Also, we've got a revelation.
We'll go ahead and get started on the show.
Like I said, I hope this has been the same.
Just for the lessons and revelations.
Even through the struggles and hardships.
We should be seeing control in these bright spots in every situation.
Alright, so this week, episode number 17,
Turning the Other Cheek.
Wow, that one is a big one for a lot of us, especially here in the United States.
I would say Christians in general who know that and have the confidence in that
we have eternal life through our acceptance of Jesus Christ.
That our eternity is secured because of our acceptance in love and faith in Jesus Christ.
I know it has been for me.
Like I said before, I have come from a military background.
22 years retired.
So this one Sunday morning when we were in church and our pastor Randy Wade was talking about some of this.
Really, I don't know, made me think, made me wonder this question.
So how do we as Christians tolerate the evil that is in the world and the lack of respect for God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit?
Especially I know here in America, the rest of the world seems to think that we are flamboyant, arrogant.
Whatever other words you want to call it, just that American spirit, right?
We have, I don't know, I don't know the exact words.
It's just we have it, right?
We have been for a long time.
Now, in today's world, it seems to be diminishing.
People want to take the accomplishments of our forefathers and our predecessors, our ancestors here in this country and diminish the effect that God allowed America to have on the world.
The impact that America has made on the world.
Now we're turning it into a joke because as parents, we're raising a bunch of pansies that don't know what true history and the sacrifice that was taken so they could have all the luxuries that they have nowadays.
And it's frustrating, but at the same time, men, we're the ones who can turn that around starting in our homes.
And that's been the theme of this show since the beginning. If we're going to start somewhere, we got to start in our homes, start equipping our children to look at things as right and wrong based off of what the Bible says.
Not what we think.
The morality that God has put inside each one of us.
We must bring that to the forefront in our children's life.
And I think that's what we're doing.
Our pastor was talking about how Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane turned the other cheek.
He didn't after Judas came and give him a kiss and betray him.
And Peter pulled out the sword and cut off the one of the soldiers ears.
And he went on to say that that was how we should be.
And I know it says in the Bible and that we should turn the other cheek, we should feed our enemy.
We should show him the love that Jesus has shown us.
And I got the thinking and it was really perplexing in my in my heart and in my mind. I'm like, you're telling me that if we know that God is who God is, he is never changing.
He is always the same. He is the one we can truly put our trust in because he doesn't waver from who he is like we do.
That a God who was never afraid to send the Israelites into battle and kill and give the command to kill every man, woman, child and animal.
That in today's society in today, no matter how we try to fit Jesus into the box that we want him to fit in, that God is still God.
And that that is not still an option that he uses.
You know, the pondering point in my mind was that, yes, I understand that Jesus changed everything, right?
He didn't. But he didn't change who God is.
He didn't change who he is. He changed the relationship between God and his creation, which is me and you.
He changed the relationship of making that ultimate sacrifice so that we could be with the Father in heaven, which we knowing that God hates sin.
All sin that there had to be a pure and perfect sacrifice and that was Jesus Christ.
You know, in my mind, it was OK. So how can that God who change everything and say that love is the way and that we should treat our enemies in a way that is kind, that is.
Honoring to him. Big question in my mind, you know, I'm like.
How's it happen?
You know, aren't we supposed to be the defenders of the poor?
And even in our CG, we were talking about it, our community group, we were talking about it.
And I was like, you know, I understand that if we're talking to somebody trying to.
Share the gospel with them and explain the gospel that, you know, we should watch our tongue and be nice.
And if there's an argument to keep our feelings out of it.
And just, you know, not lose our witness.
In that aspect so that we don't cause others to stumble and coming.
To the truth of Jesus Christ and understanding that the only way to heaven is to fully accept Jesus Christ into your heart.
And like I was telling like we were talking in our CG, I said that I understand it on that aspect.
That.
We are to turn the other cheek that we are to be kind. We are to their hungry feet.
Right to show them the love that Jesus Christ showed us.
And then in my mind.
I'm like, but on the bigger scale and scope of the world, if we as Christians are supposed to be the protectors and the care carers for the poor.
And the widowed. When something happens on a mass scale.
Are we not to do something more than to just turn the other cheek?
