Alligators

PLEASE NOTE: The following devotion is written with a sense of humor. It is not my intention to insult Florida or any of its wild pets. In truth, some of my best friends are Floridians. Really. In Him,  PK

TITLE: Alligators
DATE:  July 31, 2019
TEXT:. 1 Peter 5:8-9 - ESV - 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.

Buddy Ackerman is 75-years-old and he lives in Florida. Because he has done so for a while he has leaned the tricks of successfully living in a very hot, very humid state.

1. Natives know that if you have a dog that needs exercise the best time of day to do that is early in the morning.

That’s the reason why Buddy had his daughter’s golden retriever on a leash and was walking the dog  around his condominium.

1. Natives know that if you have some water around it has the ability to mask the presence  of an alligator approximately ½ inch smaller than the diameter of the pond.

Which is why Buddy was not entirely surprised that as they went by retention pond, an 8-foot beast sprang from the water and chomped down on the dog’s leg.
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1. Natives know that since an alligator attack might happen in the most unexpected places you should always be prepared to defend yourself of your loved ones.

Which is why Buddy gave a yank on the dog’s leash. When that didn’t free the pet, Buddy went seamlessly into the second stage of his survival skills: he ran up to the alligator and kicked it in the snout until the gator left go and went back to its lair.

1. The final rule that natives know is this: they should commit to memory the phone number of FFWCCNAH. For those of you who don’t know, those are the initials for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Nuisance Alligator Hotline.

Which is why, when Buddy Ackerman got home, he, and the uninjured dog called that number and they found a more viable home for the beast, that is, the alligator.

Now you may have noticed, unless you skip the Bible passages at the top of our devotions, that Peter does not talk about alligators seeking someone to devour. It is my belief that if Peter had been raised in Egypt he might have come close by talking about crocodiles. Lions, alligators, crocs, the devil the world’s temptations...it doesn’t make any difference... they attack when you’re not expecting them.,

 Which is why St. Peter told us to be prepared (1 Pt 3:115). More than that he tells us how: He says, “but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect...””

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, truly the world waits and is ready to pounce. Help me be prepared to defend my faith and the beliefs of those around me. Grant me wisdom beyond my own so I may respond in a way the Spirit can use to touch hearts. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

The devotion for today was inspired by various recent news articles. For further reading you may wish to go to this address: https://rare.us/rare-animals/florida-man-fights-alligator-dog/and the article written by .Robb Fox
The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann. He along with three of his brothers perform on the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html