Tear Bottles

NEW Bible teaching: “Overcoming Temptation.”  (Click title to read)
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Tear Bottle

God’s Tear Bottle
In Psalm 56:8 David prays, “You have taken account of my wanderings—put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in Your book?” David is referring to the custom of collecting tears in a tear bottle. These vessels were used to catch and preserve the owner’s tears during times of grief and sorrow. When ancient tombs have been opened, tear bottles have been found in large numbers. Each member of the family owned a tear bottle, which was considered one of the most cherished possessions because it represented all the heartaches and sorrows of the individual. When a person died, his tear bottle was buried with him.

On one occasion, Jesus was in the home of Simon the Pharisee (Luke 7:36-40). A woman came into the house and washed His feet with her tears. It’s unlikely she would have been able to cry enough tears to wash His feet, so it’s very possible that she took her tear bottle with her and poured her tears on His dusty feet. Those tears could not be replaced, so she might have been buried without a bottle of tears next to her in the tomb.

David’s prayer reminds us that God also has a “tear bottle” where He counts each pain and suffering, and remembers every tear that His children shed. Although you might be going through a difficult time right now and crying tears of pain and sorrow, God promises a better tomorrow to His children who trust in Him:

·         “Weeping may endure for a night (now), but joy comes in the morning (future).” (Psalm 30:5).
·         “Those who sow in tears (now) shall reap with joyful shouting (future).” (Psalm 126:5)
·         “For I will turn their mourning (now) into joy (future) and will comfort them and give them joy for their sorrow.” (Jeremiah 31:13)
·         “Blessed are those who mourn (now), for they shall be comforted (future).” (Matthew 5:4)
·         “He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes…there shall no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain (future).” (Revelation 21:4)
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Are “Invisible Giants” attacking your mind?  Read Slaying Your Giants

Does the nation’s $17 trillion debt frighten you?  Read The Sure Cure for Worry

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How will God provide for you?

Does your situation look so desperate that it’s hard for you to imagine how God can intervene? Matthew 17:24-27 tells an amazing story about Peter catching a fish with a coin in its mouth. This story is recorded in Scripture for a reason—to show you that God can do the impossible to provide your needs.

Instead of writing this week’s devotional, I’ve attached a link to a 20-minute video of me teaching on this passage. I hope this teaching will encourage you to not give up hope, no matter how impossible your situation may be. To watch the video, click on this link: How Will God Provide for Me?

--Kent

www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com

www.makinglifecount.net

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Read over 150 Bible studies at www.makinglifecount.net
Does the future scare you?  Read The Sure Cure for Worry
Are you depressed or feel rejected?  Read Slaying Your Giants

Turning Points

George Foreman is the former two-time world’s heavyweight boxing champion and known for his powerful knockout punches. On his 19^th birthday, he got so drunk that he couldn’t remember what happened that night. The next day, he ran into a friend who had been badly beaten up. His eye was swollen and he had cuts and bruises on his face. George wanted to get revenge on the person who hurt his friend. He said, “Man, you look terrible! Who did that to you?”

His friend looked at him in disbelief and said, “Are you kidding me? You beat me up last night!”

George was stunned because he couldn’t remember beating him up. This was a turning point in his life. The hurt he inflicted on his friend jolted him so much that George never took another drink of alcohol after that. (George Foreman, God in My Corner, Thomas Nelson, 2007).

Although you might not physically beat up someone, have you ever verbally beat up someone? We can hurt others without realizing the damage we’ve done. Husbands and wives get into heated arguments and never realize they’ve shoved an invisible knife through their spouse’s heart. Without a turning point, it could lead them to the divorce court. Abusive parents scream hateful things at their children, never realizing how it has devastated them. Without a turning point, future generations could be affected.

Change doesn’t occur without a turning point. The only way to stop hurting others is for the light bulb to come on in our minds. Our eyes must be opened to the pain we have inflicted. The Prodigal Son didn’t change until “he came to his senses” in the pigpen. This was his turning point. He got up, and went back home with a changed attitude toward his father (Luke 15:17-20). Saul was on the road to Damascus to persecute Christians when he was struck down by a blinding light. This was his turning point. He changed from murdering Christians to preaching about Jesus (Acts 9:1-20).

Think back on your life. Have you ever had a turning point? Have you hurt your spouse, or your parents, or your children, or anyone, without realizing the damage you’ve done? It’s not too late to change. Today can be your turning point. Don't just say that you're sorry. Prove it with a change in behavior. 

www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com

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ACCIDENT OR DIVINE INTERVENTION? We have 500-600 people who receive this devotional via email. Occasionally the email service goes crazy and sends out one of the previous Devotionals without telling us. This happened earlier this week when a devotional from last May on “Rejection” was accidentally sent out. We have no idea how that happened, but maybe God wanted someone to read it.
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Read 150 Bible studies at www.makinglifecount.net
Does the future scare you?  Read The Sure Cure for Worry
Are you depressed or feel rejected?  Read Slaying Your Giants