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Real Dudes,
What happens when you cry out to the Lord? Exodus 3:7 (NLT) Then the LORD told him, “I have certainly seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their cries of distress because of their harsh slave drivers. Yes, I am aware of their suffering. Exodus 22:23 (CSB) If you do mistreat them, they will no doubt cry to me, and I will certainly hear their cry. Psalm 9:12b (NKJV) He does not forget the cry of the humble. Psalm 9:18 (CSB) For the needy will not always be forgotten; the hope of the oppressed [the humble] will not perish forever. Psalm 10:17-18 (CSB) 17 Lord, you have heard the desire of the humble; you will strengthen their hearts. You will listen carefully, 18 doing justice for the fatherless and the oppressed so that mere humans from the earth may terrify them no more. Psalm 34:17 (ESV) When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. Psalm 145:19 (NLT) He grants the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cries for help and rescues them. Proverbs 15:29 (NLT) The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous. John 9:31 (NLT) We know that God doesn’t listen to sinners, but he is ready to hear those who worship him and do his will. James 4:6 (NLT) And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” James 5:16 (NLT) Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. The Wonderful Results: He hears, provides, and doesn’t forget. Men…I have no idea what you’re experiencing right now in your life, but the Lord already knows. Have you tried crying out to Him? Praying that you’ll give that a try today. Practicing His Presence, Nate Smith Song: Cry Out to Jesus by Third Day https://www.google.com/search?q=christian+song+cry+out+to+jesus&oq=christian+song+cry+out+&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqCggAEAAY4wIYgAQyCggAEAAY4wIYgAQyBwgBEC4YgAQyBggCEEUYOTIICAMQABgWGB4yCAgEEAAYFhgeMggIBRAAGBYYHjIICAYQABgWGB4yDQgHEAAYhgMYgAQYigUyDQgIEAAYhgMYgAQYigUyDQgJEAAYhgMYgAQYigXSAQg0OTU3ajBqNKgCALACAQ&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:f7643a08,vid:4_DYE6OSS_k,st:0
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Real Dudes,
When our girls were toddlers it was a chore getting them ready for Church on Sunday mornings. We’d enjoy some family time at home and in the van, and then we’d eventually arrive at church. One of the first things Karie and I did was drop the girls off at the Nursery. This is where everything changed. All morning mom and dad were their safe place, but now we were handing them over to some strangers. I wonder what was going through the girls’ minds at such a young age. I know they’re body language and mouths were literally screaming at us to not leave them, and it was as if their little human arms began to develop additional tentacles in a split second…taking on some kind of a super human strength. Most children do not enjoy being separated from their parents. They will cling to them with everything they got in them. They will scream to let everyone know that they are not approving of this decision. Nothing you say could suffice them in the moment. Parents could attempt to reassure them with words such as “Sorry, you can’t go with us into the service, but it’s ok, mommy and daddy will be back shortly,” or “you’ll be fine…look at all the toys in there.” Really? That makes absolutely no sense to them. All they want is to be close to what and who makes them most comfortable. Due to some distractions they might calm down and be ok for a while, but that doesn’t erase the thought of where they’d prefer to be at that moment. In the book of John, chapters 13-16, we read about the final moments that Jesus spent with His disciples leading up to His death on the cross. In John 13:33, 36 and 37 we read the following…33 Little children, I shall be with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come,’ so now I say to you. 36 Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, where are You going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow Me now, but you shall follow Me afterward.” 37 Peter said to Him, “Lord, why can I not follow You now? I will lay down my life for Your sake.” Notice how Jesus addresses them…as LITTLE CHILDREN, and He’s telling them that where He’s going they cannot come just yet. Sound familiar? Little children wondering where they’re parents are going, and why they can’t go with them. The questions, the panic, the separation anxiety are all surfacing. Today, I’d like to point out the differences in the responses from John 16 verses 16-22.
