Daily Devotional - God's Great Outdoors - Trail To Adventure

SHINING INTO DARKNESS

Dean Hulce — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 08:30:40 +0000

By Tim Jones

Gods Great Outdoors Chairman of the Board

Colossians 1:13
He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son

Have you ever experienced total darkness? I'm not talking about the kind of darkness you experience on a moonless night in a remote wilderness. I'm talking about the type of darkness where there is a total absence of light. I think the closest that I have been to total darkness is being in a deep cavern underground and the tour guide turns the lights off. There is a cavern close to where I live that has tours in the cavern and turning the lights out while you are over 100ft. deep underground is part of the tour. It gets really black when the lights go out. There is a total absence of light.

The Bible speaks to another type of darkness. It describes our sinful condition before a Holy God as total darkness and devoid of any light. In our natural spiritual state, we are in total darkness. Our sin blots out any light that we could possess.
1 John 1:6 tells us; "If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth."

The Bible frequently depicts sin as darkness, representing moral and spiritual corruption. This imagery is in contrast to the purity and truth of God.
Ephesians 6:12 tells us that we wrestle against "the rulers of the darkness of this world..."

The association of sin with darkness emphasizes several key concepts: Separation from God, Moral corruption, and Spiritual blindness.

The good news is that we do not have to live in darkness. There is hope when we turn to God's light. Jesus is that light. The light of Jesus overcomes all sin and darkness. John 1:5 states; "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." Darkness has no power over the light. Where light exists, there is no darkness. Don't live in the darkness. Trust in Jesus for salvation from your sin and darkness. He is the only way to defeat the darkness.

John 8:12; "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of light."

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Remember The Wonders

Dean Hulce — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 08:30:03 +0000

Psalm 105:5: "Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced."

The other day as I looked at the old Stevens single shot .410 hanging on the wall, my mind traveled back in time. Many would just see a piece of wood and steel hanging there, while others might just an old gun, but I see memories of Jake my beagle busting a cottontail out of the brush pile. I see the late afternoon walks along the railroad tracks, hoping a ringneck pheasant will flush. I see the squirrel jumping from limb to limb. I see the start of a passion that has remained with me for over a half century. Things come and go, but my love for hunting has not.

Psalm 143:5 "I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done."

In Psalms chapter 143, King David took time to remember days from long ago. He thought about his past and how God had helped him and others. He remembered God's goodness and faithfulness instead of just focusing on his current troubles.

From time to time, it is good for us to stop and take a moment to remember the past, and as Christians, to stop and consider what God has done in our lives. When we pull back from the busyness of the day, we can see how the Lord has blessed us and think of His goodness to us.

Psalm 77:11-12: "I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds."

What good deeds and miracles from the past can you thank Him for today?

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A TIME FOR CHANGE

Dean Hulce — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 08:30:10 +0000

Malachi 3:6: "For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed."

I love to hunt early mornings… To see the sunrise, hear the world come alive with birds singing and watch the sun rise. Now morning hunts will be easier for me to enjoy.

The House just passed to keep Daylight Savings Time all year! If the Senate also passes it, I can sleep an extra hour each day and the deer won't know the difference, but here are some potential impacts on deer hunters.

*With an extra hour of evening daylight there will be more time to hunt after work.

*There likely will be fewer morning hunts for most because shooting time will start an hour later.

*This will potentially increase hunting pressure in the evenings, since more people can hunt after work.

*The reverse is also likely, resulting in less pressure during the morning, as fewer hunters will be able to make it out before work or school.

In Genesis 8:22 we read, "As long as the earth remains, there will be planting and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night."

The scripture addresses change and warns that life is constantly shifting, but reassures us that God's character and plans remain steadfast. While seasons change, you can find stability in God's promises and unchanging character, rather than life's shifting circumstances. Trust God who remains steadfast and is a constant refuge when the unexpected happens.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 "For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven."

The outdoors reminds us that every season has a purpose. Enjoy the warm weather and what it brings and take time to appreciate God's Great Outdoors and His creation.

