LONG SUFFERNG
Today's devotional and photo come from God's Great Outdoors board member Paul Branch.
Jeremiah 29:11-14a
11 For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for prosperity and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. 14 I will let Myself be found by you,' declares the LORD.
Over the last 25 years I have had the pleasure of meeting and guiding hundreds of disabled and seriously ill hunters on deer and turkey hunts through the ministry of Hunters Helping Hunters. Both the hunters and their families have suffered greatly from devastating long-term illnesses and physical challenges such as MD, cancer, spina bifida, strokes, paraplegics and quadriplegics to name a few. Many of these hunters have passed on and many are still with us today. Some are believers and some are not.
Sometimes I catch myself feeling self-pity over various life issues. Then I am reminded by the Lord that my life issues are minimal compared to my long-suffering friends that I have come to know and love. As I think of these men, women, and children who face so many challenges each day, I turn to God with a grateful heart for all the blessing He has given me.
Watching not only how my friends handle their struggles, but also how their families love and care for them in these struggles has been life changing for me. Even more powerful has been watching hunters and their families who have trusted their difficulties to Jesus. Only with Jesus at our side do we have the assurance to endure these trials today and in the future. I am thankful for how my Savior Jesus Christ has rescued me from the depths of sin and depravity.
Have you turned your life over to Christ?
Romans 10:9
That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
Are you ready for the long-suffering battles ahead of you?
Romans 5:3-5
And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance: and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
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