December 30, 2013    Today's Photograph . . . . More Important Is Your Adopted Name . . .    (Tom B)  Bible Study Verse Philippians 2:9   Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name. (NIV) Thoughts Over the Christmas holidays we were blessed to have my wife's sister, husband and their five adopted children, ranging from 9 to 15 in age, as guests for a few days. During their stay, the oldest discovered he could look up the meaning of names on his cell phone's internet. He started with discovering his oldest sister's name. Of course he wasn't searching for the most charitable definition, but one that would enable him to poke fun at her. His mischief wasn't intended to hurt her, but just to get a rise out of her. Kids will be kids!!! After all the joking, laughing, and wrestling around over his sister's name, you can guess what everyone else wanted. They wanted to know what their names meant!!! The fun was ignited all over again with each new discovery!!!! (Tom B) Action Point If someone was asked to define you, how might he or she respond? Maybe because you like the outdoors they might respond fisherman, hunter, or maybe even dog lover. A few of Jesus' names:   "Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him The Name That Is Above Every Name," Philippians 2:9 (NIV). "And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father,  Prince of Peace," Isaiah 9:6b (NIV) "For He Himself is Our Peace," Ephesians 2:14a (NIV). "On His robe and on His thigh He has this name written:  King of Kings and Lord of Lords," Revelations 19:16 (NIV). Jesus has adopted us. "He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will - to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the One He loves," Ephesians 1:5-6 (NIV). We have the name given us by our earthly mother and father, but more important is our adopted name of Christian, believer of Jesus Christ, if you have accepted Him as your Savior. Sportsmen's Tip of the Day If you fish moving bodies of water, whether it be stream or lake, fish like to seek out a bank that has been undercut by the current. A way of getting the bait or lure down into the lair of the fish is to cast a plastic tube bait, lizard, or worm with the hook embedded into the lure. Cast upstream and let the current carry it under the bank. Reel up the slack, lift the offering up by raising your rod tip, and then let it fall down. Many times the strike will come as the lure is picked up.   Sportsmen's Devotional Web Site  Sign Up

December 29, 2013    Today's Photograph . . . . Not Wild Wolves In The Night  (EWS) Bible Study Verse Psalms 91: 5 Fear nothing-not wild wolves in the night, not flying arrows in the day. (Message)   Thoughts  My dad use to tell us kids the story when he tried to ride his bicycle to Uncle Dick's farm way up in the north woods of Minnesota. It was further than he had expected and it was getting dark when the wolves started to howl on his left, then on his right. He peddled faster and the howling got closer. His legs were like rubber from fatigue, but he was sure the wolves were trying to cut him off from reaching the safety of the old farm house.    He would of course only tell the story at night around the campfire and as kids it would provoke great fear and suspense. We could feel the fire in his lungs and legs.    As the old farm house came into view, the wolves were starting to come out on the old logging road, closing in. He was standing up peddling now, praying someone would be home to meet him at the door with a really, really big gun. (Wes W) Action Point  I love that the Bible relates directly to me personally and that within every story there is a promise to me personally. "Fear Nothing, not even wild wolves in the night."    God has my back, my future and promises to rescue, shield, protect, fend off, be my shield, be my refuge and be my fortress. As light takes the fear out of darkness, God takes the fear out of life. It's a choice to let our minds conjure up all kinds of fears or take the promises of God and believe them personally. Sportsmen's Tip of the Day When in bear country I always know exactly where my flashlight and bear maze is when turning out the lights. One is in one boot and the other in the other boot, right by my sleeping bag for quick easy access in a moment's notice. I never lose any sleep. Sportsmen's Devotional Web Site  Sign Up

December 27, 2013    Today's Photograph . . . . Watch Those Who Go Along With The Crowd  (Mike T)

