The Girl Who Always Ate Alone

Jim Burns, author of the book Radically Committed, said that a girl named Marie had been in his classes ever since elementary school. By the time they were seniors, Jim had never spoken to her. 

 

She was smart, but not very attractive. Kids often made fun of her. Marie lived around the corner from Jim growing up, but they never once walked home together.  

  

After Jim became a Christian, the Lord convicted him about loving others as Jesus would. One day at lunch during his senior year, he walked past Marie, who was eating alone. He stopped to ask her a question. She looked at him as if to ask, Why would a snob like you talk to me after all these years?  

The next day he brought some of his friends together to eat lunch with Marie. Their little group ended up eating with Marie for a week, and they invited her to come to a Christian Campus Life Club meeting. After quietly considering their invitation, she cautiously told them, “Well, …okay.”  

 

One day after a club meeting, Marie asked him, “Why are you doing this? No one has ever eaten lunch with me since the seventh grade until your friends sat with me last month.” She had eaten alone at school every day for over five years. Jim told her that he had recently become a Christian and God had moved his heart to reach out to her.  

  

Eight years later, Jim spoke at a Campus Life camp in California. After his talk, one of the leaders walked up to him and asked, “Do you remember me?” Jim knew she looked familiar, but before he could answer, she said, “I’m Marie. I’m now in charge of the Women’s Ministry for an entire county in Southern California.” Then she added, “Thanks for having lunch with me years ago.” 

  

Jim was at a loss for words. He said that all he could do was cry. (MORE Amazing Stories & Daily Devotionals) 

  

Do you know anyone like Marie? Someone who is a loner? Maybe someone who everyone else overlooks? That might be the person the Lord wants you to reach out to by sharing the gospel. You never know what God will do in that person’s life if you’ll just make an attempt to connect. Jesus said, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matt. 22:39). It might begin by talking to someone who is eating alone in the cafeteria. www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com  www.makinglifecount.net

 

VIDEO TEACHING OF THE WEEK  Each week I will post a new video teaching. In this week’s video Allen Parr interviews Dr. Jeremiah Johnston about The Top 10 Biblical Archaeological Discoveries.  (click to watch) 

The Fake Football Playbook

 Just before the 1999 football game between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Longhorns, one of Texas’s student assistants saw a playbook laying on the field. 

He picked it up and was excited to see it contained Oklahoma’s offensive plays. He gave it to Longhorns defensive coordinator, Carl Reese. The Longhorns thought they’d caught a huge break.  

What the Texas coach didn’t know was the playbook contained fake plays drawn up by Oklahoma’s offensive coordinator, Mike Leach. Leach put Oklahoma’s offensive assistant Cale Gundy’s name at the top of it, as if it were Gundy’s copy of OU’s plays. To make it look official, he had it laminated. Leach made up phony plays the Sooners didn’t even have in their system. Then an OU player “accidentally” dropped the sheet where it could be easily found by the Texas coaches.  

Leach knew if Texas believed the fake plays were real, Oklahoma could trick them by calling other plays. The plan worked. Oklahoma jumped ahead 17-0 before Texas realized they had been duped. Texas defensive back Ahmad Brooks said, “That game might’ve been the most bizarre experience I ever had as a college football player…it was complete confusion.” Texas changed their game plan and eventually won the game.  

Mike Leach’s plan would NOT have worked if he handed the playbook to the Texas assistant coach, saying, “Here are the plays we’re going to call.” Instead, he cleverly made the Texas coach think he discovered it on his own. In that way, the plays appeared to be real when they were actually fake. (MORE Amazing Stories & Daily Devotionals) 

 

Satan has “deceived the whole world” (Rev. 12:9) by tricking people into believing his playbook called “evolution”, “gender-affirming care” and “pro-choice.” Isaiah 5:20 says, “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil.” The devil doesn’t openly reveal his plans, but he cleverly lets people discover his playbook, making them think they’ve found the truth. If he can fool them into believing his lies, they won’t lose a football game—they’ll lose their souls.

 

Don’t let Satan deceive you. Always be discerning about everything you hear and read because “we are not unaware of Satan’s schemes” (2 Cor. 2:11). www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com  www.makinglifecount.net  

VIDEO TEACHING OF THE WEEK  Each week I will post a new video teaching. This week’s video disproves evolution. Dr. Stephen Meyer discusses What is Intelligent Design? (Click to watch)  

The Last 2 Animals Boarding Noah's Ark

God told Noah that He would bring the animals to the ark. “You shall bring two of every kind into the ark … they shall be male and female … two of every kind will come to you to keep them alive” (Gen. 6:19-20).

