4 Mile prayers

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• November 4th A friend text me and asked about a bow that his deceased uncle had won. As I researched the bow maker it was funny how his bow carrier and mine mirrored each other. He made and sold enough to have the product known, but not so many as to open the doorway to a market beyond the original owners.  Hand made things become more of an heirloom and seldom make a used market. From the small picture I could see that there was a lot of craftsman's ship displayed in the bow. However, when the owner had won it, it was put away and never used. It is a brand new made in 1993 or 94 bow, that was never used.  It made me think of how often the gift of GOD is given to mankind and once we receive it, we place it in our closets and never use it or pass it on. It remains unused, untouched, and basically useless, no matter the labors that went into the product. GOD has given us a gift to be shared, used and spoken about. Do not place HIS WORD away where it is forgotten, use it to GLORIFY the MAKER. Our lives are more important than a formed piece of wood, no matter its beauty. Do not place a valuable asset away to become forgotten, use and read it today. GOD bless you. 
• November 3rd Last evening I decided to try a new spot. I took my tree saddle and went to an area about a hundred yards from the road into a thicket that I thought deer would pass through as they went to the fields for night time feeding. It was easy to get into and set up and it proved to work out as I did see deer. At time to quit I got down and packed up and headed out of the thicket or so I thought! Soon I found myself in brambles that I could hardly make my way through. When I backed up and tried a different route, I must have gotten off course, it was then that a car went down the road that is rarely traveled and I could see the way toward the road. After busting through to the road, I could see that I was indeed off course. Funny that in life we can get off course, in fact completely lost, yet be very close to the salvation nearby. It is easy to get into the brambles; it is not so simple to get ourselves out of what we got into and away from GOD. We can see the light from where we are yet it seems impossible to get there. The light that we need to follow is JESUS CHRIST, our example, but too often we are lost in the weeds. It takes real work to find our way out of the bushes and onto the road of life but unless we work at it, we will find ourselves lost. Our only way is through JESUS; he alone is the light that shows us the way. Everything else is false and keeps us away from our way home. May this example help each of us find our way, by the saving light to our eternal home. GOD bless you.
• November 2nd When we got to the edge of the woods, we made our choice of spots to hunt based on the wind's direction. But after getting set up and daylight was opening the new day, the winds changed and did so many times throughout the morning. Needless to say, we did not have a productive morning. The deer that we did see were too far away and moving the wrong direction. The winds of deviation are blowing around us all the time. We must be able to detect the dangers and avoid them. We have been shown the warning signs and have let them go unpracticed; we have fallen many times. By GOD'S WORD we can sharpen our skills to detect danger. Without the use of those skills, we could be facing eternal death. May we protect ourselves during these winds of changing times. GOD bless you. 
• November 1st The time change has once again turned our clocks, has moved our lives forward and backwards an hour at a time. We adjust to what has happened around us, but babies cry, animals act in a manner that we do not understand and still time goes on. Our bodies become accustomed to a set standard and even a hour is upsetting. With the new time just think of how we become accustomed to doing the things that GOD would prefer we did or not do. We intertwine things into our lives that need to be changed, yet that day of change does not happen. With the new time, take a moment to see what needs changed in our service to GOD and take that step to make a change. Even a little change feels upsetting for a short time but then we again will become accustomed to it. A little at a time we become better servants. Each day brings the opportunity to become more complete specimens to God. It all begins with a little change. GOD bless you.
• October 31st Yesterday was the first time that I saw larger bucks. It was nearly dark when 2 nice 10 pointers came by my stand. Although I could easily put the sights on each of them, I did not shoot. My only explanation is that if I was to shoot the season would be over and perhaps, I like the hunt more than the getting. GOD has given us so many blessings from HIS rich storehouses and we often take them without a thought. When those blessings don't come as freely, then we notice the true richness of our days. In all nature the buck deer is the most sought-after animal, yet even the most magnificent specimen is weak compared to the GLORY of GOD and what HE gives us each day. In that we can be thankful. Even when given the best, we often overlook the GIVER. Once again take even a moment to witness what greatness GOD is providing in our lives. HIS blessings are too great to overlook! May we truly be THANKFUL, and know that HE is GOD.
