What does your Bible say about you?

Dear Legacy Dad Readers,If Lance and/or I were to ask you what you Bible says about you?  How would you answer?  If we were to ask you what is your Bible speaking to you?  What would your answer be?  Could your defend your faith?  Could you give a kind, but reasonable answer to a non-believer?  The older I get (almost 50), the more I realize that the closer you get to God (through His word) the more you will see Him in your life and the less of you.  The less that you spend time with God (through His word), the more that you look like the world.  The latter of this is considered lukewarm by Jesus Christ.  Hear what He has to say to us in the Book of Revelation on being lukewarm:

Revelation 3:15-16 (ESV) 15 “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.

If you are going to be serious about the Legacy Dad Process and being a true disciple of Jesus Christ there are some must haves:

1. Be honest and transparent - on your sin, name it, confess it and ask other men to walk with you and to hold you truly accountable
2. Read the Word (The Bible) Daily - this is your roadmap to living God's way and not the world's way
3. Pray regularly
4. Have the Word be an authority in your life - just don't read the book and memorize it - live it, breathe it and do what it says!

Moving from Milk to Meat:

Hebrews 5:11-14 (ESV)

Warning Against Apostasy11 About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, 13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. 14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

Hebrews 6 (ESV)

6 Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 and of instruction about washings,[a] the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do if God permits. 4 For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. 7 For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. 8 But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned.

9 Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things—things that belong to salvation. 10 For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do. 11 And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

The Certainty of God's Promise13 For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, 14 saying, “Surely I will bless you and multiply you.” 15 And thus Abraham,[b] having patiently waited, obtained the promise. 16 For people swear by something greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. 17 So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, 18 so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. 19 We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, 20 where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

When you read God's word accurately and maturely you are not only just reading it, you are letting it read you, sharpen you, and change you in ways that are pleasing to God because the world will see less of your worldliness and more of God's righteousness.  Does that mean if I do this, that I will live without sin?  Of course not, there is only one man on this earth that lived sinless and was crucified for our unrighteousness so that we could be with Him and His Father in Heaven.  Do you believe in God?  Do you believe in Heaven and Hell?  Do you believe that if others do not believe in Jesus that they will spend an eternity in Hell - a place that was created for the Devil and his angels?

If you believe this to be true, but you are not living as a disciple should live, then you are guilty of sins of omission - holding back what God has in store for you?  The plans that He has for you and the places that He intends for you to go?  For some that may mean a mission field of your family and relatives, for others it may mean to be an actual missionary, an Elder, a Deacon, a lay leader, a mentor, a coach, a worship leader, a singer - are you using your gifts and talents to worship God in every aspect of your life? If not, why not?  If you are calling yourself a Christian and yet you are not under the authority of God's word, then do you not see the hypocrisy in that statement?

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV) 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God[a] may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Can you teach the word?  Can you reproof others with the word?  Can you train others?

If you answer no to any of the above questions, then would you be willing to be teachable?  Mentored?  Coached in the way to go?

If you can honestly say that you are not learning and gleaning from the word of God, then Lance and I do not need to say anything else on that because it is the condition of the heart and not of the hand and or eyes that are reading it.

Food for thought,

D

Happy Fathers Day!!!

Lance and I would like to wish all of you legacy dads a very happy fathers day!  Thank you for being willing to step up and to get out of the boat making a difference in others' lives.  Whether you are a dad, grandfather, spiritual father (coach, mentor) we want to thank you for taking the legacy dad approach.

This past weekend, some legacy dads and myself took all of our kids (minus a college student) on a weekend camping trip.  Imagine just for a moment:  4 Dads, 11 kids (ranging from 4 years old thru 13 years old) and no moms.  We came, we saw, we ate, slept and conquered.  These men are in my small group and we have grown into a very solid community who are walking together and doing life together.

All of these dads have a lot to offer.  They are all gifted and natural born leaders who are on a journey of faith and living in the American way of life.  Trying to live a life worthy of God and also trying to leave a legacy for their wives and kids.  These guys are true grit and we would do anything for each other, including giving their shirts off their back if the other was in need.  One of the four dads is ending a nine year stint as a Deacon in our church (one who has a heart of an Elder and I cannot wait to see him move into that role down the road)  The other two amaze me, because although they are "new" in their walk and prayer lives, they are gifted with leadership talent beyond belief.

I am thankful for these brothers because they mean so much to me.  I am thankful for their wives because they mean so much to us.  I am thankful for their children because they are fun to watch and to see them grow and to see the way that they look at their dads.  I pray for these brothers daily that they would continue to stand up against the ways of this world, to get out of the boat of complacency and to walk out onto the water of faith and see what God has in store for their lives.

