Weekly Devotion June 8 2026

This Devotion was written by Sportsmen Devotional and posted with permission

Bible Study Verse: Hebrews 10:24-25  24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching. NIV.

Thoughts: I’ve worked to improve my turkey calling over the years. I’ve practiced with mouth yelpers and various friction calls, trying to imitate a hen turkey and perfect the sounds I can produce. Most of the time, my calls sound good to me. I’ve often asked others to listen and critique my calling. When my wife or grandsons listened, they always told me how good my clucks, yelps, cuts, and purrs sounded, and that it sounded just like a wild hen turkey. When I asked a few friends who are better hunters and callers than I am, I received honest feedback. It wasn’t always what I wanted to hear and might have hurt my turkey-calling pride a little, but it was the constructive criticism I needed to get better. I found that the well-trained ear of a fellow turkey hunter is better for improving than that of a nonhunter or novice.

Action Point: I’ve tried to walk closer to the Lord over the past few years as I've grown older, and I recognize the importance of spending every moment on what truly matters. I dedicate the first moments of each day—before my first cup of coffee, before I pick up my phone, before I watch any TV and fill my mind with worldly concerns—to scripture reading and prayer. This practice has brought me closer to the Lord, but I’ve recently realized I also need to be among other Christian men. I’ve become more involved in church; I attend a men’s Sunday school class every week and participate in early-morning men’s Bible studies when I can. I’ve discovered that being around Christian men, sharing thoughts and conversations, is far more helpful to me than engaging in small talk with men focused on worldly issues. I can’t tell you exactly what to do, but I can share what has helped me: seek the Lord’s guidance in everything you do.

Sportsman’s Tip of the Day: If you don't have anyone to critique your turkey calling, duck calls, deer grunts, or any other wild game calls, try recording yourself. I have a small digital voice recorder that I've used over the years to interview hunters and record conversations; I use it to check the sounds of my calls. A smartphone works just as well. You'll be surprised how your calls sound when you listen to them recorded compared to how they sound as you're calling. This is a great way to evaluate yourself