• October 30th Adam has been named for bringing sin into the human race. What makes Adam different than you or me? Are we not all made in the image of GOD? Were we all made to walk with GOD and be HIS FRIEND? That wisely serpent has tempted each of us and in our weakness, we gave in to the demands of our own wants. We have all disobeyed GOD. We have all turned our back on our friend at one time or another. And no matter how we may want to justify our actions, the wages of sin is death! But GOD so loves us, that HE gave us a way out of our weakness! HE gave HIS SON to die in our place. Allowing us the opportunity to reconnect with our MAKER. Through FAITH in the SON of GOD, we can once again become worthy to step into the garden and walk with GOD. We must turn from our sins and turn to JESUS to receive the eternal gift that is offered to us that are forever dead without hope. May the death of CHRIST the SAVIOUR be our return to the GRACES of GOD. May we each take advantage of the eternal life line that is offered to you and me. Eternal death awaits those that may choose to stay in sin, the choice is ours. May GOD bless you.
• October 29th Have you ever taken what you wanted to save and placed it somewhere only to forget where you put it? I don't know how often that has happened to me. And it would remain lost despite how hard I would look or try to retrace my steps. We may think that it is a bad thing but if we would liken it to GOD, we would change our minds. When we accept JESUS CHRIST into our heart and confess that HE is our LORD, GOD places our sin as far as the east is from the west, they are forgotten and never found again. It is as if they never existed! Just like that thing we wanted to keep safe for when we needed it. It is gone! And if we should happen to find that washer that we were saving for a special purpose, we can be assured that our sin will NOT be remembered by GOD. Our slate wiped clean. So then perhaps an occasional loss of memory isn't that bad after all, when it reminds us of how wonderful GOD IS. GOD bless you. 
• October 28th When I got into my stand, I noticed it was as if the hand of GOD had painted the forest just for me! How could a painter do a job nearly as perfect? How would they even know what to paint without seeing? Too often I overlook the greatness of the HEAVENLY FATHER and HIS completeness for me. Each detail is immaculate, perfect for this hour.  HE made the earth and everything in it. HE timed the seasons with HIS might. HE made this day special for each one of HIS children. We are His joy an HIS sorrow. How could we fail the very ONE that provides so much? Where ever you may be, look at everything HE provides and give a prayer of THANKS. HE did it all for YOU. GOD bless you. 
• October 27th Right now, today, through CHRIST all the kindness of GOD is poured out upon us. Yet instead of worshiping the glorious everlasting KING, we strive to please ourselves in every fashion imaginable. We hear and see and yet put our trust in mankind that we know will fail us. Closing our eyes to the truth that is in GOD'S WORD and believing lies told us by those that have no conscious following of GOD or HIS WORD, paying no attention to the SALVATION that GOD has planned for us and travel toward hell all to willingly. We can see ALL the works of HIS hands every day and the wonders of HIS eternal life and ignore it all. Thinking that we have a say in our own eternal life? We know that GOD is right but won't admit it or THANK HIM for our daily care. Claiming to be wise without GOD is further proof of the idiots we have become. Should we continue, why would we even think that we are 'saved'? The change must be made within us, that all may see the GOODNESS of GOD in us. It is time to pick up our chains and turn to God, right now today...  GOD bless you. 
• October 26th Yesterday afternoon just 20 minutes before the early muzzle loader season ended, my grandson shot. Through texting I learned that he had got a nice doe, so I headed to get the 4-wheeler to get it home. After getting back into the woods and loading the deer our heavy breath fogged the windshield and when we got to the trail out, I went the wrong way before realizing and turning around. It made me realize that we often go down wrong paths in our lifetime. We may be too stubborn to turn to CHRIST so we just barrel ahead rolling with the flow, remaining forever lost in our own woods. GOD has been caring for us the whole time. HE wants to confirm today that WE ARE HIS PEOPLE and to confirm that HE IS OUR GOD. We need a guide to keep us on the good paths that lead toward home. Without GOD we are lost for eternity. May GOD bless as we encounter the many intersections in life, may we choose wisely the direction we go. 
• October 25 A mouse in the house! As the cat was let in, we didn't notice that it had a mouse in his mouth until it was running down the hallway. It made its way into a closet full of hunting clothes on the floor. I just set several traps and sealed the door with a towel, hoping to keep it contained in one room until it is caught. The cat just seemed satisfied to stock a new area. Like our lives, sin is brought into it by forces that just know no better. And if we do not work to contain and rid those problems they soon multiply and take over. We can rely on CHRIST to cleanse our house, making it clean, then it is up to us to protect it. Like a mouse in the house, we must arm ourselves to rid ourselves of the sin that creeps in. Set the traps to rid your life's pests. GOD bless you.
