God poured out his Holy Spirit upon all flesh (Acts 1:8, 2:1ff). Today, the Holy Spirit is raising a new generation of believers that can say like Paul that their lives are poured out in service because of their love for God and their compassion for the lost -unreached peoples. Hear how Paul said it to the Philippian believers: “But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy” (Phil 2:17).In another instance, he turned to his spiritual son, Timothy, and said, “You take over. I’m about to die, my life an offering on God’s altar. This is the only race worth running. I’ve run hard right to the finish, believed all the way. All that’s left now is the shouting—God’s applause! Depend on it, he’s an honest judge. He’ll do right not only by me, but by everyone eager for his coming (2 Tim 4:6).

Over the years I have enjoyed the confession and prayer of the young African disciple whose life was poured out in Africa, may be Zimbabwe. After he was martyred, these profound words of prayer and confession were found among his notes, papers and books. The words of this prayer have changed many lives and bless others. Please, I would like you to pause and take time to carefully reflect on this confession and examine your own life too. I pray that God will bless you too. I will like to title this confession as “the fellowship of the unashamed.” See it below.

THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE UNASHAMED

According to this true disciple of Christ: I’m a part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I’m a disciple of His and I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.

My past is redeemed. My present makes sense. My future is secure. I’m done and finished with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfed goals. I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don’t have to be right, or first, or tops, or recognized, or praised, or rewarded. I live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by Holy Spirit power.

My face is set. My gait is fast. My goal is heaven. My road may be narrow, my way rough, my companions few, but my guide is reliable and my mission is clear. I will not be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice or hesitate in the presence of the adversary. I will not negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I won’t give up, shut up, or let up until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, and preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until He comes. And when He does come for His own, He’ll have no problems recognizing me. My colors will be clear! -Source Unknown

THE JESUS WAY

I like the words of Jesus to his disciples. Hear what he told them about life in different contexts:

1. First, he told Nicodemus, “Don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again‘ (Jn 3:7). This is very necessary because spiritual things are spiritually discern. Apostle Paul puts it this way, “people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means” ( 1Cor 2:14). And to so do, one must be regenerated in the heart.

2. Jesus warn against greed and anxiety. He instructed his followers to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all things will be added to them (Mt 6:33).

3. In a different context, Jesus told his disciples that, “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat—I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? If any of you is embarrassed with me and the way I’m leading you, know that the Son of Man will be far more embarrassed with you when he arrives in all his splendor in company with the Father and the holy angels. This isn’t, you realize, pie in the sky by and by. Some who have taken their stand right here are going to see it happen, see with their own eyes the kingdom of God” (Lk 9:23 msg).

4. He went further in a different situation and said, “I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains [just one grain; it never becomes more but lives] by itself alone. But if it dies, it produces many others and yields a rich harvest. Anyone who loves his life loses it, but anyone who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal. [Whoever has no love for, no concern for, no regard for his life here on earth, but despises it, preserves his life forever and ever.]  If anyone serves Me, he must continue to follow Me to cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying] and wherever I am, there will My servant be also. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him” (Jn 12:24-26 Amp).