| The Widow’s Mite The parable of the widow’s mite is a story found in the Gospels of Mark and Luke. Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling his disciples to Him, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth: but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” (Mark 12:41-44) It was almost a social obligation to give a silver coin at temple collections. Only the very poor could get away with giving a copper coin like the widow gave and only the desperately poor would give a copper coin as small as the mite. But in Jesus’ eyes this poor widow gave more than all the others put together, though her gift was by far the smallest. The value of a gift is not determined by its amount but by the spirit in which it is given. A gift given grudgingly or for recognition loses its value. So when we give we need to remember—gifts of any size are pleasing to God when they are given out of gratitude and a spirit of generosity. In Christ, Jimmy High |
| Week 2Isaiah 41:10 – “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. This turkey season I tried something that I have never tried before. It was a week of bad storms, water was everywhere and on this particular day wind gusts had reached the forties. My wife called and said that she was going to a friend’s house for a while and her parents had the kids so that gave me a free hunting pass. Even though conditions were not conducive to calling up a big weary tom I knew there were birds on the property, so like any obsessed hunter I went and set up. I started on one of our food plots where I had seen birds in the past. I called for about twenty minutes or so trying to get in a few yelps between the gusts that quite literally felt like they were going to blow me over. After no sign nor sound of any bird I picked up and moved on down the wood line doing the same thing and receiving the same results. So I moved a third and what was going to be a final time for this hunt. I set up just in side the field edge and started calling once again. After just a short time I had some hens making there way toward me and then I noticed some more turkey shapes heading through the woods toward the field about fifty yards off. I made a few slight yelps and in just a matter of minutes three gobblers made there way to within ten yards. I couldn’t believe it; I harvested a bird and found success in what seemed to be the most adverse and unfavorable conditions that there could be for turkey hunting. In scripture we are told that we will face trouble, that we will face adversity and that our conditions will not always be favorable but we are not to fear or be dismayed that our God will strengthen us. He will be there to help us, Hebrews 13:5 tells us that He will never leave us nor forsake us and in John 16:33 that our peace can be in Him because He has overcome the world. Even in the most adverse conditions we must continue to put out the call and know that He is there, standing by us and through His strength we can stay persistent and be successful as we help reap harvests for the kingdom. Sportsman’s Tip- Many times during a rain you can find that weary tom on a field edge. Take advantage of the weather and the wet leaves. Take your time and you can slip in close. Make a few slight yelps and often times you can pull him in for a shot. Wade Kendrick |
| Week 3The Right Thing to Do Matthew 3:15 “Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness.” Why do many people abide by fishing regulations such as keeping the number and size allowed, buying license, and abiding by fishing seasons? For some, it is only because they might get caught and fined. For others, it is simply the right thing to do. Jesus had come to John to be baptized, but John protested in Matthew 3:14 saying, “I have need to be baptized of thee.” John knew that Jesus, being the Son of God, did not need to be baptized. Jesus insisted that it was to “fulfill all righteousness”, or to do the right thing and set the example for future generations. Pretty often I hear people say, “You don’t need to be baptized to go to heaven.” They are right, technically. Others say, “You don’t have to go to church to be a Christian.” They may be right theoretically. Why, then, would we do those two things? Jesus gave the answer. If I may interpret His words - when a person becomes a Christian, he wants to be obedient and follow the model of Jesus. Obey the Lord and be baptized and go to church. It is the right thing to do. Lord, help me to follow Your example and do what is right. Amen. A LOAD OF DIRTY BASS Bob Green |
| Week 4 LOST! Have you ever been lost in the woods? Have you ever stopped on a hunt and looked around and not recognized any landmarks? Has your flashlight gone out while deep in the swamp looking for a wounded deer? Has one of the guys failed to show up at the rendezvous point by dark? I have experienced all of these events during my days and nights hunting large game. It is a scary and hopeless feeling if you are lost. It is equally so if a close friend or relative is lost. Did you pray to be found or to find the lost? How about the spiritually lost individual? Do you have a burden for them? Do you pray for their salvation? They are forever lost and don’t even realize their plight. How scary is that? Do you know someone who is without salvation? Our Sunday school class just completed a several week study on praying for the lost. Our leader presented scripture to support Gods call for us to pray for the salvation of the lost individual. We need to ask God to show us what to do. Does he want us to form new friendships, perform acts of kindness, give of our time or our finances? Here are some scriptures to start with to prepare you to help the lost. Matthew 9:35-36. Christ had compassion for the lost. Romans 1:16 and 2 Timothy 1:7-9. Remove from me any shame of sharing the Gospel with the lost. 1 John: 8-9. Forgive my sin of omission for not sharing the Gospel Luke 11:5-12; 18:1-8. Pray to be persistent in prayer for the lost. I have been a poor prayer warrior for the lost. I have been familiar with these verses most of my Christian life but failed to use them as they are intended. The power is in putting them to proper use. I am now practicing the art of praying these verses. Read the referenced verses and turn them into prayers to help you become a prayer warrior for the lost. Next week I will share with you the verses we studied about praying for the lost person. Sportsman’s tip: Learn to use a compass and keep one with you when hunting or fishing. God’s speed, Doctor Johnny |
