MhAX Blog with Nick Costello
Evangelist, youth communicator, school assembly speaker, seminar and conference speaker Nick Costello tackles issues facing youth and young adults.
Nick Costello has experienced the glamorous rock star life millions of teens only dream about. Success didn't fulfill his search for inner peace, security and purpose in life. His bad attitude and fast lane lifestyle of sex, drugs, rock and roll nearly destroyed him. One night, Nick surrendered his life to Jesus Christ. God miraculously redeemed and transformed his life.
Today, he ministers as an evangelist, youth communicator, school assembly speaker, seminar and conference speaker. He's calling christians of all ages to an uncompromising walk of obedience to Christ. In public schools, he's equipping kids to make healthy, right life choices. Respected leaders say he's a "dynamic, relevant, passionate, challenging, inspiring communicator!
Visit Nick's website
Knowing God's Will For Your Life
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- Published on Tuesday, 01 February 2011 00:00
- Written by Nick Costello
Think about a tough decision you had to make. How did you make it? What happened as a result? Would you have done anything differently in making your decision? If so, do you know what that would be?
A Christian wants to know God's will when making decisions
A follower of Jesus wants to please God. God cares about the decisions you make and how you live your life. Much of God's will for you is revealed in his book, The Bible. For example read The Beatitudes in Matthew Chapter 5, The 10 Commandments in Exodus 20 or Galatians 5:22-26 and discover God's will. Ephesians 5:1 tells us it's God's will that you imitate Him, live like Christ. So, the more you know Jesus, the more you'll now God's will for living your life. Every Christian can learn these things and then allow Jesus live his life out through you, because you'll become more like Him.
How do you make decisions that please God?
There is God's will for every Christian, but also His specific will for you! You will have to make decisions about a job, college, marriage, work, friends, finances and more. Some decisions will be big, others small. They're all important to you. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart." (Prov. 3:5-8) God is great. He sees all and knows all. He knows what's best for you. He'll never lead you astray. Trust Him, not your own understanding. Sometimes you can't see your whole life picture, but God can. You may not like what He is directing you to do, but you must trust Him. He's still directing you. God never directs us in the wrong direction. "Don't depend on your own wisdom." (Prov. 3:7) Rest in His wisdom, His understanding. "Be quiet and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10)
Pray. Trust. Ask Him what he'd have you do. Wait. Listen for His small voice speaking to your heart. Sometimes, it's a real strong impression to make a certain decision. Sometimes, God uses other Christians to confirm what He's put in your heart.
If you miss it... go the wrong way... God will get you on track.
"He will make your paths straight." (Prov. 3:6b) He will direct your steps. He will give you success. You can't fail with God. You fail when you do nothing. God loves you. He will even use you where you are at if you end up somewhere that wasn't God's will for you because maybe you missed God. Pray "God, I'm here. I don't think it's where I am suppose to be. I trust you. use me while I'm here so I can glorify you. help me get to where you want me, be who you want me to be."
Big doors open on small hinges!
Remember to be faithful in the small things God directs you to do. Starting small is okay. I have rarely ever seen God start big. You may have big dreams, big visions or big plans, but God will oftentimes start with baby steps. Don't despise small beginnings. Be faithful where God plants you.
Tips to find God's will:
Pray, read your Bible and get counsel from other mature Christians you know and trust. God doesn't hide His will from you. Being in His will brings you joy no matter the circumstances. Knowing God's will is a step but step process. Allow your mind to be Spirit-controlled. Listen for His still small voice. Don't expect your problems to disappear even when you are in God's will. God will give you enabling, empowering grace to do his will. Be ready to wait. Be patient. Trust God.
Becoming a Disciple
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- Published on Thursday, 20 January 2011 12:19
- Written by Nick Costello
To develop a deep relationship with Jesus you must learn how to get to know Him better. Following Jesus makes you a disciple. A disciple spends time learning about Jesus and from Him, as a result, willingly follows Him. A disciple teaches others, passes on what he or she learns from and about Jesus. Study the Gospel of John chapters 2:11, 6:65-69, 8:31-32, 13:34-35, 14:15, 15:1-8, 17:20-21, 20:19-22, 21:15-19 and learn the characteristics of a disciple.
If you follow Jesus down the road of discipleship, He WILL make a mature disciple of you!