You know, I don't believe that God would.
Take it.
Take it. Allow us in our hearts and in our souls to just sit back and watch that happen.
And it's been my experience in life that, you know, there are some people you can talk to there are some people you can negotiate with.
There are some people that you can make sense of things to.
And then there are some people that just need a good old punch in the mouth at times to get the point across and let them know you mean business.
And right now in this country.
We need to stand back up and sometimes.
The way I feel is that we need to give some countries a big punch in the mouth right now.
Just to let them know. Hey, look, I love you, but you're going to continue to.
Jack up and cause problems throughout the world and kill innocent people and do things that are morally wrong.
Then we're going to come and we're going to punch you in the mouth.
They're going to help you back up.
But that's the military side. I mean, that's the human side of me that says, you know, that we got to pay these people back for the evil that they've done.
So, you know, as. Continue on the discussion of CG about the last 24 hours of Jesus's life and how everything that he did had to happen the way it happened to fulfill all the prophecies that he fulfilled.
And this one, especially leading up to and his death on the cross.
And as Easter's coming up to the resurrection.
And I was thinking, I said, man, how can how can one God be the same God? Right?
How can he send Israelites in the battle and tell them to kill everything?
And then at the same time, expect us through Jesus.
Not to do that, to not to be the defenders of the protectors in that man in that aspect of creating war on the people that are doing those horrific and.
Unhuman things or immoral things committing genocide in some cases. How how are we now just to go and talk to these people?
You know, God says. In Deuteronomy 32 35, Vengeance is mine and recompense for the time when their foot shall slip for the day of their calamity is at hand and their doom comes swiftly.
You know, so Vengeance is God. So I, as I was studying yesterday morning, preparing what I really wanted to say in this show.
You know, I'm going through there that hit me and I remembered that we can't as humans be the judge of other people.
Why? Because we're flawed. We're full of pride. We're full of ego. We're full of greed. We're full of sin.
You know, we accepted Jesus and we're working on making that course corrections that are simple lives look more like Jesus lives and we're trying to get better.
We're still flawed.
And my point was, you know, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit only only righteous ones that can judge someone's life and determine the outcome of where they're going.
It's not ours to play God.
It's not ours to say this person deserves to die. If we look at it from Jesus's standpoint, it is Jesus was I died for every one of y'all are valuable.
His death on the cross represented for every every human being on this planet now and to come Jesus cross Jesus Christ death on the cross was for every single human being.
That is here now and will be born until Jesus comes back.
So with that process in mind, it's like, oh, OK, so Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice for each one of us.
To be in heaven with him, who are we to take away from what Jesus did because we think that we have some kind of special authority on the matter when we're flawed and he died for our flaws and he died for our sins so that we could be with the Father in heaven.
We can't we can't make that judgment as much as I would like to.
And the American in me says that, you know, if you're doing something horrible like that, then we need to go there and kick you in the face.
Don't get me misunderstood.
I fight that urge all the time.
But the reality is that that the Holy Spirit showed me and then I asked for the answer and it was just like, look, we are not.
Perfect.
The father son and Holy Spirit are the perfect.
They're the only perfect things in this world.
We are flawed.
So we cannot supersede the will of what Jesus did on the cross and taking someone's life.
Or ending a conflict in the way that, you know, with a war with tyranny with what not.
I mean, God is love, right?
I mean, we don't have to like as I've said here before.
I like the people that we love and are praying for because they are all creations of the father and Jesus, the son died on the cross for those horrible people, too.
Who are we to take their opportunity away of knowing Jesus Christ?
You know, like we were talking about last week, those who don't know Jesus or haven't heard the gospel.
Or more likely to do these horrible and crazy things.
You know, and who are we to take that?
Our job is to share the gospel of Jesus Christ, to share the truth of Jesus Christ, to let people know who he is and what he offers and that they have no matter what they've done.
Committed genocide on millions and millions of people or whatever that Jesus is that opportunity.
And as much as we hate to look at it that way, I know, especially here in America, everybody has the opportunity to should have the opportunity to know who Jesus Christ is.
His power, his love, his grace.
Because we're all sinners and in God's eyes, one sin is just as bad as another.
We like to put them in little boxes of cat. Oh, this is not as bad as this.