Obviously, the animals would need to arrive at different times. The cheetahs, the world’s fastest animals, were probably the first to reach the ark. And since the snails traveled at a snail’s pace, they were probably the last couple to arrive. Charles Spurgeon said, “By perseverance the snails reached the ark.”

Snails weren’t created with legs to run fast, or with wings to fly over obstacles. They carried a house on their backs and propelled themselves along slowly, a few millimeters at a time. They no doubt arrived later than the turtles, and just after the tree sloughs took their own sweet time to mosey up the ramp.

But there was one advantage the snails had for being the last ones to board the ship—they avoided being stepped on and crushed by an elephant or a rhinoceros. God called them to the ark and by their persistence they reached their destination. (Amazing Stories & Daily Devotionals, Day 342)

Perhaps you feel inferior, like a snail. You don’t have the memory of an elephant, the eyes of an eagle, the strength of the gorilla, or the speed of a cheetah. Quit comparing yourself with the other animals who are also called by God. Just as God made snails to be snails and not cheetahs, He created you to be you, and not someone else.  

Everyone can learn a lesson from those little snails. By your persistence you’ll reach the destination where God has called you. Just keep slugging away.  www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com  www.makinglifecount.net

VIDEO TEACHING OF THE WEEK  Each week I will post a new video teaching that will inspire you. This week’s video is The Latest UPDATE on the Search for Noah’s Ark in Turkey (Click to watch)  

After watching the Noah's Ark video, check out this article:  Ancient Map from 1587 Shows Noah's Ark Location

Believing Things that Are NOT True

We don’t necessarily ACT on what is true, but what we BELIEVE to be true. Joseph’s brothers hated Joseph so much they sold him to some Midianite traders, who took him to Egypt. But how could they explain his disappearance to their father? They took Joseph’s multi-colored coat and dipped it in goat’s blood, then showed it to their father. They deceived their father by trying to give him “proof” that Joseph had been killed by a wild animal. Jacob said, “Joseph has surely been torn to pieces.” (Gen. 37:33-34). He took the bait and ACTED on what he BELIEVED to be true, even though it wasn’t, and mourned for his son for the next 13 years.

Some people believe things that aren’t true about God. They’re angry at Him because they think He’s to blame for all tragedies. They are ACTING on what they BELIEVE to be true—even though it isn’t. If they had believed what was actually true, they wouldn’t blame God.

Some people believe things that aren’t true about themselves. They’re depressed and think there’s no reason to live. Others are confused about their identity and think they need to change their gender.  They are ACTING on what they BELIEVE to be true, but it’s a lie. As long as you’re alive, God has a plan for your life and a purpose to fulfill. God made you to be who you are, and He didn’t make you to be someone else.

Many people believe things that aren’t true about others. King Saul believed that David wanted to overthrow him as king and seize his throne, which was not true. David had no intention of doing that, but Saul ACTED on what he BELIEVED to be true and spent his entire life trying to kill David.

Why do people believe things that aren’t true? Jesus said Satan is “the father of lies” (John 8:44). Revelation 12:9 says Satan “deceives the whole world.” The devil has the ability to drop thoughts into our minds, like dropping a baited hook into the water to catch a fish. When a person “takes the bait,” he or she swallows the lie—and starts believing things that aren’t true.

Don't be so quick to believe everything that you’re told. Ask God to show you if you’re believing things that aren’t true. Jesus said, “You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free” (John 8:32).  www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com  www.makinglifecount.net

VIDEO TEACHING OF THE WEEK  Each week I will post a new video teaching of a Bible teacher that I respect. This week archaeologist Joel Kramer explores The Walls of Jericho and shows how it verifies Judges 6. (Click to watch) 

She Fell Overboard but Couldn't Swim

 In 2002, a crew member on a Norway cruise ship fell overboard into the Atlantic Ocean one evening. She didn’t know how to swim. The crew knew she was missing four hours later when she failed to show up for a roll call.

The ship’s captain had a tough decision to make. With over 1,000 passengers who paid to go to St. Martin Island in the Caribbean, should he take them to their destination, or should he go back and search for her body?

 He decided to turn the ship around and search for her body. Angry passengers protested after it was announced the ship would not dock at St. Martin due to time lost because of the search. Since she couldn’t swim, they argued, there was no need to look for her.

 The captain calculated the currents would have caused her body to drift 4 miles off the original path. After back-tracking their path for over 4 hours, passengers gathered on the deck to look for a floating body.

 It's extremely difficult to spot someone in the water due to the sea’s waves and white caps, but against all odds, a passenger spotted her head above the water—and she was still alive! She had taught herself to dog-paddle for 10 hours, even though she didn’t know if the ship would return looking for her.

