F4S: January 2012

Monday, January 23, 2012

You and I have been called out to worship and shine, and never to allow our biblical convictions, morals, or practices to erode away like our society does.

We're called to be uncompromising world-Christians full of joy in the Word, but not worldly saints. Yes called out of all darkness and into that marvelous illuminating light of Christ—never to become depressingly dim or unholy again. We're called to wholeheartedly worship the Bible-Lord alone (the one God on His terms rather than on our terms), and make our very lifestyles accurately sync up with His unchanging Scriptures ..until everything we do can properly be considered authentic worship as unto Him. 

"Here is the great evangelical disaster—the failure of the evangelical world to stand for truth as truth. There is only one word for this—namely 'accommodation': the evangelical church has accommodated to the world spirit of the age. First, there has been accommodation on Scripture, so that many who call themselves evangelicals hold a weakened view of the Bible and no longer affirm the truth of all the Bible teaches.." ~ Francis Schaeffer


"When the Church is absolutely different from the world, she invariably attracts it. It is then that the world is made to listen to her Message, though it may hate it at first. That is how revival comes. That must also be true of us as individuals. It should not be our ambition to be as much like everybody else as we can, though we happen to be Christian, but rather to be as different from everybody who is not a Christian as we can possibly be. Our ambition should be to be like Christ, the more like Him the better, and the more like Him we become, the more we shall be unlike everybody who is not a Christian." ~ D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

It's exciting that God wants to change us until we look like Christ. It's thrilling! I could never make myself like Him with such winsome character and neither could you alone, but God is with us and He will help us according to His Word. The Apostle Paul said that "..whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like Him as we are changed into His glorious image" (2Cr3:16-18nlt ). "..are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory" (nkjv. See Jn15:19, 17:15, 1Cr5:8-13, 2Cr6:14-18).

Postmodernism is sadly here ..even in many local Christian churches.. but we must never be like them and slide into such a filthy-murky ever-changing polluted swamp. God has much higher things for us ahead as we join with Him in His global Great Commission plan. facebook.com/shareJesus

Friday, January 20, 2012

Are you ice cold like Popsicle at 7-11 or..

..luke-warm like stale milk left out on the countertop?..or red hot like a burning bush in the wilderness of Mount Sinai (Acts 7:30)? 

God wants each of us to be in the later category..for Him. Talk to Him about it. Ask Him.. "Who makes His angels spirits, His ministers a flame of fire." Ps. 104:4

"We are not going to move this world by criticism of it nor conformity to it, but by the combustion within it of lives ignited by the Spirit of God." ~ Vance Havner

This is such an easy fix.. such a simple thing for God to deal with. Perhaps there needs to be some confession and forsaking of personal sins, honesty about how you feel, a constant avoiding of those places where you have fallen in the past, yes, a permanent turning away from all of vices of the flesh or pet sins.. or any kind for that matter? Ask the Lord to give you a love for righteousness and people.. and even a hatred for sin that destroys people. 

If so, turn to Jesus quickly today. Tell on yourself. Be candid, asking for His forgiveness. He ain't there to slap you around like a boss in the Mafia. He understands you. The One with eyes like a burning fire (see Rev. 1:14) can indeed meet all your needs, heal, comfort and restore you, and set you on fire for God and His world-changing purpose today. 

Perhaps you need to be born again spiritually

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Standing and walking.. that's so much better than stumbling or falling huh.

"Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall." ~ Paul, 1 Cor. 10:12

How are you doing spiritually today? Got hope? Got some goals and direction from the Lord? Got a sound local church and some growing Christian friends as close buddies? 

I want to encourage you to trust in God today, instead of trusting in yourself or in another.  

I want to encourage you ask him for..and to look to Him for victory. The battle is His ya know.

Man, it's so much better to serve Him than any other. The Psalmist said, "For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man who trusts in You!" These words impact me. Yeah, that is how I feel inside, I would rather be a doorkeeper in God's abode than take up residence in whatever elegant or not ..that the world has to offer me. How 'bout you?

