Sunday, December 15, 2024

Trusting God MORE Than Your Need to Know

In the thrilling television series 24, Jack Bauer is a special agent with the Counter Terrorism Unit. He’s always involved in a highly secretive plan that requires him to call the U.S. President to ask permission to do something risky during a crisis situation. The President asks, “Jack, what are you planning to do?”

Bauer answers, “Mr. President, you don’t need to know and I don’t have time to explain. Please, I just ask you to trust me. I promise I’ll do my very best to solve this problem.” The President always gave him permission because his trust in Bauer was greater than his need to know.

If you’re going through a troubling situation, you’re probably asking God, “WHY is this happening to me?” Instead of God explaining every detail to you, He says, “You don’t need to know. I just want you to trust Me.” To get through your devastation, your trust in God MUST become greater than your need to know.

Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not depend on our own understanding. In all your ways submit to Him and He will direct your paths.” Why does God say to not depend on your own logic? It’s because there are so many details involved in your situation that’s beyond your comprehension—but it’s not beyond God’s. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens and higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts” (Isa. 55:8-9).

If you have a problem with your computer and don’t know how to fix it, you take it to a person who is an expert in fixing computers. You don’t know how to repair, but you put your trust in the technician who knows how to do it. You can do the same with your problems. Stop trying to figure everything out and put your trust in the God who cares about you.

BIBLE STUDY: The Five Purposes of Prayer

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Sunday, December 8, 2024

God Has Named Every Star in the Universe

Last week we learned that God keeps track of 820 trillion hairs on all the heads in the world. If that wasn’t enough to blow your mind, He has given every star in every galaxy its own name

Whether we’re looking through a microscope at hairs, or looking through a telescope at stars, we marvel at the incredible knowledge and power of God.

Astronomers estimate there are 100 thousand million stars in the Milky Way alone. And that is just in one galaxy. The number of stars in the known universe is thought to be 300 sextillion. That’s 300,000 million million million stars! There are ten times as many stars as grains of sand on all the world’s beaches and deserts.

Why in the world (or universe) did God create so many stars? It seems like a colossal waste of power. But think about it. If God wanted to demonstrate His unmatched power, how would He do it? He would create something so enormous that it would blow our minds, such as billions of galaxies.

When we observe the staggering numbers of stars, we’re overwhelmed by God’s power. This is exactly why He created the heavenly expanse: “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork” (Psalm 19:1).

It’s also amazing that He assigned a unique name to every star: “See who has created these stars . . . He calls them all by name; because of the greatness of His might and strength of His power” (Isa. 40:26). “He counts the number of the stars; He gives names to all of them (Psalm 147:4)

Why did God name each star? Are any stars named Fred or Wilma? Just as parents name their children, the Creator assigned an appropriate name to everything He made. If God knows the name of every star, He also knows your name as well.   

WATCH THIS SONG! “He Knows My Name” (INCREDIBLE Sand Art Presentation)  

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Sunday, December 1, 2024

Why Does God Number the Hairs on People's Heads?

Jesus came to reveal God to us, including what He knows. He made an astonishing announcement that must have dropped the jaws of every one of His listeners. 

He revealed the Father knows where every sparrow in the entire world is right now (Matt. 10:29). Jesus then added another mind-boggling statement, “Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered” (Luke 12:7).

Although the number of hairs on a person’s head varies from one individual to another, the average is 100,000. Most people shed about 100 hairs a day, and since the world’s population world increases by 200,000 each day, the total number of hairs on the planet is in constant fluctuation.

The world’s population is approximately 8.2 billion people. If we multiply 8,200,000,000 X 100,000 hairs, we find that God is keeping track of 820 trillion hairs on people’s heads! And that is not counting the beards and unshaven legs. We would never have known this incredible fact about God’s knowledge if Jesus had not revealed it to us.

Why did Jesus tell us our hairs are numbered? It’s to make a point. He knew that faith is determined by our concept of God. Those with “little faith” don’t believe God is all-knowing or all-powerful. Jesus gave us more information about God’s UNLIMITED knowledge so it will expand our concept of God and His ability. God “is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think” (Eph. 3:19).

Since God knows the smallest details about everyone in the world, don’t you think it would be wise to completely surrender your life to Him?  

