Thoughts
If you have ever hiked into the Grand Canyon, you may have seen the warning sign above that advises you not to try to hike in and out of the canyon on the same day. Many people have ignored that sign and paid a price for it. As I mentioned in a previous devotion, our family saw first-hand how unforgiving the canyon can be as a victim was flown out by way of a cargo net in a body bag. (TH)

Action Point
You have to be almost blind not to see the daily warning signs in the news that some major event is about to happen. I am not going to predict anything; but I know that this is a very good time to draw close to the Lord. To not heed the warning signs could be very foolish and even deadly!

Thoughts
Have you ever noticed how important positioning is? For example: If you are going to set up a portable tree stand, it is important to be downwind from the trail over which you are hunting. You have to find the right tree that will give you stability as well as the right location. Mount the stand to the tree at just the right angle for you to shoot over your left or right shoulders. There are certainly no guarantees in hunting, so even with a good set-up, you have to be prepared to reposition yourself in the stand to get a good shot off. You don’t want the “big one” standing in front of you and then discover that you didn’t have the right angle. Too much movement to get into the right position to shoot will potentially ruin the hunt.

Action Point
The Christian life is not always an easy one. I know it seems as though I have to keep on repositioning myself daily for God’s service. It’s not that I purposely try to put myself in the wrong position. It’s just that I live in an imperfect world that bumps into me every day; and if I’m not careful to keep a short account with God, I will soon find myself totally out of position for His service. We need go to God, to seek Him, every day; and not count on what we’ve done the previous day or week. God can use us daily; but we need to make sure our hearts are with Him today.

Thoughts
This year, during the middle of the elk and deer seasons in Wyoming, we were hit with a snowstorm that lasted four days. On the first day of the storm, we traveled in the dark to a grassy mountain meadow where the elk are known to feed. When it was legal shooting time, the visibility was very poor because of the fog and heavy snowfall. What few tracks we saw were from night-time travel. By 8:30 that morning, most of the tracks were not distinguishable. We checked some of the dense bedding areas, but there was no sign of elk anywhere. By the second day, travel was impossible, visibility extremely poor, and the elk were not moving. (TL)

Action Point
Busy schedules will often interfere with our time with God and our family. God has a way of curtailing our plans and keeping us inside to have that quality time. When the weather is so severe that it forces us to stay home, consider it a blessing from God to slow us down. Use the time to have fun with your family, and spend time alone with God in prayer and meditation.

Thoughts
One of my fondest Christmas memories is the year that the whole family–Mom, dad, aunts, uncles and cousins–rented a big cabin in the Allegheny Forest of Pennsylvania. What a great time we had snowmobiling, hiking through the snow, sitting in front of the big fireplace, warming up with a cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows in it. Everyone helped with the cooking and the dishes in the big kitchen. We cooked some of the game that had been taken earlier in the season. I was all grown up by then of course. I think I was 16. My girlfriend (now my wife of 35 years) was with me. No worries there, we all slept in the same big room on cots, couches and the floor. It was glorious. I can hardly remember a better time in my life before or since.

Family is so important to me. Sharing with family in God’s wonderful outdoors during Christmas time is right next to divine. The Lord gave us families to help us learn how to love. To help us to learn how to love Him and them! (DWH)

Action Point
I want you to know that this devotional is specifically for you today. I don’t know who you are, but the Lord does. The Lord prompted me to write this and I had the distinct impression that it was for someone in particular.

The holidays are times of family gatherings. We cherish the love and good tidings that abound this time of year. However, there are also some families whose joy is taken away specifically because it is a time for families to gather. What do you need to do this day for your spouse concerning their mother? Do you need to show compassion to your mother-in-law? Is this finally the time to show support for your spouse by confronting their mother (in love!)? I don’t know the situation that the Lord has put you in. I only know that you need to address this situation. For everyone else, remember that this can be a stressful time for families. Let Christ’s love, mercy and compassion flow through you this season. Not everyone has the blessing of a family to be with during the holy days. Reach out and invite someone who is alone or hurting to enjoy the love and warmth of your family.