For the disciples…they responded by trying to process all that they just heard. Their minds resorted to asking questions, and they began to express great sorrow. For Jesus…Because of His faithfulness, He responded with reassurance, with hope, and with joy. Not only do I promise that I will see you again, but you will see Me, and our seeing will be full of joy. Will it be sad for a while? You bet. The Apostle Paul addresses this in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (CSB) The Comfort of Christ’s Coming 13 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, concerning those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, in the same way, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15 For we say this to you by a word from the Lord: We who are still alive at the Lord’s coming will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are still alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage [comfort] one another with these words. Will we grieve when a loved one passes away? Yes. But what is our hope according to this passage in 1 Thessalonians? That we, who are in Christ Jesus, who have accepted Him as Savior, who have placed their faith and trust in Him, WE WILL see each other and Him again someday. That is our hope. 2 Peter 3:8 (CSB) is also a great reminder, “Dear friends, don’t overlook this one fact: With the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.” It may seem like an eternity before we can be reunited with Him and our loved ones who have gone before us, but we need to be reminded that it will be just a little bit and then we WILL see them again (our faith will become sight), and that our seeing WILL be full of joy. What might that day look like…just take a look at the first 59 seconds of this video and I’ll close with that and the hymn below https://www.tiktok.com/@baby._.funny.2023/video/7319747615137058091 Hymn: What A Day That Will Be...face to face with Jesus. Enjoy, Nate For further study…there are times in scripture where “seeing” and “joy” are used in the same passage… SEE…JOY!!! Bible results for “see joy” from New King James Version.
Real Dudes,
Maybe the lyrics in these two songs, and the words in Isaiah 41:13 are the messages you need to hear before you begin your day today. Enjoy, Nate In the Garden by Alan Jackson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhIGIfsLxVk I Can’t Even Walk Without You Holding My Hand by Cody Johnson https://www.google.com/search?q=cody+johnson+can%27t+even+walk&oq=cody+johnson+can%27t+even+walk&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqCggAEAAY4wIYgAQyCggAEAAY4wIYgAQyBwgBEC4YgAQyCAgCEAAYFhgeMgoIAxAAGAoYFhgeMggIBBAAGBYYHtIBCDgxNTBqMGo3qAIAsAIA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:b5701042,vid:j4NhuFZn8eA,st:0 Isaiah 41:13 (NLT) For I hold you by your right hand— I, the LORD your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you. Real Dudes,
These last few weeks I’ve really felt Satan attempting to plant the seed of discouragement in our home. Attacking my wife through her battle with cancer and the installation of a port. Overwhelming my daughters with College decisions. ETC. As an encourager it has been challenging to bring their spirits up. Knowing I can’t tell them how to think or feel makes it hard to observe. I pray that God will give me the words to say, and that I’ll only speak at the right moments. Being present for them and giving them hugs is sometimes all they need. What I never want them to question is…does their husband, father even care. My actions relay the message of sincere love and care for what they are experiencing. Let me ask you this…who in your life seems discouraged today? Who needs you to be present for them? Don’t assume they’ll make it through it on their own and that they’ll make it through unscathed. Are you willing to come alongside them and go through it with them? Are you willing to be interruptible enough to show you genuinely care about what they’re going through? I’d like to leave you with an article I read a few years ago. The author / pastor stated that “Sometime ago during a workshop on deliverance the teacher shared this story. Satan was conducting a sale of tools he used to influence and infiltrate the lives of people. The objects were spread out on tables available for the taking. They included arrows of jealousy, the hammer of anger, the dagger of worry and the slingshot of doubt. But one tool stood out above them all. Displayed prominently on a pedestal high above the rest of his tools was the wedge of discouragement. It was dented and worn from a lot of use and was the most expensive tool in his arsenal of deceit. There was a large number of evil spirits showing interest in that particular item. Satan stood very close to it as if to protect it. Many of the demons asked to purchase the wedge but were told it wasn’t available. It was the sole property of Satan. After a while one large aggressive demon angrily asked , ‘why not?’ He was told you’re welcomed to anything here but not this item. This wedge of discouragement is invaluable. It is the one item in my possession that is indispensable. Nothing can take its place because it never fails to do the job. He said, it was easy to use and takes hardly any effort. All I need do is to get the very tip of the wedge into my victim and the rest is easy. Once the wedge is in I just keep applying pressure as it slides in deeper and deeper. Often I don’t have to do anything, my victims drive the wedge deeper all by themselves. That’s why this wedge is my prized tool. In my personal life, as well as mentoring and pastoring others, there is no doubt in my mind this short story is true. I have never forgotten it. Over the years I have seen discouragement play a huge role in the destruction of man. Discouragement, destroys, demoralizes, disappoints, causes depression and despondency . It inhibits, distracts and sidetracks. There is no greater emotional hindrance that causes such great destruction and heartache as discouragement. Discouragement is the opposite of the freedom that is the inheritance of those who follow Jesus. The moral of this story is quite clear. The smallest bit of discouragement can derail your life and dreams… if you let it.” Take some time to pray for those who are discouraged. Pray for their release from discouragement. If it’s you, then please reach out to me…would love to be praying for you as well. Here for each of you!!! Song: What is the first line to His Eye is on the Sparrow by MercyMe? What’s the answer? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvNZmBnH360 Practicing His Presence, Pastor Nate |
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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