BIBLE STUDY: What does “going the second mile” mean?

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Sunday, November 24, 2024

Are You Willing to Be the Patient?

A surgeon named Dr. Evan O. Kane searched for a candidate to undergo surgery so he could prove that appendectomies could be done under local anesthetic. At last a patient was found, who was prepared for surgery and wheeled into the operating room. A local anesthetic was applied, leaving the patient able to talk and respond as the surgery progressed.

As he had done hundreds of times, Dr. Kane skillfully removed the appendix and finished the surgery. During the surgery, the patient complained only of minor discomfort. The volunteer was taken to a hospital room, recovered quickly, and was dismissed two days later. Dr. Kane had demonstrated that local anesthesia was a viable and sometimes preferable alternative—thanks to the willingness of a brave volunteer.

What I didn't tell you was that the courageous volunteer for surgery by Dr. Kane—was Dr. Kane. Dr. Kane performed surgery on himself and removed his own appendix!

Sometimes the surgery we need most can only be performed by ourselves, on ourselves. The surgery I’m talking about is the operation to remove your anger. “All bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander must be removed from you, along with all malice” (Eph. 4:31). But that might not be the only attitude that needs to go.

What other attitudes do you need to remove? Is it greed? Is it jealousy? No one else can perform the operation. You must be the surgeon. You must volunteer to be the patient. The instrument to be used is the scalpel of repentance. It might be painful at first, but you’ll quickly recover. And then you’ll be free from the attitude that used to control you.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION: Is the 1611 King James Version the only perfect translation?

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Sunday, November 17, 2024

God Will Show You What to Do Next

After Elijah stopped the rain in Israel, God told him to go to the brook Cherith, where He commanded the ravens to bring him food in the mornings and evenings (1 Kings 17:1-6). God told the birds where to find food, and then He showed them exactly where to find Elijah.


After a while, when the brook dried up, God told Elijah what to do next. “Go to Zarephath…I have commanded a widow there to provide for you" (1 Kings 17:9). The Lord didn’t speak to him about moving to another place until after the water quit flowing. When the brook dries up and the ravens stop delivering meals, it’s time to move on. It doesn’t take a prophet to figure this out.

Do you understand the lesson here? God knows exactly where you are and how to deliver His provision to you. If you will learn to follow God’s leading, it will keep you from worrying because He can show you what to do next in every situation, just like He showed Elijah where to go and what to do.

Even though Elijah was living through 3 ½ years of drought, he didn’t worry about starving to death or dying of thirst. He simply followed God’s instructions about what to do next and trusted Him to provide what he needed. www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com

CREATION VS EVOLUTION: Multiple Designs of Animal Eyes Disproves Evolution

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Sunday, November 10, 2024

Why Did He Raise the Wrong Hand?

In 1962, a newspaper showed a picture of new United States senators taking the oath of office. One of the senators raised his left hand instead of his right hand at the swearing-in. 

Someone wrote a letter to the editor criticizing the senator for being unpatriotic. “He’s not qualified to be in office. He doesn’t even know his right hand from his left.”

The critical person must have been embarrassed and ashamed after he found out the real reason why the man raised his left hand. The senator was WWII war hero, Daniel Inouye, who was awarded the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Distinguished Service Cross, and the Medal of Honor. He lost his right arm in battle while fighting the Germans. He raised his left hand for the swearing-in because he didn’t have a right hand.

Critical people usually make judgments based on misleading or incomplete information. Have you ever judged someone only to find out later there was a lot more to the story? Jesus said, “Do not judge lest you be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged . . . And why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own?” (Matt. 7:1-2). The “speck” is only a small piece of information but not the entire story.

Before you criticize someone, make sure you know all the facts. It might change your mind—and it will keep you from looking like a fool.  www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com

BIBLE PROPHECY:  What is the Beast with 7 heads and 10 horns in the Book of Revelation?

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Sunday, November 3, 2024

Follow the Leader

The following comes from my book, MORE Amazing Stories & Daily Devotionals. In 2005 in the town of Gavas in eastern Turkey, a sheep from a large flock walked to the edge of a cliff and jumped to its death. A second sheep imitated the first and leaped off the cliff. Then a third sheep followed. Then a fourth. Then a fifth. And they kept following until the entire flock was gone.

