Thoughts
Have you ever been on a tough hike or some grueling outing with a pack that's too heavy in terrain that's too steep and rough? You catch yourself and your companions stumbling and fumbling along and you get discouraged and want to quit. Or, you keep thinking that there has to be a better route to make it to the top, and you need to find it in order to go on. You find that you and your buddies have to continually help each other or you won't make it to your destination. You offer a hand up a bad spot, or maybe it's a word of encouragement when the other guy is ready to quit and give up. Maybe he's telling you that you have what it takes to get to the top of the mountain, even though you don't think you can make it. Maybe you point out a better route around a really bad spot.

It seems to me that this is what Job did for those around him. He gave instructions, he helped strengthen others, supported them, and somehow gave strength to those around him who were too physically exhausted to go on. What I see in Job is that he was an encourager. When things got tough, he somehow motivated the other guy to keep going, to accomplish the goal. In Job 1:3, Job is described as "the greatest man among all the people of the East". This statement had much to do with his possessions, but I believe that it also had a lot to do with his character and his treatment of those around him. (CS)

Action Point
We all have encouragers in our lives--a friend or loved one who helps with a kind word or deed, sometimes by just being there and listening, or by reminding us that we can finish strong. Encouragers are necessary to counteract the negative pessimists that seem to be everywhere. And often, we must take on the role of an encourager. When you see a friend that needs help, be there for him, and be positive.

Thoughts
I missed! I can't believe it! It is the first turkey I ever missed!
This happened to me this year: I shot three times at a huge Merriam's longbeard (mature male turkey) at twelve yards. Afterwards, I was in the dumps. I just knew I would not get another chance. But three hours later, another longbeard appeared! After a little coaxing on the call from my friend and just a little from me, he came in, presented a target, and this time the shot was accurate. My friend who called him said, "You redeemed yourself with that shot." God had given me another chance to fill my tag. He is the God of the second chance! (JM)

Action Point
I missed in another area as well. We all do. We miss God's mark of holiness. That is the definition of sin: missing God's mark. "The wages of sin is death"--the bad news--"but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord"--the rest of the story (Romans 6:23). God offers a chance to be redeemed; and only HE would do that. He provided His Son as a substitute payment for our sin--mine and yours! Have you been redeemed? Has your sin been washed away? Will you enjoy eternal life with God? I received this offer of redemption as a gift from God when only six years old. He redeemed me. He forgave my sins.
You may be redeemed by believing in Jesus as your Lord and Savior. He will redeem all who come to God by faith in Him. Redeemed! A second chance! That is a great feeling. I was happy and pleased to have the second chance at that gobbler; but I am even happier to have the redemption that results in everlasting life!

Thoughts
While hunting deer, my buddy was walking along a steep ridge in northern Arizona. Sometime before he had noticed a herd of pronghorn antelope in the valley floor below him, but no deer were in sight, so he continued along the ridge. Then he noticed movement from within a juniper tree directly in front of him. He slowly knelt to a knee, raised his rifle and waited. As time ticked by, the image became clear--first a tail swaying back and forth, then occasionally the flick of an ear and finally a mountain lion appeared from inside the juniper where it had been laying patiently, attentively, staring at the pronghorn in the valley below. (BM)

Action Point
As Christians we can learn a lot from those pronghorn that use multiple avenues to watch out for attacks. First, they group in numbers. There is strength in numbers--more eyes to watch for predators. For us, it is the strength found in fellowship with other believers. Secondly, pronghorn have exceptional eyesight. They can see very long distances with acute accuracy. We too can see clearly what God wants us to see, but in order to do this we need to read His Word. Lastly, they placed themselves in the middle of a large open valley. This way the mountain lion had to cross a vast space in order to reach the pronghorn. They could see him coming a mile away. We also can do this by not placing ourselves in areas of vulnerability and not standing too close to the edge where the Devil is easily camouflaged and we do not know he is on the attack until it is too late.

Thoughts
Everything in the natural world is ruled by light. Light regulates the behavior of every animal, and governs the life of every plant. The rut of the whitetail buck and the breeding season of the wild turkey are two examples. It's no wonder that many primitive cultures worshipped the sun. They instinctively knew that the sun was the all-important key to life on this earth, and assigned it a place of priority in their value systems and religions.

The sun provides the light that renews and revives a world that seems dead--maybe that's why we use the phrase the dead of winter. In the spiritual world, this Light, Jesus, reveals who we really are, and that without Him we walk in darkness and are dead in our sin. With Him, we have the Light of life, because He is both our Creator and Redeemer. Open yourself to His penetrating Light. (Steve S.)

Action Point
Remember that you are to be a light to others walking in darkness as you reflect the Light of Christ in your own life.

Thoughts
In early April, I went to eastern Kentucky with a group of men for a construction mission project. I rose early every morning for my time with God, but one morning I decided to have it outside. I was sitting on the front porch of the cabin on the side of a mountain; and there, in the stillness of the morning, I heard the most amazing singing--singing that would rival any church choir in praises to their King. Four Eastern Gobblers were singing praise to God on the roost. They would answer each other in majestic gobble notes thinking they were out singing the other. Those gobbles echoed up and down that Kentucky holler giving God praise. God gave them a gobble for a reason, and that early Spring morning they were using what God gave them to sing praise to Him. (DW)

Action Point
Can you imagine how proud God must be when He hears His creation doing exactly what He had planned. How much more will God be proud of us when we do exactly what He planned for us. We also are designed to praise Him. The wild turkey is just doing what He was created to do, but I have a choice.
I choose to praise Him. I won't let a turkey out praise me. Give your King praise today!

