Real Dudes,
Recently, as a Chaplain for our local Fire Department, I observed some training at the department. All of the firefighters were going through training for Project Lifesaver. To briefly fill you in, “Project Lifesaver is the premier search and rescue program operated internationally by public safety agencies, and is strategically designed for ‘at risk’ individuals who are prone to the life threatening behavior of wandering. The primary mission of Project Lifesaver is to provide timely response to save lives and reduce potential injury for adults and children with the propensity to wander due to a cognitive condition.” https://projectlifesaver.org/
This training seemed similar to Geocaching. Here’s a link that shares more about what Geocaching is if you’re unfamiliar with it or interested how it relates to this devotional https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/geocaching/
As I was observing this Project Lifesaver training I couldn’t help but think about all the lost / unsaved / aimlessly wandering people in this world. And do we have first responding Christians who are willing to go seek them out? Luke 19:10 reads as follows (NIV), “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
For our Fire Fighters and First Responders, the tuner needed to be on the exact signal in order to locate the lost. The Lord is our perfect tuner. When we’re in tune with Him, then He WILL lead us directly to who we need to witness to. If not the Lord, then what device are you using in attempts to seek out the lost to share the gospel with them? Are you trusting in your own instincts or are you tapping into the Holy Spirit to lead, guide, and speak through you? Or does it even matter to you that some are lost and dying without any knowledge of the Lord? When God commands us to GO…how are we responding? Indifferent, careless, emotionless, with no urgency? Or obediently, and motivated? People's souls are at stake and these very people are treasures in the eyes of the Lord…what are they to you? Do you feel as though they too deserve safety, rescuing, eternal life with Him? He created us with a purpose…He came to earth for a purpose…does your life reflect a similar purpose? 
Practicing His Presence,
Nate

Related Passages from God’s Word: 
Mark 16:15-16 (ESV) 15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
Mark 2:17 (NLT) When Jesus heard this, he told them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”
James 4:14 (NLT) How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.
Jude 1:23 (NLT) Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.
Isaiah 53:6 (NLT) All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the LORD laid on him the sins of us all.

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Luke 16:19-31 (CSB) 
The Rich Man and Lazarus
19 “There was a rich man who would dress in purple and fine linen, feasting lavishly every day. 20 But a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, was lying at his gate. 21 He longed to be filled with what fell from the rich man’s table, but instead the dogs would come and lick his sores. 22 One day the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 And being in torment in Hades, he looked up and saw Abraham a long way off, with Lazarus at his side. 24 ‘Father Abraham!’ he called out, ‘Have mercy on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this flame!’
25 “‘Son,’ Abraham said, ‘remember that during your life you received your good things, just as Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here, while you are in agony. 26 Besides all this, a great chasm has been fixed between us and you, so that those who want to pass over from here to you cannot; neither can those from there cross over to us.’
27 “‘Father,’ he said, ‘then I beg you to send him to my father’s house— 28 because I have five brothers—to warn them, so that they won’t also come to this place of torment.’
29 “But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.’
30 “‘No, father Abraham,’ he said. ‘But if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
31 “But he told him, ‘If they don’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not be persuaded if someone rises from the dead.’”

**Check out the phrase in verse 28 “warn them, so that they won’t also come to this place of torment.” 

Diamarturomai (BDAG, p. 233) “to exhort with authority in matters of extraordinary importance, freq. w. ref. to higher powers and/or suggestions of peril, solemnly urge, exhort, warn.”

Warn them with deep sincerity…have some urgency about it. Let me ask you, when was the last time you had a sincere conversation with someone concerning their eternal destiny? I’m not talking about yelling in someone’s face in order to get their attention…but rather, to be prepared to speak the truth in love and pray that their eyes will be open to seeing the truth, receive Him, and get their names written in the Lamb’s Book of Life (Rev. 21:27).
Who has the Lord placed in your life that you could begin speaking into today? Who is it that really needs this warning? Act on it as the Holy Spirit leads and approach it His way.  

Luke 20:19-23 (NKJV) 19 And the chief priests and the scribes that very hour sought to lay hands on Him, but they feared the people—for they knew He had spoken this parable against them.
The Pharisees: Is It Lawful to Pay Taxes to Caesar?
20 So they watched Him, and sent spies who pretended to be righteous, that they might seize on His words, in order to deliver Him to the power and the authority of the governor.
21 Then they asked Him, saying, “Teacher, we know that You say and teach rightly, and You do not show personal favoritism, but teach the way of God in truth: 22 Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
23 But He perceived their craftiness, and said to them, “Why do you test Me?