The Associated Press reported the Turkish shepherds had left the flock so they could go eat breakfast. Nearly 1,500 sheep followed their woolly leader over the same cliff, one at a time. In the end, 450 sheep died and 1,050 survived, but only because the survivors were saved as the pile of sheep kept getting higher. Like a big fluffy pillow, the mountain of fleeces cushioned the late-jumpers fall. They didn’t know any better because they were sheep without a shepherd.

That’s what happens when shepherds are more interested in taking care of their stomachs than taking care of their sheep. When Jesus saw the multitudes of people, He had compassion for them because they were “like sheep without a shepherd” (Matt. 9:36).

It’s no accident Jesus compared people with sheep. Sheep will blindly follow other sheep, even if it kills them. Isaiah said, “All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way” (Isa. 53:6). That’s why we need to follow a wise shepherd who will lead us through the difficulties of life. We need to follow a good shepherd who knows what’s best for us.

Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep . . . My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me, and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish” (John 10: 11, 27-28). The Good Shepherd will lead you to green pastures. Following wayward sheep will lead you over a cliff.

Jesus is our spiritual Leader, but we also have government leaders. PLEASE VOTE THIS TUESDAY!  This election will determine which LEADER will make crucial decisions that will affect your life for the next 4 years and beyond. Examine the past POLICIES of each candidate. Which of the policies (national & local candidates) align with biblical principles? Elections are usually very close, and your vote may make the difference on who will be the next LEADER.

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Sunday, October 20, 2024

Can God Forgive a Mass Murderer?

The following comes from my book, MORE Amazing Stories & Daily Devotionals.

Adolf Hitler was one of the evilest men who ever lived. He murdered 6 million Jews, plus millions of other people during World War II. But suppose Hitler saw the light, was truly repentant of his sins, and asked Jesus to save him. Would God forgive him? And what about the Japanese pilot who led the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941?

Mitsuo Fuchida admired Hitler, and even sported the same little mustache. He was the pilot who led the attack on Pearl Harbor, which started WWII. More than 2,400 Americans were killed, and Fuchida became a hero in Japan.

 

Later, Jacob DeShazer, an American prisoner of war during WWII, was being tortured for 40 months in a Japanese prison camp. During that time, DeShazer underwent a spiritual awakening and became a Christian. He forgave his enemies and began treating the prison guards with love. After the war, he became a Christian missionary to Japan.

 

When Fuchida heard about the radical change in DeShazer’s behavior, he was confounded. He couldn’t understand why he didn’t want to kill his enemies. After learning about Jesus, the Japanese pilot who led the attack on Pearl Harbor repented of his terrible act of evil and converted to Christianity. He learned to love the United States, renounced his warrior past and traveled throughout the U.S., Japan and Europe preaching the Word of God, salvation and forgiveness.

 

In 1950, Fuchida and DeShazer became friends after meeting each other. The two former enemies embraced each other as brothers and spent the rest of their lives preaching God’s Word together and the need to forgive others. (The entire story about Fuchida and DeShazer is in T. Martin Bennett’s book, The Wounded Tiger, Dynamis Books, 2023).

 

God forgave Fuchida because he repented and put his faith in Jesus to save him. And if you will repent and believe in Him (Mark 1:15), He will forgive you for whatever evil you have done.

READ SERMON: JONAH 4—The Pity Party

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Monday, October 14, 2024

NOW AVAILABLE--"MORE Amazing Stories & Daily Devotionals"

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If you liked Amazing Stories & Daily Devotionals, you will love MORE Amazing Stories & Daily Devotionals




Sunday, October 13, 2024

Inviting a Bear Into Your Tent

The following comes from my book, Amazing Stories & Daily Devotionals.

Several years ago, a man went camping in Glacier National Park in Montana. Campers should never take food into their tent because the smell attracts bears. This man caught some fish one evening and wanted to cook them for breakfast, so he brought them into his tent for the night. Sure enough, a bear smelled the fish, which invited it into the tent. You can figure out the unfortunate ending.

You don’t want to invite bears into your tent, and you don’t want to invite the devil into your life. Paul said, “Do not let the sun go down on your anger. Do not give the devil an opportunity” (Eph. 4:26-27). John Piper says, “Harbored anger is the only thing the Bible explicitly says opens a door and invites the devil in.” When you hold on to anger without resolving it, you’re opening a door and inviting Satan to attack you.

