When Your Provision Changes

When the Jews were slaves in Egypt, their provision came from their masters. But when Moses led them through the Red Sea into the wilderness, they needed a new source of provision. God sent them food from heaven during that time. “The Israelites ate manna for 40 years, until they came to an inhabited land. They ate manna until they reached the border of the land of Canaan” (Ex. 16:35).

They changed locations again and needed a new source. “The manna ceased on the day after they had eaten some of the produce of the land, so that the sons of Israel no longer had manna, but they ate some of the yield of the land of Canaan during that year” (Joshua 5:12).

When a famine hit, God told Elijah to go to the brook Cherith and commanded the ravens to bring him food (1 Kings 17:4-7). When the brook dried up, God told him to change locations and go to Zarephath for food. (If God Knows What I Need, Why Should I Pray? p.184)

One day your provision will change. Many people have lost their jobs. Many go through divorce and must find new provision. Others can’t work for various reasons. When your provision changes, keep three things in mind:

1. Remember that God is your provider. When you surrender your life to Jesus Christ, He takes responsibility to be your provider. He may provide through your job or in other ways.

2. If your brook dries up, you may need to change locations. When you lose your source of provision, God can show you like He did Elijah where to go to find new provision.

3. No matter how bad your situation, trust God to provide. He’s aware of what you’re going through and has a plan for your life. Ask Him to reveal what to do.

For more about trusting God to provide, read The Sure Cure for Worry ($2.99)

www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com  www.makinglifecount.net

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Making Life Count Ministries

P.O. Box 680174

Prattville, Alabama 36068-0174

www.makinglifecount.net  Twitter: @KentCrockett

Parable of Two Houses

One man said, “My realtor sold me a two-story house. He told me one story before I bought it and another story after I bought it.” Jesus told a story about two houses, which explains a truth about two types of people.

The wise person built his house on a rock foundation, while the other built on a sand foundation. Both houses were fine for a while, but then a storm came. “The rain descended and the floods came and the winds blew, and burst against that house (Matthew 7:25,27). The storm came from above (rain), beneath (flood), all sides (winds). The house built on sand collapsed and “great was its fall” (v.27), but the house built on rock withstood the storm. Here are three observations about this parable:

1. Both people built houses but the difference was where they built. The wise person built his house on a rock foundation and “dug deep” (Luke 6:48) because he prepared for the future. The foolish person only thought about enjoying the present and built on sand because it’s much easier to sink posts into sand.

2. Both houses experienced the same intensity of the storm. The rain, floods and wind hit both houses. Just because you’re a follower of Jesus doesn’t mean you will escape trials. God will give you the grace and strength to endure the storm.

3. Both builders heard the words of Jesus, but only one obeyed. (7:24,26) Think about it this way: Jesus told both of them to build their house on the rock (Himself), but only one obeyed and did it. And that’s the point. Many people disobey what Jesus clearly said to do. They attend church but they live immoral lives. Jesus said you will know true believers from unbelievers by the fruit they produce (7:17-20).

Shady real estate agents (false prophets--7:15) will try to sell you sandy sites to build your life. Don’t listen to them. Jesus said the person who doesn’t obey Him will one day be destroyed. But the one who hears and obeys will stand. Are you obeying what Jesus said? www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com  www.makinglifecount.net

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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

Do I Have Blind Spots?

Recently I was driving on the Interstate and wanted to change lanes. I didn’t know a car was slightly behind me on the right in my blind spot. My wife in the passenger seat told me about the car that was hidden from my view. I didn’t get angry with her for pointing out something that I couldn’t see. She was helping me, which kept me from getting in a wreck.

Just like we have blind spots in our cars, we’ve got blind spots in our lives. We have faults and weaknesses that we can’t see on our own. How can we possibly see something we are blind to? It takes humility and willingness to change.

1. Ask God to reveal your faults. King David knew he had blind spots, so he prayed, “Search me, O God, and know my heart, try me and know my thoughts, and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way” (Ps. 139:23-24). He realized God knows everything and would reveal harmful attitudes in his life.

2. Ask someone you trust. It hurts to hear someone point out our faults, but if we ask someone that we trust it will probably be accurate and easier to accept. A friend of mine once asked me, “If I knew something about you that you don’t know, would you want me to tell you?” He left the decision in my court, and I told him I did. He told me something I needed to hear and correct.

3. Your critics will gladly point them out. A critical person will probably exaggerate your faults, but ask God if there’s a grain of truth in his/her statement. Shimei cursed and slandered David, but David found a grain of truth in his criticism (2 Sam. 16:5-12).

When we see our blind spots and correct them, it keeps us from wrecking our marriage and relationships—which pleases God and brings His blessing.  www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com  www.makinglifecount.net

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BIBLE STUDY: What does “the Lord make His face shine on you” mean?

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