Daily Devotional

This space is provided in honor Joe Brooks and Coon Hunters For Christ. The PKC membership is happy to pray for you in a time of need.

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Ronnie W. Stark
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PKC Name: Ronnie W. Stark
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Location: Water Valley, MS
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Re: Daily Devotional

Postby Ronnie W. Stark » Tue Nov 20, 2018 5:55 am

“Never worry about anything” (Philippians 4:6 GW).

You may think that you’re stressed out because you have too much work to do. You may think your boss is unreasonable. You may be right.

But that’s not why you’re stressed.

Work doesn’t stress us out. Worry does.

Work doesn’t keep us up at night. Worry does.

You’re probably not overworked. You’re very likely over-worried.

God doesn’t mince words in the Bible about what he thinks about worry. He says, “Never worry about anything” (Philippians 4:6 GW). Do you see any wiggle room in that verse? I don’t. You won’t find any exceptions.

Never worry about anything.

It’s about as big of a blanket statement as you can possibly make.

When it comes to worrying, just don’t do it. That’s what the Bible says. But God also tells us there is something we can do with our worry instead.

First Peter 5:7 says, “Leave all your worries with him, because he cares for you” (TEV).

I love that word unload, because in the original Greek the verse literally says to just drop it. It’s not like you’re throwing a baseball or throwing a rock across the lake. It just says to unload it—let it go.

It won’t do you any good to hang on to what you’re worried about. Why not let it go?

Talk About It

What worries seem to ensnare you most easily?
What do you fear might happen if you stop worrying about what keeps you up at night?
What are some ways you can build a habit of unloading your worries onto God? What people in your life can listen as you share your concerns?
This is how we know what love is, Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.

(662) 417-1588 Cell
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Ronnie W. Stark
Platinum Member
Posts: 3464
Joined: Wed Mar 19, 2003 4:41 am
PKC Name: Ronnie W. Stark
City, State: Water Valley, MS
PKC Member Since: 30 May 1990
Annual Membership Expires: 15 Nov 2023
Lifetime Handler Earnings: $3,480
Location: Water Valley, MS
Contact:

Re: Daily Devotional

Postby Ronnie W. Stark » Tue Nov 20, 2018 5:56 am

“If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand” (Philippians 4:7 TLB).

Americans are more stressed than ever. A 2017 American Psychological Association “Stress in America Survey” showed that those polled were more stressed about the country’s future than at any time in the survey’s 10-year history.

And our stress is deadly. As of June 2018, suicide rates in the US are up 30 percent since 1999.

If we’ve ever needed God’s stress-free guarantee, it’s today.

The Bible shares God’s guarantee in Philippians 4:7, where it says, “If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand” (TLB).

This isn’t a stress guarantee from a doctor. It’s not a guarantee from a pharmaceutical company.

It’s so much better. It’s a guarantee from the Creator of the universe.

Wouldn’t you like to have your thoughts be quiet and your heart at rest as you trust in Jesus?

Imagine you’re in a situation where you have no logical reason to be at peace—but you are.

Sounds pretty good, right?

That’s God’s guarantee. That’s God’s promise.

There are more than 5,000 promises in the Bible, and every one of them has a premise. Every promise has a premise.

There is a premise behind God’s stress guarantee, too. The verse from Philippians 4 begins with, “If you do this.”

Over the next few devotionals, I’ll describe what God means—the things he wants us to do.

But let this sink in a bit. It is possible to “experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand.”

Stress doesn’t have to win. Anxiety doesn’t need to control you.

There is hope.

Talk About It

What are some of the biggest sources of stress in your life right now? How can you release them to God?
Have you ever experienced a time when God gave you a great sense of peace even though your circumstances were stressful?
How would your life change if you could experience God’s peace in the midst of your worst moments?
This is how we know what love is, Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.

