Men of the Outdoors

This Devotion was written by Sportsmen Devotional and posted with permission. Bible Study Verse: Colossians 4:2   Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving. (NASB) Thoughts: How many things do we actually devote ourselves to? We have many interests, but we are not devoted to most of them. However, I do not know an outdoorsman who is not devoted to his/her outdoor interest - be it hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, four-wheeling, etc. Devotion to an outdoor activity is, after all, what makes one an outdoorsman in the first place. And, there is nothing wrong with being devoted, even passionately, to it, as long as it does not take precedence over more important areas of devotion . . . like prayer.  Action Point: Prayer is key in our relationship with the Lord. It accentuates our devotion to Him and His purposes. It keeps our minds alert to His leading and direction. It gives us greater awareness of His presence and His care for us. F...

This Devotion was written by Sportsmen Devotional and posted with permission Bible Study Verse: Psalm 119:105  “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (NASB) Thoughts: There’s something satisfying about unfolding a good topographical map. All the squiggly lines, contour marks, water crossings, and elevation changes tell a story — but only if you know how to read it. If you understand maps, you can find saddles, ridges, pinch points, and bottlenecks where deer travel. And if you combine that map with a compass, suddenly you’re not guessing — you’re navigating with confidence.  But maps only help if you take the time to study it. If you ignore the contour lines or forget to check your bearings, you’ll wander right past your waypoint. Action Point: Just like in life, God doesn’t leave us without direction — He’s given us His Word as the ultimate topographical map, full of details that reveal the safest path, the hidden dangers, and the best way forward. Still, w...

This Devotion was written by Sportsmen Devotional and posted with permission Bible Study Verse: 1 Timothy 4:12b NIV “but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”  Titus 2:7a NIV “in everything set them an example by doing good.” Thoughts: This fall I had the wonderful opportunity to take a dear friend quail hunting in Georgia. He is 73 years young, has cancer, and has never hunted anything in his entire life. He started shooting sporting clays with a shotgun, for the first time in his life, about a year ago. He has gotten very good at the game. On the hunt he was like a kid in a candy store. He was amazed at how the dogs worked at pointing and at how quickly the quail could fly. He started out slow but, after the first flush of birds, he got the hang of it and started hitting quail. He did really well and had a lot of fun. The day made for some really great memories for both of us. Action Point: While hunting, we had a great opportu...

  This Devotion was written by Sportsmen Devotional and posted with permission Bible Study Verse: Matthew 25:13  "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming." (NKJV) Thoughts: In just a few weeks, late hunting season opens. I am already seeing seasoned hunters out, watching their favorite spots and probably wondering, "Is the game still there this year?" Watching is an important part of the hunt if we want to find a trophy. Jesus tells us to watch for His return--be mindful of His return and be ready! He is our Trophy!!! Action Point: Watching is not passive; it involves our interaction with the Word of God. We need to understand the times in which we live by keeping ourselves immersed in God's Word, the Bible. Use your knowledge to encourage your family and friends to also be watching for His return. Sportsmen's Tip of the Day: In hilly/mountainous states, consider sitting on a high overlook, glassing wit...

This Devotion was written by Sportsmen Devotional and posted with permission Bible Study Verse: John 11:3-6 Therefore the sisters sent to Him, saying, "Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick." When Jesus heard that, He said, "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it." Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was. (NKJV)  Thoughts: Have you ever had a big outdoor adventure all planned out and just about the time you were ready to get it started, something happened that caused the trip to be delayed? Sometimes, God causes delays in our lives for a purpose. Maybe, you've been too selfish with your outdoor time and God knows that you need to spend more time with your wife and kids or maybe God is protecting you from an unseen danger. Whatever the reason, know that God has a purpose and a plan for your delay.  A...

This Devotion was written by Sportsmen Devotional and posted with permission Bible Study Verse: Proverbs 4:6 - 7    6 Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. 7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Thoughts: If you are a hunter, you must love tracking. It's one of the tools of our trade as a guide. We follow tracks and sign to find game and follow blood trails to find down game. We diligently look for clues to increase our odds of success. When there's no snow, we've gotten down on our hands and knees to find a speck of blood or decipher right direction. God has left us many sign posts along the way of life, many warning signals. His Holy Spirit within us even prompts, convicts, encourages and guides. We have more experienced mentors all around us to help us. Action Point: I was on a gravel road near Laramie Peak, Wyoming, with Rex Peterson, a world-class lion and bear gu...