Verse of the Day

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"The battle is not your battle, it is God's."

2 Chronicles 20:15

One of the best ways to get a youngster hooked on fishing is to hook the fish, hand the child the rod, and let them battle the fish. Most kids will learn quickly they are not actually catching the fish, but the important thing is that they are having fun.
We all have battles as we go through life. My preacher, Dr. Andy Bowman, says either you've just fought a battle, you are in one now, or one is just about to happen. That pretty much pegs the slip sinker.
We can fight, or we can let God fight. That choice is ours, but it takes a pretty mature Christian to hand the battle to God. Save yourself some trouble and give your next battle to God right away.

Tip: On a really good piece of structure, try several different casting angles.

from Jimmy Houston's book, Catch of the Day
 
When Peter saw the wind and the waves, he became afraid and began to sink.

Matthew 14:30

The trick to casting accurately is to concentrate on the structure you are trying to throw near, around, or through. Don't fix your eyes on the spot where you want your lure to land; look at what's near that spot.
We all know that Peter began to fail when he looked at the wind and waves(the problem) and took his eyes off Jesus(the problem-solver). What a great lesson; success with Jesus, failure without Him.That really sums up God's entire plan about mankind. What do you want to accomplish today? Fix your eyes on Jesus. You and I might never walk on water or accomplish the impossible, but then again, with Jesus, we just might!

Tip: If you don't use a fly rod, try fly fishing with a long light spinning rod.

from Jimmy Houston's book, Catch of the Day


*** I'll be unable to post a verse for the next 2 days, I pray someone will post one each day. God Bless & have a GREAT day!!!
 
We do not ask these things because we are good, instead, we ask because of your mercy.

Daniel 9:18

My son and I dove hunt every year the first week in September. We have been doing this as long as I can remember. I guess Jamie started going with me when he was seven or eight years old. The amazing thing is we kill a limit every single day we hunt every year. Why? Because we are really good shots? No---because we hunt where there are lots of birds.
Can we claim blessings and benefits from God because of how good we are? No, our God has lots of mercy. God's goodness, not yours or not mine, is what life is all about. Thankfully, God's goodness and mercy is plenty sufficient. It is all we need in all circumstances. And you can count on that mercy to last throughout eternity.

Tip: Watch your locator for a thermocline during the hotter months.

from Jimmy Houston's book, Catch of the Day
 
I will be glad and rejoice in your love, because you saw my suffering; you knew my troubles.

Psalm 31:7

My granddaughter, Jordyn, is a fish-kissing little rascal. She has been kissing fish since way before she was big enough to actually catch fish. Her favorite--bass, of course. We were cleaning a few small bass this week to eat, and she had to kiss every one before I filleted it even though that last kiss might be just a little late to show her love.
God has kissed us with His blessings. He's always standing by to help because He loves us! His love is not based on whether we deserve it or not. In fact, most of the time we don't. He always knows what we are going through and will never let us suffer more than we can bear. Rejoice today, heavenly help is on the way.

Tip: Try a black Cordell Hot Spot in flats where shad are present.

from Jimmy Houston's book, Catch of the Day
 
The LORD made his teachings wonderful, because he is good.

Isaiah 42:21

We study bass fishing because we want to be more successful at catching bass. We watch television shows, read books and magazines, and attend seminars, all to achieve greater success. We assume the teachers are sharing their best information with us.
The Bible is the most helpful instruction book ever written. Called the Book of Life, it certainly is that. Life present, life past, life future, and life eternal. Everything God wrote in His Bible is for our good. From our work habits to our eating habits to every relationship we will ever have, God has laid down teachings for our benefit in all situations. We only need to claim them.

Tip: Study land contour as you drive down the highway. Imagine it covered with water.

from Jimmy Houston's book, Catch of the Day
 
"Don't be afraid. Just believe, and your daughter will be well."

Luke 8:50

My Preacher, Andy Bowman, told of an 86-year-old deacon he served with in Florida. This man was saved at age sixty. His wife died when he was seventy, and shortly thereafter, the deacon himself was diagnosed with terminal cancer and given only a few months to live. He told God he was ready to go. But God told this old deacon He still had things for him to do and would cure the cancer. He went back to the doctors and told them he wasn't taking any treatments, because God said He would cure him. They ran more tests, and sure enough, the cancer was gone.
Just like when Jesus walked this earth, God is in the healing business. He asks only that we just believe and not be afraid.

Tip: Bass will move to the tips of points to feed.

from Jimmy Houston's book, Catch of the Day
 
I am offering you life or death, blessings or curses. Now choose life!