Why do you ask some of the questions that you ask? Why do you do some of the things that you do? What’s your intent or motive behind your questions or actions? Have you ever attempted to carefully construct a statement or question so that you could trick someone into responding in a way that only benefited you, and then you held them to their answer? Or asked a question to make the responder look silly in front of others? Check out these questions…
If Mrs. Thompson’s rooster lays an egg in Mr. Ed’s garage, then who owns the egg? No one; roosters don’t lay eggs. 
How many animals did Moses take into the Ark? None, it was Noah. 
Were you able to see through the facade/trickery of those questions? 
Jesus not only sees through your trickery when you’re speaking to Him, but He also sees it when you’re speaking with others. You might feel like you pulled one over on them, but He sees and He knows your intentions. You might make a statement or ask a question with hopes that they get baited into your snare…but He sniffed your craftiness out far in advance. So just when you feel like you fooled someone, or tricked them, just remember, by doing so you're testing Him. 

Matthew 25:40, 45 (NIV) 40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ 45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

James 4:3 (NKJV) You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.

Proverbs 20:14 (NLT) The buyer haggles over the price, saying, “It’s worthless,” then brags about getting a bargain!

Just when you’re tempted to resort to being crafty with your questions and actions…remember this, He knows your motives and will see right through you even if it seems like others don't. Lastly, treat others with respect at all times. What you do to them, is like doing it unto Him. 

Luke 18:1-8 (NKJV) 
The Parable of the Persistent Widow
18 Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, 2 saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. 3 Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ 4 And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, 5 yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’ ”
6 Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. 7 And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? 8 I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”

Solution:
Verse 1…Always Pray. 
Verse 5…Continual Coming.
Verse 7…Cry out Day and Night to Him. 

Two Questions for you as you read this passage…

Could it be that you’ve lost heart because you haven’t resorted to communicating with the Lord about this particular situation that’s causing you to lose heart in the first place?
Losing heart “in light of afflictions and hardships of life.” John MacArthur. 
Egkakeo (BDAG, p. 272) “Lose Heart” means “to lose one’s motivation in continuing a desirable pattern or conduct or activity, lose enthusiasm, be discouraged…give up.” 

Will He really find faith on the earth? Or do our actions prove that our faith is small or nonexistent. Do you believe He’ll see you through these hard times and afflictions? 

Additional Related Passages:

Romans 12:12 (NKJV) rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NKJV) 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV) 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

​Luke 12:48b (NLT)  When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.
Luke 16:10 (NLT) “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.
Luke 19:17 (NLT) “‘Well done!’ the king exclaimed. ‘You are a good servant. You have been faithful with the little I entrusted to you, so you will be governor of ten cities as your reward.’
Matthew 25:21 (NLT) “The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!

Real Dudes,
If you are currently feeling stuck or stagnant in your walk with the Lord, then let me encourage you to begin with something little. Take baby steps that will eventually lead to long strides. Take sips of milk that will eventually lead to feasting on portions of meat (1 Cor. 3:2). Allow God to stretch you along the way…the end results will be well worth it. Remember, He is the one giving, entrusting, and requiring…it is your responsibility to be faithful. Please feel free to share how God has been stretching you lately, or what steps you feel led to take to help you grow in your faithfulness to Him…would love to celebrate in your victories together!
Practicing His Presence,
Nate

Suggestions of what it looks like to take Baby Steps…Feed on the Milk
Begin with short prayers to Him. Pray for 30 seconds, then one minute, and then no timeframe. 

Begin with short readings in His Word. Today, read one verse and really absorb the content within it. Tomorrow, read two verses. Eventually, read a paragraph. And then move on to full chapters, books, and one day you’ll get to the end and realize you read the entirety of Scripture. 

Give of your time in small portions. Volunteer once a month in church on Sunday morning. Eventually, serve every Sunday. Then look for ways to volunteer outside of the church doors with the purpose of being Christ with skin on within your community. 

Give of your tithes. Begin with giving 1% of your paycheck, then 3%, and eventually 10% or more. 

Give to those in need…as the Lord leads. It could be to help pay a portion of their bills, provide them with food, or pay for their meal at a restaurant. Anything to show the love of Christ everywhere you go. 

Pray and ask the Lord to reveal to you what your gifts/talents are and then find a way to use those for His honor and glory. Get creative…God is not boring, cliche, or predictable and we shouldn’t be either.

Just start somewhere…you got this. 
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Can you think of any other suggestions?