Men of the Outdoors

This Devotion was written by Sportsmen Devotional and posted with permission Bible Study Verse: Psalm 16:11 You make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever. (NASB)  Thoughts: When I was about 13, I witnessed one of the most amazing sights a duck hunter can see. It was preseason and I was scouting public land when I walked up on a small pond isolated by acres of wooded and rugged terrain. I was within 20 yards from a small pond when I stepped on a branch that crunched. I looked toward the direction of the pond to see hundreds of mallards collectively flying off. My plan was to hunt this small pond the during the upcoming season. When duck season opened, I was disappointed to learn that because of pressure from other duck hunters in the area, this was no longer a place where the mallards would call home. In fact, it was desolate every time I hunted it.  Action Point: In life, we face many disappointments. I hav

This Devotion was written by Sportsmen Devotional and posted with permission Bible Study Verse : Proverbs 12:27 The lazy man does not roast his game, but the diligent man prizes his possessions. (NIV)  Thoughts: The big ten-point stepped quietly out of the woods and began to walk slowly down the field-line. With great caution, he tested the wind and kept his head moving as he watched the open field carefully. Finally, he was broadside, a muzzleloader sounded off, and my brother had his biggest buck to date.  Action Point: That big buck encounter didn't just happen. You see, I've left out some details in that story. I left out the hours we spent scouting and glassing that field. I didn't tell you about the time spent setting up a stand, clearing shooting lanes, trimming limbs, and figuring out prevailing wind directions. I didn't mention that we worked to figure out how to walk in to that stand so that we would remain undetected. The moral of this story is that it took

  This Devotion was written by Sportsmen Devotional and posted with permission Bible Study Verse : Luke 22:31-32 "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." NIV. Psalms 51:9-10 Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. NIV.  Thoughts: More often than not, I learn the hard way. I have made many mistakes when it comes to hunting, especially whitetails. There are certain enclosed blinds on food plots that I love to sit for evening hunts. I used not to study the wind direction or weather forecasts for the timeframe of planned hunts. I can’t tell you how often my scent has meandered in the wrong direction. When my scent enters a bedding area, I will not see a deer, and deer will spook when it drifts across feeding areas. Even when the wind was right for th

This Devotion was written by Sportsmen Devotional and posted with permission Bible Study Verse: Psalms 145:1-3 A psalm of praise. Of David. 1 I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. 2 Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever. 3 Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. NIV  Thoughts: I love late afternoon whitetail hunts. I like to sit in a specific stunning hardwood area. Even if I do not get a deer, I am happy with everything that usually takes place. I watch the squirrels scurry about collecting acorns and prepping for approaching cold weather. I occasionally see hawks gliding high overhead and hear owls beckoning for nightfall. At dusk, there are always dozens of wood ducks darting in the timber to roost. As darkness falls when it’s clear and crisp, the Milky Way decorates the sparkly night sky, and if the moon is near full—wow, how awesome it is. I am genuinely thankful to the Crea

This Devotion was written by Sportsmen Devotional and posted with permission Bible Study Verse: 1 Corinthians 15:33 NIV “Do not be misled; Bad company corrupts good character.”  Thoughts: In my many decades of outdoor experiences, I have met numerous people who were just not enjoyable to be around. They had a way of making the whole experience anything but fun. When it’s your job though, to guide people like that, you don’t have any other options. You suck it up, do your job, be of good cheer, and try to make a positive impression on them.  Action Point: Now that I’m no longer guiding people, I get to choose who I go with, and when, and where. The above verse is so true. “Bad company corrupts good character.” We need to be very careful about who we go on outdoor experiences with. Make sure you know you can trust them in a dangerous situation, like in a blizzard, a severe rain storm, or if someone is critically injured, etc. The same goes for our every-day life. Be careful who you cho

  This Devotion was written by Sportsmen Devotional and posted with permission Bible Study Verse: 1 Peter 5:8 NIV Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  Thoughts: In late summer, coyote pups come to a call without much hesitation. It is a great time to manage your land from predation. The young pups have not been educated by hunters using calls. They learn the drill quickly. I’d guess you would put two and two together quickly as well if each time you heard a call a gunshot followed.  Action Point: Mature Christians we need to educate the young Christians of the wiles of the enemy. Help them understand that stepping into our walk with Christ doesn’t mean everything is easy now. It’s quite the opposite, the enemy is going to put up a fight. Young Christians seek guidance. Find a mentor that will help you find the Holy call for your life not the one of the enemy. Don’t try to walk this journey alone. Lone coyo