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New Every Morning

Dean Hulce — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 08:30:51 +0000

Lamentations 3:22-23:

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

There have been many mornings I've sat with my back against a tree and watched the woods come alive. There's something healing about watching the sun's rays find their way through the woods. Maybe you've never seen this. Well, the good news is, it will happen again tomorrow morning.

Today’s sunrise is different than most… The smoke from the Canadian wildfires is so thick that the sun looking like a burnt orange ball in the sky. Some morning that sun is clear and bright and some mornings we can’t see the sun as it is hidden behind a thick blanket of clouds. But not matter what the sky looking like in the morning, the sunrise will appear every day, no matter what.

Just like the sunrise, God's love and faithfulness are new every morning. The scriptures tell us His mercy is not a one-time event but a never-ending gift.

The next time you feel like giving up and everything seems hopeless, just remember God is not done with your story, He will be there with you and shaping your life every morning, like the sunrise… I might look different, But God is still in it.

Philippians 1:6

He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Yes, your plans might be derailed and your hopes dashed but remember... "God's plan is always better than your plan."

Isaiah 55:9 – "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways."

Enjoy tomorrow's sunrise. No matter what, it's gonna be spectacular!

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Good and Not-So-Good Decisions

Dean Hulce — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 08:30:34 +0000

Galatians 6:7
Whatever one sows, that will he also reap.

It was just minutes before sunset when the doe stepped out of the brush and started coming my way. Behind her there was movement and then I saw the large rack. My heart started to pound out of my chest as I carefully lifted the bow. Suddenly the doe stopped, lifted her head to the cool evening air and just like dust in the wind, she was gone with the big whitetail buck in tow.

On another hunt, in the Missouri breaks of Montana, a big bull was with a small herd of cows just out of bow range and one of those cows either winded or spotted me. In a matter of seconds the whole herd vanished along with my dreams.

There have been bear hunts, elk hunts, and countless deer and turkey hunts that for one reason or another left me with an unfilled tag. Usually it came down to one of two poor decisions on my part. The game either caught my movement or my scent.

We've all made good and not-so-good decisions in life. I can personally recall several poor decisions I've made. Some only temporarily affected my life. Others impacted my life for a much longer period of time. However, not all of my bad decisions had only negative results. Maybe you can relate.

Have you ever made a decision that changed the outcome in your life and left you empty handed? Maybe you took a new job, moved to a different city or state, and that decision brought you nothing but heartache and pain. Looking in the rearview mirror, you see it was the wrong decision and you see how it impacted your health, your finances, your relationships with others, and maybe even your relationship with God.

Galatians 6:7-8 Warns that "whatever one sows, that will he also reap." Sowing into poor decisions leads to negative outcomes, while sowing into good ones leads us down a much better path."

Thanks to a God of mercy and grace who watches over us, our bad decisions can lead us to repent, to repair relationships with others, and to become more aligned with God. Our bad decisions can lead us to change, grow and mature. Maybe a bad decision can even make us realize our need for God and his amazing grace.

Romans 8:28 Promises that "in all things God works for good with those who love him, those whom he has called according to his purpose." God can redeem our mistakes and use them for our growth

By Joel Raygor and Dean Hulce

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A First and A Last

Dean Hulce — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 08:30:04 +0000

James 4:14
What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes

Over a half century ago I got my very first job pumping gas at a Standard Oil Gas Station. That same year I also shot my very first deer. I can clearly remember squeezing the trigger of the wincheat model 94, and watching the big buck hit the ground. He was at best just an average 7 point, but in my mind he was a monster! I remember asking my dad if I could get it mounted and he responded with, "why would you want to mount that buck?" My response was, "because I may never shoot a bigger one." He laughed and just said, "You will."

Since then I've had many more and different jobs and killed many more deer and far bigger bucks, but he will always be my first trophy buck and his antlers still hang on the wall!

