Yesterday, my wife Sharon and I took a drive up to Cabela's, a large outdoor recreation store (and when I say "large" - that is a gross understatement!). Now Sharon and I neither camp nor canoe ... and I do not hunt (although I do enjoy fishing). So why did we drive 50 miles to Cabela's? For starters, we wanted to see their displays of mounted outdoor life (ranging from white tail deer to black bear to even a huge African elephant). In addition to these mounted animals, Cabela's has some nifty aquarium's hosting some of the biggest largemouth bass I have ever seen (in addition to scores of other freshwater species of fish). Cabela's also has a large pond full of trout (and HUGE ones at that!). You can even feed them (for a quarter you get a small handfull of fish food pellets) .. and boy do they like to eat! We spent almost three hours enjoying all that Cabela's had to offer (including lunch). If you have yet to visit Cabela's - I encourage you to do so. You won't be disappointed!
Now as I think back on the mounted animals ... especially those on display in Cabela's "Deer Country" - I am amazed at just how large the antlers grew on some of those deer. Especially considering that the growing season for a deer's antlers (which are grown new every year!) is only about 100 days. So in just over 3 months, some of these buck are growing a MONSTER set of antlers. And that is why they are considered TROPHY buck and therefore the reason they are on display in Cabela's "Deer Country."
Do you realize that if you are a follower of Jesus Christ, you will one day be on display? You too, will be a trophy for others to see. And it won't be due to anything you have ever done or will ever do here on earth. No. You and I will be trophies on display for all eternity as trophies of God's grace! Listen to the words of the Apostle Paul,
"As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 4But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast. 10For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (Ephesians 2:1-10)
I hope you will be included in God's trophy case of grace! Remember, Jesus died to pay the penalty for your sin - if you have never trusted in his sacrifice, please do so today! Don't put it off. And since none of us are guaranteed another day, tomorrow could be too late!
Thanks for stopping by . . .
pj
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