(662) 417-1588 Cell
(662) 473-8413 Cell

Ronnie W. Stark
Platinum Member
Posts: 3464
Joined: Wed Mar 19, 2003 4:41 am
PKC Name: Ronnie W. Stark
City, State: Water Valley, MS
PKC Member Since: 30 May 1990
Annual Membership Expires: 15 Nov 2023
Lifetime Handler Earnings: $3,480
Location: Water Valley, MS
Contact:

Re: Daily Devotional

Postby Ronnie W. Stark » Tue Nov 20, 2018 5:58 am

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (Philippians 4:8 NIV).

You can’t reduce stress in your life unless you change how you think. Our stress doesn’t come from the outside but from the inside.

Your mind is a special gift from God. It’s capable of storing more than 100 trillion thoughts. It can handle enormous amounts of information. God has given you the freedom to choose what you think about, from among all of that information.

The Bible says, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (Philippians 4:8 NIV).

Paul reminds us that we can choose what we think about, and he encourages us to think about the right things. What we put into our minds impacts how we live.

It’s really no wonder we’re stressed when we consider what most of us think about on a regular basis. Many people, even Christians, allow anything and everything into their minds. Reading depressing books and watching depressing movies will lead to only one outcome.

What you think affects the way you feel; the way you feel affects the way you act. Guard your mind. Keep your mind on the right things.

Philippians 4:8 tells us to fix our minds on these good things. Paul means that we need to make a deliberate choice. Change the channel on our minds. Only allow in things that fit into the characteristics described in that verse.

What happens when you do that?

You get what God promises in the prior verse: “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7 NIV).

Doesn’t that sound like it’s worth it?

Talk About It

What kinds of unhealthy concepts do you tend to absorb from what you read and what you watch?
How does the media you consume impact your stress level and your mood?
What are some verses from God’s Word you can meditate on to replace the time you spend consuming unhelpful or inappropriate content?
This is how we know what love is, Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.

(662) 417-1588 Cell
(662) 473-8413 Cell

Ronnie W. Stark
Platinum Member
Posts: 3464
Joined: Wed Mar 19, 2003 4:41 am
PKC Name: Ronnie W. Stark
City, State: Water Valley, MS
PKC Member Since: 30 May 1990
Annual Membership Expires: 15 Nov 2023
Lifetime Handler Earnings: $3,480
Location: Water Valley, MS
Contact:

Re: Daily Devotional

Postby Ronnie W. Stark » Tue Nov 20, 2018 6:03 am

“Whatever happens, give thanks, because it is God’s will in Christ Jesus that you do this” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 GW).

Gratitude is the world’s healthiest human emotion. It actually increases your immunity to sickness.

Plus, ungrateful people tend to be unhappy people. Nothing ever satisfies them. They never have enough. They are “when-and-then” people who think, “When such and such happens, then I’ll be happy.”

But the Bible gives us another way. First Thessalonians 5:18 says, “Whatever happens, give thanks, because it is God’s will in Christ Jesus that you do this” (GWT).

Gratitude can change everything. For example, try this: If you’re feeling depressed, make a list of 50 things you can be grateful for. Your gratefulness will help shift your focus away from your problems and toward everything good God has done and is doing in your life.

We take much for granted. Develop the attitude of gratitude and watch your stress level go down—because there is always something to be grateful for.

Talk About It

How does your stress level fluctuate, depending upon your attitude of gratitude?
What’s your biggest obstacle to becoming a more grateful person?
What are some reasons that you’re grateful but that you’ve never expressed to God?
Have you trusted Jesus for your salvation?

The Bible says we can only get to heaven by trusting in God through his Son, Jesus Christ. And we don’t have to earn God’s love or work our way into heaven. The Bible says, “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV).

If you haven’t trusted in Jesus and committed to following him, why wait any longer?
This is how we know what love is, Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.