Deuteronomy 31:19

If you gave a big old bass the choice of hitting a hot skillet or being kissed and released, which do you think she would choose? I am going to bet she'd rather avoid the hot grease no matter how bad a kisser you are. Ye tGod has given us just that same choice, and many do indeed choose the frying pan. Why is that? Is it too difficult or too simple to believe? It is simple! Do you feel you are not worthy? Well, you're not! Does it cost too much? Jesus has already paid the price--in advance! Do you not have the time for God? Eternity is forever! That fish we hold in our hands is at our mercy for life or death. We are at God's mercy, but unlike that bass, the choice is ours.

Tip: Only kiss bass of the opposite sex. I never kiss boy bass!

from Jimmy Houston's book, Catch of the Day
 
Those who are right with God will live by trusting in him.

Habakkuk 2:4

There are many ways to fish a Road Runner. All can catch fish. There are really a lot of combination of Road Runners. I suppose hundreds, when you consider size, color, and type of tail. Any can be right depending on the situation. Each can also be equally as wrong.
There really is no wrong situation for depending on God to get things right. No illness, no money problem, no hurt relationship, not even death. We are simply to live by trusting Him. Easier said than done? You bet it is, but the only way any of us can be part of God's power is by going through some times so tough, we can't handle them alone.

Tip: Never overlook a shady bank, no matter how small the shaded area is.

from Jimmy Houston's book, Catch of the Day
 
"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock."

Revelation 3:20

This time of the year, bass start chasing quite a bit. The fall feed is beginning and bass are fattening up for the winter. When that old bass chases, he is telling us exactly where he is and usually what type of lure to catch him on.
For the Christian, Jesus is always telling us how to please Him. No matter where we are or what we are involved in. He will always make sure we hear Him. We can't be in a storm too loud or in a crowd too rowdy for God not to be heard. We can, of course, ignore Him, and much of the time we do, especially if we are doing something we shouldn't. Rest assured though, Jesus will speak to us, and we will be a whole lot better off if we will just listen and obey.

Tip: Use deep-diving crankbaits on underwater ledges in late summer and early fall.

from Jimmy Houston's book, Catch of the Day
 
"I am sending an angel ahead of you, who will protect you as you travel."

Exodus 23:20

If you want to catch bass on deep structure, find the underwater routes they travel--roadbeds, creek channels, ledges, and edges. Locate their stopping spots, bridges, brush piles, foundations, and the like. Be on that stopping spot when the fish are, and bingo, you're a hero!
We're a traveling society. I have about two million miles on Delta alone, plus a bunch on other carriers. Probably more prayers are offered up for and by travelers than anyone else. I pray for safety on every flight as well as every trip by land or sea. Do these prayers work? Of course! I don't know how many angels God has dispatched for my family and me, but it must be a lot. Need an angel today? Ask God--He has plenty.

Tip: Bass will position below undercut banks up river during summer and fall.

from Jimmy Houston's book, Catch of the Day
 
They should eat and drink and enjoy their work, because the life God has given them on earth is short.

Ecclesiastes 5:18

Tim McGraw sings a country song about finding out you have a terminal illness. One of the things the lyrics tell you to do is take more time to go fishing. The moral of the song is to live like you are dying. As I grow older, it makes more and more sense to me to make every day special.
On Sept. 11, 2001, nearly three thousand lives ended unexpectedly. I often wonder what each person did the weekend before. How many were saved and are in heaven? How many were lost and will spend eternity in hell? God tells us to enjoy life, enjoy our work, enjoy each other. He knows we will have problems, so God warns that life is short and to make the most of it. Get out there and make today special for you and for those around you.

Tip: Always experiment with lure speeds.

from Jimmy Houston's book, Catch of the Day
 
Continue praying, keeping alert, and always thanking God.

Colossians 4:2

I have traveled every year by air since 9/11 on Sept. 11th until this year. This year, I flew on Set. 12. I really did not give it too much thought except in 2002 when our pilot came on the speakers and asked us to buckle our safety belts and have a moment of silence for the anniversary of the attack.
Terrorism is probably here to stay, but Jesus still is the answer. As we pray to Him, we must thank God for keeping us safe while we're on the watch for the unusual and suspicious behavior around us. Those of us who fly a lot may have a greater responsibility, but we must always pray, stay alert, and thank God.

Tip: Single blade spinnerbaits are easier to fish at deeper depths.

from Jimmy Houston's book, Catch of the Day
 
"Have faith in the LORD your God and you will stand strong."

