Men of the Outdoors

This Devotion was written by Sportsmen Devotional and posted with permission Bible Study Verse: Psalm 24:1-2 The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for He founded it on the seas and established it on the waters. (NIV) Thoughts: While fishing off an arm of the Pigeon River in southeastern Manitoba, Canada, I came upon a massive beaver dam. I had to wonder - what purpose do all those logs and sticks serve besides a house for that beaver? I came to realize that, as always, God has a plan for everything, even sticks. The dam serves not only as shelter for the beaver; but because it retains the water on one side, water lilies and plants grow on the other. Moose come to dams to feed off those plants. Bears know to check the dams in the Spring for beavers that did not make it through the harsh winters. Life goes on, just as God established it. Action Point: When encountering something in nature that makes no sense to you, stop and try to see it from...

This Devotion was written by Sportsmen Devotional and posted with permission Bible Study Verse: Matthew 11:28  Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (NIV)  Thoughts: It was mid-September, and a buddy and I were floating skein (salmon eggs that are still attached to the membrane) under bobbers for king salmon at a river mouth outlet on Lake Michigan. We had landed a few smaller ones, but were trying for something bigger. My buddy’s float suddenly shot under the water and he set the hook - it was a good fish! It started ripping out line, the drag screaming! He was trying everything he could to turn that fish, but it was heading back to Lake Michigan! With the line on his spool rapidly decreasing, he took off down the river bank, essentially chasing after the fish. He did end up landing that fish, a really nice king salmon. But not without almost getting spooled! Have you ever felt like your life was almost spooled? Things constantly coming at ...

                    MOTO 2026 Sporting Clay Event Highlights   Our day was off to a good start with some nice weather and very few misquotes. We started by greeting each other and a light centennial breakfast. Our devotional thought for the event was based on Colossians 4:2 . The point of our devotion was the importance of prayer in our lives. Each participant received a Steve Chapman book “The Hunt for Faith – Finding God in the Great Outdoors” After some safety guidelines it was off to the course. The course wasn’t crowded and we were able to move along at a nice pace. The group was above the 50% when it came to hitting clay pigeons. After everyone completed the course and the dust settled, we were back at the club house for a very nice lunch prepared by J&H. After lunch a number of door prizes were given out and we had a little time for fellowship before everyone headed for home. As in prior year’s event, we had a nu...

This Devotion was written by Sportsmen Devotional and posted with permission Bible Study Verse: 2 Timothy 1:6-7   6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. (NIV©) Thoughts: I am at a stage in my outdoors and shooting “career” that would best be described as being a mentor. Much of my time is spent instructing individuals on the safe and proper use of a firearm. I especially like to work with youngsters or new shooters. It’s always fun to watch someone that is a little timid or hesitant to fire the first round from a .22 rifle or pistol and to see both a smile and a look of amazement in their eyes that they did it! A few of times I’ve had youngsters or newbies freeze up and refuse to shoot a .22 rifle because they are afraid, primarily of recoil (I wonder where they got that idea…). In every case I was able...

This Devotion was written by Sportsmen Devotional and posted with permission Bible Study Verse: Deuteronomy 30:19-20   “This day I call the heavens and the earth as witness against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” (NIV) Thoughts: I remember thinking the good life was being a great hunter with trophies to show or having the latest rifle chambered in the best cartridge. After achieving these things, I see they don’t make my life any better. Are you wondering what the good life is? Do you feel that the promises of this world don’t last? Has anyone shared what the real good life is? Action Point: In John 1:4 we read “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind....

This Devotion was written by Sportsmen Devotional and posted with permission Bible Study Verse: Ephesians 6:1-4 -- Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— 3 “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”[a] 4 Fathers,[b] do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. (NIV©)   Thoughts: I have this dog, a really big labrador retriever. He’s going on five years old this fall and lately I’ve noticed him going through what I call his teenage years. He’s a prankster and will often retrieve his ball only to throw it on the ground right in front of me rather than put it in my hand. Sometimes he’ll do these two or three times before handing me the ball (it’s actually kind of funny to see). But he also knows I won’t throw the ball again until he brings it to me and literally places it in my hand. My respo...