Died, but Not Dead

A six-year-old boy named David was taking a walk one day with his grandmother. They decided to detour through the local graveyard. Stopping to read the tombstones, Grandma explained that the first date on the tombstones was the day the person was born and the second date was the day the person died.
 
“Why do some tombstones only have one date?” little David asked.
“Because they haven’t died yet,” she explained.
When they got back home, David told his mother about seeing the tombstones in the graveyard. “Mom," he said with wide eyes, "some people buried in the cemetery aren’t even dead yet!”
 
Leave it to a child to put a different twist on things. Easter puts the most amazing twist to the story of death. Because of the resurrection of Jesus, Christians who are dead and buried aren’t really dead at all.
Jesus told Mary, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live, even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26).

That’s a good question. Do you believe this?

www.makinglifecount.net  www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com
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BIBLE STUDY: If Jesus died on Friday how could He be in the grave for 3 nights?
 
PREVIEW Kent’s new book Amazing Stories & Daily Devotionals
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Making Life Count Ministries
P.O. Box 680174
Prattville, Alabama 36068-0174
www.makinglifecount.net  Twitter: @KentCrockett
www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com

Seeing the Faults in Others but Not in Ourselves

D. L. Moody and Charles Spurgeon were two of the greatest preachers during the nineteenth century. Although Moody (left in pic) had never met Spurgeon (right in pic), he greatly admired the Englishman and arranged to meet him in London. After he traveled across the Atlantic, Moody found Spurgeon’s residence and knocked on the door.
 
Spurgeon answered with a cigar in his mouth. Moody was aghast. “How could you, a man of God, smoke that?” asked Moody. Spurgeon took the cigar from his mouth, put his finger on Moody’s huge stomach, smiled, and said, “The same way that you, a man of God, could be that fat.”
 
It’s easy to see the faults in others, but so hard to see them in ourselves. Someone has said, “Faults are like the headlights on your car; those of others seem more glaring than your own.”
 
Paul writes, “You are without excuse, every man who passes judgment…for you who judge practice the same things” (Rom. 2:1). We tend to see sins in others that we’re familiar with in ourselves. When I’m driving down the street, I’ll notice the cars that are exactly like mine. My eyes aren’t drawn to every car, but only to the ones that are like my own.
 
In the same way, judgmental people’s eyes are drawn to those same sins in others. They’re actually seeing what’s in their own hearts. Before you form a judgmental opinion about someone, make sure you’re not guilty of the same thing. Quit telling others to dim their lights when your own headlights are blinding them.
www.makinglifecount.net  www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com
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BIBLE STUDY: What is the “third heaven?
 
PREVIEW Kent’s new book Amazing Stories & Daily Devotionals
CLICK HERE to read 28 devotionals (January 1-28)
 
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Making Life Count Ministries
P.O. Box 680174
Prattville, Alabama 36068-0174
www.makinglifecount.net  Twitter: @KentCrockett
www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com

Do You Need a Crocodile to Motivate You?

According to a news story out of Australia’s Northern Territory, a swimming coach has an unusual way of motivating his students to swim faster. After the swimmer dives into the pool, the coach throws in a live crocodile. The swimmers’ times have improved dramatically since he started using this new motivational technique.

The coach says he has timed the crocodile and gives the students a head start, knowing it won’t catch anyone. One swimmer said the coach’s way of motivating was “absolutely terrifying.” But no one can deny that the swimmers’ times have improved.

 

Well, that’s one way to motivate. I’m sure the swimmers can stay motivated as long as a crocodile is chasing them. That will work until you run out of crocodiles—or run out of swimmers.

Intimidation is external motivation, like sending a crocodile after swimmers. It’s not an enjoyable experience. It’s like saying, “The beatings will continue until morale improves.” Inspiration, on the other hand, is internal motivation. Instead of sending a crocodile after us, God motivates us by increasing the desire in our hearts.

