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Real Dudes,
I believe I’ve sent one out similar to this in the past, but God laid it on my heart once again. When considering a home to purchase, a realtor will remind you of three key things…Location, Location, Location. I would like to remind each of us how important location is in our spiritual walk as well. Below are a few passages to really mull over and ask the Lord what your next steps need to be. Is there some darkness that you need help escaping from in your life? Is there something in your life that’s causing you to feel distant from Him? If you feel stuck, then please reach out…I’d love to help walk you through this chapter in your life. There is VICTORY in Him!!! Practicing His Presence, Nate John 12:35-36, 46 (NLT) 35 Jesus replied, “My light will shine for you just a little longer. Walk in the light while you can, so the darkness will not overtake you. Those who walk in the darkness cannot see where they are going. 36 Put your trust in the light while there is still time; then you will become children of the light.” After saying these things, Jesus went away and was hidden from them. 46 I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark. James 4:8 (NLT) Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.
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Joshua 7:1-25 CEV
The LORD had said that everything in Jericho belonged to him. But Achan from the Judah tribe took some of the things from Jericho for himself. And so the LORD was angry with the Israelites, because one of them had disobeyed him. While Israel was still camped near Jericho, Joshua sent some spies with these instructions: “Go to the town of Ai and find out whatever you can about the region around the town.” The spies left and went to Ai, which is east of Bethel and near Beth-Aven. They went back to Joshua and reported, “You don't need to send the whole army to attack Ai—2,000 or 3,000 troops will be enough. Why bother the whole army for a town that small?” Joshua sent about 3,000 soldiers to attack Ai. But the men of Ai fought back and chased the Israelite soldiers away from the town gate and down the hill to the stone quarries. Thirty-six Israelite soldiers were killed, and the Israelite army felt discouraged. Joshua and the leaders of Israel tore their clothes and put dirt on their heads to show their sorrow. They lay facedown on the ground in front of the sacred chest until sunset. Then Joshua said: Our LORD, did you bring us across the Jordan River just so the Amorites could destroy us? This wouldn't have happened if we had agreed to stay on the other side of the Jordan. I don't even know what to say to you, since Israel's army has turned and run from the enemy. Everyone will think you weren't strong enough to protect your people. Now the Canaanites and everyone else who lives in the land will surround us and wipe us out. The LORD answered: Stop lying there on the ground! Get up! I said everything in Jericho belonged to me and had to be destroyed. But the Israelites have kept some of the things for themselves. They stole from me and hid what they took. Then they lied about it. What they stole was supposed to be destroyed, and now Israel itself must be destroyed. I cannot help you anymore until you do exactly what I have said. That's why Israel turns and runs from its enemies instead of standing up to them. Tell the people of Israel, “Tomorrow you will meet with the LORD your God, so make yourselves acceptable to worship him. The LORD says that you have taken things that should have been destroyed. You won't be able to stand up to your enemies until you get rid of those things. “Tomorrow morning everyone must gather near the place of worship. You will come forward tribe by tribe, and the LORD will show which tribe is guilty. Next, the clans in that tribe must come forward, and the LORD will show which clan is guilty. The families in that clan must come, and the LORD will point out the guilty family. Finally, the men in that family must come, and the LORD will show who stole what should have been destroyed. That man must be put to death, his body burned, and his possessions thrown into the fire. He has done a terrible thing by breaking the sacred agreement that the LORD made with Israel.” Joshua got up early the next morning and brought each tribe to the place of worship, where the LORD showed that the Judah tribe was guilty. Then Joshua brought the clans of Judah to the LORD, and the LORD showed that the Zerah clan was guilty. One by one he brought the leader of each family in the Zerah clan to the LORD, and the LORD showed that Zabdi's family was guilty. Finally, Joshua brought each man in Zabdi's family to the LORD, and the LORD showed that Achan was the guilty one. “Achan,” Joshua said, “the LORD God of Israel has decided that you are guilty. So tell me what you did, and don't try to hide anything.” “It's true,” Achan answered. “I sinned and disobeyed the LORD God of Israel. While