Bible Study Verse Jeremiah 20:13 Sing to the Lord! Give praise to the Lord! He rescues the life of the needy from the hands of the wicked. (NIV)   Thoughts With the greed and power struggle that is going on in the world today, we must stay focused on God. Politicians with their lies to take over, control and deceive, their fake lofty promises to rescue us from ourselves they are wicked my friends and at times we all seem helpless to defend against the criminals that were elected to represent us.    The war is on and it's real. However, as I read a note from a friend the other day he brought up this point, "I know how it ends," he said. "I skipped to the back of the book and we win!"    He was right you know, God tells us evil men will run out all just people.  However in the end my friends, in the end, the righteous will be victorious. We have that promise from GOD! (Jim C) Action Point I have never been one to go along with the crowd. I stand on my own, reason on my own and look at the world around me.    Watch those who go along with the crowd, they want those false idols for one reason only. The reason is so that someone will provide the earthly things they all desire. All those desires will fade and become worthless with time. They live for the moment they live for the greed. They do not really live, they merely exist.    God has made us a better promise and one no man can ever live up to. Sportsmen's Tip of the Day  Hunting takes on a whole new meaning when you involve kids. Deer, duck and pheasant hunting become so much better. Take a kid hunting and give him or her a memory to remember for life. Sportsmen's Devotional Web Site  Sign Up

December 26, 2013    Today's Photograph . . . .  Need To Make Sure Our Hearts Are With Him Today  (Mike T)

Bible Study Verse Luke 5:15 But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience. (NKJV)   Luke 5:18 Therefore take heed how you hear. For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him." (NKJV)    Thoughts Have you ever noticed how important positioning is? For example: If you are going to set up a portable tree stand, it is important to be downwind from the trail over which you are hunting. You have to find the right tree that will give you stability as well as the right location. Mount the stand to the tree at just the right angle for you to shoot over your left or right shoulders.    There are certainly no guarantees in hunting, so even with a good set-up, you have to be prepared to reposition yourself in the stand to get a good shot off. You don't want the "big one" standing in front of you and then discover that you didn't have the right angle. Too much movement to get into the right position to shoot will potentially ruin the hunt. (Dave M) Action Point The Christian life is not always an easy one. I know it seems as though I have to keep on repositioning myself daily for God's service. It's not that I purposely try to put myself in the wrong position. It's just that I live in an imperfect world that bumps into me every day; and if I'm not careful to keep a short account with God, I will soon find myself totally out of position for His service.    We need go to God, to seek Him, every day; and not count on what we've done the previous day or week. God can use us daily; but we need to make sure our hearts are with Him today. Sportsmen's Tip of the Day In order to keep quiet on the stand, use fleece to keep you warm if you are in a colder environment. Fleece allows you to move freely without worrying about the clothing making a noise that might potentially scare animals away. Sportsmen's Devotional Web Site  Sign Up

December 25, 2013    Today's Photograph . . . . Montana Christmas Morning (MQ)

Merry   CHRISTmas !!! Bible Study Verse Luke 2:13-20 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us." And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them. (NKJV) Thoughts (Continued from 12/24/13)   You stand frozen by fear as the massive man, if you can call him that, continues to speak, "For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger," Luke 2:11-12 (NKJV). As the bright white being emphasizes the word "You" he points with his huge hand at each of us. You wince when his eyes and hand stop on you. His hand has got to be as big as an adult sheep. He continues, "Who is Christ the Lord," Luke 2:11b (NKJV). The other guys carefully step back to the fire still shaking in fear. You think to yourself, "I know of the CHRIST as I was taught these lessons as a child." Suddenly it dawns on you, "This monster being is an angel and probably glowing because he just came from GOD's presence!" The mighty angel begins to speak again, "And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe," looking at each of us as he finishes, "Wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger," Luke 2:12(NKJV). The angel stops, closes his eyes, and bows his head in reverence. Everything is still except the crack of the fire and "hoo, hoo" of a nearby owl. You question yourself why in the world is the CHRIST in a manger? He should be in a palace or in the prettiest synagogue. Why is this angel here telling us this message and not to the fancy look-down-on-you Pharisees. The silence breaks your thoughts. Suddenly the valley we were camped in becomes brighter than day. It's almost blinding. There are monster dudes, I mean angels everywhere on the hills, around the fire, throughout the sheep. Got to be thousands and thousands of them. You wonder where did they all come from? You think to yourself no one is going to believe this! You can't see the messaging angel anymore because of all the others in the way and your head comes only to their waists. You weave in and out to see him again and as you do the massive angels ever so gently pat you on the back. Then the message angel opens his eyes, raises his head, and lifts his hands toward the sky. And all at once, all at the same time, these thousands of angels say, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men," Luke 2:14(NKJV). It is so loud you think your ears will burst. You're amazed and not afraid anymore. The informative angel looks at all of you again, nods his head, and disappears right before your eyes. In fact they all do in an instant. Only flickering fire light and silence remain. You find yourself standing near the fire looking at each other shocked. After about a minute of standing around the fire, you say, "Let's go." Action Point During your quiet time and personal Bible study, what has God and the Holy Spirit been directing you to step out in faith and follow His Lead to accomplish for Him in 2014? Please join us in surrounding our persecuted, maybe imprisoned Christian brothers and sisters with your love and your prayers.  He is the Reason for the Season and we are strongest on our knees. Remember imprisoned American citizen, Pastor Saeed and pray for his return to his family. His chair is empty at the Christmas table at his precious family's home. May America turn her heart back to God. May God be patient with America and may she return to the Christian principles she was founded on. "For it is written:  'As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God,' " Romans 14:11 (NKJV). God bless each of you.      Sportsmen's Tip of the Day Portable golf cart heaters are excellent for tree stand heaters.   Sportsmen's Devotional Web Site  Sign Up