To all of our readers, thank you for being faithfully committed to making a difference in your life, your families lives, your church lives and in your community.

Blessings,Dante

Are you making other disciples?

Luke 6English Standard Version (ESV)

The Beatitudes

²⁰ And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said:

“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.

²¹ “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied.

“Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.

²² “Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! ²³ Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets.

Jesus Pronounces Woes

²⁴ “But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.

²⁵ “Woe to you who are full now, for you shall be hungry.

“Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep.

²⁶ “Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets.

Love Your Enemies

²⁷ “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, ²⁸ bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.²⁹ To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic^[b] either.³⁰ Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. ³¹ And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

³² “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. ³³ And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.³⁴ And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. ³⁵ But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. ³⁶ Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

Judging Others

³⁷ “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; ³⁸ give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

³⁹ He also told them a parable: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? ⁴⁰ A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher. ⁴¹ Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? ⁴² How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother's eye.

A Tree and Its Fruit

⁴³ “For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, ⁴⁴ for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. ⁴⁵ The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

Build Your House on the Rock

⁴⁶ “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?⁴⁷ Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: ⁴⁸ he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.^{[c] 49} But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.”

---

Currently I am walking with 4 other brothers daily via text and friendship and conversations over coffee, breakfast, lunch and dinner.  We are sharing daily life struggles and encouraging and comforting and urging one another to live worthy of God.  I love these brothers.  I am also walking with 3 men and their wives in our small group that meets every other week (we are taking the summer off as we usually do.

That being said, I texted my brothers this this morning, "A disciple of Jesus will go and make other disciples fully training others to reflect Jesus and to show His love in all that we do keeping God's word as an authority in his life!"  "I love you brothers!  Let go of that which ensnares you today and ask God to take your burdens!  Let the Word dwell in you richly!

This has hit me tonight that I feel the same way about my brother Lance and you, our Legacydad readers!!!

Blessings,D

False Teachers

1 Timothy 6:5English Standard Version (ESV)

⁵ and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain

2 Timothy 4:3-4English Standard Version (ESV)

³ For the time is coming when people will not endure sound^[a] teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, ⁴ and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

Acts 20:28-30English Standard Version (ESV)

²⁸ Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God,^[a]which he obtained with his own blood.^{[b] 29} I know that

after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock;³⁰ and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.

1 John 4:1-6English Standard Version (ESV)

Test the Spirits

4 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. ² By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, ³ and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.⁴ Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. ⁵ They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. ⁶ We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

"Today’s church cannot remain faithful if it tolerates false teachers and leaves their teachings uncorrected and unconfronted."  -Albert Mohler

VIDEO:  FALSE TEACHERS BY SHAI LINNE (TEST THE SCRIPTURE IN THIS)[youtube id="KJmcEAwazD0" height="353" width="574" marginbottom="15"]

Note:  Legacy Dad posts this video for you to test the Scriptures in order to see if you agree with Shai Linne about who and what is False Teaching).  In all that you do, test the Scriptures.  Test and pray and ask God to use His word to guide you to the truth.

Blessings,Legacydad

Happy Memorial Day

John 15:13 (ESV) "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." 

On behalf of Legacy dad we would like to thank you to all the brave military who have sacrificed for this great country.  For those who have gone above and beyond the call of duty with integrity, perseverance, bravery and valor and have won and lost loved ones through and through - thank you for all that you have done, do and will continue to do.  Thank you to the families who have sacrificed and who still risk this day for our freedoms.

Blessings,

www.legacydad.com

What's my Hill?

As I was perusing Facebook this morning and catching up with some work emails, I noticed this commencement speech from Matthew McConaughey and liked what he was saying to the graduating class at the University of Houston and say that "life should not be a popularity contest.  Be brave, take the Hill, but first ask 'What's my Hill?  So me, how do I define success?  For me it is a measurement of 5 things: 1) Fatherhood, 2) Being a good husband, 3) Health (mind, body and spirit), 4) Career and 5) Friendships.  These are what is important in my life right now."Everything in culture talks about self and what is best for me and how I express myself and my identity in such a narcissistic society that the world is spinning further and further away from biblical truth:

• 1 John 2:15-17 ESV Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
• Colossians 3:2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
• Ephesians 5:11 ESV / Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.
• James 4:4 ESV / You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
• Titus 2:11-12 ESV / For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,

So let's test what Matthew said to Scripture:

Being a good father:

• Psalm 127:5 How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; They will not be ashamed When they speak with their enemies in the gate.
• Ephesians 6:4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
• Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it.
• Colossians 3:21 Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart.
• Psalm 103:13 Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
• Psalm 127:3-5 Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one's youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; They will not be ashamed When they speak with their enemies in the gate.