We get angry when others are doing what we don’t want them to do, or they’re not doing what we want them to do. Someone once told me, “A friend of mine keeps asking God to take away his anger, but he doesn’t want to deal with the issues that are making him angry. He can’t figure out why he’s always angry.” Much of our anger is based on our unrealistic expectations of others.

Is there an issue that’s making you angry, but you don’t want to deal with it? If so, you’re giving the devil an opportunity to attack you. “Do not let the sun go down on your anger” means don’t bring fish into your tent at night. You’ll sleep a lot better knowing that bears aren’t sniffing at your door.

READ SERMON: JONAH 3—The God of Another Chance

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Making Life Count Ministries
P.O. Box 680174
Prattville, Alabama 36068-0174
www.makinglifecount.net 

Sunday, October 6, 2024

The Bird on the Window Sill

The following comes from my new book, MORE Amazing Stories & Daily Devotionals. NOW AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.

A woman was awakened one night by a pecking sound. She got up, went to the window, and saw a moth flying back and forth inside the window pane as if it was trying to avoid something. A sparrow was outside on the window sill, pecking at the moth and trying to get in. The moth couldn’t see the glass, but it could see the bird attacking it. The bird couldn’t see the glass either, and was frustrated because it couldn’t get to the moth.

The moth was safe because a barrier protected it from its enemy. God’s hand of protection is like that window of glass. Although the barrier seemed invisible to the moth and bird, it protected the moth from harm. You can’t see God’s invisible hand of protection either, but His hand keeps Satan from touching His people. “The Lord is faithful. He will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one” (2 Thess. 3:3). “The Son of God keeps [God’s children] safe, and the evil one cannot touch them” (1 John 5:18 NCV).

When God sent the plagues on the Egyptians, the Lord protected Israel from the judgments. “But the Lord will make a distinction between the livestock of Israel and the livestock of Egypt, so that nothing will die of all that belongs to the sons of Israel” (Ex. 9:4). He knows how to protect His people, even during times of calamity. “You need not be afraid of sudden disaster or the destruction that comes upon the wicked, for the Lord is your security. He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap” (Prov. 3:25-26 NLT).

We can trust God to protect us because our safety is found in Him. “The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to Him and are safe” (Prov. 18:10 NLT). Whenever you feel in danger, remember to run into God’s strong fortress. “I will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress, My God in whom I trust!’” (Psalm 91:2).

READ SERMON: JONAH 2—When You Hit Bottom

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Making Life Count Ministries
P.O. Box 680174
Prattville, Alabama 36068-0174
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Sunday, September 29, 2024

The Bus Driver and the Bus Stop

The following comes from my new book, MORE Amazing Stories & Daily Devotionals.

A little boy was standing on a sidewalk in the middle of a block, obviously waiting for something. An older man asked him what he was waiting for. “I’m waiting for the bus.” The man said, “The bus won’t stop here. The bus stop is on the next block.” “I know,” the boy replied, “but the bus will pick me up here.” 

The man said, “Listen sonny, if you want to catch the bus, you had better start walking right now to the bus stop. It’s not going to stop here.” “No sir, I’m going to wait right here.” “Okay, suit yourself, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

As the man walked away, he heard the screeching of brakes. He turned around and couldn’t believe his eyes. The bus actually stopped in the middle of the block for the boy. The bus door opened, and as the boy climbed on board, he turned and yelled, “Hey Mister. My dad is the bus driver!”

It helps to know your Daddy is the bus driver of the universe. God the Father will do things for His children that He won’t do for others. The favor of God means His blessing is on your life. It’s like God saying, “I’m doing you a favor.” King David had God’s favor on his life. He said, “Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life” (Ps. 23:6). Not “every now and then,” but every day of his life. God’s favor brought David through every trial.

God’s favor was also with Joseph. “Joseph found favor in His sight” and “the Lord caused all that he did to prosper” (Gen. 39:3-4, 23). Many people treated him horribly, but it couldn’t stop God’s favor. The Lord turned their evil around for his good (Gen. 50:20). You also can find favor with Him. “The Lord favors those who fear Him” (Ps. 147:11). It’s nice to know our Dad is driving the bus and will take us to the right destination.