(662) 417-1588 Cell
(662) 473-8413 Cell

Ronnie W. Stark
Platinum Member
Posts: 3464
Joined: Wed Mar 19, 2003 4:41 am
PKC Name: Ronnie W. Stark
City, State: Water Valley, MS
PKC Member Since: 30 May 1990
Annual Membership Expires: 15 Nov 2023
Lifetime Handler Earnings: $3,480
Location: Water Valley, MS
Contact:

Re: Daily Devotional

Postby Ronnie W. Stark » Tue Nov 20, 2018 6:04 am

Bible Study Verses
I Corinthians 16:13-14
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love. (NIV)

Thoughts
There may come a time on a hunt where you have to follow the commands of this verse. When? When you observe someone violating a game law, such as:
Shooting more than his limit of birds;
Shooting two deer and trying to sneak them out.
Sneaking an animal home without tagging it so he can hunt and kill another one.
These are all violations of game laws. What should you do?

Get whatever pertinent information is available and call the game department of the state where you're hunting to report the violation.

Similarly, as Christians, we must be vigilant, watching for Satan's attacks against us. We must be on our guard, stand firm in our faith, and be strong men of courage! It's what God expects of us, and what He's equipped us to be.

When the attacks come, report them to God, He'll take care of the violator!
(Cliff S)

Action Point
The Bible tells us to stand, or to stand and be strong for our God. Trust Him. He'll provide all that you need to stand firm in your faith. Read His Word. Pray at all times. Put on His armor. Stand! (Ephesians 6).
This is how we know what love is, Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.

(662) 417-1588 Cell
(662) 473-8413 Cell

Ronnie W. Stark
Platinum Member
Posts: 3464
Joined: Wed Mar 19, 2003 4:41 am
PKC Name: Ronnie W. Stark
City, State: Water Valley, MS
PKC Member Since: 30 May 1990
Annual Membership Expires: 15 Nov 2023
Lifetime Handler Earnings: $3,480
Location: Water Valley, MS
Contact:

Re: Daily Devotional

Postby Ronnie W. Stark » Tue Nov 20, 2018 6:07 am

“In everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6 NIV).

Worry won’t do you any good. But don’t just eliminate it from your life. God always replaces a negative with a positive. God always has something better for you.

In the case of worry, replace it with prayer.

Right after God reminds us not to worry in Philippians 4:6, he follows it up with this: “In everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6 NIV).

Don’t panic, Paul says, but pray!

If you stopped worrying, you’d have so much more free time on your hands. It would create a great vacuum, a void in your life. Pray during that time.

If everyone who says they don’t have time to pray would spend their time praying instead of worrying, they’d have a whole lot less to worry about.

Notice the Bible says to pray “In everything.” Some people think God is only interested in you praying about “religious” matters. But that’s just not true. God is interested in everything in your life.

Also note the word petition. It is a specific, detailed request. Get specific with God. Tell him exactly what you want and what you need. Most people pray too vaguely.

In 1 Peter 5:7 the Bible says, “God cares for you, so turn all your worries over to him” (CEV). God wants us to take our problems to him, to pray instead of worrying.

I remember a few years ago reading a study from a life insurance company that found people who attend church once a week live almost 6 years longer than the general public. Why? Perhaps people who attend church every week are more likely to pray than to worry.

No problem is too big for God’s power or too small for God’s concern.

Talk About It

How have you seen other people’s prayer lives help them to worry less?
What is your biggest blocker for being more consistent in prayer?
Is there anything you’re reluctant to pray about? If so, why?
This is how we know what love is, Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.

(662) 417-1588 Cell
(662) 473-8413 Cell

Ronnie W. Stark
Platinum Member
Posts: 3464
Joined: Wed Mar 19, 2003 4:41 am
PKC Name: Ronnie W. Stark
City, State: Water Valley, MS
PKC Member Since: 30 May 1990
Annual Membership Expires: 15 Nov 2023
Lifetime Handler Earnings: $3,480
Location: Water Valley, MS
Contact:

Re: Daily Devotional

Postby Ronnie W. Stark » Tue Nov 20, 2018 6:08 am

Bible Study Verses
Psalm 34:8-10
Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. (NIV)

Thoughts
Outdoors people observe the goodness, majesty and providential care of God. We see that God provides shelter and food for the wild animals. We witness His power in a storm. His power and majesty are displayed in the sky. The natural world is a revelation of God!

