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Psalm 42 The Message
1-3 A white-tailed deer drinks from the creek; I want to drink God, deep drafts of God. I’m thirsty for God-alive. I wonder, “Will I ever make it-- arrive and drink in God’s presence?” I’m on a diet of tears-- tears for breakfast, tears for supper. All day long people knock at my door, Pestering, “Where is this God of yours?” 4 These are the things I go over and over, emptying out the pockets of my life. I was always at the head of the worshiping crowd, right out in front, Leading them all, eager to arrive and worship, Shouting praises, singing thanksgiving-- celebrating, all of us, God’s feast! 5 Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God-- soon I’ll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He’s my God. 6-8 When my soul is in the dumps, I rehearse everything I know of you, From Jordan depths to Hermon heights, including Mount Mizar. Chaos calls to chaos, to the tune of whitewater rapids. Your breaking surf, your thundering breakers crash and crush me. Then God promises to love me all day, sing songs all through the night! My life is God’s prayer. 9-10 Sometimes I ask God, my rock-solid God, “Why did you let me down? Why am I walking around in tears, harassed by enemies?” They’re out for the kill, these tormentors with their obscenities, Taunting day after day, “Where is this God of yours?” 11 Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God-- soon I’ll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He’s my God. Hebrews 3:1 (NIV) 3 Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest. Hebrews 12:2 (NIV) 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
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Real Dudes,
I recently had someone pray over me and ask that the darts (other people concerned about something I said but never came to talk to me face to face about the issue) that have penetrated be removed from my back. It was amazing…when he said “remove the darts,” I instantly felt them leaving my back, and then he said “from his back.” I was stunned. In the past I guess I always envisioned the attack coming from in front of me. But in the moment I was thinking of the Lord’s armor and thinking to myself, what does God provide that protects the big target that’s on His followers backs? I asked the gentleman and his wife when he was done praying what protects us from behind, and here’s what they shared with me. First, they shared that it’s possibly the prayers of others mentioned in the passage below that protects our backside. Lastly, they stated that it’s other believers who have their backs against our backs that are protecting us. Here’s my encouragement to each of you. There have been many times in my life when I felt like I didn’t need or want anyone to walk alongside me in my walk with the Lord. It just seemed easiest for me and less messy…didn’t want to get burned and didn’t know who to trust. But God has been reminding me how important it is to be surrounded by godly men and women who are loyal and who have my back…or put into military terms “got your 6.” This is where it’s vital that we as believers find ourselves in community with other believers, whether it be at church and or in a small group. A men’s group, such as Ox Strong is also a great place to start. What to avoid? Be sure you surround yourself with others that you can seriously trust. Why? Because all too often we run the risk of friendly fire or abandonment. Do they truly have my 6 at all times? And if that trust is broken, then can I learn to trust anyone else again to protect me when and where I’m most vulnerable? Pray that God will provide such trustworthy people to surround yourself with. Know this…He (The Lord) always has your back! Practicing His Presence, Nate Psalm 46:1 (NLT) God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. Psalm 91 (NLT) 1 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. 3 For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. 4 He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. 5 Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day. 6 Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. 7 Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you. 8 Just open your eyes, and see how the wicked are punished. 9 If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, 10 no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home. 11 For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. 12 They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone. 13 You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet! 14 The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. 15 When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. 16 I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.” Ephesians 6:10-18 (NIV) The Armor of God 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Something that relates and should be taken into consideration is the following question and answer…Who are “the cloud of witnesses” mentioned in Hebrews 12:1? https://www.gotquestions.org/cloud-of-witnesses.html “‘I got your six’ is a phrase that’s been around for more than a century. It was first coined by American fighter pilots in World War I. Soldiers used clock positioning to inform direction. For example, twelve o’clock is straight in front of you and six o’clock is right behind you. So, when a WWI fighter pilot said, ‘I got your six,’ it meant, ‘I got your back.’ Enemy pilots would try to get behind your tail and shoot you down, but you trusted your wingman to protect your ‘six.’ As a former recon marine and retired US Navy SEAL Officer, I have many stories of amazing men and women who have picked me up, covered for me, and protected my ‘six.’ I wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for them.” https://www.mensjournal.com/food-drink/the-power-of-i-got-your-six-and-how-it-can-heal-our-country Friendly Fire is defined as “the firing of weapons from one's own forces or those of an ally especially when resulting in the accidental death or injury of one's own personnel.” https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/friendly%20fire Song: Valley of Death by Skillet
Proverbs 17:22 (NLT) A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.
Real Dudes, Did you wake up on the wrong side of the comma this morning? If you are on the broken spirit side of it, then please don't feel alone. Pray and ask the Lord how it is that you can get back to the cheerful/joyful heart side of it. Here to help any way that I can. If you're on the cheerful/joyful side of the comma, then how can you make that contagious everywhere you go today? Hope all y'all have a blessed day. Nate Real Dudes,
Below is a passage that someone shared with me. A passage and reminder that has helped him through what was posted in the previous blog about Identity and Destiny. Enjoy, Nate Acts 13:38-39 (NLT) “Brothers, listen! We are here to proclaim that through this man Jesus there is forgiveness for your sins. 39 Everyone who believes in him is made right in God’s sight—something the law of Moses could never do. Identity and Destiny…how do I view myself, and where or who can I turn to with this self-assessment?6/1/2023 Real Dudes,
Do you often find yourself wrestling with some toxic thoughts that continue to replay over and over in your head? What are some ways in which you’ve attempted to deal with such poisonous thoughts in the past? I chose a few songs listed below that I can relate with on occasion…can you also relate to the following experiences or questions that these lyrics point out as you have conversations with yourself inside your own head?
I suggest we lean into God…make Him our go-to. Find Him in His Word, in prayer, and in wise-council…listen and apply. I pray that this is when you’ll discover who He says you are from His perspective, and where or who He encourages you to turn to. Some encouraging songs/lyrics that can also help us refocus on our true identity and destiny are the following… No Longer Slaves by Jonathan David and Melissa Helser https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8TkUMJtK5k Voice of Truth by Casting Crowns https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cKm_mYVPQE Who You Say I am by Hillsong https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKw6uqtGFfo You Say by Lauren Daigle https://life1019.com/songs/you-say/ Where could I go but to the Lord by the Heritage Singers https://heritagesingers.com/track/450216/where-could-i-go-but-to-the-lord Running to the Light by Brandon Lake https://www.google.com/search?q=song+run+to+the+light&oq=song+run+to+the+light&aqs=chrome..69i57j33i160l2j33i299l2j33i22i29i30l5.3110j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:bd01dc7a,vid:f0EDCp6lOwI Men…please feel free to share with me any particular songs and or verses from God’s Word that have proven to help you through such times in your life. Just maybe they could help someone else in need today as well. Would love to read what you have to suggest. We’re in this together! Practicing His Presence, 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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