And blah, blah, blah.
But in God's eyes, seeing the sin period.
Right. I mean, if I cuss you out or look at it a woman with lustful thoughts, it's as bad as killing somebody for no reason.
Just walking up and say, hey, you're ugly and slice their throat and let them fall on the ground. Right.
Sin and sin.
There is no boxes and categories of this seems worse than this in or, you know, whatever.
That's not the case. The fact is, sin is sin and that's God's eyes and that's what Jesus died on the cross for.
So no matter our feelings or our thoughts on what this person should receive in this world, we have to remember we're not living in this world.
Spiritually, our spirits, our souls are connected to heaven because of our acceptance of Jesus Christ.
And that should be more important than what's happening in this world.
I mean, that that's the gospel of Jesus Christ. Right.
You know, even though we live in this world, we're not of this world and we understand and we know that truth.
Therefore, we are not allowed to take the opportunity of whoever to judge whoever to the point that we are taking their lives.
I know that's that's what God was telling me.
And I'm like, man, that's that's a that's a tough pill to swallow.
Because we see horrible things done all the time.
And and if I'm being honest, if somebody hurt my kids, I'm going to have to ask for forgiveness because I'm probably going to take them out. Right.
But and this can go a whole bunch of different ways.
This is what this is what God was saying to me.
And and I feel it's an important message to get out.
You know, and then I continued reading in Romans 12 17 through through 21 says,
Repaiting no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.
If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceable, peaceably with all.
Beloved, never avenge yourself, but leave it to the wrath of God.
For it is written, Vengeance is mine, I will repay says the Lord.
To the contrary, if your enemy is hungry, feed him.
Fiest thirsty, give him something to drink.
For by doing so, you will heat burning coals on his head.
Do not be do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
I'm like.
Huh.
So.
Our answer to.
Starting a war with another country.
Because.
We don't like what they do.
Are we not being overcome by evil just like they did?
That.
That is our only option.
And that I just don't see it as that way now before I did.
But through.
God speaking to me through the Holy Holy Spirit and.
Allowing me to see that if I am going to be a follower of Jesus Christ, that I have to trust 100% and everything that he says,
everything he tells me to do, I have to be obedient and subservient to him.
Because like I said earlier, he's the only thing we can trust.
He's the only thing that without a doubt, undeniably, that is going to.
Do the right thing always.
Because God always does.
He does what's best for his people.
You know, but it comes back to the patience things. We're not patient. We want to see action now.
You know, and.
God is patient. He doesn't work on our time.
You know, and I think that's where we get in trouble because we're not patient.
But I think it's where we have to turn deeper into our lives.
To see that.
How patient was he with us?
You know, in my life, you know, I accepted Christ.
Oh, I was probably in my late 20s.
In an apartment sitting in Wiley, Texas. I remember. I don't remember the date or the.
And it was in the evening.
You know, but when I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit coming to my body, did I answer the call at that time?
Did my ways change? Did my thought patterns change? Did I get in my Bible every day at that point in time? No.
I went on and continued to live in the lifestyle that I was living, which was sinful.
You know, but he's patient with me. He's patient.
And faithful to answer my prayers, even though.
I wasn't living the life that he called me to live.
But if we trust in Jesus and he is the creator and we believe that when the Bible tells us that every hair on our head is numbered and that all our days have been.
He's already seen our whole entire life.
The good, the bad choices, you know, the outcomes of each choices. But the one thing that we have to believe is because of his patient, because of his love, because of his because of his patients.
With us that he's always guiding and directing our lives back to him, no matter the hard spots, no matter the.
Tough times that we have to face to get us back to him.
He is willing to do that in order to save our souls and for us to have a place with him in heaven.
And for Jesus to truly start work, his sacrifice on the cross to truly start.
Making a difference in our life.
You know,
it's man, it's just been an overwhelming change of thought pattern for me.
And I hope that it is for you and understanding that.
We do not have that right to.
Avenge ourselves or avenge others.
That's God's job and God is faithful to protect his people.
Even those who may not have had the opportunity as of yet to hear the gospel.
Or know Jesus, but because they don't know.
And are.
In a position to where evil is taking over, God will protect them as well.
Why?