• October 24th While hunting we usually return home with stickers on our clothes. Sometimes a lot more than others but we never return empty. As I was sitting there with a good crop of stickers nearby, I thought that it is only one of the penalties that we are paying for from our sin. Just imagine the world as GOD made it, a Garden of Eden. As easy as it is for me to complain, it is my sin that also contaminates. How can I complain? We can all verify the result of man's failure to follow GOD. Yet despite the visual connection we learn nothing! May the weeds and toil remind us that GOD is good, it is us that has messed it up. GOD'S WORD has applied these discomforts to our lives; it is also proof that HE is real! Despite our failures HE continues to bless. GLORY be to GOD. 
• October 23rd In this life we enjoy many things are hurt many times and feel sadness. We think that what we have or can obtain will bring us happiness. Our joy is in getting what we want, our drive to continue is from the fear of no longer living. Paul's words ring true today as they have from the day he spoke, "But life is worth nothing unless you use it for doing the work assigned me by the LORD JESUS, the work of telling others the GOOD NEWS about GOD'S almighty kindness and love." Everything that men feel is important is nothing! There is only the completion of the task at hand that will fulfill the soul and bring joy. And even tears to the believer. To tell the story in the hope that others may change their ways. That is our duty, our job and reward. Without fulfilling our task, we will remain empty and in search of joy. We will only find it in GOD. May you be made rich in the blessings from HIM our LORD JESUS CHRIST, by doing what the SPIRIT commands. GOD bless you. 

October 22nd We are all given a choice, a chance to be what GOD has made plans for us to be. The people of Israel were given a choice and those same words are given to us today and to each generation that populates the earth. A choice that must be made by each of us. "I am giving you the choice today between GOD'S blessings or GOD'S curse! There will be blessing IF you obey the commandments of the LORD your GOD and a curse IF you refuse them and worship the gods of other nations." If you choose destruction, to destruction you will go. If we choose life, we will follow the RULES of GOD. May the blessings from GOD be with you. It is all in the choices we make. 

• October 21st The other day I was at a gathering and they were showing pictures of people that had been a part of their organization. It was when they showed a picture of me that I realized that others do not see me as I see myself. It is as if we are 2 different people! It was hard for me to recognize myself, besides that guy is much older than I am, ha. Deuteronomy speaks to us as we are, when it says, 'then beware lest you forget the LORD who brought you out of the land of Egypt'. 'For it always goes well with us when we obey'. We see ourselves differently than others see us, and GOD sees us even different than that. HE sees us through all the spectrums of light, inside and out, from top to bottom. HE sees what we do not even notice. And loves us just the same, for we are HIS creation. Not of blood and bone but in spirit we live, recognized by GOD. We cannot hide or change our appearance; HE will always know us and what we are. May we be a pleasant vision in all we do. GOD bless you.
• October 20th This passage stands out today as it again embraces the world and its meanderings and lost thoughts. "GOD tolerated man's past ignorance about these things, but now HE commands everyone to put away idols and worship only HIM. For HE has set a day for justly judging the world by the man HE has appointed and has pointed him out by bringing HIM back to life again." We are indeed hard headed and stiff-necked people. We don't seem able or willing to listen or to turn our ways toward GOD'S. Today those words resound to our generation the truth in GOD'S WORD that goes unheeded once more in mankind. The final judgement is ahead for each of us and yet the world tells us to not trust GOD. Never understanding that HE will not turn away from what was spoken. Be it this afternoon or 100 years that time of judgement awaits each of us. Today we have the choice to change or forever charged. Which have you chosen? May GOD open the hearts of those that do not know HIM and bless those that do. 
• October 19th Yesterday evening my grandson and I went to hunt in the same area. It was good to once again be near him like we used to do. I was reminded from Acts 14 "In bygone days HE permitted the nations to go their own ways, but HE never left himself without a witness. The kind things HE did such as sending you rain and good crops and giving you food and gladness." Yes, through the years GOD has provided us with much and that hunt was just another reminder of the great mercy GOD has given us. And another time that HIS WORD rings within our hearts. The food and gladness have resulted from HIS gift to us and I am thankful to receive such a gift. GOD'S WORD finds a space in any heart that is open to HIM. When we are left alone to find our own way, we are soon lost,  may our hearts always receive HIM. May GOD bless you.