Real Dudes,
The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association puts out a resource entitled “Steps To Peace With God.” A few blogs ago I shared with you how I was called to a suicide scene one time by the GPD. Yesterday, I was able to meet with the mother of the young man who took his own life. I walked her through the 4 steps listed below and she willingly said the prayer for salvation at the conclusion of our time together. She’s not certain if her son’s residence is in heaven, but she’s 100% certain now that hers is. She didn’t want to leave her family wondering where she went when she died one day. She’s looking forward to sharing her testimony with her family, being discipled, and growing in the knowledge of her Savior. I’ll not name her by name, but please be in prayer for her as she begins this journey with the Lord. And please pray for me that I’ll be faithful and diligent in assisting her through this growing process (sanctification). Practicing His Presence, Nate Step 1 – God loves you and has a plan for you! The Bible says, “God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, [Jesus Christ], that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16). Jesus said, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly”—a complete life full of purpose (John 10:10). But here’s the problem: Step 2 – Man is sinful and separated from God. We have all done, thought or said bad things, which the Bible calls “sin.” The Bible says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). The result of sin is death, spiritual separation from God (Romans 6:23). The good news? Step 3 – God sent His Son to die for your sins! Jesus died in our place so we could have a relationship with God and be with Him forever. “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). But it didn’t end with His death on the cross. He rose again and still lives! “Christ died for our sins. … He was buried. … He was raised on the third day, according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Jesus is the only way to God. Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me” (John 14:6). Step 4 – Would you like to receive God’s forgiveness? We can’t earn salvation; we are saved by God’s grace when we have faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. All you have to do is believe you are a sinner, that Christ died for your sins, and ask His forgiveness. Then turn from your sins—that’s called repentance. Jesus Christ knows you and loves you. What matters to Him is the attitude of your heart, your honesty. We suggest praying the following prayer to accept Christ as your Savior: "Dear God, I know I’m a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe that He died for my sin and that you raised Him to life. I want to trust Him as my Savior and follow Him as Lord, from this day forward. Guide my life and help me to do your will. I pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen." Did you pray this prayer? https://peacewithgod.net/steps-to-peace-with-god/ If you said this prayer and received Christ as your Savior, then please let me know. I’d love to celebrate this moment with you and find a way to help you grow in Him too. Sincerely, Nate
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Real Dudes,
I've heard this song several times before, but the lyrics just jumped out at me pretty directly this last time I'd heard it. I hope each of you get an opportunity to watch and listen to the videos and really take some time to carefully read the lyrics to this song. Enjoy! Nate Love Moved First - Mark Hall Teaching Video Song: Casting Crowns Love Moved First Music Video with Lyrics LOVE MOVED FIRST LYRICS This is the story of a runaway With no way home and no way out I threw the best of me away I had my chance, it’s too late now Too far gone and too ashamed To think that You’d still know my name But love refused to let my story end that way You didn’t wait for me to find my way to You I couldn’t cross that distance even if I wanted to You came running after me When anybody else would’ve turned and left me at my worst Love moved first What kind of grace, relentless grace Would chase this rebel down Crawl into this prisoner’s cage Take my hand and pull me out You knew I couldn’t make the change So You became the change in me And now I live to tell to the story Of the God who rescues From the throne to the manger From a manger to the grave Your cross is the proof Love made the first move From a grave meant to keep You To a stone rolled away Your cross is the proof Love made the first move I remember where You found me I’m amazed by where I stand Your cross is the proof That love made the first move. https://life885.com/songs/love-moved-first/ 1 John 4:10 (NIV) This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 1 John 4:19 (NIV) We love because he first loved us. Suicide, Is it Selfish? On whose part? Maybe we all should practice a little more self-control before we choose to speak our minds to others concerning what we think of them.