Please walk in victory and in holy fear today..yup, in Jesus. Put off the old man, and put on the new. It can be full-on worship and that's how to present a good witness to those who still have crusty scales on their eyes.

I mean walk in a tight relationship with Jesus today – He is your victory. Be confident in what God can do through you, but don't be presumptuous or self-confident at all.. like you're so skilled or gifted that you can any day of the week "pull it off" whenever you want to.

"Come thou Fount...
O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I'm constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness like a fetter
Bind my wand'ring heart to Thee:
Prone to wander—Lord, I feel it—
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here's my heart—O take a seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above." ~ Anon

Go it ..according to God's Way. Too many have said faith instead of saving faith, goin' it according to their own way. Not good. It's just far better to do it His way in holiness, righteousness, and biblical faith, not according to your plans independently which would only lead to misery. Yup, choose to.

The Bible cautions all of us, "Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall" (1 Cor. 10:12). Is "falling" spiritual still a possibility for you or for me? Sure, it could happen. Don't let it. 

Sow to the Spirit daily, resist the devil, deny your flesh refusing to sow to your old nature. Where God's Spirit guides you, His grace can keep you. 

Being a Christian calls for dying to self, not over-loving or believing in one's self. There are times of suffering, but God will comfort and provide. 

Sometimes the areas in which a believer falls... those are the very areas in which they think they are strongest in.. or couldn't fall in. Pete didn't think he could. 

Think of the prophet Elijah a minute. You remember him for his great courage don't you. That was the man who marched right into king Ahab and queen Jezebel's hangout in Israel, and then told them that all rain would stop falling… except at his word. That was the man who went up against the wickedness of the prophets of Baal to contest them about which god was the the living God. He called upon the name of the Lord and a miracle happened. But this is the same guy who later on ran away ..sprinted away fast.. from a weak girl (how embarrassing is that?) and was so scared inside of this twisted lady, that he went and hid in a dark cave trembling or so. Elijah actually let a worldly female, who made one verbal threat about taking his life ..get him so down.   

You who think you are strong.. you who think you are weak.. you who think you are somewhere in-between.. draw away from the crowd for a time. Do it regularly. Go be alone with the Lord daily so females and others don't scare you off. Pray and listen to God's Word, asking for His strength and wisdom. There are individuals around you perhaps who are needing you to go the distance with Christ. Eyes are on you, so please be cautious and careful.. leaning on the Lord not on your own devices or understanding. You know that when you think that you are not going to stumble or fall, that's when you are in the greatest danger of falling. But you don't have to fall. Remember Pete warming himself at the fire of the world after boasting about how loyal he would remain to Jesus Christ.. even if all the others bailed on Christ? Pride! Don't view yourself like that or brag. Don't talk trash or boast in the flesh. Smart is as smart does. 

"But for the grace of God go I" I wanna think like that. "Lord Jesus, I need you today ..gobs. Set a guard at the door of my mouth so my words aren't stupid, and help me watch my heart for out of it flow the issues of life. Don't need even one idol. Hold my hand and please be glorified in and through me. I'm Yours and available. Please keep me all the way through. Don't wanna go AWOL wandering off like a mule, Lord. Too many are taking a stride from their Master's side. Fill me again with Your loyal Spirit. Thanks God." Why would I want to think of myself as being so gifted or strong or born differently from other ordinary people to the point where it could never happen? Anyone can blow it. Any of us can falter with our faith. You and I ain't Jesus. Some say you can become a God, but they're false. Elijah was a person like any other person. You are too. Personally; I need Christ as much or more today as when I first started out with Him in the Spring of 1977… while trying to get free from the whole party-lifestyle that had held me so tight.  

You know...it's so popular for people in the world to tell you that your heart is good, that you are good, and guess what.. you might even be pretty moral in comparison with your neighbors who party hardy.   People in the world say that you should trust in your own heart, but that's not what God says. Do you know how wicked your heart actually is? Do you know that we all ..including born again Christians.. have the propensity for doing the wrong thing? We all need Christ today! Let Him live the Christian life through you. We can't do it alone. 

When we are tempted by Mr. Lu-Cifer or any of his creepy minions, our inner fleshly nature is right there saying go for it, dude. Tell your flesh to shut up. Listen to the Holy Spirit instead.  