Life is full of firsts and lasts. I'm not sure when my last day of work will be, I often say that I will retire 3 or 4 days before my funeral (and I hope that's true). Hopefully my last day of deer hunting won't come for many more Novembers. However, if I'm being honest with myself, I know that someday I will shoulder the gun for the last time. Until then I'll enjoy and treasure each and every hunt.

Psalm 39:4 "Show me, Lord, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is."

In life there are lots of first days and last days. Whether it's marriage, work, hunting, or even life itself, everything has a first and a last. The Bible frequently addresses the brevity of human life and the reality of death. It compares our time on earth to fleeting things like a, wisp of vapor, a shadow, dying grass or a fading flower. The scriptures emphasize the importance of putting our faith in the assurance of God's promises and not in earthly things. In Hebrews 11:6 we read, "And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him."

Psalm 103:15-16 "As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone".

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Today's Trouble

Dean Hulce — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 08:30:17 +0000

Matthew 6:34
So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today.

There've been way too many nights where I've tossed and turned, losing sleep before the opening morning of deer season. There are times where I've gone over the checklist again and again, making sure everything was packed. Other times I lay there imagining possible hunt problems and preplanning the correct response. Sometimes it's just been the jitters that comes with the excitement of another opener.

Whether it's a hunting trip, a family vacation, or another day at work, planning is a good thing. However, as Christians we are warned about being consumed by fear over future unknowns. We read that God's grace is sufficient for each new day and we need to quit trying to control things we cannot change.

In Matthew 6:34 Jesus says,
"So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today." (Matthew 6:34)

Just a few verses earlier in verse 26 Jesus says "Look at the birds. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren't you far more valuable to him than they are?"(Matthew 6:26)

These verses highlight the foolishness of worry and the faithfulness of God as our Provider. Too often we worry about the things we can't change in this life. We worry about the future and we fret about the past. We worry about our finances, our families, our job, our relationships, and yet the Lord points out the foolishness of worry. If He provides for the little birds, how much more will He provide for those that are His children.

Today's prayer, "Lord, when my mind races and fear of the unknown creeps in, remind me of Your promises. You are my Provider, and You know every need before I even ask. Help me to replace my anxious thoughts with a confident trust in Your goodness and timing. Amen"

By Joel Raygor

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Fleeing From Danger

Dean Hulce — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 08:30:50 +0000

Proverbs 22:3
The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.

It was right at dark and there were just a few minutes left to hunt. I could hear crunching in the snow behind me. The footsteps were coming closer and in a moment the deer would be within 10- 15 yards to my left... perfect for a shot with my longbow. I wasn't moving... but my muscles were tensing and ready to draw. Just then the buck stopped, then turned and trotted off for no apparent reason.

Often when deer sense something isn't right, they will magically disappear. They don't stand around looking to see what has given them that 'gut feeling' but instead they run for their life. Their Creator has given them an instinct to survive, so they immediately flee from anything they perceive to be a threat.

In Genesis 39 we read of one of my favorite Biblical personalities, Joseph. This is where he feels that something isn't right, and he flees from the situation. Potiphar's wife attempted to trap him, Joseph knew it was wrong and he fled.

In Matthew 10:23 Jesus advised His followers to escape physical persecution and flee from danger.

The Bible generally cautions against relying solely on emotions or "gut feelings" in decision-making, but instead, scripture suggests we weigh that initial feeling against godly wisdom and good counsel. When we do get that "gut feeling", the best approach to avoiding the danger or evil, is to immediately remove ourselves from the situation and then actively pursue what is good. In 1 Timothy 6:11 we read, "But as for you, man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, and gentleness."

By Dean Hulce and Joel Raygor

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RENEWED AND REFRESHED

Dean Hulce — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 08:30:54 +0000

1 Peter 4:12-13
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; 13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.

This spring, as we drove across sections of Oklahoma, there was a point where we could see large white plumes of smoke in the skies in front of us. As we got closer we could see large expanses of charred hillsides. A few places were still burning, but of the area was black and void of any vegetation.