READ SERMON: JONAH 1—Unwelcome Assignments

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Making Life Count Ministries
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Prattville, Alabama 36068-0174
www.makinglifecount.net  

Sunday, September 22, 2024

Cheating on Chemistry Tests

The following comes from my book, Amazing Stories & Daily Devotionals.

When I was in college, many of the students in my chemistry class cheated on their tests by getting the answers ahead of time; others by copying answers off those seated next to them. The tests were always difficult. If a question was answered incorrectly, it counted as negative points, which kept people from guessing at the correct answer.

I refused to cheat, even though I was failing the class. I realized my honesty was also being tested by God, and I didn’t want my integrity to fail in His eyes. By God’s grace alone, I did well on my final exam and passed the class.

Years later, I preached at a church where I told about how I was failing chemistry, but I refused to cheat on my chemistry tests because I wanted to please God. Three years later, I received an email from a girl I didn’t know. She said, “When I was a freshman, I heard you say that you didn’t cheat because you wanted to please God more than get a good grade. I want you to know that after hearing your sermon, I quit cheating on tests the rest of high school.”

Integrity means that you live right, not because a private eye is following you around and reporting on what you’re doing. You live right because you want to please God. “Walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Col. 1:10).

Integrity stands up for truth and makes right choices. You’re honest in business dealings. You’re the same in private as you are in public. If you will live with integrity, you won’t fail the test when you stand before God. No one will get away with cheating at His Final Exam.

LISTEN TO THIS MUSIC VIDEO with lyrics: By Faith We See the Hand of God

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Making Life Count Ministries
P.O. Box 680174
Prattville, Alabama 36068-0174
www.makinglifecount.net 

Sunday, September 15, 2024

When the Voice of Wisdom YELLS!

The following comes from my book, Amazing Stories & Daily Devotionals.

A friend of mine, Keith, worked for a construction company one summer when he was in high school. One day, his foreman told him to drive a dump truck to another town and fill the water tank in back. He had never driven a truck that size and only had a learner’s license.

 

On the way, a crew was paving one of the lanes, so he bypassed it by driving down the other side of the road. There he met a car coming his way, which meant he had to back up the huge truck down one narrow lane for half a mile. That’s when the man driving the other car started SCREAMING and waving his arms.

 

Keith stopped backing up—just a few inches from rolling over the edge of a 10-foot drop into a creek. The truck was off the pavement with one of the tires hanging in mid-air! Listening to man shouting at him averted a disaster.

 

We don’t like people shouting at us, but sometimes we need to listen. It just might be wisdom calling out to us. Solomon wrote, “Wisdom shouts in the street, she lifts her voice in the square; at the head of the noisy streets she cries out” (Prov. 1:20).

 

Why would wisdom need to shout at us? Because that’s the only way some people will listen. A stranger hollered at my friend. Because he listened, it kept him from wrecking a truck and possibly kept him out of the hospital. The next time someone raises a voice at you, stop for a moment and listen. It just might be wisdom trying to keep you from disaster.

LISTEN TO THIS MUSIC VIDEO: Behold Our God by CBU choir

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Making Life Count Ministries
P.O. Box 680174
Prattville, Alabama 36068-0174
www.makinglifecount.net  

Sunday, August 25, 2024

A Letter Inside the 1896 Time Capsule

The following comes from Kent’s book, Amazing Stories & Daily Devotionals

In January 1896, a time capsule was buried in a certain community. Instructions were left saying the box should be opened 100 years later. In January 1996 the capsule was dug up. Inside were letters written to people living in a future century. One letter asked, “Has anyone invented a flying machine yet?”

Suppose you could send a letter back in time to those people in 1896. They would be astonished to read: “People travel all over the world in flying machines every day. Men have flown to the moon and back. The U.S. space probe Pioneer 10 has flown past the planet Pluto, which is 5.9 billion miles from the sun. On TV we watch events as they are taking place all over the world.” You conclude the letter writing about computers, DNA, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, lasers, smart phones and cryptocurrencies. How would they know what you’re talking about?

 

For your letter to make sense, you’d have to use words they could understand. Satellites, television, and computers wouldn’t mean anything to them. You would need to speak IN SIMPLE TERMS to give them a vague idea of what the future looks like.