Falling is serious. Man, it could happen to any of us and that should simply motivate us to seek the Lord diligently in advance. What's your preventative medicine of sorts? We need His strength, we need to appropriate the power of His resurrection and anointing each day.

For sure, cuz you know how an unguarded strength is a double weakness. You know it's best not to trust in yourself. Deep down you do. You know that you still have a fleshly nature to deny and contend with, believer. Mortify the works of the flesh. That doesn't mean make provision for the flesh to do as it pleases. Please be cautious in your areas of vulnerability and in the other areas too. If ya lower your guard in an area of vulnerability …in an area in which you think that you are strong, then you could actually lose your victory ..and lose it so fast it could make your head swim. There's too much at stake - too much to lose. People are still deciding where they'll go and God won't make em go where it's best for em. You and I have seen it happen before with others huh. One Spiritual leader is up, and then BAM.. one bad decision and he is down. I don't want to wander away or become a spiritual shipwreck. Yes, this could be the area in which you stumble or fall - the area where you see yourself as spiritually strong. Don't let it happen. 

Be a light in your dark world instead, as you say "No" to sin, "No" to your old nature, "Yes" to the Spirit and then ..."Yes" to allowing Christ to use you. Gain personal victory now, so others can learn to gain it later on. Overcome evil with good. Hey, do ya need to start a relationship with Christ? Not a prob. Now is as good a time as any.  

Monday, January 9, 2012

Do you find that the truth can quicken, animate, and adding life to people who were once dead?

That's what happened to me. 


The truth liberates or it infuriates. 


It's true and the hearer chooses. The same sun that harden's the clay can soften the wax. I pray God's word softens your heart for God's great evangelistic Cause. He wants to use you as you spread the truth.  


All truth is God's truth. Any and all lies are not from Him. You know that it is Mr Lu-Cifer who is into lies and deception. Resist him. Deny him.


You choose if you want to humbly apply the Bible truth that you hear. You and I choose if we will share the truth that has already liberated us. 


Yes, you and I choose what the truth will do to you and to me. Christians are called to love and apply the truth even on the days when they might feel distracted to other things. 


 "And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." ~ Jesus, John 8:23

To the world you may be just one ordinary dudette or dude so to speak. Not a prob.

That's how I am.. the opposite of an extraordinary kinda dude. Don't mind at all. 

But if you're a non-worldly, a non-carnally-minded, practical need-meetin' kinda person that is vertically connected and properly responding to the ultimate need-meetin'-Person, then guess what! 


To one person in the world you may just be the world.

Dare ya to biblically rep Christ with ♥ in a world that lacks ♥. A world-Christian is different than a so called worldly Christian that would be ineffective in world-changing by faith. They are an on-fire spiritual believer in love with Christ.. one that has those in the world on his or her heart. They want to do their part on their knees and in witnessing so that people will understand the Gospel and be saved. Their attitude is.. Hear I am God, send me. Someone needs to hear of Jesus Christ and His work on the cross. I'm willing to cross the sea for You, but I'm also willing to cross the street to go tell my neighbor. 


"A man who has friends must himself be friendly..."  fish4souls.org

Saturday, January 7, 2012

In workin' together with other fishers of men, of women, and of children in any Land...

..be sure to do your part in maintainin' ..or in preservin' if you will.. the unity of the Spirit with other fishers. Imperative!

 

You don't have to create it - unity - or weird-out majorin' on minors (..like elevating non-essentials to the importance-level of our essential tenants of the faith) ..or even in minorin' on majors with Family members or strangers (i.e., in an effort to unify with say Muslems, New agers, JWs, or Mormons).
 
We are called to unify with born again believers around Christ and the clear Essentials in the Word, and then we cut peeps some slack. Important. You already know this, but I like to remind folks cuz I need to be.  

 

Remember: Of course it is not in any way arrogant to be fully convinced in your own mind about the truth that you study. Yeah, to strongly believe something like.. "Hey gang, I challenge you to go check it out well in the Bible—I'm confident that right on this one."
 