As we traveled further we could see that this was the work of the department of wildlife. The burns were being done to refresh the prairies grasses. Early native Americans used fire to burn off prairie grasses as well, that had become old or mature and did not attract the herds of buffalo anymore. They would burn the grasses right to bare soil and the new growth that would come would be sweet and tender to the buffalo and attract them to the area and hold them there long enough that so the people could harvest what they needed for the winter months.

We witnessed these same practices being used today... but for different reasons. Wildlife habitat can become overgrown and the food that was once there is no longer useful. It is tough and the nutrition that was once abundant is now gone. As the plant life becomes tough and old it is of little use to the wildlife.

The same can be true of people. When we are young in our Christian walk we grow quickly and we are useful to Christ and to others. Some of us become toughened and bitter and the spiritual "nutrition" that we once shared low longer exists.

A habitat biologist today will often use prescribed burns to bring back the new growth to the plant life there. Peter writes that we shouldn't be surprised when "fiery trials comes upon us". Like the plants, these fiery trials produce new, tender growth in our lives. Tender growth that is usable and is "nutritious" to us and to those around us.

Few of us welcome trials, most are not fun in any way. However they bring new growth that is so beneficial to us. The books of James opens with this statement...
James 1:2-4
"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

James knew that it took trials to bring us to the point of "perfection and completion, lacking nothing".

We do not have to enjoy the trials, we seldom (or ever) would. However we should welcome trials as they come, standing firm in your faith, knowing that God allows fiery trials to come upon us on occasion to produce the new growth that will bring us to completeness in Him. As we withstand the trials we can look forward to the coming glory that will be revealed.

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NEVER SEPARATED

Dean Hulce — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 08:30:11 +0000

Romans 8:35-39
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,
"For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered."
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

We arrived in NW Ontario Canada. As we come in to camp we usually pass by those going out of camp. Some years the departing fisherman tell us stories of great fishing in camp and other years were told that the fishing is terrible. Sometimes its exciting and sometimes it's discouraging. But we never know what it will be until we get out and try it ourselves.

The last few months news has been busy with attacks around the world each day, one disaster after another, one scandal (or fake scandal) after another... I'm pretty sure the news networks are doing financially well during the time of trouble, as people are locked onto their TV screens.

We've seen attacks back and forth between Israel, Iran, the US and others... all during a supposed ceasefire. One side was blamed until the other side was found to be the supposed "culprit". Its hard to know the truth.

All this bad news day after day, it's depressing and worrisome for many people. But, there is great news! We have a heavenly Father that we can never be taken away from. Once we've come to Him and have become His child nothing and no one can ever pull us apart. Just this past weekend I mentioned that we no longer live in the same world we grew up in... there is no security, no safety in our world anymore. However, in Paul's letter to the Romans he mentions things that will not separate us from the love of Christ; tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, or a weapon.... These are all things that the world fears today. But none of them is able to cut us off from the love of God.

In verse 34 it clearly says, "Christ Jesus is the one who died... more than that, He was raised... He is at the right hand of God, and is interceding on our behalf." The reason Paul can say that nothing will separate us from the love of Christ is because Christ is alive and is still loving us now. He is at the right hand of God and is ruling for us. He is not powerless in this world but is all-powerful to keep anything from separating us from Him.

Regardless of what you are facing in your life today, God's love is with you... and nothing will ever be able to pull you apart from this awesome, powerful, everlasting and all-consuming love!

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TODAY’S STRUGGLES...

Dean Hulce — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 08:30:46 +0000

Genesis 50:19-20
But Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid, for am I in God's place? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.

How many of us have hunted in the high mountains? There is amazing things to be found at higher elevations, scenic views, quietness, solitude and a feeling of a special closeness to the Lord. It is special to be up in the mountains.. but it hard work. I've spent many months high in the western mountains, and a few in the Alaskan mountains of Kodiak Island.

Some years I put a lot of effort into getting physically ready for the time I would spend at high elevations and I appreciated that effort when I arrived there. Then there were the years when I didn't put the effort into getting ready. I paid the price for the lack of preparation.

My friend Jim VanSteenhouse has said many times, "The mountains don't care if your in shape".