These verses invite us to personally experience the sufficiency of God and teach us to depend upon Him. He is all we need! He alone can protect us. God alone can satisfy the void created by the disappointments of life.

We must reverence Him with fearful respect and submit to His will and ways. A saint is one who has been declared righteous by the Judge of the earth. This happens when we believe in His Son, Jesus, personally and commit our souls to Him for eternal safe keeping.

English Bible translations spell the Old Testament names of God differently so that we can understand the significance of each name. "LORD" in capital letters is the Hebrew name of God, Jehovah. LORD is God's personal name, His Covenant name. He is the personal, Covenant keeping God. This name summarizes His entire character. His saints are secure because the LORD is their protector. This name implies a personal relationship. As the wild animals find refuge, run to Him to find all you need.
(Jack M)

Action Point
Involve yourself with God. Experience His goodness as you enjoy the outdoors. He alone can truly satisfy the longing of your inner being. God provides for the animals, but they cannot know Him personally as humans can. Involve Him in everything you do.
This is how we know what love is, Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.

(662) 417-1588 Cell
(662) 473-8413 Cell

Ronnie W. Stark
Platinum Member
Posts: 3464
Joined: Wed Mar 19, 2003 4:41 am
PKC Name: Ronnie W. Stark
City, State: Water Valley, MS
PKC Member Since: 30 May 1990
Annual Membership Expires: 15 Nov 2023
Lifetime Handler Earnings: $3,480
Location: Water Valley, MS
Contact:

Re: Daily Devotional

Postby Ronnie W. Stark » Tue Nov 20, 2018 6:09 am

“Do not be anxious about anything” (Philippians 4:6 NIV).

Worry will kill your joy and cause you stress. We tend to expect the worst in life. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the United States. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, they affect 18.1 percent of the U.S. population.

But worry isn’t just a mental issue. It’s a spiritual one. It’s assuming a responsibility that God never intended for us to have. It’s playing God and trying to control the uncontrollable.

There was once a scientific study on worry that discovered:

40% of our worries never happen
30% of our worries concern the past
12% of our worries are needless worries about our health
10% of our worries are insignificant or petty concerns
8% of our worries are really legitimate concerns
Worry is worthless. It can’t change the past or control the future. It only messes you up right now. It’s an incredible waste of energy. It’s stewing without doing. When we worry about things, they get bigger and bigger.

The Bible says, “Do not worry about anything” (Philippians 4:6 NCV). It’s one of the hardest commands to obey. It’s even more countercultural when you consider where Paul was when he wrote it. He was sitting in a prison waiting for the emperor to execute him.

Worry is something we learn to do. You must practice worry to get good at it. If it is learned, it can also be unlearned.

Jesus said in Matthew 6:34, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (NIV).

Jesus gives us the ultimate antidote to worry.

Live one day at a time. God will take care of tomorrow.

Talk About It

What worries weigh you down the most?
How do you usually deal with your worries? Does it work?
Who in your life can pray with you about what’s worrying you?
This is how we know what love is, Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.

(662) 417-1588 Cell
(662) 473-8413 Cell

Ronnie W. Stark
Platinum Member
Posts: 3464
Joined: Wed Mar 19, 2003 4:41 am
PKC Name: Ronnie W. Stark
City, State: Water Valley, MS
PKC Member Since: 30 May 1990
Annual Membership Expires: 15 Nov 2023
Lifetime Handler Earnings: $3,480
Location: Water Valley, MS
Contact:

Re: Daily Devotional

Postby Ronnie W. Stark » Tue Nov 20, 2018 6:11 am

Bible Study Verses
Psalm 121:1-2
I will lift up my eyes to the hills--From whence comes my help? My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth. (NKJV)

Thoughts
Being a good hunter requires many skills. Those skills are obtained with the help from our fathers, other hunters, magazine articles, seminars--any who are willing to help.

