The Dinner That Cost $300,000

A woman from Indonesia kept telling her husband to clean out the aquarium in their house, but he never got around to doing it. She took matters into her own hands.

The creature inside the aquarium was an Asian arowana, commonly called a dragon fish. It’s the most expensive fish on the planet, worth as much as $300,000. The farms where they are raised are compared to high-security prisons, being protected with concrete walls, guard dogs, and barbed wire.

The wife wanted to teach her husband a lesson so he’d never again forget to clean the aquarium. She cooked her husband’s $300,000 pet fish and served it to him for supper! She even made a video of her scaling and deep-frying the fish, and then posted it on social media, which was viewed 7.1 million times in just one week.

Was cleaning out an aquarium really worth sacrificing a $300,000 fish (that they both owned) to teach him a lesson? Her prank made her look like a fool to millions of people. People say, “Revenge is sweet,” but revenge is never sweet when you’re bitter. The revengeful woman didn’t say how the fish tasted, but it’s safe to say it wasn’t sweet.  (MORE Amazing Stories & Daily Devotionals Day 5)

We’ve all been tempted to pay someone back when we’ve been hurt. Revenge wants to see the other person suffer for the harm they did. That’s NOT what God wants His children to do. Romans 12:19 says, “NEVER take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.” Revenge is God’s right alone because He’s the only one who can correctly execute justice.

God promises to deal with the person who hurt you. Paul wrote, “Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. The Lord will repay him according to his deeds” (2 Tim. 4:14). Instead of being resentful, God says, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Rom. 12:21). This will not only keep you from taking revenge, but it will also keep you from becoming bitter. www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com  www.makinglifecount.net

This week’s VIDEO TEACHING  Evolution teaches that humans and chimps are related because their DNA is so similar. But is that true? This short video explains the facts about Chimp DNA vs Humans (click to watch)

A Dog Named Sic 'em

When Pepper Puryear was a boy, he had a dog named “Sic ‘em.” One evening, a man and his wife were riding horses down his street, along with their daughter who was riding on a pony. Puryear’s dog ran into the street and started barking at the horses. Then the dog became more aggressive and started circling the little girl on the pony. Pepper’s father jumped off the porch and tried to call the dog off by yelling, “Sic ‘em! Sic ‘em!”

The cowboy on the horse was furious that the man was telling 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.

Pepper’s father apologized to the man and explained that the dog’s name was Sic ‘em and he wasn’t trying to unleash his dog on the man’s daughter. The angry cowboy said, “Your dog is named Sic ‘em? You need to change that dog’s name!” (MORE Amazing Stories & Daily Devotionals  Day 52)

Sometimes people, like dogs, need a new name. In the Bible, God would often change a person’s 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”, the leader of the disciples. After Saul was converted, he became known as Paul. The new name was God’s stamp of approval for the new destiny He had called them to. 

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). You are no longer Sic ‘em, or Worthless, or Rejected, or Unloved. Your new name is Forgiven Child of God. www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com  www.makinglifecount.net 

This week’s VIDEO TEACHING  In this video Allen Parr discusses The Dead Sea Scrolls (click to watch) how they were discovered and why we can trust the Bible. 

What Are You Crowing About?

A rooster named Chanticleer was a vain bird who prided himself on his accomplishments. He was most proud of the fact that his crowing each morning caused the sun to rise. Every morning he crowed. And every morning the sun rose. 

One morning Chanticleer overslept. When he awoke, he was surprised to see the sun was already up and it happened without any help from him. He then realized he could not honestly take credit for the rising of the sun each day. However, there was something else he could do. Chanticleer declared, “If by my crowing I cannot bring in the dawn, then by my crowing I can celebrate its coming.” (Amazing Stories & Daily Devotionals, Day 319)

What have you been crowing about? When Peter crowed about being more dedicated than the other disciples, the rooster crowed to remind him that he had just denied Jesus three times (Matt. 26:33-34,75). Pride loves to brag about its strength. Humility brags about its weakness. Paul said, “Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me” (2 Cor. 12:9).

 It’s tempting to talk about our achievements, but it’s better to keep silent and let the accomplishments speak for themselves. A chicken lays one egg and cackles about it, while a salmon lays ten thousand eggs and doesn’t say a word. Proverbs 27:2 says, “Let another person praise you, and not your own mouth. Let the praise come from a stranger and not your own lips.”

Humility recognizes everything we have comes from God and He deserves the credit for everything He does through us. Jesus said, “Apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). You can’t take credit for what God does, but like Chanticleer, you can praise Him for doing it. That’s humility. Shining the spotlight on God and celebrating all that He has done.  www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com  www.makinglifecount.net  

This week’s VIDEO TEACHING  In this video Dr. Brian Thomas explains how tissues found inside dinosaur fossils disprove millions of years of evolution The Fossilization of Dinosaur Bones (click to watch) 

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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The Comparison Trap

Before heavyweight boxer George Foreman became famous, a friend told him, “George, one day you’re going to have it all. You’ll have money, a mansion, fleets of cars …”  George replied, “Wow, I’m going to feel good when that happens.” After George became the heavyweight champion of the world, it seemed as though his friend’s prophecy came true. He had everything he wanted, but still didn’t feel good.