A while back my grandson shared something he had seen online. It said,

"The struggle you are in today, is developing the strength you need for tomorrow".

In the book of Genesis, Joseph, would never have chosen to be sold into slavery by his brothers. In the book of Job, Job wouldn't have chosen to lose everything. The apostle Paul would not have chosen to lose his sight... But all of these painful situation were used by God to build these men into what God wanted for them in the future

What struggle are you dealing with today? What is it that it might be preparing for you tomorrow? Take note that, Joseph, Job and Paul all followed God, they trusted Him with their lives and their future... There is the key to Godly growth.

We may think that what we're dealing with now is a pretty big deal. It may be, but it could also be preparing you for something far bigger. God is always preparing us for greater work. It's up to us to cooperate with Him to see those results.

Like my time in the mountains... the preparation I did ahead of time paid big dividends when I needed it latter on.

Look at the end result, when you're feeling pressure today... it is preparing you for the future.

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The Grand Design

Dean Hulce — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 08:30:34 +0000

By Joel Raygor

Job 12: 7-9
But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this?

This passage of scripture uses the natural world to argue that God's wisdom and design are evident in His creation. The meaning animals, birds, and fish all testify to God's hand and control, speaks to God's wisdom and authority being far beyond our comprehension.

This year my creek food plot is a brassicas plot consisting of beets, turnips, radishes and kale. An interesting thing about brassicas is, after a frost or hard freeze the plant's convert starches into sugars to act as a natural antifreeze, so by a grand design the plant survives even after freezing. Starch is a plant's stored food, kind of like our body fat is a future source of energy. At the same time these plants are turning the stored starch into sugars used to feed the plant. This is why vegetables like beets, carrots, kale, and parsnip are sweeter in late fall and winter.

From late October through November the brassicas plot becomes a deer magnet. It is rewarding to harvest a fat doe or a nice buck from the brassicas, but later when the dark and cold winter months arrive, it is again rewarding to look out our window and watch the deer devouring these plants and bulbs. We know it will help them survive the brutal temperatures and we know this will mean more healthy fawns come spring.

As I think about the apparent order and design of the brassicas, and the complexity of life itself, to me it is obvious evidence of an intelligent designer rather than random chance. When I think about the relationship between plants and animals, and the cyclical nature of life, it seems the evidence for an everlasting Creator who sustains life is undeniable. However, believing in God is a matter of faith.

Ecc 3:11
He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart, yet so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end.

As I think about the apparent order and design of the brassicas, and the complexity of life itself, to me it is obvious evidence of an intelligent designer rather than random chance. When I think about the relationship between plants and animals, and the cyclical nature of life, it seems the evidence for an everlasting Creator who sustains life is undeniable. However, believing in God is a matter of faith.

Ephesians 2:8-9
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast"

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HEARING HIS VOICE AND RESPONDING

Dean Hulce — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 08:30:43 +0000

John 10:27
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

When I was in jr high and high school I had a couple of beagles for rabbit hunting. They were very hard working dogs that loved to hunt. They would not stop looking for rabbits. At the end of the day I would call and call until I was blue in the face... but it generally had no effect on them, they kept working, even though they weren't doing what I needed for them to do.

Where we rabbit hunted was nearly 20 miles from home, but we would leave a jacket and some food there and come back after dark to retrieve our dogs.

Those dogs meant well. They knew they were supposed to be hunting and they were good at it... yet they didn't listen to their master. In the end, I lost those two dogs when they ran out of hearing distance and no matter how much anyone called they didn't come back. They hadn't stayed within an area where they could hear my voice.

As God's children we can be like that. We can be rushing around doing good things but not listening to our Master. We rush into good ministry type projects without ever looking up to God to see if He is approving or directing.

Like those beagles we need to learn to slow down... to listen to the voice of our master. We need to learn to discern what He is saying. We can only do that by listening to His voice, through scripture, through prayer and then a quite time with Him.