To mature as a disciple, you need to demonstrate simple faith and total trust in Jesus. You must be willing to become a 100 percent-sold-out disciple, letting Christ fully live in and through you. Do not fear what anyone else thinks because you choose to live as a follower of Jesus. He is with you. You will bring honor and glory to Him. If you choose to follow Jesus it will cost you things like:
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Your selfish pleasures
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Ownership of your life
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Your goals and plans
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Your reputation and status in life
In exchange, Jesus gives you a life full of His benefits that you can't find anywhere else. His life will blossom in and through you. You will impact the world around you for Him. You will be His light in a dark place. You will make a difference because you ARE different.
Christ living His life in and through you makes you a disciple.
Ask God to continue to give you the desire to be His 100 percent-sold-out-follower. Ask Him to put to death in you, anything that keeps you from following Jesus. Ask Him to make you like Christ. Ask God to use you to help others become a disciple. Be patient. Persevere. Trust Him. if you mess up, get up, look up to Him and keep going.
Talking With God
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- Published on Monday, 20 December 2010 15:54
- Written by NIck Costello
Do you have any real close friends? I mean, someone you can tell anything to, someone who loves you no matter what, who isn't judgmental or critical of you, sticks by you in the good, bad and ugly times? Even one? If you can't name one and you are born again, you have one true friend.
GOD
Do you have a relationship with God? Is it a close, intimate one? It should be. That’s what He desires with you. God doesn't want to be some distant friend you rarely hang out with. He wants to be your very best friend, the kind of friend you want to cling to and always want in your life. However... you can't have a close relationship with God unless you spend time with Him talking with Him. Notice I said with Him not to Him. That's real communication.
Relationships develop through communication
To know him, to become His friend, for Him to become your close friend, it means you must communicate with each other. How can you develop that communication with God? I have learned a few simple things that work for me.
God reveals Himself through the Word of God, God's Book ... The Bible. Really, The Bible is all about God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. The more you read your Bible, the more you will know and understand God.
You must spend time in God's Book.
I have found when I ask God a question, if I wait a bit, He will answer me. How? Most often He brings to remembrance a scripture I read in His Word that was hidden in my heart. Other times, I hear this real small voice speaking to me, I get a strong impression to do or don't do something or God simply answers one of my prayer requests.
Early in the day is best.
Because I spend time with God at the beginning of my day, my mind is fresh and not yet consumed with everything I have to do. That's the best time to be with God. If that doesn't work for you, just make sure you spend time with God every day.
Have a definite place to be alone with God.
Whatever place you choose, whenever you pass that place, it will remind you that both physical and spiritual refreshment wait for you there because that's the place you are all alone with God. While you are alone, you have quiet time to also listen for His voice. Be patient. god is always speaking. We simply don't always listen or hear Him.
Anticipate meeting the One who loves you in a personal, intimate way.
It's your special time to be alone with God. He knows all about you. He doesn't care what you've done. You may have messed up some things. God knows and He still loves you. The reason you can come to Him when after you may have messed up and sinned is because of the blood of Jesus that was shed on the cross for you. "So, let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. there we will receive mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it." (Heb. 4:16 NLT)
Because of Jesus IN you... you can come before God, admit you messed up and sinned, find mercy, grace and forgiveness. God won't turn you away. Be open and honest with Him. He knows you anyway.
Speak, even sing out loud.
Hearing your own voice will help you keep your thoughts centered on Him. Praise Him. Thank Him. Tell Him how awesome He is. Thank Him in advance for answering your prayer. But... sometimes, God's answer may be NO, because He knows what's best for you. It's okay to be upset, too. Read the prayers of David in the Psalms. He got pretty emotional at times. I sing melodies to God I make up, praising Him, telling Him I love Him, need Him, thanking Him and more. It's just me and God together. Whatever you do, don't worry about making it complicated. Keep it simple.
Use a devotional prayer book to help you.
It's okay to pray prayers others have prayed. When I do, I simply say, "Lord... I pray this prayer for myself to you." Devotional prayer books also help you to learn to pray, suggest way to pray, what to pray for. You can also pray God's Word back to Him. "Lord, may this Word be true for me" and then pray the Bible verses. I love using devotional by Andrew Murray, a great man of God now in heaven.
What I have suggested is very simple and certainly not an in-depth study on prayer or talking with God. Grab a few books on prayer. Read them. You can learn how to pray, talk to God, hear His voice, sense His presence, deepen your faith, have prayers answered and grow in your intimate love relationship with God when... you spend regular, daily time alone with Him! He is always excited to meet with you!