For the simple purpose that through that protection and through that perseverance that they will.
Be able to hear the gospel that somebody will share the gospel with them and it will change their life.
Even the person committing the crime.
Against others still.
Needs the opportunity to hear the good news of Jesus Christ and what he's done for this world.
As hard as that is for us, especially men in America.
Who have the fight built into us.
Who believe that in the Old Testament and I for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.
Well, if I'm being real, that's where I have been up until this point.
That that was my philosophy.
Yeah.
You know, I tried to change God's perspective or put me acting out as.
Or avenging as it would honor God.
That's not what Jesus tells us.
That's not how he wants us to do business from this point forward.
And as hard as it is for us to as American men.
Like say older American men that understand the value of.
Having that grit and that determination and that drive and that resiliency to do that.
To in order to honor Jesus Christ, we must submit to him and everything he tells us to do.
There are other ways that.
We can glorify and honor Jesus.
Not just with violence.
You know, and maybe Jesus at some point, maybe God that is us to use us as that weapon that he needs on this planet to.
Defend the weak and defend the poor.
And but that's.
That's on a bigger scale.
You know, God puts all our government in place.
You know, like I said, I think I've said it here before.
Not I know it said it to my friends.
You know, if we trust in God 100% with everything that goes on in our lives and we're praying about it.
You know, God has put.
This leadership of our country right now.
That we have in front of us to show us just how far off of his mark we've come is to what's a wake up call to say.
Men.
Women.
That this country did not.
Get to where it's at by.
Giving somebody something, you know, everything that I read in the Bible, even your faith is that.
We have to take that first step.
Right. We have to accept Jesus Christ first offers there.
He's knocking.
But are you going to answer the door?
Right.
And the same way with any problem that comes up that we're going to face is that.
How are we going to handle this situation?
Are we going to handle it like a corrupt human being that we are through sin?
Or are we going to let the creator of the universe and everything we see who is the only one righteous enough to make that judgment.
On that person.
To whether they spend an eternity in hell or heaven.
We don't get to make that decision.
And if our trust and our love and our belief in our submission to Jesus Christ is where it's supposed to be.
We have to leave that to him.
Our fight.
Is the fight that we battle on our knees in prayer to God for the things that we see happening.
To be attentive to the Holy Spirit in our lives to be in a relationship and a friendship with Jesus Christ to understand who he is.
Not that we will ever completely know who the father son and the Holy Spirit are until we get to heaven.
But on this earth we do have the Bible and we do have a rule book and a guide book to lead us to where.
He wants us to go.
And as a soldier.
You have to be able to follow orders.
And you have to stay within the code of the military code of I can't even think of it right now.
Military justice right.
But.
You there's there's guidelines.
There's rules of combat.
There's rules of war right and in God's economy we're working in God's economy not man's economy.
And that's where we have to put in the forefront is that since we have accepted our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as such that his rules now supers supersede the rules.
Of this world.
Period in the story.
So Jesus says that we must turn the other cheek.
And we must allow God to be the vengeful and the righteous judge of those who are creating sin or.
Doing things that we assume we need to be on our knees.
That's our new battleground right now is on our knees praying to God.
That he will.
Vendicate and seek vengeance on those who are hurting.
His people who have heard the gospel and accepted Jesus Christ or those who haven't had the opportunity.
We need to pray for those that he saves them in order to give them an opportunity.
To hear about Jesus Christ.
So our new battleground is on our knees.
And as I see that now I know that will be a struggle from this point on with me.
Because we are men right.
We're Americans.
I'm big strong.
I'm gonna I'm the one who's going to dictate out what happens.
You know when something's going bad.
I'm the one that's going to step in.
And maybe God is calling you in that moment because he did build us the way he built us.
But and that's the way I used to think until the Holy Spirit put this message on my heart was that you know.
If I'm in a position to stop something have the ability to stop something.
How am I supposed to do that?
Is it supposed to be with physically?
Or am I always supposed to speak the name of Jesus Christ into that situation?
Because Jesus's power hasn't changed just because our opinions and thoughts in the little box that we put him in.
Like to change him.
He is still that powerful God that when we call upon his name in that situation he will show up the name of Jesus has power.