I’ve heard a few times in my lifetime someone say, “I refuse to go to their funeral because they committed suicide,” or “If they’re that selfish to leave their loved ones behind, then I have no interest in attending their funeral.” As one of the Chaplain’s for the GPD I have been to a scene where someone committed suicide. As I stood and listened I’d hear out of one side of the relatives mouths the words “how selfish,” and out of the other side I could hear about how awful some people treated him his entire life, namely treated poorly by his father. Proverbs 18:21 reminds us that “The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.” Let that soak in for a minute……the tongue has the potential to do what? Some may believe it to be selfish for him to take his own life, but what about those who selfishly chose to speak evil words towards him his whole life. Those who were supposed to have his best interest in mind. Maybe even those who brought this individual into this world. These were the very ones who then planted the seed of self-destruction within him…the tongue can bring death. Such words were making him feel worthless, unwanted, unloved, used, etc. Who’s the sick one? Who’s the selfish one who couldn’t control his speech that led this person to entertain these thoughts? It’s those who choose to abuse the use of their tongue, which is what you’ll find it in the verses below. For this particular individual he is the one who had to wrestle with some of those deep mental scars…replaying that remix of evil and negativity over and over in his mind made for all the ingredients to convince him to do what he did. Not justifying his action, just a little more understanding of the pain he had been enduring for so long (I’m sure there were a compilation of other issues too that aided in his final decision, but we do know that harm words have on others). Apparently he couldn’t handle listening to those voices any longer. So, who was or were the selfish individual(s) in this man’s story? Maybe both sides, right? Just remember that what you have to say and how you say it to others can have lasting and deadly effects! Those who may have tried to help him in the past might have been looking to what was wrong with him and his mental health, rather than digging a little deeper into what sorts of destructive words he’s allowed to take up residence in his mind. Some who have tried to help in the past may have also overlooked, missed, or ignored the real cause of his mental illness. Did someone’s words and actions push him over the edge? Did he believe their lies about him? So, was he mentally ill? Maybe, but let’s respectfully take into consideration who or what got him to that point? Who are the potential demons (fools, evil speakers) that pushed him over the edge...was it someone who said or did something that planted this sick seed and thoughts inside his head? In time, this leads to an illness and it seems as though no one can cure such individuals of it. But we as believers know that Christ can, but sometimes when deeply hurting maybe He even isn’t a thought in their minds as to the someone who can provide the cure or healing, especially if the individual considering suicide is an unbeliever. Just remember, words do indeed bring destruction into the lives of others. Please read through and consider the passages below, and then determine within yourself how you will choose to use your tone and words towards others, even when speaking to yourself. If suicide is something you’ve entertained over and over again, then please reach out to someone and seek help asap. Always know that you can reach out to me…I’ll try to help or point you to someone who can. Let me end this section with this question, “Will you choose to use words that bring death or life to others?” Practicing His Presence, Nate 2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV) We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
1 O Lord, rescue me from evil people. Protect me from those who are violent, 2 those who plot evil in their hearts and stir up trouble all day long. 3 Their tongues sting like a snake; the venom of a viper drips from their lips. Proverbs 11:9, 12 (NIV) With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors, but through knowledge the righteous escape. 12 Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense, but the one who has understanding holds their tongue. Proverbs 12:18 (NIV) The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Proverbs 15:1, 4 (NIV) A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.4 The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit. Matthew 15:18-19 (NLT) 18 But the words you speak come from the heart—that’s what defiles you. 19 For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander. James 1:19 (NLT) Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Ephesians 4:15 (NLT) Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. Ephesians 4:29 (NLT) Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. The below article is taken from gotquestions.org. Why did Jesus warn against saying the word raca in Matthew 5:22? Matthew 5:22 is the only passage in the Bible where the term raca is used. Raca comes from the Aramaic term reqa. It was a derogatory expression meaning “empty-headed,” insinuating a person’s stupidity or inferiority. It was an offensive name used to show utter contempt for another person. Jesus warned that the use of such a word to describe someone was tantamount to murder and deserving of the severest punishment of the law. In Matthew 5:21, Jesus recalled the sixth commandment, “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13). In characteristic fashion, Jesus took the old law one step further by explaining the true significance of the law—a deeper, spiritual meaning they had never seen. First, Jesus warns that the very act of murder finds its roots in an angry, murderous spirit: “But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment” (Matthew 5:22a). God, who examines the very thoughts and intents of the heart, will issue judgment upon unrighteous anger. Next, Jesus warns against name-calling, using “raca” as an example (verse 22b). Then He issues a third warning