One Hopeful Man

Nicodemus, who had gone to him before, and who was one of them, said to them, “Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?” They replied, “Are you from Galilee too? Search and see that no prophet arises from Galilee.” — John 7:50-52

This never happens anymore. People are never pronounced guilty and required to prove their innocence.

Laughable, right?

Well, not so much. Especially when it happens to you.

And be careful here because we have all done this. I have done it. So have you. I have done this to my wife. I have done this to my kids. I have done this to employees, friends, politicians, spiritual leaders, and others. I have assumed their guilt before ever hearing more.

Yet mature spiritual men know how to moderate their emotions, mediate their assumptions, and endure the resistance to search for the truth.

We need more men like Nicodemus in our time. Men who can confidently and calmly contest for the truth. But this means you will have to stand up, speak up, risk your reputation for his, and even put your job on the line for the truth. This is beginning to happen. Will you join the ranks of Nicodemus? Will you be that one hopeful man? If so, what's the risk you are going to take today?

ASK THIS: What risk will you take to be that one hopeful man?

DO THIS: Take that risk today.

PRAY THIS: God, I am ready to risk my reputation for yours.

PLAY THIS: Stand In Faith.

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13 thoughts on “One Hopeful Man

  1. Bob Smotherman says:

    We all fall short…I do not want to be judgemental and assume anything. When worldly views come into play, I want to stand up for what is right in God’s way, not man’s!

  2. Eddie Ackerman says:

    I am going to make a conscious effort to not assume the worst about my kids’ actions and give them the benefit of the doubt, even if every indication, based on past history, tells me to assume their guilt. Jesus forgave us ALL our sins, and God has thrown them as far as the east is from the west and forgotten them, I need to do the same with my kids, just as my Father has done for me.

  3. gonzalo says:

    Thanks Vince for the challenge and encouragement. It is because of men of incredible courage to stand like Nico that the gospel spread as it has and as it will to honor our Lord in obedience to His Word… go make disciples of the people to the ends of the earth…

    I’m taking a stand to my number one enemy… ME… and then on anything that is not Truth (from God).

  4. Ramon G says:

    I pray the Lord uses me to serve other men through Jesus. Thank you Vince for your empowering encouraging word. God bless you

  5. Don says:

    I am burdened about our education system and its values and political agenda. I am praying that God would reveal His plan and give me His courage to carry it out.

  6. Gary A Roeder says:

    Thanks Vince! I love what you do and how you do it. You help me understand God’s word with real life scenarios in your life and ours. I am quick to judge in certain areas of my life and I pray that God will continue to show me those areas so that I can change. I also pray for the spirit to nudge me in those cases where I need to speak up and that God will help me to be bold. I have a lot to be thankful for that only comes from God and the people that he puts in my life. Thank you for being one of them and all you do for us men.

  7. Tom Fredericks Sr. says:

    Thanks Vince! To be men of THE Truth, we MUST spend MUCH time learning THE Truth as explained and proclaimed from the mouth of Jesus. Study THE Word men, so that when the time comes, we are fully able to rightly divide THE Truth, and thus be able to confidently stand for it!
    John 17:17 and 2 Timothy 2:15

  8. Cory D says:

    Our men’s group at church has decided to take action in response to the abortion issue. I’m going to reach out to the local pregnancy crisis organization to find resources for couples with unplanned pregnancies.

  9. Dave Freeman says:

    Before I get the courage to speak up, I have to remind myself of the verse, I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Rom 1:16, After I say this to myself or speak it out loud, I have the courage to speak up.

  10. Mike says:

    Vince,
    I’ve taken a stand during my time in the military and it cost me promotions or plum assignments. I took a stand during Covid and it almost cost me my job. God worked on our corporate level people and they backed off. My dad always said “You should never have to sneak up on the mirror because you didn’t stand for what’s right.”

  11. Marty says:

    Praying for those men who are going to make a stand for truth and Righteousness, perhaps risking their livelihood. Father go before each one softening the hearts of those to be confronted.

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