Daily Devotional

[Ronnie W. Stark]

Bible Study Verse
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. -Jn 16:13, NIV

Thoughts
Our goal, when my wife and I retired, was to ride in 10-mile, 25-mile and 50-mile endurance races in Arizona and the Western United States. Our investment in the dream was the 3-horse trailer, above, with slanted stalls, living quarters, closet storage, onboard tack room, overhead water tanks and a gooseneck hitch. Our trailer weighed 4500# empty. Fully loaded, with horses, gear, tack, water and feed, it topped 10,000#. To get’er done, we purchased a Chevy Silverado 3500, dually, with a GVWR towing capacity >15,000#. I never imagined that I would need so much horsepower!
- Bruce M

Action Point
Like my truck, God empowers me to race. Like my trailer, I practice and prepare to race. God’s “horsepower” delivers my “horse-power”. I unpack my trailer, I set-up camp. I feed my horses. I check and double-check my tack. I put on my chaps, boots, spurs, neck’erchief, knife and hat just like I put on the God’s Armor (Eph 6). If my horse’s cinch (i.e., my belt of truth; Eph 6:14) is too loose, I face-plant when directions change. God’s horsepower gets me to the Starting Line but practice and preparation (i.e., my horse-power) guide my race.

Far too many people, Christians and non-Christians, abandon “truth” when real-time decisions are needed. Abandoning truth, they adopt secular solutions arguing, ”The end justifies the means” or “Everyone else does it”. God’s “Spirit of Truth” (Jn 16:13) reminds us that power requires discipline. Power is anchored truth that doesn’t embrace idols, that honors father and mother, that sets aside time to know God better, that doesn’t murder, that doesn’t lust, that doesn’t covet, that doesn’t steal and so on. Prepared and practiced to race, I gently correct contenders to get back on track. (Ex 20; 2 Tim 2:24-25)

[Ronnie W. Stark]

Bible Study Verse
Jude 1:3 Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. (ESV)

Thoughts
Every hunting season has an opening date and a closing date. Hunters should take time to carefully plan each season to have the time to spend quality hours in the field and have the best chance to make a harvest before the season closes. Michelle H.

Action Point
In this verse, Jude (brother of James), is urging followers to stand firm in the faith. We then can fulfill the great commission through this steadfast conviction. I have written previously about personal urgency in finding Christ. But then what? I would hope, and I pray, that we all also have another urgency to bring as many to Him as we can in our short lives. Don’t hesitate to share the gospel to those around you, because their own season might soon be closed.

[Ronnie W. Stark]

Bible Study Verse
Luke 5:16
But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. NIV

Mark 1:35
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. NIV

Thoughts
Hunting, fishing, and anything outdoors with others is very enjoyable. The outdoors should be shared with others. But sometimes, I need to get away by myself in the field. Nothing is better for me than maneuvering on a gobbling tom, catching bass from my favorite creek, or watching woods ducks fly to roost on a cool autumn evening—all alone. You know the feeling, getting away from the hustle and bustle. It’s reset time. Andy D.

Action Point
Corporate worship and gatherings with fellow believers are vital; we should not prioritize outdoor activities over these. Just as necessary is time alone with God. Setting aside time each day to read God’s word and pray is essential to seeking the Lord, knowing Him better, and growing spiritually. Set aside a specific time each day—make it a habit. In addition, when you are alone outdoors, pray like Jesus in today’s Bible verses and always give thanks.

Sportsman’s Tip of the Day
When you retreat to the outdoors alone, keep a GPS device other than a smartphone. A compass is even better, in my opinion as electronic devices and batteries fail. Always let your loved ones know where you are and designate check-in times for overnight ventures. Have you ever considered a satellite GPS messenger? ZOLEO, Garmin InReach, and Motorola Defy are good options to research for communicating when there are no cell towers around.

[Ronnie W. Stark]

Bible Study Verse
... pray without ceasing...
‭‭I Thessalonians‬ ‭5‬:‭17‬ ‭NKJV‬

Thoughts
I drew out for a whitetail hunt, and it was for two tags! The first tag had to be antlerless and the second could be either sex. I saw a great buck within the first few minutes of shooting light. I didn’t take a shot as I hadn’t harvested my doe yet. Shortly after spotting him a young doe stepped out. After the shot, I had trouble finding her. I stopped in a thicket and prayed. When I opened my eyes there she was under some brush.
Dlain T

Action Point
I often have reservations about praying for the small things. I get to thinking there are much bigger requests out there that need God’s attention and I’m being greedy by asking for small stuff. We serve a big God. He’s omnipresent, he can take care of the big and small at all times.
As I prayed, I said “God thank you for this opportunity." If I have vitally wounded this animal, please help me find it so I can honor it properly.” Maybe God is holding you today away from your harvest until you turn to Him, the Provider.

[Ronnie W. Stark]

Bible Study Verse
Luke 1:1-2
Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. (NIV)

Thoughts
Way back in the 70s I was bitten by the bass fishing bug big time time. I joined BASS and attended all the seminars put on by fishing professionals. I purchased all the bass fishing magazines available, even a few books on the subject, and mined the information to make me a better angler.

One of the things the anglers in the know always brought up was keeping journals or notes of every fishing trip they made, good or bad. Record everything . . . where you fished, location on the lake where you fished, date, high and low temperatures, barometric pressure rising or falling, fish caught, when the fish were caught, lures used, time of day when they were caught, etc.

The professionals stressed if an angler did this after every trip, after a period of time recording these the notes on a trip, you would become a better bass angler. Of course, the bass fanatic that I was, I bought a notebook and started recording my fishing trips.

Great idea, and it did work. But, I had to discipline myself to make the entries the same day of the trip. I have to admit, sometimes I was too busy, or for some other reason the recording wasn't entered.
(Tom B)

Action Point
Luke 1:1-3 is such a simple couple of verses. Luke is identifying himself to those who read in the future what he has witnessed.

Do you keep a written record of the good and bad things that have happened in your life each day? If not a written account, how about a mental rehashing at the end of the day before you go to sleep?

Recall what happened during the day. Thank the Lord for each thing that happened and each person that He put in your path. Pray for that person. Don't forget the bad things. Ask the Lord for forgiveness when you tripped and fell in your daily walk; thank Him for helping you get back up, forgiving what you did wrong.

Journaling, and/or mentally reviewing your day helps with our mental health and relationship with God.

[Ronnie W. Stark]

Bible Study Verse
Revelation 20:12, 15
I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God's throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books. And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire. (NLT)

Thoughts
One for the record book! That is a common goal among hunters and anglers. It is an accomplishment that reflects investments of planning, time, resources, skill, and dedication to the goal of taking that trophy. For a few it is just luck, the combination of being in the right place at the right time. For most that is not true. We congratulate those who consistently take the "big ones" that give them a place in the record books. (Jackie M)

Action Point
God keeps a record book. Some call it the Book of the Living. The verses above reflect this truth. This book records the existence and the actions of every person who has ever lived. Nothing escapes His notice. His record is without error! God will judge everyone by what is recorded. The Book of Life, also called the Lamb's Book of Life, is the most important book of all. When we trust Jesus as our personal Savior and Lord, God enters our name. That entry guarantees that our sins have been forgiven and we have been given everlasting life. He says that anyone who believes in Him will never perish, see John 3:16 and John 5:24. I am glad He has added my name. Is yours there? Is your name in the Book of Life? If not, choose to receive God's forgiveness of sin provided through Jesus our Savior. Believe in Him and escape the punishment of sin. Receive Him as Lord and live forever! That is the most important record book of all!