 

When God writes to us about what we’ll be doing in heaven forever, He speaks IN SIMPLE TERMS that we can understand. He says we will supervise “many things” (Matt. 25:21), manage “true riches” (Luke 16:11) and “serve Him” (Rev. 22:3). At our present knowledge, we aren’t able to comprehend it, just like the people in 1896 could never comprehend what’s happening today.

 

We would be bored in heaven if we had nothing to do forever. God will give us joyful assignments, but we won’t understand what they are until we get there—where our knowledge will be expanded, and we will be able to “know fully” (1 Cor. 13:12).

BIBLE STUDY: End Times & Bible Prophecy

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Sunday, July 21, 2024

What Was the Purpose of the Burning Bush?

The following comes from Amazing Stories & Daily Devotionals

Moses led his flock into the wilderness when he saw something weird. A bush was on fire, which kept burning, but it wasn’t consumed. The bush didn’t burn out because God was in it. If your bush burns out, God isn’t in it.

Then something even more weird happened. The bush started talking to him—and even called his name! “Moses, Moses … remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground … I am the God of your father” (Ex. 3:4-6). Remember, this happened long before the tabernacle and temple were built to worship God. Moses was only standing on dirt, but the ground was holy because he was in the presence of a holy God.

 The Lord spoke through a burning bush to prove to Moses three things:

First, He knew exactly where Moses was, even in the back side of a desert.

Second, He called Moses by name, proving He knew who he was.

Third, the bush didn’t burn out, showing He had endless energy

Then the Lord gave Moses an assignment to accomplish. “I will send you to Pharaoh so that you may bring My people, the sons of Israel, out of Egypt (Ex. 3:10). Moses made excuses why he wasn’t capable of doing it, but the Lord assured him, “Certainly I will be with you” (Ex. 3:12). When God calls you to do something, He goes with you and gives you the ability to accomplish it. The Lord gave Moses the wisdom and strength to lead a nation of people out of Egypt and oversaw them for four decades in the wilderness.  

People burn out because they’re doing tasks that God never called them to do, or they’re doing them in their own strength. Moses’ bush never burned out. And your bush won’t burn out either, if God is in it.   

CREATION VS. EVOLUTION: How Did Stingrays Get Fossilized in Wyoming?

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Making Life Count Ministries
P.O. Box 680174
Prattville, Alabama 36068-0174
www.makinglifecount.net 

Saturday, June 29, 2024

The Unbaptized Arms

The following comes from my book Amazing Stories & Daily Devotionals

Ivan the Great, the tsar of Russia during the fifteen century, converted to Greek Orthodox to marry the daughter of the king of Greece. Ivan said, “If I’m going to convert, so will my soldiers.” The Greeks sent tutors to teach Ivan and 500 elite soldiers about being Greek Orthodox, and assigned 500 priests to immerse the soldiers in one mass baptism.

Thousands of people gathered to watch hundreds of soldiers in full armor, along with hundreds of priests dressed in black robes and tall hats, all standing in the Mediterranean Sea.

But there was a problem. The church prohibited soldiers from becoming church members unless they gave up their commitment to shed blood in battle. They came up with a solution where they could become church members and keep their military commitment. 

Just before the priests baptized the soldiers, each man reached to his side, withdrew his sword, and lifted it high overhead. Each soldier was totally immersed underwater—except for his fighting arm and sword. The soldiers became church members but could still fight in wars because they all had “unbaptized arms.”

Compromising is when we ignore God’s standards to get something we want. We see it all the time, especially when it comes to sexual purity. Paul writes, “For this is the will of God, your sanctification, that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality” (1 Thess. 4:3). Jesus said, “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46). When Jesus becomes the Lord of your life, you’ll do what His says. Is any part of you unbaptized? www.makinglifecount.net

BIBLE STUDY: Are There Degrees of Sin?

RECEIVE THESE DEVOTIONALS FREE by EMAIL: You can subscribe in the box on the right at www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com  NOTE: The subscription box will NOT usually appear on your smart phone, but it can be seen on your computer (or by opening the “desktop site” feature on your phone.)

Making Life Count Ministries
P.O. Box 680174
Prattville, Alabama 36068-0174
www.makinglifecount.net