One day his childhood hero, NFL football sensation Jim Brown, came to his ranch to do a television interview. George said, “I always wanted to be just like Jim Brown.” Now the person he had idolized since his youth was coming to see him.

George toured him around his estate, showing him his beautiful home, his collection of cars, and the manicured lawn. Jim Brown was impressed. He said, “George, you’ve got it made! I just hope one day I can get it together like you.” George thought, Get it together like me? I’m trying to get it together like him! (MORE Amazing Stories & Daily Devotionals, Day 331). Even though they were arguably the best athletes in their sports, neither of them were satisfied with their lives because they were measuring themselves with each other.

The Comparison Trap is when we measure our self-worth by comparing ourselves with others. 2 Corinthians 10:12 says, “When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding.” When we compare with others, we will either feel superior or inferior, and neither attitude is from God.

Comparing ourselves with others is like ants comparing themselves. Imagine the ants in an ant pile arguing which of them was the greatest. One claims to be the smartest ant; another the most beautiful ant, and another the most athletic ant. Then a giant foot smashes the ant pile to remind them they weren’t so great after all.

The fact is, we are all ants living on this giant ant pile called Earth. It’s time to stop comparing yourself with others. There comes a time when each one of us must pray, “God I accept the way I look. I accept the intelligence that You gave me. I accept the abilities You gave me. I accept the personality that You gave me. And I won’t blame You or myself for not having what You didn’t give me. Amen.” www.makinglifecount.net

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Trapped in a Cage of Tigers

A circus act with Bengal tigers was performed before a live television audience one evening. The tiger trainer went into the cage with several tigers to do the usual performance. The audience watched in suspense as the trainer took the tigers through their routine.

In the middle of the performance, something happened they hadn’t planned for. The power went out! In total darkness, the trainer was locked in with the tigers. Bengal tigers have nocturnal vision, which means they could see him, but he could not see them. A whip and a small kitchen chair offered little protection under those circumstances. Thirty seconds later, the lights came on and he calmly finished the performance.

In an interview afterward, the trainer was asked if he was afraid knowing the tigers could see him when he couldn’t see them. He admitted to being afraid, but then realized the tigers didn’t know that he couldn’t see them. He said, “I just kept cracking my whip and talking to them until the lights came on. They never knew that I couldn’t see them.” (Amazing Stories & Daily Devotionals, Day 6)

When Daniel was thrown into the lions’ den he knew the lions could see him, and he didn’t have a chair and a whip to protect him. Even so, he wasn’t afraid because he knew God was with him and trusted Him to protect him. He said, “My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths and they have not harmed me” (Dan. 6:22).

What is it that you fear the most? Is it danger? The future? The fear of change? All throughout Scripture we see that knowing God is with us makes fear leave. God told Joshua, “Do not tremble of be afraid, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Josh. 1:9). David said, “even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil for You are with me” (Ps. 23:4). Moses told Israel, “The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed” (Dt. 31:8). Psalm 118:6 says, “The Lord is with me. I will not be afraid.”

How many times do we need to read this before it finally sinks in? You can get rid of your fear by saying out loud, “Lord, I believe that you are with me, so I will NOT be afraid.” Repeat it as many times you need to, but get it in your heart. Oswald Chambers said, “When you fear God, you fear nothing else. If you don’t fear God, you fear everything else.” That includes being in den of lions, or whatever threat you are facing.  www.makinglifecount.net

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The Million Dollar Mattress

 An Israeli woman mistakenly threw away a mattress that had almost $1 million inside, setting off a frantic search through tons of garbage at a number of landfill sites. The woman threw out her elderly mother’s old mattress because she bought her a new mattress as a surprise. Her “surprise” quickly turned into a nightmare.

The next day, her elderly mother remembered she had hidden her life savings inside the old mattress. “I woke up in the morning screaming when it hit me what happened.” She went to look for the mattress, but it had already been hauled away by garbage collectors. The money was in U.S. dollars and Israeli shekels and “it was all my money in the world.”

Searches at three different landfill sites turned up nothing. Yitzhak Borba, the dump manager, said the mattress would be nearly impossible to find among the 2,500 tons of garbage that arrives at the site every day. The woman stashed the money in a mattress because of her “traumatic experiences with banks.” (Amazing Stories & Daily Devotionals, Day 42).

During the Great Depression, many people stuffed money in their mattresses because they didn’t trust banks. Don’t put your trust in riches, whether it’s in banks, stocks, gold, or mattresses. “Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God” (1 Tim. 6:17). 

Although IT IS wise to save money for the future, we should never put our trust in it because it can instantly disappear due to unforeseen circumstances. Stock markets crash. Banks fail. Thieves steal. You might even forget where you hid your money, like inside a mattress. Psalm 52:7-8 says, “Behold the man who did not depend on God for safety but trusted in the abundance of his riches…but as for me…I trust in the lovingkindness of God forever and ever.”  The Lord is the only security that you can trust.  www.makinglifecount.net

NEW on Amazon  “Finding God’s Will” paperback $9.99  Learn the different ways God speaks to us today.