But proceed with discerning caution and some deferring restraint in serving with saints, cuz it is indeed arrogant to not consider along the way about the possibility that "Hey I'm a mere mortal and I could be wrong on this secondary, doctrinal-grey-area so I too will recheck."

 

"Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers." 2 Tim. 2:14

 

"And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men [and 'all' in the original language here actually means: all], apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves..." 2 Tim. 2:24-25, emph. mine

 

God makes us tender-hearted and kind like Jesus, as we make the choice to be like Him. Dear.. dear brothers and sisters, many secondary differences can still be respectfully debated even in a spirited way, but why go and break fellowship with family members when these ole debates which godly saints have thoroughly discussed, have been around for multiple centuries? Have we not nets and hooks to cast instead of minutes to burn?

 

Peace-out bro n sis. Let love compel you—no witnessin' time to waste! Be gracious. Be a blessing to hang with. Both sinners and saints loved to be with Jesus. He had a great attitude with the right priorities. Be godly ..daily, instead of pugnacious, uber-gruff, abrasive, puffed, hurtful, divisive, or contentious.  

 

"I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." See Paul's whole context with Eph. 4:1-3, nkjv

 

"Kindness can become its own motive. We are made kind by being kind." ~ Eric Hoffer

 

"We put up with anything rather than hinder the Gospel of Christ." 1 Cor. 9:12

 

Holy fear, a clear conscience, accuracy with the text-work, and pure-passion must inform our tone, inner human spirit, approach, and tact ..for indeed our hook, net, and appropriate bait-occasions don't really come by so often ..and besides.. these are your last days as well as mine no matter your escatological stance.  fish4souls.org

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Q. When ya think about the love of Christ does your mind quickly run to the Gospel of John..

..you know.. to chapter three verse sixteen, or does it also run on over to chapter eleven verse six where Jesus just kept hangin' out for two more days in the same place ..subsequently allowing His dear friend Lazarus to die?
You know, it seems that we still hear so much from preachers today about how God's love means that you will always be suffering-free, believer, and financially wealthy and totally free from difficulties when God favor is there and He loves you. I've even heard some say that there will be no battle against the fleshly nature.
Is that really so? And what about trials and physical death for believers? I was just with a very Godly man who had cancer, but he wasn't without faith and he was pleasing to God. He witnesses tactfully to a lot hurting people in the Cancer section of a hospital in Irvine California. The doctors are trying out a lot of different "cancer cocktails" on him to try and fix him. They don't know if my friend will make it though, but he asserts that God is still really good and loving. God knows what will happen and I'm praying. 
How did it go for Laz in that hole? Was God ultimately glorified in that situation? Does God still get blamed for hard things happening to decent people? Sure.
Wouldn't you say that both of the Bible verses I was telling you about are equally "loving"" I would say they're are both loving verses.
Yeah, just like chapter three verse three is loving in that same book (John). In fact I would say that every verse in God's love Letter to man (the Bible) is a verse dealing with God's kind of selfless charity and soul-saving passion. God is love. God proved His love while hurting on a lonely cross.
Do you need to experience God's love firsthand? Have you applied the benefits of the cross to your particular situation? Are ya walkin' in Christ and His love today? Please check yourself out to be sure. Perhaps you are currently livin' in what appears to be ..or feels like.. an "unloving chapter" of your life, believer. So sorry for that. Been there.. it seemed. Would be glad to pray for you. Please know that God and His great love for you have not changed even a little bit even if you witness a laz-experience.   
God showed me His love personally when I simply turned and prayed about this verse from John.. "Jesus replied, 'I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.'" Jn. 3:3, nlt
facebook.com/kurtwvs

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE verses and decent quotes on attitude...

..and not for others am I thinkin' when I read em. They're for that dude shavin' there ..in the mirror. 

And haven't ya found that when you pray for someone, it often modifies the personal attitude inside, yes, that you feel towards him. You know, your tone in how you talk with em even? Man, I do. The choice to, the good thoughts in your head, the prayers upwards.. will indeed affect how you feel in a great Way. NoteToSelf:  Don't be rude.. it's ya attitude, not ur aptitude-schnaptitude that'll, yup, determine your altitude spiritually. Having a right spirit inside and maintaining proper motives with a good attitude is so very important for every fisher of lost individuals. P. Lord, we want to have an attitude just like Yours constantly was and is cuz you don't change, but You do use people to change lives.   