Merry Christmas to all!

Thoughts
Shepherds. Not exactly at the top of the economic and high society list of their day, kind of like us hunters sometimes are today! They were living out in the country and probably had an “air” about them that would remind you of what they did for a living; again, kind of like us hunters. I can relate! These guys watched over sheep. But, it’s possible that these weren’t just any sheep. I’m told that they may have been the sacrificial lambs for use in the temple. Is there a connection here to Jesus? Maybe so. Now, one night while the shepherds are telling stories around the campfire, this angel guy, he just shows up suddenly and says, “Do not be afraid.” Yeah, right! Then, to add to the impact, a bunch of his buddies show up and start singing. Now, think about this. If I’ve been out camping and come in and start telling some crazy story about angels singing to me, most of you are going to think that I’ve suddenly taken leave of my senses and good judment. But, after seeing the baby and confirming what the angel has said, these guys, these lowly shepherds, went out and spread this story boldly. And people who listened were amazed–amazed because these guys spoke with credibility and passion. It really happened. The Savior had been born. Good news! (CS)

Action Point
This passage speaks of good news for all, but peace only for those on whom God’s favor rests. Two distinct groups. The good news: the Savior is available to all men, just as the angel said. But, the angel also says that the peace of God rests only on those whom God favors. I believe that this is a direct reference to those that accept Christ as their Savior. You want peace in your life? Accept the only One who can give it to you. Accept Christ and have the peace of God. Good News! Oh, and Merry Christmas!

Thoughts
Joseph is pretty much the forgotten character in the entire Christmas story; he doesn’t get a lot of ink. But, without Joseph, the story kind of falls apart. It was Joseph who obeyed God and took Mary as his wife, knowing the scorn they would have to endure because of her pregnancy. It was Joseph who took Mary to Bethlehem where the baby was to be born. That couldn’t have been an easy trip. It was Joseph who took Mary and Jesus and fled to Egypt to avoid King Herod. And, Joseph had to have lots of questions as to why an angel appears to him, and keeps coming back, and keeps giving him instructions. Take Mary as your wife and name the baby Jesus, then flee to Egypt. So what does Joseph do? Well, he must have loved God greatly, because he obeyed the commands to the letter. Joseph didn’t do this out of fear, but plainly and simply because he loved God. God says we prove our love by our obedience. Both Mary and Joseph submitted to God’s commands, they were fully obedient. I would like to know more about Joseph and Mary, and just how God had worked in their lives preparing them for this event, the birth of the Savior. I think they were pretty special. And, come to think of it, so is this whole Christmas story. I hope some day you’ll join me in heaven, and we will be able to ask Joseph and Mary a lot of questions. In the mean time, I pray that I can be as obedient to God as they were. Merry Christmas! (CS)

Action Point
God hasn’t asked me to be a parent to His Son, but He has asked me to be His child. Jesus set the example of obedience to the Father. If I’m to be like Jesus, then I, too, must be obedient to the Father. I must read His Word, and do those things that will be pleasing to Him.

Thoughts
I conduct seminars at fishing shows, tackle stores and Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) meetings throughout Texas. One of my most prevalent speeches is what I term, “Little Things Make a Big Difference.” In the seminar, I speak about the importance of keeping a log of your fishing trips, knowing when the tide is falling and rising, knowing when the moon is rising, falling and setting, taking care of your tackle before you hit the dock. Often, it is these little things that determine harvest success; and, to me, they are so simple to know and prepare before you go fishing. (BG)

Action Point
As Christians, the little things determine how close our relationship with Jesus is. Praying and reading your Bible daily, serving others before self, tithing regularly and being prepared to share the Lord when given the opportunity are spiritual disciplines we have heard all of our lives. But, how many of us take these simple practices and apply them daily? Ever heard the saying, “Ten percent of the fishermen catch 90 percent of the fish?” Sadly, that probably applies to Christians as well.

