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
The Teen Commandments
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- Published on Monday, 13 February 2012 09:03
- Written by Nick Costello
Are you following THE TEEN COMMANDMENTS? They will help you live the Christian life and become the person God has designed you to be.
1. OBEY YOUR PARENTS - "Obey your parents. This is the right thing to do because God has placed them in
authority over you. And this is the promise, that if you honor your father and mother, yours will be a long life,
full of blessings." (Eph. 6:1-3 LB) The only time you can disobey your parents is if they ask you to do
something you know is sin. Disobedience is rebellion and rebellion is sin.
2. CHOOSE YOUR FRIENDS CAREFULLY - "Do not be deceived and misled. Evil companionships corrupt and
deprave good manners, morals and character." (1 Cor. 15:33 AMP) You will become like those you hang
around.... guaranteed.
3. BE A MASTER OF YOUR HABITS OR THEY WILL MASTER YOU - "Since you have heard all about him
and have learned the truth that is in Jesus, throw off your old evil nature and your former way of life, which is
rotten through and through, full of lust and deception. Instead, there must be a spiritual renewal of your thoughts
and attitudes. You must display a new nature because you are a new person, created in god's likeness - righteous,
holy and true." (Eph. 4:21-24 NLT) Get rid of your old way of living and bad habits before you became a
Christian. Live a God-fashioned life and be a new person through the power of Christ. Be like Jesus!
4. TREASURE YOUR TIME - DON'T WASTE IT - INVEST IT WISELY - "Be careful how you live, not as fools
but as those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity to do for doing good in these evil days." (Eph.
5:15-16 NLT) Time is precious. You can't get it back. Don't waste it on the foolish things of this world. make
your life count for Jesus!
5. TAKE A STAND FOR SOMETHING OR YOU'LL FALL FOR ANYTHING - "Stand firm and hold onto the
teachings we passed on to you." (1 Thess. 5:15 NIV) What teachings? The teachings of Jesus! "Do not let
anyone lead you astray." (1 John 3:7 NIV) Don't let anyone lure or seduce you away from Christ. Take a stand
for Christ.
6. ONLY DATE AND MAKE YOUR INITMATE CLOSE FRIENDS CHRISTIANS - "Don't team up with those
who are unbelievers." (2 Cor. 6:14 NLT)
7. SEE WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR OTHERS, NOT WHAT OTHERS CAN DO FOR YOU - "Nobody should
seek his own good, but the good of others." (1 Cor. 10:24 NIV)
8. GUARD YOUR THOUGHTS - WHAT YOU THINK... YOU ARE - "He will keep in perfect peace all those
who trust in Him, whose thoughts turn often to the Lord." (Isaiah 26:3 LB) "Fix your thoughts on what is good,
true and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell on the fine, good things in others. Think
about all you can praise God for and be glad about it." (Phil. 4:8 NIV) Be God conscious and heavenly minded!
Include God in all your decision making.
9. DON'T FILL UP ON THE WORLD'S CRUMBS - FEED YOUR SOUL ON LIVING BREAD - Jesus said, "I
am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry and he who believes in me will never be
thirsty." (John 6:35 NIV) "A wise man feeds on truth, while a mocker feeds on trash." (Prov. 15:14 LB) All
truth, life and everything you need will be found only in Jesus! Trust Him for
everything you need.
10. GIVE YOUR ALL TO CHRIST - HE GAVE HIS ALL FOR YOU - "Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of
God." (1 Cor. 10:31 NIV) "And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your
mind and all your strength." (Mark 12:30 NLT) make your life all about Jesus!
Raising Baby Christians
- Details
- Published on Tuesday, 17 January 2012 13:56
- Written by Nick Costello
It’s a New Year and new beginning at life for some. Perhaps, you know someone who also had a new beginning at living life because they were Born Again into the Kingdom of God. They became a baby Christian.
Now what? A baby needs some constant care and attention as they discover their new world. They eat mushy baby food and liquid formula to nourish their new bodies. A new Christian needs some constant care and nourishment, too. Who is going to take responsibility for this important and critical undertaking?
