilty of falling short, sometimes in the past, It just really offended me if someone second guess me, especially if they didn't know me(this more than likely had to do with pride also).
As I mature in Christ, I don't have this problem, AMEN!!!

Day 30~Words of the Heart~The Community Life of a Disciple

SCRIPTURE: For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.-Matthew 12:34

OBSERVATION: I feel God is saying 2 me that I need to realize their is a time and a place for joking. And what we joke about sometimes does not bear good fruit. I can't speak life or correct someone if in the same breath I am participating in anything that doesn't consist of a godly manner.

APPLICATION: No matter how narrow the road gets for me in this area I need 2 ask GOD to please help me adjust my character to a productive or enthusiastic and encouraging tongue. Maintain Galatians 5:22~22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

PRAYER: LORD, I thank you for the challenges that teach me, and grow me, I ask you to continue to give me conviction when I begin 2 fall short of keeping a fruitful tongue. In Jesus' name....AMEN!

Day 29~Gone Fishing~The Community Life of a Disciple

AMEN!!!
Communicating well is something I have really been praying on. I can have the habit of coming off wrong, and this is where slow to speak really comes into play.

As visions of me giving a testimony play over and over in my head, it seems to get a lil' better each time.
As I slowly but surely grow in the WORD, and maintain discipline, I feel I become a better follower of Jesus Christ. To make disciples of all nations, to help win souls for Jesus.
Lord help guide me on the path to make me use my best potential to full time "Fishermen"....always giving you all the Glory and Praise that is SO deserving.

Day 28~Presence of God~The Commissioning of a Disciple

All we can do is introduce others to the LORD Jesus Christ and plant the seed; hand them the right tools. Then sit back and watch the power of GOD move.

I came in to the 'Freedom House' as a person who thought life was hopeless and cursed. I wasn't real big on authority for many reasons, and especially from others who were younger and at the time I felt were not near as experienced in the world as me, How prideful right? But I tell ya, GOD grew me right out of that state of mind and transformed me to where I get the awesome privilege to watch the LORD change others as he did me, and He just keeps doin' things in our lives that nothing other that the mighty power of GOD can do!!!

No matter how impossible the task seems, I will depend on the Lords power in the process of making disciples. His word says His presence is with us all the while.

Day 27~Teaching~The Commissioning of a Disciple

'Without teachers of the faith we are only one generation from extinction. Whom have you taught lately?'

This goes back to having a pure heart as you lead by example with unconditional, sacrificial love!!! The LORD takes you as you are and uses your past experience in the long run.~SEED, TIME, & HARVEST~First He has to teach you, break you down to build you up for whats to come.AMEN?

He challenges me everyday, and as I go through this process of being severely obedient, others around me are being lead to obedience....By becoming a man of discipline and following Christ, others whom started where I did, will begin to learn and with prayer, They will also repeat the cycle....All on God's time!!

Following Jesus is the greatest thing I have ever done!!!

Day~26~Community Baptism~The Commissioning of a Disciple

'Sacrifice is only sacrifice if it cost you something.'

Loving those close to you no matter what it costs you, no matter what!! Your
presence should spew out Love, out of your pores should come an anointing from GOD, so thick that others will look at you and say, "I want what you got"...as I did my brother in Christ when I first came into the Freedom House.

You can't go wrong when you have nuttin' but Love in all directions...I mean add a sacrificial Love to the ingredients and watch what comes out of the mix...GOD being the Head Chef!!

Day 25~Water Baptism~The Commissioning of a Disciple

Through Jesus Christ you are a new creation!!

What I'm about to talk about really just dawned on me as I read today's dare.
For me, I was baptized at ten years of age, in a small Baptist church in Sacramento, California...This is what you did after you asked Jesus into your heart. I remember asking my little brother if he wanted to be saved and Baptized, excited for him, I couldn't wait to tell my Grandfather, so he could do it. I never really grasp the fact that we were to go and Baptize others for God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. To bring souls to Jesus, making disciples. But I do recall my Grandfather having me go and ask my brother Jesse if he wanted to be saved and baptized...I'm just now realizing that he was planting a seed in me!!( I wonder if he did it on purpose?)Never taking anything from God~God always gets all the Glory!!!