Charles Spurgeon said this about discernment, "Discernment is not a matter of simply telling the difference between right and wrong; rather it is telling the difference between right and almost right."

So listen closely to what God wants from you. Spend time reading His Word and talking to Him. Then get to work on what He has for you, but stay close so you can always hear His voice.

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Creation Demands A Creator

Dean Hulce — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 08:30:20 +0000

Thank you - Joel Raygor

John 1:3
All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

There is something special about being in a duck marsh before the sun comes up. Seeing the orange glow to the east, smelling the musky scent of rotting cattails. Hearing the squawking of the red winged black birds and then suddenly feel that rush as a whistling wings of a group of ducks fly by close overhead, see your decoys and bank back toward you and set their wings to land. To watch the sunrise, to hear the wildlife, and to be able to get that adrenaline rush... which all point to our Creator.

There is a verse from Romans 1:20 that tells us that we all can see God's invisible qualities, eternal power and divine nature clearly so that we are all without excuse. This scripture teaches us that God provides sufficient evidence of Himself through creation, making a lack of knowledge of Him a deliberate turning away, rather than ignorance.

In Psalm 19:1 we read, "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge".

The next time you are in a deer stand, a duck blind or a fishing boat, thank God for His creation, for the land that sustains you, the game that feeds you and the hunt of fishing that blesses you. Appreciate God's breathtaking creation and draw closer to your Creator.

Genesis 1:28 "And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that move upon the earth."

Today's prayer, God, creator of all, we come before You in awe of the beauty of this world and every living creature You have made. Forgive us for the times we have taken Your creation for granted and help us to be better stewards of Your land. Remind us to reflect on Your invisible qualities and praise You for Your great creativity. In Jesus' name, Amen.

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YOUR BEST RESPONSE

Dean Hulce — Fri, 10 Jul 2026 08:30:41 +0000

Colossians 4:5-6
Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.

It was opening morning of mule deer season in NW Colorado and I had dropped hunters up on a ridge high above camp. I was headed back to camp to clean up and start dinner. As I walked along our fence line I came upon a young man who was very excited and confused. As I walked up to him a saw a large buck laying at his feet. He started to explain that he had shot the buck earlier and had no idea what to do with it.

I was a little upset that he had actually harvested it literally right on the fence within sight of our camp, and I struggled with his raw language, but I felt a little sorry for him. I offered to help him dress the deer out and teach him how to do it for the future. Then we took it together into a shaded place and propped it open to cool so it wouldn't spoil.

I didn't want to do anything but get to camp. But I felt I needed to help. As Christians we have a responsibility to care for others in need.

This is really hard thing to remember on a daily basis. Our life should evolve to a place that we should be living wisely all the time in front of all people. Once we know the Lord we have two main responsibilities; to glorify God and to build his family bigger. We can't do either of those efficiently if our life isn't a reflection of Christ to the world.

Today, I challenge you to make a special attempt to be as loving and kind as possible to those that you run into. Love them by your words and actions... Because as John 13:35 says, ..." all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

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GROWING THROUGH ADVERSITY

Dean Hulce — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 08:30:05 +0000

James 1:12
"Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him."

Pete and Steve came back to camp right at dark with stories of more muskies than they had ever dreamed of. My two boys Ryan and Nick get excited and Ryan, Nick and Pete began making plans for the next morning's fishing. The three of them had to walk in quite a way through the thick woods, carrying, all of their gear, plus 2 gas tanks and more. They were already tired when they got to the boats. After a day of casting big lures, fighting huskies and hauling gear back to camp... the guys were fighting to stay awake at the dinner table. It was a terribly hard trek into the lake... but it was worth it.

The Christian life can be like that mountain, we know that it's going to take some hard work and occasionally some heartache to get to where God wants to bring us, but it will be worth it when we get there.

Consider the life of Job. God allowed Job to go through some horrific circumstances. God didn't cause those troubles but He allowed them to happen. Job went through things that I hope to never have to face, but when he made it through he was closer to God and he was blessed beyond what he had prior to the testing.