December 24, 2013    Today's Photograph . . . . There's No Place Like Home . . . Christmas Eve On The Creek We Love (MQ) Bible Study Verse Luke 2:8-12 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger." (NKJV)   Thoughts Guys this is my personal thoughts on how this event happened. I'm going to tell this amazing story and take the liberty to place you in it . You'll be a shepherd, walk back to the campfire, and sit on your log again. It's a pretty fire tonight. The other guys are talking about where to look for that lost sheep tomorrow. All of a sudden out of nowhere walks up this huge 18 foot glowing muscle man as if he was welcome at your fire. He's huge like an alien you hear stories about. You look at the other guys cause you think you're seeing things and going crazy. The conversation has stopped and everyone is staring at this mighty man. A couple of the guys start to run as this guy looks each of you over. You know your time has come to die as a flick of his finger will crush your skull. You do the only thing you can do and quickly utter a prayer, "God Almighty, we need Your help now!" One of your fleeing coworkers hits the wood pile, falls, and says some words not repeatable. Suddenly the monster begins to speaks, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people," Luke 2:10b (NKJV). Boy are you afraid and still clutching your knife and staff just in case. But you know it won't do much good. (Continued tomorrow). Action Point We have seen this event portrayed in kids plays many times and this amazing event has lost its impact. Why did GOD choose shepherds? They were the lowlifes of that day. The Talmud rejects shepherds and GOD chose them. The message here I believe is that GOD uses regular guys to accomplish HIS will. Guys whose hearts are addicted to HIM. Not the guys that have it all together or at least pretend they do! Sportsmen's Tip of the Day Automobile flares make great fire starters in wet weather. Sportsmen's Devotional Web Site  Sign Up

December 23, 2013    Today's Photograph . . . .  Blessing Others Without Tooting Our Own Horns    (MQ)

Bible Study Verses Matthew 6:1-4 "Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.  But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly." (NKJV)   Thoughts The above tree is a mystery steeped in tradition. For the last 20+ years, Christmas decorations appear at the end of November and disappear in January. To celebrate July 4th, patriotic decorations appear and eventually disappear. Only God and maybe a few highway patrols may have witnessed the decorating elves, but no one knows their identities. Phoenix newspapers have featured the tree and no identities!!! The 20 ft tree is near Cordes Junction nestled in the median of Interstate 17 North of Phoenix. The locals love it's welcomed sight and the quiet reminder of what's important at Christmas and at America's Independence Day. The tree has been endowed with its own watering system which may have been why it has miraculously survived several wildfires in its past. Many believe God has protected this tree. It has been nicknamed "the mystery tree." (Jo Q) Action Point Don't you just love the creativity that God blessed some individuals with. The authors of the mystery tree must have a lot of spirit and loads of creativity! They sure do well at keeping secrets too!!! Don't know them, but respect them!!! The above scripture gives us direction on quietly blessing others without tooting our own horns. Deal is if we avoid man's praise, God will honor and bless us openly in His timing and in His ways! Knowing we blessed someone, knowing we were Jesus to another, knowing we denied ourselves, knowing no one else knows, and knowing God approves should be enough.  Sportsmen's Tip of the Day Portable solar outdoor lights ranging from $5 to $10 can be a ready substitute flashlight in a pinch or around your camp. You just have to  remember to put them back so they stay charged and you can find it when you pack up your camp. Sportsmen's Devotional Web Site  Sign Up