Today I commit to encouraging other to be Baptized, to publicly announce that they are a follower of Jesus Christ. I ask in Jesus name to continue the work He has done in me, to let me walk and talk for His purpose only...Bringing souls to Him so He can do a greater work than what He has done in me.AMEN.

Day 24~Disciple Maker~The Commissioning of a Disciple

This is where I hope and pray to be soon!! Doing what Jesus' says to do, Go and make
disciples...
Even though I'm in the position I'm in, and trying to stay involved in a youth ministry or serving in some way, I feel I can do it much better. And I'm sure I can!! It's only a matter of time before I bring the Word boldly!!I can just feel it!!

In Jesus' name I humbly ask to make me the mighty man of God he desires me to be, for me not to be timid, but to go anywhere to bring his Word, with the purpose of making disciples and giving all Glory to HIM

Day 23~Authority~The Commissioning of a Disciple

'There is no other life-changing process on earth more
powerful for the life of a believer than discipleship. All authority was
given to all members of the Christian community to make disciples,
not just the pastors, deacons, and elders of a church. The only way the
Church is going to change the world for Christ is if all followers of
Christ exercise their authority as disciple makers.'

Man this book is really great!! I start to see things a little more clearer as I get closer to the 40 days. It might be a GOD thing that as I am being discipled that the Discipleship Dare is moving right along with me...I feel the LORD knew that the process for a guy like me, real world-like, would be a slow process. Just like Jess speaks of in this chapter.

All I know as of right now, that I feel God gave me a missionary calling, a missionary heart. God has told me to be the opposite of what I trained myself to be in the World....Completely. This calling definitely goes along with receiving Jesus' authority to reproduce the life of Christ in others. I'm committed to being discipled and excepting challenges by Jesus Christ to learn more about Gods word and grow spiritually. So I can do God's work, In His Way.

Day 22~Worship~The Commissioning of a Disciple

"The best worshippers are the best disciples."


Why shouldn't we worship? He sent his only son to be put up on the cross to save us from our sins. We can now have a one on one with Him. To worship the LORD is my favorite thing to do...To thank the Heavenly Father for all hes done, for the moments of clarity, for lookin' out for me while I was at my worst of the worst, I mean come on somebody, I could go on forever!!
I hope to never doubt the LORD, to never put him in a box, to never fall short of life full of worshipping God....Everything I do glorifies God!!! Anything I do is in Jesus name!!

Day 21~Salt & Light~The Character of a Disciple

Philippians 2:14-15 Do everything without complaining or arguing, [15] so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation.
If we really want to have a moral influence in the world, the biblical way to do it is to actually live moral lives ourselves.
I don't mean 2 keep getting on a personal level through these blogs, some days I read a chapter and I feel I'm already in the middle of striving to do what I'm reading. In many ways we can relate.
Persecution is all good, as long as your being persecuted for righteous reasons. Being in the position God has me in, is definitely one of the most challenging things I've done!! It's important to show your godly character, and to help hold each other accountable to do so.
1 Peter 3:15-16 Do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience.
The existence of moral laws will not bring morality to our society. But, if we pursue our own personal morality, if we live like the good, decent, honest, generous, upright people that God wants us to be, then we will have an purifying and palatable effect on the world. We will be the salt of the earth.

Day 20~Reward in Heaven~The Character of a Disciple

Today's dare really helped me with yesterdays, I hate to just write anything down after a chapter, trying not to be repetitive.
I know that I try to stay tuned with "The Voice of the Martyrs - USA", on the computer, where you will hear about some persecution. I remember a month or so ago I was reading this one story of a man(Follower of Christ), who was in a foreign country and was sharing his faith when he got locked up. Now keep in mind this man was not involved in any specific ministry, he just loved our Jesus. So as he sits in the penitentiary, he begins to share his faith more with the other inmates, the guards hear him and they come rushing in and beat this guy all the way from the cell to the hole. This beating was a severe beating by 3 or more men with clubs and all that. So this man is dragged back into the cell, looking like world war, and as he lies there....he looks over and says, "Now where was I?"....
'Dance when you have enemies'...for the LORD is Blessing you!

