Men of the Outdoors

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...

  This Devotion was written by Sportsmen Devotional and posted with permission Bible Study Verse: Romans 3:23  For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard. (NLT) Thoughts:  Boom! Click, Click, Click, Click. Reload, Boom! Click, Click. Reload, Boom! Click, Click. I have been sighting in my new muzzleloader this week. These actions have been repeated several times as I try to get things in line. Things don't fly perfectly. When I first started this process, I was at 50yd and couldn't hit the side of a 24in square box. My scope wasn't seated well. Then, I had to restart the process over again. Finally, I brought the gun to zero, with good groups; but it took some time. Action Point: I also miss God's Mark. My life is one of being a sinner. "For everyone has sinned. . . "I need Him to straighten up my sights and keep after me until I shoot straight. I still may mess up, but the next verse is really the most important: Yet Go...

This Devotion was written by Sportsmen Devotional and posted with permission Bible Study Verse: Mark 4: 26-28 He also said, "This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain-first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. (NIV)  Thoughts: I have never been much of a farmer, but nevertheless, I really relate to this scripture. When I stock fingerling fish, such as trout or bass, in a small stock dam or mountain pond, and return to that water sometime later, I am always amazed when I cast in a spinner and pull out a 12-to-14in fish. I know it's supposed to work that way, but I'm amazed every time just the same.  Action Point: Whether you're scattering seeds or scattering fish, when the conditions are right, they are going to grow. It is the same for God's Word. I think of the seeds of ...