Being a good husband:

• Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her,
• 1 Peter 3:7 You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.
• 1 Timothy 5:8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
• Colossians 3:19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them.
• Ephesians 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body.
• Ephesians 5:21-32 and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ. Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. read more.

Having good Health (body, mind and spirit)

• Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NLT)
• And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice – the kind he will find acceptable. Romans 12:1-2 (NLT)
• Spend your time and energy in training yourself for spiritual fitness. Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important for it promises a reward in both this life and the next. This is true and everyone should accept it.” 1 Timothy 4:7-9 (NLT)
• A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones. Proverbs 14:30 (NLT)
• Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones. Proverbs 3: 7-8 (NLT)
• Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:28-29 (NLT)
• You satisfy me more than the richest of foods. Psalms 63:5 (NLT)
• He gives power to those who are tired and worn out; he offers yeah strength to the weak. Even youths will become exhausted, and young men will fall give up. But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:29-31 (NLT)
• Don’t be impressed with your all wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn your back on evil. Then you’ll gain renewed health and vitality. Proverbs 3:7-8 (NLT)
• Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink-even if you have no money! Take your choice of wine or milk-it’s all free! Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good? Listen and I will tell you where to get food that is good for the soul! Isaiah 55: 1-2 (NLT)
• The Lord will guide you continually, watering your life when you are dry and keeping you healthy, too. You will be like a well watered garden like an ever-flowing spring.Isaiah 58:11 (NLT)
• You must serve only the Lord your God. If you do, I will bless you with food and water, and I will protect you from illness. Exodus 23:25 (NLT)
• A cheerful heart does good like medicine, but a broken spirit makes one sick. Proverbs 17:22 (TLB)
• As pressure and stress bear down on me, I find joy in your commands. Psalms 119:143 (NLT)
• Anxiety in the heart of a man weighs it down, But a good word makes it glad. Proverbs 12:25 (NAS)
• Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 (NAS)
• But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 (NAS)
• So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)

Having a good career:

• Colossians 3:23 ESV / Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,
• Proverbs 13:4 ESV / The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.
• 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 ESV / For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.
• Philippians 4:13 ESV / I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
• Proverbs 14:23 ESV / In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.
• Philippians 2:14-15 ESV / Do all things without grumbling or questioning, 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,
• Proverbs 16:3 ESV / Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.

Having good friends:

• John 15:12-15 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.
• James 4:8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
• Proverbs 12:26 One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
• Proverbs 13:20 Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
• Proverbs 14:6-7 A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain, but knowledge is easy for a man of understanding. Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not meet words of knowledge.
• Proverbs 22:24-25 Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.
• 1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”
• Luke 6:31 And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.
• Romans 12:10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Out do one another in showing honor.
• Ephesians 4:29-32 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
• Colossians 3:12-14 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
• Proverbs 11:14 Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.
• Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
• Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.

Being a legacy dad and the process therein is never about being and living a perfect life because we could not and that would be really worldly instead of godly.  Being a legacy dad means that you are not walking this walk alone by just talking about it to others, it means that you are choosing the pathway that God calls you to take.  A legacy dad yields and subjects himself to the authority of scripture at all times (even when we blow it).  A legacy doesn't just remorse his sin and moves in, that is, feels bad about his sin and/or mistakes and keeps on doing it.  Rather, a legacy dad finds true repentance, that is, he feels the conviction of the Holy Spirit (your words, actions and/or deeds are contrary to scripture - acknowledge them before God) and make amends with those who you have wronged.  True repentance is acknowledging and confessing your sin to God and going the opposite way of that sin.  By having others who walk with us in community we put that sin in the light and the darkness can not exist in the light.  Being a legacy dad is setting a course for your family to follow and to show them Christ everyday in your actions, words and deeds.  When you screw up (sin) and when you do not show legacy dad traits, this doesn't disqualify you from being that legacy dad, rather, by acknowledging your wrongdoing or wrong path, it provides a true biblical guide in showing your kids true repentance, the act of reconciliation and restoration.  These are good things to model for your wife and kids and grandkids and to others within your everyday influences.

Let us take inventory of our lives.  If we could go back to our boyhood self and speak to that boy what words would you give him?  What pitfalls would you tell him to avoid?  What friendships would you tell him to run from?  What would you tell him about faith, church, wisdom, biblical application for him to follow?  What does that look like?  Maybe we need to write that to our boy hood self.  In doing so, take inventory as to where you are as a man.  Confess what needs confessing.  Change what needs changing.  Give to God what belongs to God.  In all that you do, acknowledge God and He will make your paths straight.

