Bible Study Verse
Deuteronomy 4:40
Keep His decrees and commands, which I am giving you today, so that it may go well with you and your children after you and that you may live long in the land the Lord your God gives you for all time. (NIV)
Thoughts
I live along the coast of Lake Huron where the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary is located. This marine sanctuary has some of the best preserved sunken ships in the world due to the fresh water. Over 200 preserved ships are at the bottom and a good chunk of our local tourism has evolved for those who wish to come and either snorkel or scuba dive.
The other day I was snorkeling with my daughter checking out an old shipping dock and lane, that for the most part, lies below the surface of the lake. It was a beautiful day and we could see 60 ft down to the bottom. We were checking out the fish, old posts, and other artifacts that had been left behind from an earlier time.
We had a great time exploring and contemplating all that had happened at this little port. There were quite a few clues left below the surface that allowed us to piece together the type of activity that would have been happening here. Though we didn't have all the information on this particular spot, there was enough evidence left for us to certainly get a picture.
(Dave M)
Action Point
One day, your life and my life will probably be inspected by someone from a future generation...grandkids, great grandkids . . . a long distant relative somewhere down the chain. They are going to be looking back and inspecting the evidence of your life. I heard a quote awhile back that said something to the effect that no one can really get an accurate measure of who a man is until he is in his later years when:
- His children choose to come home to visit, that's a sign of what he invested in.
- His neighbors swing by to have a cup of coffee and visit, that says something.
- The people in his community can identify that he was honest in his dealings from one place to the next, that also says something.
The evidence of what he invested in their lives will still show itself even though he may be gone.
Your life is not lived in a box, and neither is mine. God expects each of us to spend our days living for Him. Someday, the evidence of your life will show itself. What will people see about you? What will God see?
The beautiful thing about God is that He chooses to redeem what has been lost. He never wants someone to stray away from Him. He is always willing to take them back to restore them to wholeness.
If you look back at the course of your life with shame today, know that God wants restoration for you. Ask Him to lead your life fully and completely from this day forward. Also ask Him to help you redeem the things in your life that you have lost. Not because of selfish gain for you, but to let them know that God has changed your life and that He can do the same for them! Be a link in your family chain to lead people to Christ!
Sportsmen's Tip of the Day
If you are snorkeling in an area, make sure to mark the area with a buoy so others who may be driving a boat have a visual signal that someone else is in the area.
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