we were in Jericho, I saw a beautiful Babylonian robe, 200 pieces of silver, and a gold bar that weighed the same as 50 pieces of gold. I wanted them for myself, so I took them. I dug a hole under my tent and hid the silver, the gold, and the robe.” Joshua told some people to run to Achan's tent, where they found the silver, the gold, and the robe. They brought them back and put them in front of the sacred chest, so Joshua and the rest of the Israelites could see them. Then everyone took Achan and the things he had stolen to Trouble Valley. They also took along his sons and daughters, his cattle, donkeys, and sheep, his tent, and everything else that belonged to him. Joshua said, “Achan, you caused us a lot of trouble. Now the LORD is paying you back with the same kind of trouble.” The people of Israel then stoned to death Achan and his family. They made a fire and burned the bodies, together with what Achan had stolen, and all his possessions. Real Dudes, Maybe it’s a guilty conscience, but the times when I know I’m involved in sin seems like my family is attacked by Satan the most. Those are times I feel like I’m the "Achan" in our home. It’s like I allowed this evil to be present and it’s infecting all parts. Even if I try to hide it, I’m beginning to see some of the damage taking place that I’ve caused because of my selfish choices. Self-reflection…am I more like Achan than I realized? What is God bringing to surface in my life that needs to be addressed immediately? Praise God for how He works in our hearts and lives today…Just keep 1 John 1:9 in mind (see below) - bring your sin before Him, He’s not going to wipe you and your family out…He’s waiting with open arms to show you that you’re forgiven if you’d just confess. Men, get right before Him early and often…do whatever you can to keep the sinful influences out of your home and family’s lives. Keep current before Him, and pray over your family as often as you can. Practicing His Presence, Nate 1 John 1:9 (ESV) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Ephesians 4:27 (NIV) and do not give the devil a foothold. Real Dudes,
What do we learn about the woman in the following passage? Luke 7:11-16 (NLT) 11 Soon afterward Jesus went with his disciples to the village of Nain, and a large crowd followed him. 12 A funeral procession was coming out as he approached the village gate. The young man who had died was a widow’s only son, and a large crowd from the village was with her. 13 When the Lord saw her, his heart overflowed with compassion. “Don’t cry!” he said. 14 Then he walked over to the coffin and touched it, and the bearers stopped. “Young man,” he said, “I tell you, get up.” 15 Then the dead boy sat up and began to talk! And Jesus gave him back to his mother. 16 Great fear swept the crowd, and they praised God, saying, “A mighty prophet has risen among us,” and “God has visited his people today.” We learn two things about her: First she’s a widow…her husband is no longer around. Secondly, her only son just died…he too is now no longer around. With all the men absent from her life - how was she now going to be able to move forward when at times widows were ignored? I’m sure many thoughts were racing through her mind. BUT with perfect timing as always - in walks Jesus, and what was His response to what He observed? In verses 13 and 14 we read that He saw her and her situation with His eyes, He had compassion on her in His heart, He consoled her with His words, and then He took action by helping do something about it. What an amazing example He displays for us. But let me ask you this…in the progression of what we just read, are there steps that you are prone to eliminate in your own life? You might say, “sure, I see the situation some face,” but then it ends there. Or “sure, I see the situation and am bothered by it,” but it soon has no effect on you. Or “sure, I see, am bothered, provide cliche words to them in hopes to console them,” but is that really enough or helpful? What is your response once you’ve checked every step off, and then come to the taking action portion of it? Do you tend to hesitate, ignore, or jump into action however the Lord leads? Pray for the Lord to give you His eyes for just one second and see where that takes you. He’ll reveal it to you if you’re genuinely looking to do something that’ll bring Him glory!!! Enjoy! Practicing His Presence, Nate A good friend of mine had a t-shirt on the other day…instead of it reading “Just do it,” it read “Just did it.” That statement is observation put into action…not should I do it, but I did it. Loved it!!! Additional Passage to Consider: James 2:14-17 (NLT) 14 What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? 15 Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, 16 and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? 17 So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. |
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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