Day 19~Persecution~The Character of a Disciple

"Persecution is what evil people give to those who are good."

Allot of people either ask what has the LORD done for me lately? Or, look at me with a look that is trying to figure me out...Almost like is it a phase? or Has he lost his mind? And others who see the change for the better and truly knew me from before and after I was a new creation in Christ, cant wait to tell someone!! :)
I can think of many times that people just plain out didn't like me or tried to provoke me into my old ways....tried 2 get a negative reaction, or just an easy rise outta me.
I'm certain I have never experienced any real persecution....I been hated on, but nothing is compared to what Jesus Christ went through.

The LORD knows that I want to stand firm without a second thought, or any hesitation when it comes to HIM. There's really no time to do so when your for the Kingdom.

Day 18~Children of God~The Character of a Disciple

I know that when I first came to Freedom Valley, I was loved unconditional, and I was totally hateful in most directions....NOW, I find myself trying to love unconditional....Letting God do what He does best. It takes so much of your energy to hate and/or hold grudges...And this certainly isn't Gods plan!!
Lord fill me with the Fruits of the Spirit....To be able to help the Kingdom as often as I can...I thank you Lord with all I have for restoring me and teaching me, I love and Praise you...Amen

Day 17~Peacemaker~The Character of a Disciple

Peacemaking is part of God's character. He is frequently referred to as the "God of Peace."
"Peacemaking is love in action." To give unconditional love to any and everyone is one of the main ingredients to restoring wholeness where there is brokenness. Jesus was the man at this!! I mean His examples that He gives to us are consistently shown in the Holy Bible.

Its awesome to be able to relate to someones testimony of what the LORD has done in their life, and to give your testimony of the LOVE and PEACE the He has given to you in your life.
God has a plan and purpose in all of our lives!!!

Personally I thank the LORD everyday for what he has done for me, I ask him to let me able to serve him with a Loving boldness...To be able to plant seeds for Him to harvest. To do the work he has called me to do. Offering to people the same kind of thing that He sent people to do in me.

Day 16~Pure~The Character of a Disciple

Purity of the heart is essential....for another person to be able to come to you and help you set goals or help you break free from any chains that bind you in life, you need to be able to see that this person is capable of doing this task. It helps people to know where they been and even what they set out to accomplish. Seeing that Godly character, seeing that all glory is always given 2 GOD....
I want GOD 2 rule my heart a 100%, 2 be a mighty man of faith, never doubting the LORD!!!

Day 15~Merciful~The Character of a Disciple

This is a really good example to me..."Showing sympathy is like throwing a life jacket to someone who is drowning, but being empathetic and merciful is like jumping in head first to save the person."

Day 14~Satisfied~The Character of a Disciple

"The problem is not with our hunger and thirst for more, but with what we hunger and thirst for."







Experience has taught us one thing, it is that, taking satisfaction in worldly pleasures does not fill that emptiness!!! It's only when you take up your cross and deny yourself, pushing through to be more like Jesus Christ that does. There is so many people I know that seemed to have it all, but really inside was loosing a spiritual war. It wasn't until they put God first, that they started to sincerely be happy, especially in their mission to fulfill Gods plan and purpose on earth.
Does this mean it remains easy at all times??....No.....But nothing you endure will be as nasty as what Jesus Christ went through....Pastors even struggle.
So today I look for satisfaction in the ways of our Saviour Jesus Christ, and not in any form of selfishness. Doing what the LORD has created us to do, fulfilling His purpose here on earth.

Day~13~Righteous~The Character of a Disciple

God calls us 2 live in the world, not 2 be of the world.


Upon Entering the 'Freedom House', It wasn't until I whole heartily pursued after God, determined 2 make all things right with God, myself, others & the world, that God made things fall in place.
He is stretching me but never giving me nothing I can't handle, learning from any mistakes along the way, learning allot more about myself and how to change to be this godly character it takes to be a part of the Jesus international movement.