My good friends just returned from a short-term mission trip to India, providing help by giving blankets to the poor. For us, for me, anyway, it is hard to imagine something as insignificant as a blanket meaning so much to someone. I have several rifles in my gun-safe while these poor people have only the clothing on their backs.

One couple who received blankets last year came to Christ because of the love shown them through the gift of a blanket. In one year, that couple is responsible for more than 200 other people coming to Christ, all because God inspired some who have so much to share with others who have so little.
(Byron S)

Action Point
Before we buy that new pair of binoculars, bow, or gun, take time to reflect:
How important is this?
Have I shared my wealth with someone who has nothing?
Consider taking a short-term mission trip this year in lieu of another out-of-state hunting trip. Wouldn't it be awesome to look into the eyes of someone who is seeing the Light of Christ for the first time? Assistance in finding information about short-term mission trips is available through your church, or take a look at http://www.global-act.org/.
This is how we know what love is, Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.

(662) 417-1588 Cell
(662) 473-8413 Cell

Ronnie W. Stark
Platinum Member
Posts: 3464
Joined: Wed Mar 19, 2003 4:41 am
PKC Name: Ronnie W. Stark
City, State: Water Valley, MS
PKC Member Since: 30 May 1990
Annual Membership Expires: 15 Nov 2023
Lifetime Handler Earnings: $3,480
Location: Water Valley, MS
Contact:

Re: Daily Devotional

Postby Ronnie W. Stark » Tue Nov 20, 2018 6:14 am

Bible Study Verses
Isaiah 50:6-7
I gave My back to those who struck Me,
And My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard;
I did not hide My face from shame and spitting.
"For the Lord God will help Me;
Therefore I will not be disgraced;
Therefore I have set My face like a flint,
And I know that I will not be ashamed." (NKJV)

Thoughts
My Uncle Quentin is a survivor. At age 19, he was mortally wounded in the Battle of the Bulge and was awarded the Bronze Star for bravery. A young Army surgeon saved his arm, but barely.

Did my uncle quit, go on total disability, take pity on himself? No! Instead, he put himself through college and became a USDA District Soil Conservationist in northern WV.

At age 29, He came to Christ and His new life began . . .

National recognition came soon after, for his Elk River Soil/Water Conservation Project.

After 30+ years of helping WV farmers, Uncle Quentin retired. He then helped start a church; nursed his wife, my Aunt Joy, through 5 years of terminal cancer. taught Sunday School at a mountain church, married a widow, and now helps her work a 50 head Angus farm, delivering 20 calves per Spring. He's currently fighting cancer at age 87. He's still a survivor!
(Fred B)

Action Point
The Messianic passage above talks of Jesus being a survivor. You say, "But He died. How was He a survivor?"

First, He survived the world's worst beating - flogged, pierced, hair and beard ripped out, crushed under the load of a 100+ pound cross-beam, plus the load of our sins transferred onto Him, as He climbed the hill. Isaiah records Messiah's words, "I have set my face like a flint."

Second, He voluntarily laid down His life for us and rose from the dead by His own power. John 10:17,18, "Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father," (NKJV).

Third, He is waiting to come back and take over His Earthly kingdom, conquering all other powers. Revelation 19:15, "Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God," (NKJV).

Just as I'm proud of my Uncle Quentin for his sacrifice, service to our country, and endurance of physical and emotional trials--so, we can be proud of the greatest survivor in history our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ!!!

Sportsmen's Tip of the Day
Prepare to survive eternally - call upon Jesus to be your Savior, the Sacrifice for your sins. You can't survive without Him.
This is how we know what love is, Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.