And all aspects to be able to change the direction of any situation.
But we must be bold and we must be confident in the speaking his name into that situation out loud.
No matter what happens.
But we have to have that faith that when we speak his name.
The situation will change and that's how we're to do it.
Now there may be a physical response at first.
To immediately stop it.
But the end result should be us.
I can't believe these words are about to come out of my mouth.
But if we have to physically stop something.
And we physically stop it.
Because he has empowered us to do so.
Our next reaction shouldn't be to finish the person off.
But to share Jesus with them.
As crazy as that sounds to me as I'm speaking it right now and being honest.
And I trust what the Holy Spirit put on my heart to say to y'all today.
That is one of the hardest things for me to say that.
If I truly trust and believe.
That Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior and he died on the cross and was resurrected.
That I have to trust that his ways are better in my ways and that's one of the ways.
I'm not a perfect judge because in that moment where we physically stop whatever.
What sin is in place anger usually pride.
Right.
So all these sin factors.
Cumulate in one episode that is not glorifying the God in our whole lives.
Is to bring glory to the kingdom of heaven.
And we can't do that if we're acting contradictory to what.
The father son and Holy Spirit are leading us to do.
Now like I said I don't believe we have to be passive I believe we have to be active in this.
And I have and I believe that our battle is to bring the name of Jesus Christ.
To the lost souls.
Of this country and the world.
And it's not done by taking life but by giving life.
Through the true gospel of Jesus Christ and who he is.
Me and I know that is a very contradictory to.
The American way.
Very contradictory to how.
We as Americans.
See things but at the same time.
It is the truth.
And as it says on the Mandalorian.
This is the way.
And Jesus is way is the only way.
If we're going to be honoring and bring glory to the kingdom of heaven.
And be able to spread his gospel.
To every single soul on this planet now and to come.
Before he returns.
To take them himself.
Our mission.
And our goal.
Is to spread his gospel and to show the love that he has shown.
Every soul by dying on the cross being buried and resurrected on that third day.
There's a lot.
Of detail that could be discussed and talked about more.
With this broad subject but that's what the Holy Spirit put on my heart and made me realize was that.
If I'm a believer in Jesus Christ I cannot believe part of it.
I can only believe all of it.
And I have to trust all of it.
In my heart.
And if I'm going to glorify the kingdom of heaven and spread his truth and his gospel.
To the world and to those around me that my life.
Has to be filled with 100% truth in him alone.
And I have to show that and I have to have the self control.
That he has given me through the Holy Spirit.
And his knowledge and his wisdom.
To do so the discipline to be able to do so.
You know as men I think as leaders.
I see it a lot now.
We all want to point the finger.
Well this person didn't do this this person didn't do that.
Or is this person's fault you know we talked about on the show before that.
Oh it's the government's fault.
Well no it's not.
It's our fault.
Individually and collectively as men in this great country is blessed country that we.
Have the privilege of living in.
That we have allowed things.
To be where they're at today and you can argue whatever but it's it's each individual man's fault.
Each individual Christians fault for not for being quiet for so long and not speaking up.
This is a this is a you and God thing I mean God thing.
But we have to be collectively on the same page of the direction that we're going to take to correct it.
Right now we need godly men.
Who have submitted their lives to Jesus Christ and his truth.
To.
Step up speak out and lead.
The rest of this nation back to the true gospel of Jesus Christ.
It's not pretty it's not going to be easy.
But we have start by learning to submit 100% ourselves to Jesus Christ.
Follow his way pray and let him do the work that we are unable to do.
Let him do the work that we want to see the change in this.
Country.
Men on our knees praying asking for the wisdom for the direction and for him to step in and make the change.
To keep us where we want to be.
And to have the persuasion and the influence on the rest of the world.
That he has called us to as followers of Christ as priest.
Of the gospel of Jesus Christ and we can't do that unless we are 100% committed to following what Jesus Christ tells us to follow.
And how he tells us to do things.
Is it hard as it is for you.
It's as hard for me as well.
But I'm committed to stepping back and using what he gave me my brain more than my brawn.
Because when we use our brain over brawn we're not lazy.
And I think that's what this country's become.
Men have become lazy.
Somebody else are handling somebody else will take care of it.