Sing praises to God. Sing praises. Sing praises to our King. Sing praises.
God is King of all the earth, so sing a song of praise to him.

Thoughts
A couple of summers ago, my son and I went on our first Canadian fishing trip. We had been planning this trip for quite awhile with some extended family and were excited about finally getting the chance to land some northern pike. Well, our first morning out fishing was going to prove to be difficult to top. We anchored our boat near a rock island and my son threw out his first cast. Immediately, he had a fish on and started reeling it in. It wasn't a huge fish, but at least it was a nice start to the day. He reeled it up to the surface, and we could see that it was a walleye. As he continued to reel the fish over to the boat, a nice northern pike came up out of the deep water and nailed the walleye. The fight was on! The leisurely reel turned into an epic battle between my son and this northern. After a few minutes of fighting with it, my son was able to get the pike up to the side of the boat where we netted it and brought it in--with both the walleye and the northern on! That northern was never on the hook. He simply had bit the walleye on the side and absolutely refused to let go! The first cast of the trip accounted for a "2 fer"--one hook, two fish.

Many times our focus is on me--my salvation, my God, my Lord, my church. The reality is that faith is bigger than my personal experiences with God. When God looks at a man within a family, he desires a
"2 fer". The salvation and faith of a dad is supposed to be passed on to the next generation by him. One faith, two generations or more. (DM)

Action Point
As outdoorsmen, we understand the value of passing on an outdoors legacy to our children. It's up to us to pass on the traditions and the fun of being out in the wild. We also need to recognize that it's up to us to pass on the Christian faith to our children and grandchildren. Ultimately, the Holy Spirit has to draw each person to Himself; but we have been given the privilege of teaching our children about Jesus. It's God's plan--a "2 fer".

Thoughts
In my state those over the age of 12 are not required to wear a life preserver. A few years ago, while fishing in a tournament which requires life vests, a team was thrown from their boat at 60mph when a bolt in their hydraulic steering sheered. Fortunately, they were not injured. They were wearing their kill switch too--another tournament requirement--so the boat stopped quickly and did not cause further harm. Diligent safety is inherent in any outdoor endeavor at sea or on land. Protection of our lives and the safety of those around us is of paramount importance in any hunting or fishing activity.

John charges us to take the necessary precautions to protect our relationship with God. There are many deceivers in this world that deny what our Lord and Savior has done for us. Watch out! Satan would love to see us fall away from the truth. (WD)

Action Point
Your relationship with God is your most important possession. Take every precaution to protect it, even as you guard your life. Be diligent in this and always seek the Holy Spirit for discernment when confronted with those who would deny your Savior.

Thoughts
After retiring two years ago, the Lord gave my wife and me the opportunity to travel. We drove our 5th wheel camper to Florida to visit my son and his family and to do some ocean fishing. After fishing over 50 years and guiding for 11, I felt confident that I could catch some fish. Wow, was I wrong! I had a lot to learn. You have to watch the tides and the weather carefully. The baits and presentations are totally different. I couldn't catch any bluefish or Spanish mackerel until a gentleman handed me a "gotcha lure" and told me to reel in as fast as I could. He told me that these species of fish are used to chasing their prey at high speeds.

The weather limits the amount of fishing you can do, and the grand kids wear you out after a couple of hours; so we spend quite a bit of time at the campground and on the beach. After hearing a sermon about "finishing the race", I was convicted by the Lord. He has given us a lot of free time. What are we doing to serve Him and win souls for Christ? We decided to use our gift of hospitality and invite some campers over for a meal. I also purchased some vinyl signs to put on my truck and camper displaying the Sportmen's Devotional logo. The Lord blessed us with many opportunities to witness to others. (TL)

Action Point
Continue to run the race, let your light shine before men; and use your gifts from God to seize the opportunities that He gives you.

Thoughts
When I lived in Oklahoma, I hunted deer in the forests of the southeastern corner of the state. After a couple of years of hunting the same area, I found a valley that was a regular thoroughfare for the deer. This particular location wasn't on the trail that many hunters used. I had to hike down off the side of large hill into the valley below; and no one else went down there. I was alone with the trees, squirrels, deer, and whatever else might have been there.

After I sat down and settled in, it was interesting how my ability to hear changed. I began to hear wind rustling through the leaves in the trees, birds chirping--I'm sure they were chirping before, but I had never paid attention to them. I heard squirrels moving around in the leaves on the forest floor, and frequently heard a deer before ever seeing it. (TB)

Action Point
Getting alone with God, without the distraction of outside influences, can be an amazing experience. I fully recommend that a person make time, find a place and the perfect hour, to communicate with God through prayer and Scripture reading. You will be amazed at what thoughts and words come across your mind--the still, soft voice of your Heavenly Father as He speaks to you.