(662) 417-1588 Cell
(662) 473-8413 Cell

Ronnie W. Stark
Platinum Member
Posts: 3464
Joined: Wed Mar 19, 2003 4:41 am
PKC Name: Ronnie W. Stark
City, State: Water Valley, MS
PKC Member Since: 30 May 1990
Annual Membership Expires: 15 Nov 2023
Lifetime Handler Earnings: $3,480
Location: Water Valley, MS
Contact:

Re: Daily Devotional

Postby Ronnie W. Stark » Tue Nov 20, 2018 6:16 am

Bible Study Verse
Proverbs 25:28
A man who does not control his temper is like a city whose wall is broken down.(HCSB)

Thoughts
For a couple years in a row, my family and I had searched an area for an old military fort. It was located where there was a good population of quail and javelina. Whenever we were hunting around there, we would always take time to look for it. I think each of us had conjured up in our mind's eye great images of all the treasure the fort might hold.

It was rather surprising when we finally located it; but all that remained were some crumbled old rock walls and much debris. You could see that at one point it had been a large establishment that housed two companies of the 14th Infantry. Now it is nothing but a few ruins.
(Brett M)

Action Point
These walls were constructed in the late 1800's to protect the military from Indians, most presumably Tonto Apaches. However, without constant attention, they now have fallen into decline and are no longer able to fulfill their mission.

King Solomon tells us in the book of Proverbs that a life without self-control will not be able to complete its mission. If we do not establish and maintain spiritual boundaries in our life, we leave ourselves open to attack from the enemy.

Our personal boundaries, walls of self-control, need constant maintenance. Seek that maintenance by reading God's Word, praying, and through other committed Christians.
This is how we know what love is, Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.

(662) 417-1588 Cell
(662) 473-8413 Cell

Ronnie W. Stark
Platinum Member
Posts: 3464
Joined: Wed Mar 19, 2003 4:41 am
PKC Name: Ronnie W. Stark
City, State: Water Valley, MS
PKC Member Since: 30 May 1990
Annual Membership Expires: 15 Nov 2023
Lifetime Handler Earnings: $3,480
Location: Water Valley, MS
Contact:

Re: Daily Devotional

Postby Ronnie W. Stark » Tue Nov 20, 2018 6:17 am

Bible Study Verse
Galatians 5:5
For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. (NIV)

Thoughts
The area I live in contains 5 of the largest inland lakes in the state of Michigan. As winter cranks up, there's often a bit of a lull between gun season for deer and when the outdoorsmen can start to ice fish on these lakes.

The temperature see-saws back and forth around the freezing mark, and one day, you look up and see that there's a sheet of ice across the lake. Every year, we know that the lakes will freeze over. But the first time you look up and across the lake with ice completely covering it, it catches you by surprise.

On the really cold days during this time, you'll hear guys talk about "making ice." It's a bit of a strange idea, but the cold is taking the existing water that's been there all along and transforming it into something else - ice. It's simply cold, and it doesn't really seem like much is going on. However, below the surface of the water, the temperature is dropping and changing the form of the water into something else, and then one day, the evidence of the change is visible.

Action Point
I don't know about you, but I have found that there are seasons in my life where I can see God visibly at work in others' lifes and mine. There are also seasons where I really don't see a lot of growth. These seasons can be frustrating, because they don't bring the same level of enthusiasm and they cause you to question things while you wait.

What I've come to realize is that God still does work in these "dead" times; in reality, some of the most significant work in my life came during these seasons. I would simply encourage you to press on in the faith if you find yourself in one of these times where things seem to be at a standstill.

Just like the cold really doesn't appear to be doing anything, maybe God is just "making ice" with you right now. One day, you'll look up and be able to understand what has been going on. Until then, stay faithful.
This is how we know what love is, Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.

(662) 417-1588 Cell
(662) 473-8413 Cell

Ronnie W. Stark
Platinum Member
Posts: 3464
Joined: Wed Mar 19, 2003 4:41 am
PKC Name: Ronnie W. Stark
City, State: Water Valley, MS
PKC Member Since: 30 May 1990
Annual Membership Expires: 15 Nov 2023
Lifetime Handler Earnings: $3,480
Location: Water Valley, MS
Contact:

Re: Daily Devotional

Postby Ronnie W. Stark » Tue Nov 20, 2018 6:18 am

Bible Study Verse
Proverbs 27:17
As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. (NIV)

Thoughts
The past few months have found me dabbling in the art of taxidermy. I have been searching out any and every one of God's creatures I can get my hands on to try to preserve it as beautiful as God meant it to be when it was roaming the earth.