against those who call someone a “fool” (verse 22c). The first-century Jews recognized that “anyone who murders will be subject to judgment” (Matthew 5:21), but Jesus warns that even calling another person insulting names such as “raca” is sinful. Murder begins in the heart, and epithets such as “raca” are signs that there is hatred lurking within. The hatred that causes one person to hurl insults is the same hatred that causes another to commit murder. The attitude of the heart is the same, and it’s this attitude that makes a person morally guilty before God. Jesus not only warns us against expressing unrighteous anger, which can lead to murder, but clearly commands that disparaging denunciations and name-calling be avoided. Such abusive words reveal the true intents of one’s heart and mind for which we will be held in judgment: “I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve” (Jeremiah 17:10; cf. 1 Samuel 16:7; 1 Chronicles 28:9). https://www.gotquestions.org/raca.html Songs: Everything below is from gotquestions.org
Question: What does the Bible say about adultery? Answer: The word adultery is etymologically related to the word adulterate, which means “to render something poorer in quality by adding another substance.” Adultery is the adulteration of marriage by the addition of a third person. Adultery is voluntary sexual activity between a married person and someone other than his or her spouse. The Bible begins its teaching on marriage with the pattern of Adam and Eve: one man and one woman, husband and wife, united by God (Genesis 2:24, Mark 10:7–9). Adultery is forbidden by the seventh commandment: “You shall not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14). The fact that the prohibition is simply stated with no explanation indicates that the meaning of adultery was well understood at the time Moses gave the law. Scripture is consistent in the prohibition against adultery. In spite of the clarity of the original pattern of marriage and the prohibition against adultery, sinful humanity has developed ways to attempt to blur the lines of morality. Polygamy is one way the prohibition against adultery has been to some extent circumvented. Polygamy is not technically adultery, although it does adulterate God’s original plan for marriage. In the Old Testament, polygamy was allowed by God but never endorsed by Him. Polygamy was not considered adultery because, although a third person (or perhaps a fourth, fifth, etc.) was added to the marriage, the additional women were legally included in the marriage. A polygamist who engaged in sexual activity with someone other than his legal wives was still committing adultery. Since polygamy is generally illegal in modern countries today, no third person can be legally added to a marriage. Divorce and remarriage is another way that the prohibition against adultery has been circumvented. If a married man has an affair, he is committing adultery. However, if he divorces his wife and marries the other woman, then he maintains his “legal” footing. In most modern societies, this has become the norm. Jesus puts both of these “strategies” to rest: “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery” (Luke 16:18). And, “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery” (Mark 10:11–12). According to Jesus, divorce does not circumvent the prohibition against adultery. If a married man sees another woman, desires her sexually, divorces his wife, and marries the other woman, he still commits adultery. Since the marriage bond is intended to last a lifetime, divorce does not release one from the responsibility to be faithful to the original spouse. (On a related note, we recognize that in some cases Scripture allows divorce, and, when divorce is allowed, remarriage is also allowed without being considered adulterous.) Jesus carried the prohibition against adultery even further than the Mosaic Law: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:27–28). So, even if a man tries to “legally” avoid adultery by seeking divorce, he is already guilty because of the lust in his heart that drove him to such measures. If a man “legally” brings another woman into the marriage, making it a polygamous marriage, he is still guilty of adultery because of the lust in his heart that motivated him to marry another wife. Even if a man or woman simply indulges in lustful thoughts (pornography is especially problematic), then he or she is committing adultery even if no extramarital physical contact ever takes place. This explanation by Jesus avoids all of the nuances about “how far is too far” with someone other than a spouse, and it avoids the need to define what “sex” really is. Lust, not sex, is the threshold of adultery. Proverbs 6 gives some stern warnings against committing adultery, giving “correction and instruction . . . keeping you from your neighbor’s wife” (verses 23–24). Solomon says, “Do not lust in your heart after her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes. . . . Another man’s wife preys on your very life. Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned? Can a man walk on hot coals without his feet being scorched? So is he who sleeps with another man’s wife; no one who touches her will go unpunished” (verses 25–29). Adultery is deadly serious and brings God’s consequences. “A man who commits adultery has no sense; whoever does so destroys himself” (Proverbs 6:32; cf. 1 Corinthians 6:18 and Hebrews 13:4). A person who lives in adultery gives evidence that he or she has not truly come to know Christ. But adultery is not unforgiveable, either. Any sin that a Christian commits can be forgiven when the Christian repents, and any sin committed by an unbeliever can be forgiven when that person comes to Christ in faith. “Do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers . . . will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:9–11). Notice that in the Corinthian church there were former adulterers, but they had been washed clean from their sin, sanctified, and justified. https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-adultery.html |
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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