Sporting Clays And Life 5/24/2108

Good Morning,

Thursday and my coffee is Door County Peanut Butter Crunch ! Just a little goes a long way.

This coming Saturday morning I will be joining some of my friends ( Male and Female) to shoot clay targets on a sporting clays course. We will all have our shot guns and ammo. Of course each individual will be hoping to shoot better than he or she did last time we were out. So how does this fit into a Biblical Devotional? Here goes.

Each time a target is launched, the shooter must be in a proper stance, ready to swing the shot gun, follow through, and direct the shot with eyes set on the target. We would never shoot with our eyes closed. You must view the target at all times in order to hit it.

Life is like that too. We must aim and keep our eye on the target. The Target is Jesus Christ.

Matthew 14:22-33

New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Walks on the Water

²² Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. ²³ After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, ²⁴ and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
²⁵ Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. ²⁶ When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
²⁷ But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
²⁸ “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
²⁹ “Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
³¹ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,”⁽ he said, “why did you doubt?”
³² And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. ³³ Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”⁽

Notice when Peter took his eyes off of Jesus he began to sink. We too must keep our eyes on Christ at all times so when life's storms come along we do not get swallowed up. Truly He is the Son of God.

Have a great day!
Marty

Here is a tip for shooting sporting clays. There are many, but safety with guns is important. I recommend before doing any shooting, if you are a beginner, take a hunters safety course, and take a lesson from a pro or qualified instructor.  In all shooting, practice safety first. Always wear hearing and eye protection. Keep your gun unloaded and the action visibly open until you're ready to shoot. Once you are finished shooting, make sure the gun is once again empty and the action is open. Always keep the gun's muzzle pointed down range away from anyone.