Real Dudes, 
When the Lord commissions us to go into the world we can oftentimes get distracted by all that we’ve personally accomplished. Yes, we should be doing all in His Name and for His glory, but unfortunately, success has the ability at times to lead us to missing the mark. Please take a look at the passage below and then really zero in on what Christ tells them at the end of verse 20. Time for some self-examination/reflection…Ask yourselves, “What should I be rejoicing about today?” Pray to the Lord and praise Him for this fact. If it’s not there, then I pray that today will be that day when your name will be written down by His hand. 
Practicing His Presence,
Nate

Luke 22:1-20 (NIV) After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. 2 He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. 3 Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. 4 Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.

5 “When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ 6 If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you. 7 Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.

8 “When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you. 9 Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ 10 But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, 11 ‘Even the dust of your town we wipe from our feet as a warning to you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God has come near.’ 12 I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.

13 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 14 But it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. 15 And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades.

16 “Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.”

17 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”

18 He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Song: My Name is Written in Heaven by Jessie Sharp https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4Q02RExQNk

Real Dudes,
To be honest, sometimes in my head I wonder if God is really able to do something. Is He really able to save anyone, even the chiefest of sinners? Is He really able to heal the sick, even someone with stage four cancer? Maybe it's my upbringing that influences my doubt at times, but yesterday, a phrase from the song More Than Able by Elevation Worship kept replaying in my mind. It's the phrase, "who am I, to deny, what the Lord can do?" Men...think about it. What limitations have you been putting on the Lord? You might say that God is able to do the "impossible," but maybe your genuine thoughts and actions reflect differently.
Here's the link to this song...let me encourage you to take some time to listen to it and apply it the way the Lord would have you to. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ1xxoP7NJk
Enjoy,
Nate

Real Dudes,
In Luke Chapter 8 we read about The Parable of the Sower. In this parable The Sower scattered God’s Word on to many different surfaces. Some seeds (God’s Word) fell among the thorns, what does that mean? In Luke 8:14 we read the meaning of that…
14 The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.
Listen, God’s Word is attempting to penetrate your heart and life today, what is it that’s choking it out? Can you name and identify it? Is it your worries? Your riches/finances? Your earthly pleasures? The result is no maturation. Let me encourage you to pray that God will help you remove the thorns in your life that are choking out the effects of His Word on your life. Desire to grow in your knowledge and relationship with Him. Allow His Word to penetrate and rejoice over what He’s able to do in and through you. 
Practicing His Presence,
Nate

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John 1:45-49 (NIV) 45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 46 “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip. 47 When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.” 48 “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.” 49 Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.”

Feeling lonely? For whatever reason Nathanael must have been in that place in his life where he felt like all he wanted to do is go sit under a tree and be alone. Who knows why he was there and what he was thinking about, but he must have felt like no one noticed him. Clearly remembering this moment in his life Nathanael couldn’t believe that the Lord knew or cared about it. Nathanael’s reaction reveals that he must have been searching for something and that only The God of the universe could have known about this moment in his life. God not only knew of this time but also had His eyes on him there. He wanted Nathanael to realize that He’s never alone. That He’s always with him. Have you ever wanted to ask the Lord, “How do you know me?” He sees His creation and cares about each. He sees the Nathanael’s and everyone else. He sees you. He’s with you. Will you declare Him as Lord of your life today?

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Matthew 19:26 (NIV) Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

John 15:5 (NIV) “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.​

What’s your daily approach…with or apart from? Where will each get you in life? What, if anything, needs to change starting today?