December 22, 2013    Today's Photograph . . . . Guaranteed It Will Keep You On The Trail  (MQ) Bible Study Verse Joshua 4:21-24  He said to the Israelites, "In the future when your descendants ask their parents, 'What do these stones mean?' Tell them, 'Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.' For the Lord your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over. The Lord your God did to the Jordan what he had done to the Red Sea when He dried it up before us until we had crossed over. He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God." (NIV)   Thoughts My wife's passions are her horses and trail riding. In the past 38 years we have ridden many back country trails and followed cairns, small piles of rock set to mark the trail. Today the Forest Service uses small blue diamonds tacked to trees along the trail.    The older method of marking with stones is still used, especially on unmapped trails or the older less traveled trails. Recently I found cairns over two feet high, stacked by an energetic soul. They still all serve the same purpose, the way.  (Byron S) Action Point Rock pillars or cairns date back to Moses' crossing the Red Sea during the Exodus. Rock pillars, thought to be set up by King Solomon, mark the crossing site. They represent what God did for His people.    Another analogy that I thought of is stones of remembrance are to point and show us the way. I have discovered is that every page of the Bible, both Old and New Testaments, point to Jesus Christ, The Way. Genesis 5 holds the prophetic stones that reflect genealogy from Adam to Noah which spell out the Gospel: Adam=Man Seth=Appointed Enosh=Mortal Cainan=Sorrow  Mahalalel=The Blessed God Jared=Shall Come Down Enoch=Teaching Methuselah=His Death Shall Bring Lamech=The Despairing Noah=Comfort In sentence form it reads "Man (has) Appointed Mortal Sorrow; (but) The Blessed God Shall come down Teaching, (and) His death shall bring The Despairing comfort." Take time to read and study your Bible. You will be amazed at the stones of membrance that you will find. I guarantee it will keep you on the trail. Sportsmen's Tip of the Day Some back country trails wash out over the years making it hard to find the way. Invest in a good map and compass or GPS and more importantly, know how to use them. Sportsmen's Devotional Web Site  Sign Up

December 21, 2013    Today's Photograph . . . . How Awesome It Is To Know That He Is There For Us 24/7 With Strength Beyond Our Wildest Dreams   (FWS)

Bible Study Verse Revelation 20:2  He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. (NKJV)   Thoughts Yesterday, a friend played a joke on me with a rubber rattlesnake, bringing back a flood of memories from years past . . .  My son, 13 at the time, was with me on a quail hunting trip. We were camped out in a remote area with friends. It was my son's first time out carrying a shotgun, my old HR 20-gauge single-shot.    We had walked out of camp to hunt a nearby wash where we had heard quail calling. We hadn't gone far when I heard "SNAKE"! As I looked over toward my son, I saw him bringing his rifle up from the hip, and at the same time saw a huge rattler raise its head like a cobra ready to strike.    The 20-gauge sounded its report and the snake's head was gone. That night, we ate snake for dinner; and today, the snake's skin adorns a rifle sling. After this experience was over, I am not sure who was more relieved, my son or myself. What I am glad for is the snake's demise and the protection my son received.  (Byron S) Action Point That snake experience was scary for my son and me. We both cried when it was all over. There is a snake (serpent) that stalks each of us today. He knows our weak, unprotected selves, and works to strike when our guard is down.    By reading the whole story in our Bible, we find that Jesus has already defeated this "serpent" on the Cross, will soon have that serpent thrown into the pit for a thousand years, and later thrown into the lake of fire.    Our 20-gauge is our ability to call on Jesus for protection and help when we find ourselves under attack. If we ask, He has promised us that HE will help us overcome Satan and change our lives. How awesome it is to know that He is there for us 24/7 with strength beyond our wildest dreams.    Don't rely on your own strength. Read the whole story and see for yourself how it ends; then, claimHIS PROMISES.    Sportsmen's Tip of the Day When hunting in snake habitat, high-top boots or snake guards can be a good protection against getting bitten. Study up on your first aid for snake bite treatment; know the proper care for a bite. Rattlesnake bites can not only be severe, they can be deadly. Sportsmen's Devotional Web Site  Sign Up