This Devotion was written by Sportsmen Devotional and posted with permission Bible Study Verse: 1 Peter 5:8 NIV Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  Thoughts: In late summer, coyote pups come to a call without much hesitation. It is a great time to manage your land from predation. The young pups have not been educated by hunters using calls. They learn the drill quickly. I’d guess you would put two and two together quickly as well if each time you heard a call a gunshot followed.  Action Point: Mature Christians we need to educate the young Christians of the wiles of the enemy. Help them understand that stepping into our walk with Christ doesn’t mean everything is easy now. It’s quite the opposite, the enemy is going to put up a fight. Young Christians seek guidance. Find a mentor that will help you find the Holy call for your life not the one of the enemy. Don’t try to walk this journey alone. Lone coyote

This Devotion was written by Sportsmen Devotional and posted with permission Bible Study Verse : Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.    1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.  Isaiah 40:29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. NIV  Thoughts; Go ahead and do it—no one will ever know; have you ever whispered this to yourself? Let’s face it; sportsmen face temptations: slip to the pond that no one fishes, cross the property line and go to a gobbling tom, take a shot at a buck just after legal shooting time, or ride an ATV across posted land. The temptations are numerous, and you have probably faced many in the outdoors. How have you handled these temptations? When I have met the lure of similar things, I’ve often wondered if anyone else knows what it’s like

This Devotion was written by Sportsmen Devotional and posted with permission Bible Study Verse: 2 Timothy 4:7 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” NIV  Thoughts: Have you ever been on an outdoor quest and you just hit a wall and feel you cannot go any farther. Your legs hurt, your head hurts, your entire body is in pain. But you have to get over the next ridge for that is where your quarry resides. So, you push on, you’re not sure why, but to give up is not an option. You get to your destination and are rewarded with success. How exhilarating it feels. You forget about the pain and hurts and are excited you pushed your way through.  Action Point: As all good athletes will tell you, when you hit that wall, you need to push through it. Their coach encourages them. Your hunting partner encourages you through that physical challenge. Our spiritual life is no different. There are many times when we feel like we’ve hit a wall. We just seem like w

This Devotion was written by Sportsmen Devotional and posted with permission Bible Study Verse: Acts 17:21 (All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.) (NIV©)  Thoughts: Hunters are always discussing the latest sure-fire ways of how to pursue animals, the perfect rifle or shotgun, and the absolute perfect tactics for a successful hunt. News flash, none of the above exist! What the successful hunter does is learn from the past and what has worked for him/her and what has not. The successful hunter depends on his time-tested strategies. What has worked for someone else doesn’t always pertain to your hunt (e.g., terrain, climate, food and water sources). And, what made the other guy successful might have been just dumb luck! By the way, I’ve often stated that I would far rather be lucky than good!  Action Point: Our world today is fixated largely on society’s “latest ideas,” also known as secu

This Devotion was written by Sportsmen Devotional and posted with permission Bible Study Verse: Acts 13:22 “After removing Saul, He made David their king. He testified concerning him: I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart: he will do everything I want him to do.” NIV  Thoughts: It was early morning in the cold, dark mountains of Wyoming. I was on my horse, trotting along down a secluded trail. I was on a mission. I had a specific place in mind to look for elk. As we walked, a beaver splashed in the water nearby, and the horse jumped 3 feet to his left. This particular horse was afraid of its own shadow in the dark. The thought made me smile. The above verse came to mind as I continued riding and contemplating life.  Action Point: When you look at the life of David in Scripture, you’ll see that he was a man’s man. He was a hunter, warrior, and a respected leader, but he was unfaithful to his wife and had a man killed. Even still, every time he did something again

This Devotion was written by Sportsmen Devotional and posted with permission Bible Study Verse   Proverbs 27:1 Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. NIV. Jeremiah 9:23-24 This is what the LORD says: "Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the LORD. NIV.  Thoughts: Have you ever eaten crow? I have, and it doesn’t taste good. Now, for anyone who doesn’t know, I am not talking about eating crow literally. Eating crow is an idiom that means humiliation by being proven wrong after a strong stance or boastful words. I can specifically remember eating crow after the third day of turkey season when I was 18 years old. Before the season opened, I had patterned my shotgun, purchase

  This Devotion was written by Sportsmen Devotional and posted with permission Bible Study Verse: Matthew 17:27  "But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours." (NIV)  Thoughts: Can you imagine Jesus speaking to you, asking you to go fish, and assuring you that He would put a fish on your line to pay your taxes? He did this for Peter! He does this for me! I'm one of the fortunate ones whom He has "called" to fish for a living; so I am one who must trust Him with each cast I make. This is only possible because of: • Knowing that He is the Provider of all my needs. • Learning to trust Him with the unseen underwater world. • Believing that He will make the bass' mouth open to provide for my family (and for taxes).  Action Point: Have you learned to trust in Jesus? "Rejoice in the Lord, ALWA