 Now, let’s change perspectives and see it through this woman's eyes. Imagine how frightened she felt after plunging into the water without a life preserver, and watching the lights of the ship disappear into the night. She’s in total darkness, hundreds of miles from shore. She frantically splashes around, trying to teach herself how to dog-paddle. Think how terrified she was, realizing she will probably drown due to exhaustion or eaten by a shark in the pitch dark. Her ONLY hope is to pray for a miracle—that the ship will return and somehow find her.

Imagine her excitement when the sun comes up and she sees a ship coming to rescue her! But, what would have happened to her if the captain had caved in to the angry passengers’ protests and taken them to St. Martin instead?

This incredible rescue is an illustration of being saved by God's grace. Spiritually, we’ve fallen overboard and we’re treading water in a sea of sin. If we go under, we will descend into hell forever. We can't save ourselves any more than that woman lost at sea could save herself. But then, Jesus comes searching for you. He said, “The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10).

 All we can do is cry out in desperation, “Jesus, please save me!” He will rescue your soul for all eternity.  "Whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved." (Rom. 10:13) www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com  www.makinglifecount.net

VIDEO TEACHING OF THE WEEK  Each week I will post a new video teaching of a Bible teacher that I respect. This week is Pastor Josh Howerton teaching on “Is Hell Eternal?” (Click to watch)

The Lion and the Monkey

An unusual zoo exhibit had a monkey and a lion together inside the same cage. A visitor noticed the zookeeper standing nearby and said, “This is a great exhibit. How do the lion and monkey get along?”

The zookeeper replied, “Pretty well. But whenever they have a disagreement, we have a get a new monkey.”  (Amazing Stories & Daily Devotionals, Day 50).

Are you the lion? Or are you the monkey? The lion says, “I like to argue. I find it stimulating. That monkey gets on my nerves!” There’s a lesson here about dysfunctional relationships. The lion is going to win every time, so the monkey doesn’t need to “try to get along” with the lion. It just needs to stay out of the lion’s cage. 

But there’s another lesson here about avoiding unnecessary arguments. Paul said, “But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels. The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all [and] patient when wronged.” (2 Tim. 2:23-24).

When people start arguing and fighting, Satan joins in the disagreement and adds fuel to the fire, which makes the conflict even worse. We need to understand that our struggle isn’t actually with the other person, but with demonic spirits (Eph. 6:12). Understanding our spiritual warfare can keep us from falling into Satan’s quarreling trap. King Solomon gave this wise advice: “Avoiding strife is an HONOR for a man, but any fool will quarrel” (Prov. 20:3). 

So the next time someone tries to start an argument with you, remember the zoo exhibit. You don’t want to end up like the monkey. www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com

My book FINDING GOD’S WILL is now an Amazon audiobook for $4.50. To listen to chapter one, click on this link and play the “Virtual voice sample” just below the picture of the cover.

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God Sold the Cattle

Not long after Dallas Theological Seminary was founded in 1924, it almost had to shut down. The creditors were going to foreclose at noon on a certain day and the leaders of the school were desperate.

President Lewis Chafer met with his faculty in the office, praying fervently that God would provide. One of the men, Dr. Harry Ironside, prayed, “Lord, You said in Psalm 50:10 ‘Every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.’ Please sell some of the cattle and send us the money.”

 In the meantime, a Texas businessman stepped into the seminary’s business office and said, “I just sold two carloads of cattle in Fort Worth and I feel compelled to give the money to the seminary. Here’s the check.”

The surprised secretary took the check and knocked on the door of the prayer meeting. Dr. Chafer took it out of her hand and discovered it was for the exact amount of the debt. He turned to Dr. Ironside and said, “Harry, God sold the cattle!” (Amazing Stories & Daily Devotionals, Day 126).

What are the odds of that happening? Without God, one in a billion. But with God, the odds change to one in one. The Lord knew the needs of Dallas Seminary before the faculty asked and prearranged for the businessman to sell his cattle and bring in the money. 

Just because you’ve prayed for something for a long time and it hasn’t been answered doesn’t mean that it’s never going to happen. Sometimes God comes through at the last minute. The widow at Zarephath was down to her last meal before God provided for her (1 Kings 17:9-16). When Abraham was about to offer Isaac, the ram was caught in the thicket by his horns at the last second. Dallas Seminary was down to its last hour.

God knows about your situation because Jesus said, “Your Father knows what need BEFORE you ask Him” (Matt. 6:8). The Lord says to you, “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you” (Isa. 41:10)

VISIT OUR UPDATED WEBSITE  www.makinglifecount.net and our VIDEO TEACHINGS on archaeology, prophecy, near-death experiences, and more www.makinglifecount.net/sermons

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