The church? Christian TV and radio? How about you? How can you help a new Christian grow?
The most important stage of life for the new baby Christian is immediately after they get saved. The Bible warns that the devil will come right in and try and snatch that good seed out of their heart. They will hear things like, “You really didn’t mean that prayer you prayed. God can’t love you. You’re not really saved. You don’t need to go to church or read a Bible.” The most critical time for a new believer is the first 48 hours of their Christian life. That’s where you can step right in and help them.
Here is a short list to help you care for a new Christian, especially if they’re your friend and classmate:
- New babies need love and care. Show the new believer unconditional love. Don’t try and clean them up. That’s the job of the Holy Spirit and it will take a lifetime. Loving young Christians gives evidence of your love for Jesus.
- New babies need food in small doses. New Christians don’t know how to eat spiritual food from the Bible. Make sure they have a Bible that is easy to understand like the NIV, NLT or LB version. Answer their questions. They need to grow in their knowledge of Jesus.
- Bring a new believer to your life group or home fellowship gatherings. Introduce them and then make them feel special and important because they are to God.
- New babies can seem helpless and unprotected from danger. You may need to lovingly guide a new believer away from attitudes, beliefs, lifestyles or even people that may threaten their walk with God. They aren’t spiritually strong and mature enough to protect themselves. Love, merciful and gentle in your approach.
- Invite them and bring them to church, Christian events, social gatherings involving your Christian friends.
- Make sure if you are rising up and training baby Christians, you are living like a Christian should as taught in the Bible. But remember, you’re not perfect. You’ll make mistakes. Let the new believer know how much you need God and rely on His grace every single day.
- Give them some easy to read new believer literature.
- Help them learn how to pray, how to simply talk to God through prayer and sit in His presence to listen for His still small voice leading and guiding them.
- Memorize simple key scriptures with them.
- Make sure they know you are always ready to help them, answer their questions and pray for or with them.
God wants to use you to help new Christians take their first baby steps. They can’t do it alone. You don’t need to be a Bible scholar. As you help them, you will learn, too. Step out in faith and help a new believer you know begin their journey to become all God has designed them to be as a follower of Christ!
STARTING A CONVERSATION
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- Published on Saturday, 19 November 2011 16:45
- Written by Nick Costello
Every day, John prays for his friend Joe asking God for an opportunity to share his faith with him. Today, they are riding together in a car. John knows he has an opportunity to witness to Joe, but he doesn’t know where to start.
Has that ever happened to you? Is starting a conversation a challenge for you? Does fear ever set in? Does a God-given opportunity slip through your fingers? You aren’t alone. Many people struggle with starting a conversation, but you can overcome this with a few simple tips.
Before you can even talk with your friends about Jesus, make sure you are modeling Christ to them. Hypocrisy is the number one enemy to sharing your faith. If you are not living like a Christian should, nobody will listen to you.
Always pray and ask God to give you the opportunity to share Jesus, to give you the right words to say and prepare the listeners heart to receive what you tell them. You must believe if God gives you the opportunity, he will guide the conversation. It’s important to remember, more people are open to hearing about Jesus than you think. The devil will get you to believe people aren’t interested. The truth is, so many people areinterested.
Here are some questions you can ask to begin a conversation:
You can ask people about their families, job, life activities or concerns without being nosy. If they respond by communicating a problem, it’s a great opportunity to tell them how God can help. You can tell them how Jesus helped you in your times of struggle. Find some common interests like music, sports, homework. Avoid distractions. Don’t get side-tracked on other topics. Keep the conversation on God and Jesus. Some friends may seem uncomfortable with talking about their beliefs. Take your time. Go slow. Be gentle and listen closely to their heart. You don’t need to use ‘churchy talk’ or give a ‘gospel speech.’
I hope this helps you get started. It’s okay to feel fear. Remember, you are a c0-laborer with God. God is your partner. The two of you are working together to witness. The more you step out in faith and witness, the easier it will get. You do your part and trust God to do His.