2 Chronicles 20:20

Buzzbaits produce big fish in the Fall. You will miss several strikes and bites may be few and far between, but if you will stick with a buzzbait, especially if you have a little wind or rain, you have a great chance of catching a really big bass.
Faith in God is what living a Christian life is all about. Like that buzzbait, we will have problems and at times God's blessings will seem few and far between. But we are guaranteed to catch the big one--Heaven! This faith in Jesus does give us the strength to stand firm when everything and everybody around us seems to be crumbling. Faith is our foundation to lean against when we start to topple. If you ask God for anything today, make it a request for more faith.

Tip: There are always fish in shallow water.

from Jimmy Houston's book, Catch of the Day
 
"Change your hearts and lives, because the kingdom of heaven is near."

Matthew 4:17

The hurricane season plays havoc with the fishing in Florida and all along the East Coast. It also makes a mess of things in Louisiana and Texas at times. The damages far outweigh the benefits, but some changes in land and water can help fishing later on.
As Christians, we know that whatever storms hit us in life, there's a big benefit coming later--Heaven!
If we positively knew Jesus was coming back tomorrow or next week or next month, how would we feel and act? What would you and I do differently? How would we rearrange our schedules, our priorities? The truth is, Jesus just might come back tomorrow, and He warns that our hearts and lives need changing. Where can we start? The first place might just need to be with our relationship with Jesus Himself.

Tip: Use a shad colored crankbait if the current is flowing.

from Jimmy Houston's book, Catch of the Day
 
"We have five loaves of bread and two fish, unless we go buy food for all these people."

Luke 9:13

When you look at some of today's fishing heroes on television, you see tremendous fishermen with celebrity status and great influence. Early on, though, they were considerably something other than superstars. Bill Dance was a furniture salesman, Roland Martin was a fishing guide, and my friend Hank Parker was somewhat of a hippie. (God did clean him up pretty good, though.) God has the power to make a lot out of a little.
If Jesus can feed five thousand men with a couple of tilapia and five biscuits, what can He accomplish with you and me? Whatever circumstances you are in, whatever your dreams and goals are, never ever leave Jesus out for a single moment. He has the ability to turn you into a tremendous person.

Tip: In deep water, if your line stops falling, se the hook.

from Jimmy Houston's book, Catch of the Day
 
We are those people whom God called.

Romans 9:24

Many of the tournament guys call local tournament fishermen to learn about lakes with which they're not familiar. Most locals are really excited when a big name pro calls them for help.
If you are looking for something to really get excited about, think about who called you to be a Christian. Who chose you to be one of His? No one less than the God who created the world. If you get to feeling your life is falling apart, no one loves you, no one cares, remember whose family you belong to. Would you get excited if Roland Martin, Larry Nixon, or Woo Daves called? This is infinitely better. Start jumping for joy---God Himself has called.

Tip: A slider head jig will give a worm more action than a slip sinker.

from Jimmy Houston's book, Catch of the Day
 
The LORD tests those who do right.

Psalm 11:5

In order to fish professional bass tournaments, all you need to do is pay an entry fee. In order to fish at the highest level of BASS or FLW, you must qualify. You are tested at the lower levels before you can fish with the big boys.
We don't have to pass any test to become a Christian, but once we join up, we are tested often. We are tested in order to be molded into the kind of Christians God wants us to be. God doesn't need mamby-pamby Christians. He wants and uses Christians who have been tested by whatever life can throw at us. We're forged into Christians with patience, perseverance, humility, forgiveness, generosity, and gratefulness. Mature Christians are tough and know how powerful our God really is.

Tip: If you fish from the bank use a Smartcast wireless Fish Finder.

from Jimmy Houston's book, Catch of the Day
 
Those who lead good people to do wrong will be ruined by their own evil, but the innocent will be rewarded with good things.

Proverbs 28:10

Ponds react the same in the fall as in the spring. Fishing improves more quickly in ponds in the spring, because the water warms up earlier than in large lakes. Reverse that in the fall--that's right, water in ponds will cool more quickly. This sets off an early fall feeding frenzy.
The Bible tells us not to hang around with non-Christians, and the smaller our faith is, the more quickly it will be warmed or cooled by the good or bad people we're around. God knows that one bad apple can ruin the barrel and that one evil person can certainly lead many Christians astray. We need to be on the lookout for the devil masquerading as a friend determined to lead us into trouble. Keep in mind, we have a reward waiting.

Tip: Pay close attention to the small details in fishing.

from Jimmy Houston's book, Catch of the Day
 

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