If I asked all of the readers of this today if they would want to live a trouble free life, I bet all would say, "yes please". But what would it really be like if we never faced opposition or a rough road? Life would be a little boring. Consider driving through the Colorado mountains, it can be tough going at times, but after 8 hours of straight, flat roads in Nebraska and eastern Colorado, that rough going is beautiful.

Recently I heard an illustration on the radio... "While the congregation sat with their eyes closed a pastor had someone play a song on the piano using only the white keys. Then he had them play the same song using both the white and black keys. The pastor then asked the congregation, 'which was more beautiful?'. Everyone thought that the second was far more beautiful. This illustrates that we could go through life with only the bright white circumstances, but, when we face some darker/harder times it gives us a much more beautiful future.

In Genesis 37 we read about Joseph who was much loved by his father. His brothers were very jealous and sold him into slavery. He faced extremely hard times for a while, but he grew from his experiences and became a very high ranking official. God took something that seemed like a disaster, and when His child persevered through it, He turned it into a tremendous blessing.

Whatever you and I are facing today, remember the words from James 1:2-4. Trusting God has a plan far greater than the trouble we're currently facing, push forward knowing that what is coming will be a blessing that far overshadows the hardship we're dealing with today.

James 1:2-4
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

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Divine Protection

Dean Hulce — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 08:30:07 +0000

by Joel Raygor

Isaiah 41:10
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Tick-borne diseases are infections transmitted to humans and animals through the bite of infected ticks. The most common illnesses include Lyme Disease, Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Early recognition and treatment are vital to prevent severe complications.

This year there has been added concern about the Alpha-gal Syndrome. Alpha-gal Syndrome is caused by a bite from the lone star tick and it can lead to an allergy to red meat. Yikes, I don't want that!

Shortly before the start of the spring turkey season, all my camo and other outdoor clothes go on the clothesline and get sprayed with Permethrin. In addition to that, I also apply Picaridin lotion around my ankles, wrists, and neck when I head into the woods. Before I started doing this, every spring and summer I would find ticks crawling on me and some even embedded in me, but since I've been taking these precautionary steps, I almost never see a tick.

This added protection of Permethrin and Picaridin gives me some peace of mind and removes some of the concern about contracting Lyme and other tick borne disease.

As we read in Psalm 91, in a much more confident way we as Christians can rest assured that we have an added level of protection, knowing that God has sent angels to watch over us. We also read just a few chapters later in Psalm 121 that He promises divine protection from all evil and harm.

Psalm 91:11-12: "For He shall give His angels charge over you to keep you in all your ways. They shall bear you up in their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone."

Psalm 121:7-8: "The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore".

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KEEP THE FIRE BURNING

Dean Hulce — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 08:30:11 +0000

by Tim Jones – GGO President

Leviticus 6:13
"The fire shall ever be burning upon the alter; it shall never go out."

I like to camp, and one of my favorite activities while camping is just sitting around the campfire and relaxing. Doesn't matter if it's day or night, hot or cold weather, by myself or with friends and family. It doesn't get any better than a good cup of coffee and a frosty morning sunrise around the fire.

On a recent camp trip, something occurred that doesn't happen too often. I was having trouble keeping the fire burning. I had used up the wood I brought along from home and had to purchase a couple bundles from the campground. The wood looked good on the surface but obviously it was freshly cut and not seasoned very well. I had a terrible time getting it to catch and then all it produced was a large amount of smoke. No flames, no heat, and no light.

This reminded me how our Christian walk can get at times. It may look good on the surface but it is not on fire. There is no heat or light being produced. A Christian life that is on fire for God is a life that is evidenced by a passionate, zealous, and active faith. It is a heart that is consumed by God's love and a desire to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with others. The Old Testament passage in Leviticus was an instruction given by God to Moses concerning the Priests and the sacrifices on the alter. The fire was to be constantly burning and not allowed to go out. This is how our Christian life should be. We should live a life that is on fire for God and not be allowed to be extinguished. We should constantly be stirring the embers and fanning the flames. How's the fire in your life burning? Are you stoking your fire with God's word and meeting with Him in prayer? Is your flame visible to others? Does your flame give light and warmth to others or are you just smoldering and giving off a lot of smoke? Look to Jesus for strength and power to keep your fire lit. Allow His Word to be a burning fire in your heart.