So if God's put it on your heart to have that gifting and that talent to handle it.
Handling.
Don't wait on somebody else.
Step up.
Right.
The men's group that I'll be going to tomorrow night.
That's what you know what it's about stepping up.
It's time to quit waiting on other people to make the decisions for our lives when they don't even know who Jesus is or not fully accept the true gospel of Jesus Christ.
And we're letting them lead our lives.
No.
Just like David and Solomon and Moses.
Right.
We have to lead with God as our he's the head.
We're just we're just the tip of the spear.
He's the driving force behind anything.
We cannot change anything.
If anything changes.
It's because we're doing his will and we're accomplishing his will because of the blessings he was placed in our lives.
You know, so as we wrap up, man, I mean, it's it's we must truly follow Jesus's lead in all aspects.
If Jesus tells us to turn the other cheek, then we turn the other cheek.
If he tells us to feed our enemy or give him water, then that's what we must do.
We must be the change that Jesus calls us to be.
It's not about what we want or what we think when we truly 100% submit our lives.
To who and what Jesus Christ has called us to be.
Then we will start making the change that we've been praying for.
Because when we do that, we allow him to work in us and if he's working in us, the gifts and talents that he has given us will be start to be used at full potential.
And when the gifts and talents of what God has given us are used for God's glory, they're unstoppable.
We are unstoppable because we have the same power that Jesus Christ had on this earth.
And he told us we would do even more.
Not with our corrupt sinful nature, but with a true heart of submission to Jesus Christ and his truths in his way.
So man, that's it.
I mean, that's the point.
That's what God and the Holy Spirit was talking to me.
And that's that's that's the that's the truth.
That's where the change comes from.
And you know, I'm not going to sit here and tell you it's going to be easy one for me.
But on this walk that we're in to learn and to grow in Jesus and to glorify the kingdom of heaven, we all have to take that step back.
Be on your knees in prayer, asking for clarification and direction of what he's saying to you or what situations have we fallen out of that we should have stepped up and took control of that the opportunity still there to make the change.
That we want to see for the glory of heaven, not earth.
Like I said, that's a tough pill for me to swallow and has been.
But when the Holy Spirit speaks, it is not for me to do but to listen.
And all scripture says, especially in the New Testament.
This is the way Jesus is the way, the truth and the life and no one comes to the Father except through him.
So our love for people should be on a scale of I should not be ending this person's opportunity to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ, but sharing Jesus Christ with this person that we think we should end.
The true saving comes in not taking the person's life or a country's will or whatever, but it is changing their mindset.
Into a love for Jesus.
That is our goal, man.
That's what we're put out to do.
So we have to change, turn that dial from battle mode and physical action.
That's not what I want to say.
Not physical action, but we have to change.
We have to use different tactics.
Now we have to implore our hearts and our minds working in unison because we're in God's word and we understand what he wants, what Jesus wants and how he wants us to do it.
And use our minds and our feet to start putting those into action and keep ourselves out of it and act as Jesus would want us to act in that situation.
I don't think I close that out as good as I wanted to, but I hope you get the point and I hope you understand what I'm trying to say is that Jesus's way is the only way.
And we have to start implementing that into our lives on a daily basis.
We're not going to swing for the fences and hit a home run the first time.
There will be growing, but we're just thankful that our God is a loving and patient God who when we ask for wisdom will grant it to us through the Holy Spirit.
Just as he did on this topic where I understand now what he was saying and I understand the big picture.
As much as I don't like it in my flesh, I mean, it's the truth and that's the way it's got to be.
So I have to instill the discipline in myself to ensure that I am following his will.
Because when we do that and we are in his will and we ask for the wisdom and the strength and the knowledge to be able to handle a situation, he will answer.
It's just like he answered me on this one.
So I mean, don't forget to drop by and like us and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, the call of men.
Like I said before, I haven't got any.
If you want to reach out to me directly, you can send me an email if you need something to be prayed for.
We'd love to do that.
The call of men show at gmail.com.
Also on any of your preferred podcast platforms, I believe this show is on the big ones anyway.
Just go and give us a like or subscribe, whatever your platform calls for.
And remember the most important thing.
As you go out and do what you do today, answer the call of men.
Thank you.