This Devotion was written by Sportsmen Devotional and posted with permission Bible Study Verse: MT 12:38-40, HCSB Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Him, Rabbi, we want to see a sign from you. But He answered them, An evil and adulterous generation demands a sign. But, no sign shall be given unto it, except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish three days and three nights, even so the Son of Man shall be in the heart of the Earth three days and three nights.  Thoughts: The two Northern Pike in the picture above reminded me of JONAH 1:17--Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah. [NKJV] Dad and I were fishing in W PA on a lake that was loaded with Northern. The legal-size limit was minimum 36". We were catching many in the 18-24" range, but no keepers until Dad hooked and I netted this 39.5" monster [above]. Once the catch was safely on shore, we opened his mouth to remove the hook, and discovered that

  This Devotion was written by Sportsmen Devotional and posted with permission Bible Study Verse: Proverbs 27:17  As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. (NIV)  Thoughts: What a great spot my son and I found - a natural salt lick the deer were digging into. They would visit this spot daily and it was obvious that there were decent bucks around. We set up a ground blind within 30 yards from the lick. We could see any deer that approached the lick from three directions. Wouldn't you know it - I looked over my son's shoulder only to see three does standing less than 10 yards away. They came in unexpectedly and silently from the fourth direction. They didn't stay long enough to get a shot, video or pictures, but what a memory of being so close.  Action Point: Years ago, the advent of the pop-up-ground blind has changed the way I look at things. I have enjoyed the best times setting in a ground blind with my sons. There we talk, at a whisper, laugh, think, and

This Devotion was written by Sportsmen Devotional and posted with permission Bible Study Verse: Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. (NIV) Thoughts: Years ago, I was venturing out on a fishing trip into Canada onto a lake where some of my family had already fished in previous years. In discussing with them what my options were going to be on this remote fishing trip, my brother-in-law offered me a map of the main lake where I was going to be fishing. On this map, he had marked out what fish were located where. As I looked at the map, I recognized I was inheriting knowledge from him of years of fishing on this lake. I was going to benefit from years of his trials and errors. I wasn't going to walk in blind to this lake and have to fend for myself in trying to figure things out. I knew where the small mouth bass were, the pike, and the walleye. It was all laid out for me in the map color coded with notes and lure suggestions to boot. I was set up for su

This Devotion was written by Sportsmen Devotional and posted with permission Bible Study Verse: Isaiah 66:1-2b "Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be? Has not My hand made all these things, and so they came into being?" declares the Lord. (NIV)  Thoughts: As outdoors man, it is easy for us to see God every time we are in His outdoors. The rising and setting of the sun, a look back from a big buck, the flight of a pheasant, ducks as they commit to our spread and so on. The thrill of the hunt, the fish we pursue, and all that is the outdoors are true blessings from God. Think about this, the end result of all of those pursuits is food for our bodies. Thanking God for all of that, is food for our souls!  Action Point: Those are some very powerful and direct words from God. As imperfect as I am and with all my faults, (to many to list here!), God has built me and loves me. He did not build i

This Devotion was written by Sportsmen Devotional and posted with permission Bible Study Verse; Deuteronomy 17:18-20 -- 18  When he takes the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law, taken from that of the Levitical priests. 19 It is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the Lord his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees 20 and not consider himself better than his fellow Israelites and turn from the law to the right or to the left. Then he and his descendants will reign a long time over his kingdom in Israel. (NIV©)  Thoughts: My home State of Arizona has four booklets that are published annually that contain hunting and fishing statutes, regulations, bag limits, season dates, and hunt application information for the various big game species that the Arizona Game & Fish Department is responsible for managing. There are supplemental brochures that have add

  This Devotion was written by Sportsmen Devotional and posted with permission Bible Study Verse; Ecclesiastes 4:12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. (NIV)  Thoughts: Have you ever been on a hunting trip with friends? I think most of us have, or a fishing trip. Nothing better, and I speak from experience. As I get older, I hunt alone more than I’d like and although have had some luck. I do miss the comradery of a good group of hunting friends. There are times it’s a necessity, especially if you decide to hunt out west. There is a lot of ground to cover out there, and always something that can “get you,” so it’s good to have friends watching your back.  Action Point: The verse above is a popular one amongst sportspeople. But it really makes a lot of sense when you harvest a large game animal. The bigger the quarry, the more help you’ll need. I think the guidance from Solomon in this verse says it all and works the

This Devotion was written by Sportsmen Devotional and posted with permission Bible Study Verse : Genesis 39:6-12 So, Potiphar left everything he had in Joseph's care; with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate. Now Joseph was well-built and handsome, and after a while his master's wife took notice of Joseph and said, "Come to bed with me!" But he refused. "With me in charge," he told her, "my master does not concern himself with anything in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to my care. No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?" And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her. One day he went into the house to attend to his duties, and none of the household servants was inside. She caught him by his cloak a