December 20, 2013    Today's Photograph . . . . No Mere Human Can Ever Do Enough Or Practice Enough To Hit That Mark  (MQ)

Bible Study Verses Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (NIV)   Romans 6:23   For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NIV)    Thoughts Practice! Practice! Practice! Practice makes perfect. Or more accurately said, "Proper practice makes perfect." If we practice with the wrong equipment or with the wrong mechanics, then our practice will only decrease our proficiency.    Archery is a fast growing sport and is being embraced by more and more hunters. Additional skills and disciplines are required of the archery hunter. Two are: To wait on the proper shot that will ensure a humane kill.  To practice before the season so you are ready, confident, and proficient when the shot presents.  (Jack M) Action Point Archery gives us a perfect picture to understand sin. Sin is missing God's bulls eye of holiness. God's bulls eye is absolute holiness, complete perfection. No mere human can ever do enough or practice enough to hit that mark.    But there is a Champion who has hit that mark. His name is Jesus. He completed every requirement that God had established. He fulfilled the whole law of God, hitting the mark dead center! He did it perfectly. He died on the Cross to pay the sin penalty of death for all humans.    That payment is available to all who will by faith receive Him and His work for their own sin. His resurrection proves that God accepted His work upon the cross. He paid the price so every person might be saved or forgiven of their sin. Have you by faith accepted this gift of forgiveness and eternal life? If not, right now put your faith in Jesus Christ. Believe and be saved! Sportsmen's Tip of the Day Make sure your bow is sighted in properly. Carrying it in a hard shell case can protect the sights. After travel, it is always advised to confirm the accuracy of your bow before hunting. Trips in vehicles, poor handlers, and bumps in the road can knock the best sight out of adjustment.  Sportsmen's Devotional Web Site  Sign Up

December 19, 2013    Today's Photograph . . . . But, God's Ways Are Not Our Ways  (MQ)

Bible Study Verses I Corinthians 3:5-8  What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe-as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. (NIV)   Thoughts It was a new stand. We had just stood it up on the pipeline the previous day; yet, there I sat, wondering if it would be a good spot. An hour later, I was admiring a small buck that I had just taken.    On the way back to get the four-wheeler, I saw a huge scrape that I had not seen before then. It was fresh, and its size told me that a good-sized buck had been tending it. I was leaving for the weekend, so I told my Dad about the scrape and urged him to go sit in that stand.    In the rain the next morning, he shot a huge nine-point. Sometimes you just have to set someone else up to succeed in order to accomplish a common goal. In our case, it was fresh deer tenderloin and a mount to go in the game room.    His reward was a filled tag. My reward was having helped him to succeed.  (Brian H) Action Point Our society puts too much emphasis on having the spotlight firmly on ourselves. But, God's ways are not like our ways.    In the passage above, Paul and Apollos were working hand-in-hand for a common goal - to see people come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Sometimes Paul would preach and then Apollos would go talk to the people one-on-one, and they would be saved. Basically, Paul says, "I don't care who gets to lead them to the Lord as long as they get saved!"    Sometimes we're called to plant a seed. Sometimes we're called to water it. Other times, we get to harvest. But don't forget that we do exactly what God calls us to do. Nobody harvests unless God makes our efforts grow. The spotlight is not on us. We're in the shadows. The spotlight is right where it belongs - on our great and glorious God! Sportsmen's Tip of the Day Keep your eyes open for unusual forage no matter what you're hunting. Sometimes you might think that game would be hitting one food source hard only to find that they're interested in something else. Scout hard and don't overlook lesser food sources.     Sportsmen's Devotional Web Site  Sign Up

December 18, 2013    Today's Photograph . . . . Something New Is Always Exciting  (MQ)