You and I can do this!  We can do this because we are not alone.  God gave each of us that profess and bear the name of Jesus as our Lord and Savior His Spirit.  Even when we don't know what to say or do, Pray!  Pray for God and His Son and His Spirit to guide us and instruct us in the way that would should go!  This means that if you are not reading the bible daily how can you find the true path of biblical leadership in your home, church, work and community?  You cannot!

Blessings,D

The Gospel Offends

Maybe I am a skeptic and maybe I suffer from critical thinking, but I have to say that I have come to a point in my life when I have to take the words of Popeye when he eloquently says, "that's all I can stands, cause I can't stands no more!".   Everywhere we turn, everything we read and listen to has been moderately changing from being able to be different and to have a difference of opinion and to even argue and debate on those opinions to an era where we are told that we cannot offend, we cannot insult, we cannot be different because that would not be acceptable to cultural terms.  If we look different and act different and do not like the way others carry themselves and have an opinion as such you will no longer be posed as a dissenter, rather, you will be classified as insensitive, a hater, someone who is prejudice and if you turn on the media something much worse.Do not misunderstand where I am going with this, because you will not read what you are expecting to read.

Here are some questions for you:

• Does the Gospel offend?
• If you call someone a sinner are you a hater?
• If you try to live by biblical standards to your everyday life, will culture deem you as someone who is intolerant?
• If you are preaching the gospel, are you prepared to offend?

Ephesians 6:12English Standard Version (ESV)

12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Why would society want everyone to view and think the same way?  Why would culture want everyone to think and reason the same way instead of to celebrate the cultural differences that we have been given?  Why would the world want us to believe that everyone has their own way to self actualization and salvation?  Seriously, you think that this may not be the case? Then word the word of God in a public place and on topics that will call people out in their sin (not you, but the word of God) and see if you don't get a reaction.

Tell the world that Jesus Christ is the ONLY way to Heaven and that without the knowledge of the Son then there is no way to the Father.  See if that offends!

I don't want you to take this as a green light to be a hypocrite nor do I give my blessing to thumb your nose at those who do not know the Lord.  Rather, in love, reach out to those who are lost (do not know the Lord) and are in a proverbial burning building and on their way to Hell if you do not share God's love with them.

The Gospel does offend.  It is ridiculous to tell the World that Jesus is the only way and not to offend.

Let's stop with the all inclusive, one religion (of self) and be true to God's word.

Let's do this in love and not being spiteful in how we serve the Lost.

Instead of trying to be right, let the Word of God rule in your life and let it lead you in how God wants us to serve those who do not know Him as Savior.

Colossians 3:15-17English Standard Version (ESV)

¹⁵ And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. ¹⁷ And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

How would you share the gospel if you could no longer offend by just merely speaking the words of God?  Do you think that we are not that far away from this from happening?

Thoughts?

Blessings,D

Top 10 Ways to build a healthy marriage

We live in a world that is defiled with consumerism.  We live in a culture that says you deserve and you need to be served and you, you, you are the focus.  When we put this toward God's word and test society by the truth in the power of the word - we see truth and honor and integrity and the ways in which we should go.  Maybe you find yourself reading this to say what am I missing, or just maybe you are in a small minority of men and you are thinking what is this guy missing?Let's be real!

Top 12 ways to build a healthy marriage

1. Get right with God - don't just have remorse for sin in your life - be repentant of it - that is turn and go the opposite way.  If you are in unappropraite relationships whether physical or mental (pornography) - flee from this sin - put it to death daily.
2. Study His word daily - His Word never return empty
3. Pray continuously - Pray for your spouse, your marriage, your future wife (if you are single hoping to get married)
4. Serve your spouse tirelessly - don't make your marriage about what you can get out of it or what your spouse can do for you - make it about serving your wife and family
5. Give 100% instead of 50% - don't keep score - give all of yourself to that marriage
6. Don't keep record of right and wrong - Read 1 Corinthians 13
7. When you forgive the wrong, don't keep bringing it up to them - this is not biblical to keep bringing up past sins if they have been repented of
8. Invest your time, talent and treasure in them - God tells us to
9. Die to self - The Word of God tells us to
10. Be honest - need I say more?
11. Be true - do I really need to say more?
12. Be faithful - this goes without saying

Give these steps some time to let the Holy Spirit move each other.

Blessings,

Dante