Thoughts
My dogs are Golden Retrievers. They are about as loyal a dog as you can ever own. Wherever I go, whatever I do, my dog is following me. I have had them fishing in my boat with me, sitting in duck blinds, walking and running the fields–they are eager to do whatever I am doing and go wherever I go.

They have been with me through good times and bad. I remember a day a few years back when I was having an especially hard time. My dog, Sam, and I were out in the garage. I had sat down on the floor, trying to make sense out of some things that were happening. Sam came up to me, not jumping all over me, but just standing in front of me–those two big brown eyes looking and saying something such as, “I know how you feel and what’s happening. I’m here for you.” Sam and all of my other dogs have known my voice. They have known me and I have known them. A big part of their life was and is spent just wanting to be around me. (TB)

Action Point
We are like the sheep, or the dog, who surrenders his or her complete loyalty to their master. Our master is our Heavenly Father who loves us and wants only the best for us. He is our protector and provider. He knows what’s going on within us even when we don’t actually say it. He just really, really enjoys us following Him around, being with Him.

However, we have to know His voice, listen when He is calling, talking to us. For me, His voice is usually a still, small voice, kind of like that of my dog when she comes up to me, looks at me, and maybe nuzzlles my hand. I know she is telling me something and I need to listen.

Thoughts
It was a new stand. We had just stood it up on the pipeline the previous day; yet, there I sat, wondering if it would be a good spot. An hour later, I was admiring a small buck that I had just taken. On the way back to get the four-wheeler, I saw a huge scrape that I had not seen before then. It was fresh, and its size told me that a good-sized buck had been tending it. I was leaving for the weekend, so I told my dad about the scrape and urged him to go sit in that stand. In the rain the next morning, he shot a huge nine-point. Sometimes you just have to set someone else up to succeed in order to accomplish a common goal. In our case, it was fresh deer tenderloin and a mount to go in the game room. His reward was a filled tag. My reward was having helped him to succeed. (BH)

Action Point
Our society puts too much emphasis on having the spotlight firmly on ourselves. But God’s ways are not like our ways. In the passage above, Paul and Apollos were working hand-in-hand for a common goal–to see people come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Sometimes Paul would preach and then Apollos would go talk to the people one-on-one, and they would be saved. Basically, Paul says, “I don’t care who gets to lead them to the Lord as long as they get saved!” Sometimes we’re called to plant a seed. Sometimes we’re called to water it. Other times, we get to harvest. But don’t forget that we do exactly what God calls us to do–and nobody harvests unless God makes our efforts grow. The spotlight is not on us. We’re in the shadows. The spotlight is right where it belongs–on our great and glorious God!

Thoughts
“God, I ask you to bless me to harvest an animal today. Give me clear senses to make wise choices and cause the ability you gave me to make the arrow fly true.”

The deer came in like a ghost. I never heard even the faintest footfall. She was healthy and strong. Very aware of her surroundings, she kept a watchful eye on every tree branch and leaf that moved. She led what seemed to be a herd down the worn path toward the fence crossing. When she stopped, all the other deer started to feed on the acorns on the ground; but she was the matriarch–on guard and continuously snapping her head up and sniffing the air. I waited for her to be quartering away and head down, feeding, before I slowly drew my arrow and string backward. My drop away rest ticked as it set itself in the upright position and her head snapped to attention. She looked at the base of my tree searching for the unfamiliar sound. I locked my sight pin on a hair on her side and pulled through my release.

“Thank you, God, for this moment in the field, for the hunt I experienced and for the animal you have given me. I am grateful for just being in the woods, but today, you have truly blessed me; and I give You the glory for the harvest.” (DW)

Action Point
Start now to pray with your spouse, children, or hunting partners before and after a hunt. God wants us to pray whether or not we get a harvest.