Bible Study Verse Isaiah 43:19 Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. (NKJV)   Thoughts She was standing in the fence line for several minutes, which felt like an eternity, only allowing me to see her head. Her precaution led me to believe she was a mature doe. As she eased into the field, I knew this was the deer I was to take. Her body was sleek and fat. Her belly hung low and she was wary, not like the other deer in the field.    I eased my new muzzleloader onto the hay bale I hid behind, found her in my scope, pulled the hammer back and exhaled just a little. I squeezed the trigger and BOOM!!    Where'd she go? Matter of fact, where'd the field go? I was initiated into the world of muzzleloader hunting that afternoon. When the smoke cleared the doe lay right where I shot her.  (Dennis W) Action Point I chose to attempt something new, but the Bible says that God is always doing something new. He wants to do something new in your life. He wants to make a way through the wilderness of your sin and give refreshing water to the dryness of your life.    Something new is always exciting. If you haven't experienced the always-refreshing newness of Christ, invite him into your life. Sportsmen's Tip of the Day The foulest weather is sometimes the best time to be in the woods. Keep your powder dry in your muzzleloader by cutting a finger from a rubber glove and stretching it over the end of the barrel.  Sportsmen's Devotional Web Site  Sign Up

December 17, 2013    Today's Photograph . . . . Don't Let Them See You  (MQ)

Bible Study Verses James 4:2-3 You want things, but you do not have them. So you are ready to kill and are jealous of other people, but you still cannot get what you want. So you argue and fight. You do not get what you want, because you do not ask God. Or when you ask, you do not receive because the reason you ask is wrong. You want things so you can use them for your own pleasures. (NCV)   Thoughts "God, I ask you to bless me to harvest an animal today. Give me clear senses to make wise choices and cause the ability you gave me to make the arrow fly true." The deer came in like a ghost. I never heard even the faintest footfall. She was healthy and strong. Very aware of her surroundings, she kept a watchful eye on every tree branch and leaf that moved. She led what seemed to be a herd down the worn path toward the fence crossing. When she stopped, all the other deer started to feed on the acorns on the ground. She was the matriarch--on guard and continuously snapping her head up and sniffing the air.    I waited for her to be quartering away and head down, feeding, before I slowly drew my arrow and string backward. My drop away rest ticked as it set itself in the upright position and her head snapped to attention. She looked at the base of my tree searching for the unfamiliar sound. I locked my sight pin on a hair on her side and pulled through my release. "Thank you, God, for this moment in the field, for the hunt I experienced and for the animal you have given me. I am grateful for just being in the woods, but today, you have truly blessed me; and I give You the glory for the harvest."  (Dennis W) Action Point Start now to pray with your spouse, children, or hunting partners before and after a hunt. God wants us to pray whether or not we get a harvest. Sportsmen's Tip of the Day Deer are wary creatures, always looking for danger. Hunting from a tree stand in the eastern US, means hunting as high as possible, or being concealed in a blind. Don't let them see you. Sportsmen's Devotional Web Site  Sign Up

December 16, 2013    Today's Photograph . . . . Believing Is Trusting  (Randy E)

Bible Study Verse Matthew 6:26 Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? (NASB)   Thoughts Jesus' point here is not that we stop sowing, reaping, and gathering. This would be the laziness of a fool. His point is that we stop worrying about it and trust God for His provision.    God's provision through His creation is one of the ways He makes Himself known to all people. Read Psalm 19 and Romans 1:20.   As Christians, trusting God for His provision grows our faith, and also makes Him known. It is part of our witness to a lost and dying world. (Randy E) Action Point For the Christ Follower, this is a matter of belief and trust. In other words, believing is trusting.    Our spiritual growth essentially boils down to how we answer one question the Lord will ask us again and again as we walk through His world, "Will you trust Me?" A "Yes!" answer makes all the difference! Sportsmen's Tip of the Day God's provision is a guarantee; but we often have to work to see the reality. Hard work still pays dividends. Even in hunting and fishing as in any sport, great reward is usually the result of great effort. Time for good preparation may be the wisest investment of all!  Sportsmen's Devotional Web Site  Sign Up