"It is not the body's posture, but the heart's attitude that counts when we pray." ~ Billy Graham

"For as he thinks in his heart, so is he." Proverbs 23:7

"Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:1-23

"..walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." See Ephesians 5:1-5

"And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying: 'Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.'" See Matthew 5:1-12

"Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness!" See Psalm 150:1-6 

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." Read James 1:1-27

"Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing." 1 Peter 3:8-9

"So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander." 1 Peter 2:1

"Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor." Romans 12:10 

 "Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." Philippians 2:3

Put off the old man, don't feed your fleshly nature, look for and see the good stuff, turn away from the pollutants, and put on the new man instead. Receive Him by faith. Hear His words, think His thoughts, know His heart beat, do His deeds. "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience." Colossians 3:12

"And to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness." Ephesians 4:23-24

How often do you meditate upon God's word, or prayer God's word? Got any "attitude quotes, personal thoughts or Bible passages or verses to add below? 

 

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Prayin' for my former pastor, Chuck Smith Sr, and his wonderful church family today.

Perhaps like me, you heard yesterday how he is battling lung cancer now and many people are very concerned for him. 

The doctors recently discovered it. Chuck is one brave soldier, an anointed, kind and loving man of God. He was in the hospital today for some testing. Grace Lord for Chuck please. Continue to give him victory as he serves you faithfully. 

Chuck is still plannin' to go pray for people and be answering call-in Bible questions again on his Pastor's Perspective radio program Wednesday as he so often does.. as well as go teach through another chapter of the Bible at the great church that he leads in Costa Mesa on Wednesday night.. as well as go do an in-depth interview with his son in the faith, Greg, in the O.C. in Southern California on Thursday night. 

I pray that God will touch Chuck's body, comfort him, guide him with His eye, and just minister powerfully to Chuck as only our dear God can do... and also that the Lord will strongly help Chuck all the way through this whole ordeal. Please join me. Thank you! kurt

Monday, January 2, 2012

I’d say.. Student, get ready now and go tell now ..while you are young. Make your life really count.

"He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the Kingdom of the Son of His love." ~ Paul, Colossians 1:13

If Jesus can do it for us, then He can still do it through us for others. Do you need to be delivered and rescued today? Most of our colleges and even this society-gone-astray ..that we live in here.. they just don't have the answers for all the problems that we as a people are facing in this country. You know it's true. Washington doesn't have em either and money can't buy us out of these problems. I was recently in California and I heard a businessman tell me that "A Master's degree along with a quarter could just about buy a person a hot cup of cheap coffee these days." What's sad is that colleges, most media outlets, and society as a whole want viable answers ..but all ironically seem to be doing everything they can to tear down, to undermine, to mock and hinder the only One who is the Answer - the One who can help us out in this nation. That's Jesus Christ, the Answer we all need most.

Hey, I'm no pessimist though. What a privilege it still is for us Christians to be calling people to faith in Jesus Christ. Society doesn't have the answers, but we know the Answer.

Once our Lord ran into two blokes whose lives had been controlled and ruined by Mr Lu-Cifer and his buds (Satan and some other fallen angels). Who could help em? Society didn't have any answers for em. Enter the Lord Jesus Christ into the situation.

And what did Jesus proceed to do about it? Well, Christ sought em out where they were. He appropriately addressed the problem. They were hangin' out in a lonely graveyard and He offered them some hope.

Sure, go check it out in it's context. Yeah, in Luke's account of this narrative God explains what happened with one of the men who was delivered in this way: "Then they went out to see what had happened, and came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid" (Lk. 8:35).

Afraid? They had no reason for this. Why were they scared when God has never been about fear ..ever? Well, the people didn't quite know what to make of it all. This man was so transformed.. it just freaked the onlookers out ..to the max. They couldn't begin to grasp it. How could a dude this jacked up, this messed up and whacked spiritually… how could this same man be changed in such a rad-way, yeah, totally delivered? How?