Nothing is more motivating than compassion. Jesus was “moved with compassion” to heal a leper (Mark 1:41). He was “moved with compassion” to feed the multitude (Mark 9:34-43). The Lord inspires us through our desires because “where there’s no will, there’s no way.”

Philippians 2:13 says, God “is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” That’s much more effective, and more enjoyable, than being chased by a crocodile. Ask God to motivate your heart to do His will. That’s one prayer He loves to answer. www.makinglifecount.net  www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com
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PREVIEW Kent’s new book Amazing Stories & Daily Devotionals
CLICK HERE to read 28 devotionals (January 1-28)
 
Receive these devotionals (free) by email: You can subscribe in the box on the right at www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com (Your email will not be given out. You’ll receive an email when the new devotional is posted)
 
Making Life Count Ministries
P.O. Box 680174
Prattville, Alabama 36068-0174
www.makinglifecount.net  Twitter: @KentCrockett
www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com

Don’t Plant Mysterious, Unsolicited Seeds

In 2020, thousands of Americans living in all fifty states received mysterious, unsolicited packages of seeds from China. Many of the seeds have been identified as flowers and vegetables, while others are suspect. If an enemy wanted to create problems in the U.S. environment, what could be more cunning than to slip in invasive, noxious bags of seeds among the good seeds and hope someone plants them?

Someone from Michigan said, “I planted them because I thought they were the strawberry seeds I ordered. They turned black and green mold, so I threw them away.” After a New Mexico woman planted the seeds she said, “Everything that’s in the garden where I planted them are having a hard time and are starting to die.” Agriculture officials warned, "Unsolicited seeds could be invasive and introduce unknown diseases to local plants, harm livestock or threaten our environment. Do not plant seeds from unknown origins."

 
Jesus told a parable about a man who sowed good seed in his field. “But while men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed tares also among the wheat, and went away. But when the wheat sprang up and bore grain, then the tares became evident also” (Matt. 13:25-26). When the slaves asked the landowner how the tares got into the field, the landowner said, “An enemy has done this!” (13:29).
 
The enemy’s goal was to destroy the wheat field. The workers were sleeping, unaware that the enemy was working under the cover of darkness. It wasn’t until later, after the crop grew, that it became obvious that an enemy had planted harmful seeds in the field.
 
I’m sure many of recipients of the mystery seeds from China believed it was a free gift from a kindhearted soul, unaware that the sender was hoping to get the noxious seeds planted in American soil. Beware when someone sends you with a gift that you hadn’t requested. You might find out later the present isn’t in your best interest. 
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PREVIEW Kent’s new book Amazing Stories & Daily Devotionals
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Making Life Count Ministries
P.O. Box 680174
Prattville, Alabama 36068-0174
www.makinglifecount.net  Twitter: @KentCrockett
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When God Changes a Name

When Pepper Puryear was a boy, he had a dog named “Sic ‘em.” One evening, a man and his wife were riding horses, along with their daughter who was riding on a pony. Puryear’s dog ran into the street and started barking at the horses. The dog began circling the little girl on the pony as it became more aggressive. Pepper’s father jumped off the porch and tried to call the dog off by yelling, “Sic ‘em! Sic ‘em!”
 
The man on the horse thought he was urging the dog to attack his daughter! He grabbed a rope off his saddle, twirled it over his head, and lassoed the dog. Then he jumped off his horse and tied the dog’s legs together, just like he was tying up a calf in a rodeo. (The dog probably wished it had kept its mouth shut)
 
Pepper’s father explained to the man that the dog’s name was Sic ‘em and he wasn’t trying to unleash his dog on the man’s daughter. The cowboy strongly suggested that he change the dog’s name to Spot because Sic ‘em was sending people the wrong message.
 