Day 12~Meek~The Character of a Disciple

Meekness Isn't Weakness

Meekness means a calm temper, someone who is not easily provoked. It does not mean weakness. The greatest leaders among God's true people were meek i.e. strong, but not swaggering: "the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth." (Numbers 12:3 KJV). Meekness is a self-control quality that Christians are instructed to learn and develop, not just for the interim, but for the powers and responsibilities that await them.
Meekness Isn't Weakness

Jesus Christ, while physically and psychologically strong, was also meek, i.e. not proud, not arrogant, not abusive:

"the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance" (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV)
Meekness is a necessary quality in a good teacher because all of the knowledge in the world is useless if an abrasive manner causes people to walk away with their hands over their ears. Teachers of the Gospel cannot afford to be obnoxious; the stakes are too high, for everyone. Be bold, be forceful, always proclaim the whole Truth regardless of who likes it or not, but don't be deliberately offensive.
I feel since entering the 'Freedom House', to where I am today, I'm at the point in my journey where I'm trying to find my medium, or apply what God has shown me.
God has been showin' me new things daily, like it or not, But I thank Him, striving and praying to achieve these qualities.

Day 11~Comfort~The Characeter of a Disciple

"There is hope even in hopless places. There is comfort even in painful situations." Nothing stirs my soul like Jesus. He is more important than anything else in the whole world. Ever since I met Jesus and discovered His unimaginable love for me, and saw what he had done for me by paying such a terrible price to redeem me from human depravity, my entire life has been changed. I simply cannot imagine trying to live in this world without Him. He and His Word are the foundations that shape my entire worldview! Jesus' promise of comfort originated with the prophet Isaiah, but fulfilled in his ministry."


Blessed hope mechanisms for this life are designed to:
Instill the grace of patience.
Calm the natural tendency to worry.
Stimulate sobriety.
Comfort the bereaved.
Encourage a godly walk.
Motivate brotherly love.
Create a sense of urgency in the believer to be busy about the Lord’s work.

We come to Jesus today. We come to Jesus who promises that one day all tears will be gone and we who trust him will be given total joy. But it’s hard to trust God. This world is such a battlefield, a painful place where terrible things happen. Still, we come to Jesus because Jesus came to this world to save us from sin, from the devil, and from death itself.

Day 10~Kingdom of Heaven~The Character of a Disciple

33 Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character." 34 Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God-I say this to your shame. NIV 1 Corinthians 15:33-34

Godly character is evidence of a redeemed life.

When a defense lawyer wants to win a case he makes every attempt to discredit the evidence against his client. This sometimes means attacking the evidence so vigorously that it is destroyed and no longer worth anything.

Satan cannot destroy the truth of Christ's resurrection and victory so he goes after the evidence. A godly character is evidence of Christ's resurrection. Satan will come after your character with a passion to destroy it.

Character is the quality that makes an individual. Decency, self control, integrity in what we do and say - both publicly and privately, is evidence of Christ influence in your life. The more of Christ that shines through you the more of His kingdom is being established on earth.

Lying, gossiping and backbiting are evidence of a life controlled by satan. This is not what Christ has called us to. Each time we do these things satan laughs at us and congratulates himself over anther victory.

We need to come to our senses as Christians and realize more is at stake than our own 'little names' when we act as those who have no reason to live with integrity.

Each time you are tempted to compromise your stand and character as a Christian a battle is going on. Imagine what would happen if all Christians started living an honest life. Their no being no and their yes, yes. Imagine the influence you would possess if people around you could rely on your word as the truth and your character as reliable. You would do more for the gospel of Christ than many words could accomplish.

When you say you will do something - do it.

When you allow the character of Christ to influence your life it will inhibit the control of the world over you. People will start to take notice of you. You will start to be an influence over them.
God will also be able to trust you with His power and gifts because your character will inhibit the abuse of it.

Character is the balance of power. Once we get a revelation of the importance of godly character it will be easier for Christ to trust us with the true riches. All our decisions in life are rooted in our character.

Look in the mirror of God's Word and embrace His character. There is a lot at stake when you don't.

"God reigns over us by love, not by force and control."..."The greatest people in the Kingdom shall be servants."