God's Word still does this. When Christ transforms someone like He did with this guy back then.. when Christ saves a person today, you know, and as you faithfully witness by your holy life, by your good attitude, and by good works done motivated by God's love, then other people standing near you might not be able to handle in our day as well. Are you ready for that to happen? Get ready. It's exciting! They might not ever get it - the onlookers - but you will suddenly realize inside that it was the power of God that did it.. that He changed another valuable life right before your eyes! He doesn't do a greater miracle. That is what God can do through young or old believers who are willing to go as He sends em. Christ hasn't changed a bit. Are you willing? Seein' it happen even one time will make you want to go tell as many young people as you can about this truth.

So what would I say to a Christian college student who wanted to prepare well in advance for this stuff…

I've actually been asked about this before and did respond. What would I tell em.. tell the young man or woman in school today who wants to become involved in "the Solution" to this major societal problem (I mean how sin is takin' our nation downwards).. yes, what would I say to the one longing to get involved in biblical, face-to-face world-changing, as well as in some online personal ministry which is much needed?

I'd probably say seek the Lord wholeheartedly today and go get with lost people where they are. Listen. Answer questions they are asking. So many are online in social networks here in the West and it's getting more and more that way, even in your TVs. I'd say pray daily according to God's Word and His leading, asking for a harvest and also for some like-minded labors who can be active with you in this Cause. I'd say, Sure, learn to use current technological tools as the Spirit leads you, ones that can help send God's Message out farther.. cuz peeps why far away are listening ..online.

I'd tell em to make excellent moral choices along the way, yeah, and make some sound (close) friends too.. ones that are bonafide committed believers. I'd say allow God to give you wisdom, knowledge, discernment and a good name in your local church and community ..by staying humble, honest, sincere, and diligent in service. Hey, in the church - that's a good place to start huh.

I'd say, be anointed for real, be in-love with your first-Love. Be Word-full, prayed-up, and up to the brim with faith too. Serve where you can right now, don't wait until you graduate. Don't get bad grades through neglect, but don't waste your time in the dorm with beer, or worthless violent e-games, or with party-babes.

College person, you are loved. You know how the words "Personal brand building" have become somewhat bad words these days because people can so easily be involved in this kinda pursuit with self-seeking worldly motives. I'd say lay up your treasures in Heaven - seek Him and build His Kingdom first, instead of your own.

But listen, network, network, network.. catch with a net instead of just a pole if you can. It is important to be strong in the Lord first, and then in helping others come to the Lord and also get strong in Christ. You will be a blessing. Decide now to have a pure heart, to guard your heart, to avoid evil and all appearance of evil. Be about your Father's business daily, praising the Lord as you go. Be grateful, be doing things that build up a good reputation too as a smart witness for Jesus. Rep Him with integrity. 

Choose to be awake on multiple levels and do your very best to avoid all polluting factors as you go around on this planet—you don't want to ever compromise just to extend your reach or be tainted. Abide instead of strive. Work hard, but do it God's way, not the world's way.

Do righteous-networking if you will…. for Christ's Cause starting this week not next, but don't allow this stuff to make you a workaholic for God where you don't have any time left over for time with God, or with your family, or for corporate worship or for helping at your church some.

Talk and listen upwards and outwards as you go, as you apply, as you obey Christ.

Sure, networking is fundamental to entrepreneurs and to other business folk, and though some of the principles are different in the Kingdom, it's even more important in ministry to maintain good friendships. Network right! Keep your word. Christianity is about relationships. Yup, it's primarily about knowing God through Christ well and then about making disciples…… and God doesn't have to call you into vocational full-time ministry in order for this type of thing to become important for you. There is indeed value in edifying more than one person with the same amount of effort and the same investment of time as it would take for building up just one person if the Spirit is leading you. One on one is great. But please recognize this and that our time is limited. I love the face-to-face more for eye-contact etc, but it's incredible how excited and edified I personally get when forgetting about self and pouring into others… even via email or snail-mail or in some network.