Sometimes people, like dogs, need a new name. In the Bible, God would often give people a new name to establish a new identity. He changed Abram’s name to Abraham, which means “father of a multitude” (Gen. 17:5). He changed Abraham’s wife’s name from Sarai to Sarah, meaning “mother of nations” (Gen. 17:15). Jesus changed Simon’s name to Peter, the “rock.” After Saul was converted, he became known as Paul. God wanted them to leave their past behind and pursue a new destiny.  
 
When you receive Jesus Christ into your life, the old things have passed away and new things have come (2 Cor. 5:17). He gives you a new destiny and will give you a new name in heaven (Rev. 2:17). Your heavenly Father will give you a new forever name because He “makes all things new” (Rev. 21:5). You are no longer Sic ‘em. Your new name is “Spotless.”
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PREVIEW Kent’s new book Amazing Stories & Daily Devotionals
CLICK HERE to read 28 devotionals (January 1-28)
 
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Making Life Count Ministries
P.O. Box 680174
Prattville, Alabama 36068-0174
www.makinglifecount.net  Twitter: @KentCrockett
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All Things Are Possible With God

In 2011, fourteen-year old Taylor Hale suffered a brain hemorrhage due to a severe head injury. Doctors fought to save Taylor’s life, but her brain sank part way into her spinal column. Her brain “had turned to mush” and she was declared brain-dead. Doctors told her parents that no one comes back from that. Arrangements were made to take her off life support and discuss organ donation.
 
That afternoon, Jeff Stickel, a chiropractor and friend of Taylor’s parents, visited the hospital and asked if he could pray for her. They agreed. He put his hands on her neck and prayed for God to heal her, then he left. Later that afternoon, doctors turned off the life support that had helped her breathe since the accident.
 
Then something unexpected happened. Taylor struggled to take a breath under her own power. The medical staff reconnected her on life support. As the day went on, Taylor’s brain activity began to increase. She opened her eyes and moved her fingers and toes. The doctors told her parents they had no medical explanation for what was happening to her.
 
Taylor miraculously recovered, learned to walk again, and graduated from high school (see the before and after picture). But she did lose memory of her childhood and doesn’t remember the accident. Nevertheless, her recovery is nothing short of a modern-day miracle.
 
Doctors can’t explain what happened, but what about that prayer by Jeff Stickel right before they turned off the life support? Could that have something to do with it? No doubt about it. Jesus said, “The things that are impossible with people are possible with God” (Luke 18:27)

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Making Life Count Ministries
P.O. Box 680174
Prattville, Alabama 36068-0174
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Enjoy Life—Even if You've Been Wronged

A man watched a boy skating down the sidewalk on one skate. He said, “Don’t you know that you’re supposed to skate on two skates?” The boy told him, “Someone stole my other skate and that’s why I’m skating on just one skate.”
As the man walked away, the boy yelled, “Hey Mister, did you know that you can still have a lot of fun on just one skate?”
 
When someone wrongs you, it’s natural to get upset at that person. But you can’t be angry and enjoy life at the same time. That’s one reason why Jesus said, “Whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either” (Luke 6:29). Your happiness is more valuable than a coat, or a shirt, or a skate. God doesn’t want you to lose your joy just because someone took something away from you.
 
The early Christians kept their joy when their property was seized because they believed God would make it up to them. “You … accepted joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves a better and lasting possession (Heb. 10:34).
 
Jesus doesn’t want us so attached to “stuff” that it affects our attitude. He said to “lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great” (Luke 6:35). If your neighbor borrowed your shovel but moved away and never returned it, don’t lose your joy over a shovel. Trust what Jesus said and consider it as an investment in your heavenly reward.
 
Remember this the next time someone mistreats you. If you’ll keep a joyful attitude, God will more than make up whatever you lost. And don’t forget to keep having fun on that one skate.
 
PREVIEW Kent’s new book Amazing Stories & Daily Devotionals
      CLICK HERE to read 28 devotionals (January 1-28)

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Making Life Count Ministries
P.O. Box 680174
Prattville, Alabama 36068-0174
www.makinglifecount.net  Twitter: @KentCrockett
www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com