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Real Dudes,
Here are a few good passages to look up, read through, and consider...Psalm 23, John 10, and Matthew 8:23-27. What do quiet waters look like in your life? I often lay awake at night and it doesn't take long for my emotions to get all worked up concerning certain things that have happened in the past. I've been trying to give these thoughts quickly over to the Lord and allow Him to keep my waters/thoughts and emotions quiet. It has helped. What are you allowing to stir you up...make yourself anxious about? Can't the Good Shepherd take care of that? Don't we need to prove that our faith isn't little. He's got that situation and He'll resolve in His perfect way and time...do you trust Him? New Year's Resolutions are often a retraining of the mind...to think differently so you can then act differently. Maybe the challenge above is something that each of us needs to work on in 2025. Praying each of us can have a quiet year alongside our Shepherd. Song for you to listen to: Still Waters (Psalm 23) by Leanna Crawford. Practicing His Presence, Nate
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Real Dudes,
Each year one of our local funeral homes holds a remembrance service. They invite all of the families who lost a loved this past year and held the funeral at this particular funeral home. They put together a very nice service and then give each family a Christmas tree decoration and then serve them cookies and coffee. This year they asked me to speak at it. With Christmas coming up, this is a message that tied into both. Maybe you didn't lose a loved one this year, maybe it's been a while ago, or maybe you're grieving something else. Either way, I hope the message below is encouraging to you in some way. Enjoy! Nate This Christmas season, I’m assuming that eventually you’ll hear on the radio or at Christmas get togethers, the Christmas Carol… God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen The lyrics are as follows… God rest ye merry, gentlemen Let nothing you dismay Remember, Christ, our Saviour Was born on Christmas day To save us all from Satan's power When we were gone astray. O tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy O tidings of comfort and joy. **The first line of this carol says this, “God rest ye merry, gentlemen” Let me phrase it this way…Gentleman, Rest Merrily…
**Line 2 lyrics are “Let nothing you dismay.”
**Line 3 begins with the word Remember – & Line 6 ends with astray.
Application:
Psalm 23 wraps this up nicely for us…Speaking of God as The Good Shepherd 1 The Lord is my shepherd; I have what I need. 2 He lets me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside quiet waters. 3 He renews my life; he leads me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff—they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I live. **I pray this message has brought you some comfort, joy, hope & healing today. Real Dudes,
Patrick Mayberry sings the song Lead on Good Shepherd. As I was listening to it the other day there was a phrase that stood out to me. In the chorus a part of the lyrics read as follows… You’ve walked me through the valley But You never steered me wrong So lead on good shepherd Lead on https://www.multitracks.com/songs/Patrick-Mayberry/Wild-Faith/Lead-On-Good-Shepherd/rehearsalmix/ “You never steered me wrong” is the phrase that resonated with me the most. There have been moments in my life where I’ve been in the valley. Some of those moments of being in the valley were caused by others, and other moments were self-inflicted. What I am thankful for is that in both cases God never left my side…Immanuel was with me through it all. AND while He was leading me – He never steered me in the wrong direction. How about you in your valley experiences? Do you recognize and celebrate God steering you where you ought to go, or do you blame Him for the direction you’re steering yourself to? It is true that He never steers us wrong, so are you allowing the Good Shepherd to lead you? Practicing His Presence, Nate Psalm 23 (CSB) The Good Shepherd A psalm of David. 1 The Lord is my shepherd; I have what I need. 2 He lets me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside quiet waters. 3 He renews my life; he leads me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff—they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I live. Deuteronomy 31:8 (CSB) The Lord is the one who will go before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or abandon you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.” Real Dudes,
So many people today are looking for the secret to longer life. Much like the lady suffering from the issue of bleeding for 12 years (Luke 8:43-48)…she looked everywhere for a cure, but looked no longer once she was introduced to Christ. Want longer life? Want eternal life? Then look no further. In John 6:68 (CSB) we read that “Simon Peter answered, ‘Lord, to whom will we go? You have the words of eternal life.’” Men…do you believe that Jesus has the words of eternal life? If we’re supposed to bring the words of the Lord to the world, then are they receiving His words, or our own? Just think about it for a second – words can lead someone to an eternal life somewhere…either heaven or hell. Where are your words leading others to? God’s words can be found in the Bible, and in Godly preaching and teaching. In John 6:68 it was a no brainer for Peter. If he wanted eternal life, then why leave or reject Christ like some were choosing to do in that passage? Peter knew he needed to abide in Him, for in Him alone is eternal life. Men…let’s be aware of the words we’re intaking and distributing – are these words life producing, or life destructing? Below is a song that came to mind…it too can remind us of the power of Words. Hope each of you have a blessed week. Practicing His Presence, Nate Song: Words by Hawk Nelson [Verse 1] They've made me feel like a prisoner They've made me feel set free They've made me feel like a criminal Made me feel like a king [Verse 2] They've lifted my heart To places I'd never been And they've dragged me down Back to where I began [Pre-Chorus] Words can build you up Words can break you down Start a fire in your heart or Put it out [Chorus] Let my words be life Let my words be truth I don't wanna say a word Unless it points the world back to You [Verse 3] You can heal the heartache Speak over the fear (speak over the fear) God, Your voice is the only thing We need to hear (we need to hear) https://genius.com/Hawk-nelson-words-lyrics Luke 17:11-19 (CSB)
Ten Men Healed 11 While traveling to Jerusalem, he passed between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he entered a village, ten men with leprosy met him. They stood at a distance 13 and raised their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” 14 When he saw them, he told them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And while they were going, they were cleansed. 15 But one of them, seeing that he was healed, returned and, with a loud voice, gave glory to God. 16 He fell facedown at his feet, thanking him. And he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus said, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Didn’t any return to give glory to God except this foreigner?” 19 And he told him, “Get up and go on your way. Your faith has saved you.” I’d like to leave each of us with… *Three Observations about Giving Thanks…from Luke 17:11-19:
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AuthorNate Smith is a husband, a father of 6 girls, grandpa to 3 granddaughters and one grandson, a police and fire chaplain, a pastor, and has a passion to see men grow in Christ. 
#girldad including granddaughter
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