July 5, 2012
Today's Photograph . . . . You Too Will Be Rewarded (NPS) |
Philippians 2:12-13
Therefore,
my dear friends, as you have always obeyed-not only in my presence, but
now much more in my absence-continue to work out your salvation with
fear and trembling, for it is God Who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose. (NIV)
Thoughts
(Ruben C)
One morning on a muzzleloader deer hunt, two friends and I discovered the track of what promised to be a toad of a muley.
When
he dropped into a deep narrow canyon, Randy stayed on his track while
Jeff and I skirted around the top for a shot at this buck that would
surely spook when he caught Randy's scent. We crept at least 100 yards
along the edge of the canyon and waited while Randy hotly pursued the
buck into the head of the canyon. Within minutes we heard a clatter of
hooves right beneath us as this monster escaped from under a palo verde
tree and scrambled straight up the opposite side of the canyon.
I
settled in with my TC Renegade and shooting stick, an ancient saguaro
skeleton spine, and readied for the shot that I guessed was at least 125
yards (later 'ranged' at 165 yards).
Jeff whispered, "Are you gonna shoot?"
I replied, "When he gets to the top, he's gonna stop."
Sure
enough when that big buck topped out on the other side of the canyon,
he stopped and looked back for a glimpse of what had spooked him from
his noontime nap. That's when I lowered the boom on him.
Action Point
This
particular scenario had never presented itself. I wasn't certain that
buck would stop. By faith I believed he would, because my Dad had
encouraged me to wait for such opportunities when dealing with a spooked
buck. With just my old man's advice ringing in the back of my mind, I
waited for the shot. He was right!
Paul
told the Philippians don't just obey when I'm around to watch (like
anyone would when you're in church), but as well when I'm not. We are
called to be Christ like each day of the week, not just on Sunday while
in the midst of the pastor and the body of believers.
It is not easy. If we are to win others to Christ, we must set the example and walk as Jesus did. I John 2:6 instructs, "Whoever claims to live in Him must live as Jesus did," (NIV).
Like I was eventually rewarded with that buck, you too will be rewarded
with winning others to Christ. His blood can save us all!!!
Sportsmen's Tip of the Day
Don't
know why they do it, but they do more often than not. A mule deer buck
will stop at the top of a ridge and look back if you've spooked him and
he doesn't know what "you" are. Save this for the running shot that
you're not all that warm and fuzzy about or as a lesson for young
hunters. Worst case scenario if you don't take a chance on an "iffy"
running shot, you'll have an opportunity on the other side of the hill
at a buck that's settled down. If you're patient and give him enough
time, he will.