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The Photographer's One Fatal Mistake

In spring 1981, a young man flew to Alaska to photograph the scenery and wildlife in the wilderness. He carefully planned for everything he would need to make his adventure a success; photo equipment, 500 rolls of film, several firearms, and 1,400 pounds of provisions.

Every day he journaled in his diary about the scenery and wildlife he saw. What was his fatal mistake? No, he wasn’t eaten by a bear. It was something else. As the months passed, he realized he planned well to live in Alaska for a few months, but he had forgotten to make plans how to get out!

In August he wrote in his diary, “I think I should have used more foresight about arranging my departure. I’ll find out soon.” In November, his body was found in a valley over 200 miles from Fairbanks. An investigation revealed he failed to make plans to exit Alaska.

Jesus told a parable about a rich man who was so successful that he didn’t have room to store his abundant crops. He decided to tear down his barns and build bigger ones. He told himself, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry” (Luke 12:19). He wrongly assumed he would have many years to live.

“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?’” (Luke 12:20). God called him a fool because he thought he would live a long time, but he died that night and left everything behind for someone else. You can’t take it with you.

Many people are like that photographer—making many plans for this world but never preparing for their eternal destination in the next world. Have you used some foresight in arranging your departure? Here is how to do it.   www.makinglifecount.net

NEW on Amazon Kent’s new book “Finding God’s Will” paperback $9.99  Learn the different ways God speaks to us today.

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The Story of Three Sponges

 Three sponges lay on the counter top. Although they all look the same, they aren’t. You can’t notice the difference between them until you squeeze them and see what comes out. You pick up the first sponge and squeeze it. Out comes dirty oil from the car. It’s been used to clean up a spot on the garage floor.

You pick up the second sponge and squeeze it. Out comes chocolate milk. It was used to clean up the mess from what the glass spilled on the dining room table.

You pick up the third sponge and squeeze it. Out comes clean water. It was used to clean up the water from the leaky faucet under the kitchen sink. All the sponges absorbed something different, and what came out told a story about where they had been.

Our minds are like those sponges. Whatever we put into our minds will come out once it is squeezed. What we dwell on in our minds, and what we watch with our eyes, is absorbed into the sponge. Jesus said, “Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is clear, your whole body is also filled with light, but when your eye is bad, your whole body also is filled with darkness” (Luke 11:34).

When life squeezes us, whatever we soaked up comes out. For some people, the squeeze releases outbursts of anger (Gal. 5:20). For others, the squeezing brings out tears. But for those who have been spending time with God, the love of Jesus pours out. What comes out depends on what your mind has been soaking up.

What have you been absorbing into your sponge? We should pray, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer” (Ps. 19:14) www.makinglifecount.net

NEW on Amazon Kent’s new book “Finding God’s Will” paperback $9.99  Learn the different ways God speaks to us today.

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The Cussin' Parrot

A cussing parrot named Flounder was adopted by the Humane Society of Charlotte. Flounder had been taught profanity by his former owners, who were college students. “The bird makes us laugh, and we don’t get many laughs, so we’re keeping him,” said Patti Lewis, president of the society. “We don’t want anyone to think the humane society taught him those filthy words.”

 

Have you noticed that the President, Vice-President, and other politicians are frequently using filthy words, even when they’re on TV? What used to be taboo is now acceptable. It has even become acceptable among Christians to use cuss words. I would never tell non-Christians to stop talking filth because they don’t have a relationship with God, but I will tell believers to clean up their mouths. Why? Because you are a representative of Jesus Christ.

 

Christians are called to a higher standard (1 Cor. 5:12), and non-believers form their beliefs about the truth of Christianity from the way we act and what we say. What would Jesus do? Did Jesus ever say filthy cuss words? David Jeremiah said, “The only Jesus that unbelievers ever see is in people who already know Him.”

When the prophet Isaiah saw God on His throne (Isaiah 6:1,5), he said, “Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, for my eyes have seen the King.” When he stood before God, the FIRST thing that convicted him was the words he had spoken. What did he say that was so bad? It probably wasn’t filthy words, but maybe he called someone an idiot, or he might have slandered someone.

I learned to cuss on the golf course whenever I hit a bad shot. But after I gave my heart to Jesus, I quit saying all those filthy words. A change of heart changes the way we speak (Luke 6:45). “You must also put away all for the following: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, and filthy language out of your mouth” (Col. 3:8). “But sexual immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be mentioned among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness or foolish talk, or vulgar joking, which are not fitting.” (Eph.5:3-4)

Instead of using crude language, you can learn to say clean words (crap, butt, darn, etc.) that mean the same things as the cuss words, but aren’t offensive. Flounder the foul-mouthed parrot was taught how to cuss, and you can teach yourself how to not cuss. “The heart of the wise teaches his mouth” (Prov. 16:23).  www.makinglifecount.net 

BIBLE STUDY: If Jesus knew all things, why did He ask questions?

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