What Are You Hunting For?

What are you hunting for?by Elmer Murdoch

SUTL Hunter's Jan26,2008:Layout 1 1/28/08 11:30 AM Page 3

WHAT ARE YOU HUNTING FOR?Deer, turkey, pheasant, geese?

Hunting is a great sport: Gorgeous fall days, pheasants exploding out ofwaist-high grass, your Lab swimming back between the decoys with yourMallard in his mouth, an eight point buck coming to your call. How does itget any better?

You go back to your vehicle and lay out your limit--waterfowl or upland game.Your dogs jump in the back, tired but happy. Or maybe you're hanging that bigbuck at the camp and everyone is looking at him.

You've had a successful hunt.

1 © Copyright 2008


But what are you hunting for in life? The right mate, a happy marriage,career success, a worry-free retirement? Good. It sounds great.

But after you have put away your custom-made scoped rifle and zipped yourover/under in its case, what then? The birds are cleaned, the deer dressed andeverything is in the freezer. What then?

Fast forward to the golden years. You can't walk the fields now, your hip isbad and even your dog's got arthritis — just like you. What then?

Every hunt has to end and so does life. Yours. Mine.

Since this is true, why don't you find out where you are spiritually from ahunting point of view. Read on.

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UnconcernAre you on this step?

UNCONCERNED

Life is good. Game is plentiful. I'm in good health. I keep the rules and treateveryone fairly. That's my religion and I'm OK.

As an unconcerned person you may know a lot about Jesusand salvation or very little.

The point is you do not really care.


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What do you think God isreally trying to tell you?

Concern

CONCERNED?

You are aware of your inner and spiritual needs and would like to find theanswers for them.

Actually, God is trying to get your attention about spiritual matters. Maybe youare stuck in a divorce, a job loss or just plain emptiness.

Unconcern


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Are you on this step?

Conviction

CONVICTION

Every state has hunting laws. They are for the good of all concerned. God haslaws. They also are for the good of all concerned. They are called the TenCommandments. To be good enough to go to heaven you must keep them allperfectly. All the time. Everywhere. You have done wrong and you know it.Guilt is bothering you. Or, life is empty andstays empty in spite of whatyou buy or what you do.

Unconcern

Concern


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Believe it or not, your problem is really about goodness. How good are you?If you want to know, yell, “Pull” and fire away.

Are you a good shot?� Yes � Sometimes � No

HOW GOOD? � 25 for 25?� Every Day? � Every Time?� All The Time?

LET'S TRY A COMPOUND BOW.Where are your arrows hitting?Sin is missing the bull’s-eye. Have you hit perfection yet?All have sinned and missed the mark. Romans 3:23

OR LET'S TRY GOD'S GOODNESS TEST!


HAVE YOU HITPERFECTION

YET?

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HOW WELL HAVE YOU KEPTTHE TEN COMMANDMENTS?� I did pretty well.� I did not do well.� I tried my best.� I am better than most.� I obey the Ten Commandmentsperfectly in thought,word and deed.So, I am good enough to go toheaven.

“...through the law we becomeconscious of sin.” Romans 3:20

You shall have no other gods before Me.You shall not make for yourself an idol.You shall not take the name of the Lordyour God in vain.

Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.Honor (obey) your father and your mother.You shall not murder.You shall not commit adultery.You shall not steal.You shall not bear false witness (lie).You shall not covet. Exodus 20:3-17

To find out how good you are,take God’s Goodness Test:

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

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CONVICTION means you have a strong spiritual discomfort and guilt caused bythe Holy Spirit showing you your sin and emptiness.

How well did you do? Which box did you check? Only the last box is goodenough to go to heaven.

Remember, God does not grade on the scale. In the Bible, James 2:10 says thatif you break one commandment just once in thought, word or deed...you havefailed God's Goodness Test. Passing is 100%.

Did you check the last box? � Yes � NoIF NOT, THERE IS HOPE FOR YOU. Have you ever sinned? � Yes � NoIf yes, does it ever bother you? How much? � A little? � A lot?� Enough to do something about it?


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REPENTANCE

REPENTANCE means you have a deep change of mind and heart aboutrunning your own life. God is calling you to make a 180 degree turn towardhis Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

You feel bad about your sins and theirconsequences. You have hurtothers, yourself andthe Lord.

Repentance

Are you on this step?Unconcern

Concern

Conviction


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REPENTANCE

All your sins and selfishness were placed on him.He took the punishment for your transgressions.

For “...God demonstrates his own love for us in this:

While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

This is the kind of love God has for you.

That is why he calls you to turn to him and from your self-run, me-first life.

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Surrender yourself and receive Jesus Christ as your personalLord and Savior. If you don't repent, all your sins will stay on your account.You will have to pay for them.

It's your choice.

God will not make you repent but you will wish you had. Because if you don't,you will be separated from God forever...in hell.

Jesus said, “...unless you repent, you too will all perish.” Luke 13:3

“God...commands all people everywhere now to repent...” Acts 17:30

Turn the page now and take the final step.

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Saving Faith

SAVING FAITH

You are ready to commit yourself totally to Christ as your Lord and Savior.You will also trust him for the forgiveness of your sins, his purposes for youon earth and for eternal life in heaven.

You were created to know God personallythrough his Son. That is the ultimatereason you are valuable.

And, you can live to bring himhonor in every area of your life.God is drawing you to himself.Are you on this step?

Unconcern

Concern

Conviction

Repentance

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SAVING FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS

Christ has told us to love our families, friends and all people. But he has alsotold us that our love for him comes first. Matthew 10:37-39

Your job, finances, career and even your life are gifts from God but theycannot be your god. Jesus comes first. Luke 9:57-62

“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in yourheart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with yourmouth that you confess and are saved.” Romans 10:9,10

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At the end of the day...What really matters?

Your bragging rights... your gun... your dog... your trophy?

Do these or anything else really fulfill your highest purpose for living?

Or, is it not a relationship with Jesus Christ who has paid all the fines foryour sins and offers to live in you with purpose now and give eternal joy andmeaning in heaven forever. He is Himself the Life-Giving Guide.

Since this is true, confess your sins to him, tell God you are repenting andbelieving on him. You can pray that now.

He will keep his word, forgive you and come into your life, making you new.Romans 8:15, Galatians 4:4-6, I John 1:7

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SO, HERE’S YOUR SECOND SHOT!

CHECK ONE. WHERE ARE YOU?� Sleeping (Unconcerned)� Water in waders (Concerned)� The Warden's got me. (Convicted)� I am doing a “180.” (Repenting)� I am kneeling at the cross today, submitting my life to the Lord Jesus.

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Therefore:• I am confessing my sins to God. I John 1:9• I am turning from and repenting of my sin. Acts 17:30• I am putting my faith in the Lord Jesus. Acts 16:30,31• I am thanking him for his life in me. Romans 8:16


Now that you have found what you have been hunting for...

Start with these Bible verses: Colossians 2:6,7; other brothers and sisters willhunt with you; you are not alone.Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

To keep on the right path, read from the map — the Bible.I John 1;7, Psalms 119:9-11

Talk, pray to your new Master Hunting Guide — Jesus Christ.Matthew 7:7-11

Enjoy the out of doors, and fellowship with other believers who alsolove Christ. Hebrews 10:24,25

22All Scripture in this booklet is from the New International and the New American Standard versions.


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For teaching/study and children’s material,video or various language tract versions,

contact us at (402) 933-4095www.stepuptolife.com • [email protected]

Step Up To Life Ministries20301 Wirt Street

P.O. Box 730Elkhorn, NE 68022 U.S.A.

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