Matthew 5:16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

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IT WILL ALL BE SEEN

Dean Hulce — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 08:30:06 +0000

Hebrews 4:13
And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him.

The big mule deer buck was taking a drink was drinking in a creek straight below me about 100 yards. I watched him leave the creek and start up into the Wyoming rocky crevices. I watched him bed down in a place that looked like someone could sneak in on him. That someone was my dad who was up the valley 500-600 yards.

After the buck settled in I snuck out and got my dad's attention. I gave him as many hand signals as I could think of. Once he figured out what was going on I got in position to lead him to range of the buck who believed he was completely hidden and safe. That buck ended up being dad's last mule deer buck before he passed away.

There are times when in our lives we think we've gotten away with some sin. We think no one else knows about this. But like Randy with that Gobbler, there is always God looking from above that sees everything. Our Heavenly Father sees all that we do, the good and the bad. There is nothing hidden from His view.

Its spring and there a lot of new born fawns around... the other day we saw one lay down by the edge of the road. It thought it was hidden, but it didn't know that we could see it clearly. It reminded me that God sees and knows, even when I think I'm hidden. How many times in our lives have we done things that we would have changed if we had just remembered the verse above? There are things that we have literally cried over after the fact knowing that God could see us the whole time and we hurt Him with our sin. When we realize that the very God that created us and gave His Son as a sacrifice for just you and me... He can see us when we sin, and He is pained when we turn against Him each time we sin... it should break our hearts.

We are all going to make decisions that are wrong... We are all sinners (Romans 3:23). Next time you are at a crossroads and sin is right there in front if you, remember Hebrews 4:13 and know that HE sees and hears everything. Consider your steps carefully.

There is also a great promise here as well. If God knows our hearts and sees all things then He also knows and sees our struggles and our hurts. He sees our needs and our victories. And HE loves us so much that HE will meet our every need.

The next time you are tempted with sin, remember that maybe no else will know... but God will know and your sin will break the heart of the God that loves you more than you can imagine. That should stop all of us from making the wrong decision.

The good and the bad... nothing is hidden

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Just Wait!

Dean Hulce — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 08:30:53 +0000

Psalm 37:34
Wait for the LORD and keep His way, And He will exalt you to inherit the land; When the wicked are cut off, you will see it.

I'm not always the most patient hunter. I like to see what's over the next ridge or at a different stand. My first trip to deer hunt in South Dakota made me wait and when I did it paid off.

By midday on the second day of a 4 day hunt the other 6 hunters were done and all had good bucks. I was the only one left to fill my tag. By the third evening we had decided I could hunt until 8:00 AM on the 4th morning. A big blizzard was blowing in and we needed to hit the road.

Overnight we got a few inches of snow and the winds were howling. I wasn't giving up. I had 2 hours to hunt and I was waiting it out. At 7:30 I saw a good buck chasing a doe and I hustled down a hill to get ahead of him. A few minutes before 8:00 I pulled the trigger and had a big 8 point buck.

There's an old saying that goes, "good things come to those who will wait." Most of us never see what it was that was coming... we aren't patient enough.

There were a lot of people in the Bible that waited patiently... then there those that weren't quite so patient.
Joseph Waited       15 years
Abraham Waited   25 years
Moses Waited        40 years
Jesus Waited         30 years

If God is making you wait, you are in very good company...

I did an entire sermon on this a couple of years ago. It is very true. We have heard, "wait on the Lord" but what does it mean to us? To me it means, Trust In HIS Timing, not my own. Abraham didn't trust in God's timing, he went ahead of God and thought that he knew best, see where it got him, were still paying tor his impatience yet today.

So today if you are anxious about something that you think God isn't doing fast enough... Relax, Trust, Continue to do the right things and "Wait for the LORD".

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