While performing this art, I have found out exactly how important it is to have a sharp kife and to keep it sharp. This verse is telling us that if we wish to be productive and do more of what God has called us to do, it is necessary to associate with people who are more Godly than we are and those who use their days more productively under His direction.
(Dave F)

Action Point
Just as iron sharpens iron - happy, positive people will inspire you to be more positive and happy. People who are truly serving the Lord will inspire you to be more faithful and subservient.

Try to spend time with people who exhibit those qualities which God may be strengthening in you.
This is how we know what love is, Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.

(662) 417-1588 Cell
(662) 473-8413 Cell

Ronnie W. Stark
Platinum Member
Posts: 3464
Joined: Wed Mar 19, 2003 4:41 am
PKC Name: Ronnie W. Stark
City, State: Water Valley, MS
PKC Member Since: 30 May 1990
Annual Membership Expires: 15 Nov 2023
Lifetime Handler Earnings: $3,480
Location: Water Valley, MS
Contact:

Re: Daily Devotional

Postby Ronnie W. Stark » Tue Nov 20, 2018 6:19 am

Bible Study Verses
Job 38:1-3
Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm. He said: "Who is this that obscures my plans with words without knowledge? Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me. " (NIV)


Thoughts
The Bible gives us many examples of God's revelation in nature. When God addresses Job in Chapters 38-41, He expounds on many of the marvels of the natural world, and implies in His questions to Job that, even though man is full of words, he lacks understanding unless that understanding is given by God. We need to be humble in the face of creation; and recognize that even in this day of modern science, we are limited in our knowledge of the workings of the natural world.

What's more, if we look only at the natural world, or "general revelation," we are limited in our knowledge of God. Even though the natural world shows order and beauty, standing alone it tells us nothing of the saving work of Christ. For that we need the scriptures or "special revelation" to reveal the purpose of history and the work of Christ in it. Although you can see signs of God in nature, never settle for God without Christ.
(Steve S)

Action Point
You can enjoy the outdoors in many ways, and even see God in the natural world, but make it a point to know God through Christ. Allow the natural world to reveal God to you, but do not let the natural world replace scripture.
This is how we know what love is, Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.

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Ronnie W. Stark
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Re: Daily Devotional

Postby Ronnie W. Stark » Tue Nov 20, 2018 8:47 pm

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything” (Philippians 4:6 NLT).

If we prayed as much as we worried, we’d have a whole lot less to worry about.

In fact, God doesn’t just want you to stop worrying. He wants you spend time praying, too?

It’s our best antidote for worry.

The Bible says, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything” (Philippians 4:6 NLT).

God has already promised to take care of you. If it’s not worth praying about, it’s not worth worrying about. God knows every need you have. Talk to him about them.

When I was a kid, I went to my dad with every need I had. Sometimes I had expensive requests. But I didn’t once wonder where he’d get the money. It wasn’t my job to figure out where the money would come from. That was my dad’s job. My job was to ask.

It’s not your job to figure out how your needs will be met. It’s your job to ask God to meet them.

When you worry instead of asking, you’re acting like at atheist. Worry is practical atheism. It’s acting like you don’t have a heavenly Father—and that you’re a spiritual orphan.

Many people say they don’t pray because they don’t want to bother God with their problems. But there’s nothing too small for God. Every problem you face is small compared to the vastness of God.

God is ready and willing to not only listen to your problems but also to answer them.

The Bible says it rather bluntly: “You do not have what you want because you do not ask God for it” (James 4:2 GNT).

Do you want less stress in your life?

Worry less. Pray more. Worry about nothing. Pray about everything.

Talk About It

What keeps you from praying more frequently about the stuff that worries you?
Who might be able to pray with you about the worries that weigh you down?
How has prayer helped you overcome worry in the past?
This is how we know what love is, Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.

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(662) 473-8413 Cell


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