Do you use Twitter, Facebook, Quora, or Google+ yet? Pray about it, or maybe there is another one.   

In the world, convincing users to try your crazy looking product with some secular company or to perhaps partner with your small or big business—that's a matter of salesmanship and honest relationships if you will. You know this. Now I don't really like to liken the Gospel or the Christian experience to a product, but how will they believe without a preacher? How will they repent and trust Christ if someone doesn't pray, or go and tell them about how awesomely awesome Christ really is? You can preach non-preachy.

I'd say get to know other on-fire classmates and professors while in school, pray for them, start a Bible study prayer meeting with some of em perhaps. But then reach out to smart Christian professionals in other locations where you live, ones who are spiritual as well. Have you ever visited a mission's agency, a church outreach out feeding the homeless ..yes, one that was in progress, or visited a para-church evangelism ministry and then volunteered some time to join with?

Would you be ready today if you ran into a couple demon possessed men? It still happens today.

These are some good ideas, and maybe for you.. ones that will help you feel grateful, be thankful, and also keep ya down to earth. Can't hurt at all really, so cultivate, water, plant and get involved with some strategic seed-sowing endeavors both inside and outside of your campus ..do it now while you can. The years will go by so fast and then you'll be out of there wishing you had done some of these things.

The Holy Spirit can use this stuff to guide you later on too. He traffics in true information and as you study, test it out, gather some feedback, and explore different ways to reach out in your youth, He will perfect you. Build up people early; dare ya! Add real value to em—it's about friendships far more than about putting together an organization for bucks. Do this until you have a strong network of real people that trust you. They are family members for you so to speak, in God's family, and you will have earned the right to be heard by them. They can hold you accountable and support you in times of need as you look to the Lord as your Source.  

And you would enjoy the fellowship with other ordinary people of faith who aren't afraid to roll up their sleeves with you and go to work. That just how it works.

I'd say, seek hard just to edify people rather than be "out on the take" just to get from them, and God will reward you. You want partners to join with that have the same heart-beat. Ask God to give through you to people, and you will start to recognize who they are. Ask God to give you some evangelism opportunities and then go for it. Study now, but don't be all afraid to make a mistake to the point of not trying. Crossing an ocean won't make any non-witnessing Christian a fruitful soul-winner. 

If a personal friend at my church perhaps were to approach me.. you know, one that I felt respect for and they asked me to try out something with em.. something that they were righteously excited about… then I would indeed check my Bible, pray about it for some moments, listen, and perhaps go try it out. Why not?

There just isn't time to try out everyone's idea who emails me, but if it has to do with plundering hell so to speak, and thus populating God's heaven by pointing lost folks to Jesus with His Gospel, why in the world wouldn't I not want to go do it? Can't think of a reason.   

I'd say: Find a wise Christian Mentor if you can; one who is blessed of God, has godly character and holy passion—one who is seeing the right results from his prayerful evangelistic efforts. Try doing the Scriptural principles that they are doing and seeing success with. Man, I feel so glad that I found one while attending a couple Bible colleges.

If you are a nerdy-nerd, or geeky-geek, then I'd say learn to code even if computer science is not your major.. I mean if you have a peace and a desire about trying this. I took as much Bible as I could get in college and don't regret that at all, but I also wish that I had learned to code. If you know the Word and can code, then you can build something Christ-honoring and really edify some feed some sheep online. You can reap too. Preach the Word. Besides, if you later end up hiring others for your start up biz to do this coding, those same engineers will feel some respect for you all the more, when you can speak their language and know what's going on under the hood.

The abundant life of grace is the victorious life in the Spirit.. and visa versa. It's the impacting life of agape love.

 Some so called Christians today seem to want to export an "earn it, heartlessly religious, do good to gain and please God kinda gospel" of sorts. You know what I'm talkin' about. And I've run into a few lately, but this type doesn't supply the power to do good - it's not the Bible's Gospel.  But there's nothin' better to share with any unbeliever.. including a contrary, hurt, disillusioned, or difficult unbeliever ..than the wonderful biblical Gospel of grace, cuz the Lord is a God of abundant grace.