The Things Not Seen

The following is from my new book If God Knows What I Need, Why Should I Pray?

There’s more to reality than what you can see with your eyes. God created everything in heaven and on earth, “visible and invisible” (Col. 1:16). Imagine a horizontal line that divides the things we can see from the things we can’t see. Everything “below the line” is visible and exists in the earthly realm. Everything “above the line” is invisible and exists in the spiritual realm.

Second Corinthians 4:18 describes the two realms: “While we look not at the things which are seen [below the line], but at the things which are not seen [above the line]; for the things which are seen are temporal [below the line], but the things which are not seen are eternal [above the line].”

The invisible things in the spiritual realm seem like foolishness to those who only believe in what they see in the earthly realm. Paul writes, “But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised” (1 Cor. 2:14). (Hendrickson Publishers 2016, p.46-47).

When we pray, we reach into the spiritual realm and ask God in heaven to intervene in our situations here on earth. Jesus said, “The things that are impossible with people [natural realm] are possible with God [spiritual realm].” (Luke 18:27) Since we can’t see what’s going on in the spiritual realm when we pray, we must trust God’s promises in His Word that what He says will come to pass. Faith is the conviction of the things not seen (Heb. 11:1). So the next time you pray, keep in mind the reality of the spiritual realm, which is an important part of receiving the answer.  www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com

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If God Knows What I Need, Why Should I Pray? explains that some things in your life will not happen unless you pray. CLICK HERE to read chapter one.

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

Trusting God When You Don't Understand

The following is from my new book If God Knows What I Need, Why Should I Pray?

In the TV show 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 President of the United States to ask permission for a highly classified assignment. The President asks Bauer, “Jack, what exactly 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 resolve this problem.” The President always gave him permission because his trust in Bauer was greater than his need to know.

Whenever we’re going through a trial and don’t understand, we’d like for God to explain why it’s happening. Instead of giving us clarification He says, “You don’t need to know. I just ask you to trust Me.” When you're devastated, your trust in God must become greater than your need to know.

Prayer’s fourth purpose is to let go of your problems and hand them over to God. You aren’t praying to get something, but to get through something. “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray” (James 5:13 NKJV). You’re going through a divorce, a loved one passed away, you’ve lost your job, or you’re under extreme stress. Prayer is how you release your burdens to the Lord so you can find peace of mind.

Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Paul does not say that getting the answer to your request will give you peace, but just turning your request over to God is enough to calm your soul. (Hendrickson Publishers 2016, p.193-194). www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com

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READ SERMON:  Jonah 1—“Unwelcome Assignments” (Jonah didn’t want to do what God asked)

MY NEW BOOK: If God Knows What I Need, Why Should I Pray? Some things in your life will not happen unless you pray. CLICK HERE to read chapter one.

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

Watch Kent's Interview about new Prayer book

The book interview begins at the 5:00 mark.
Discusses the four purposes of prayer and answers several questions about prayer.
If God Knows What I Need, Why Should I Pray? is available at your local Christian bookstore and online stores. www.makinglifecount.net

The Throne of Grace, not The Throne of Terror

The following is from my new book If God Knows What I Need, Why Should I Pray? 

When I was a young, one particular scene in the movie The Wizard of Oz scared the wits out of me. Dorothy, the scarecrow, the tin man, and the cowardly lion are permitted to enter into the Wizard’s throne room. Fire and smoke surround the throne. The cowardly lion is absolutely terrified. A huge image of the Wizard’s head floats up before them and says in a booming voice, “I am Oz, the great and powerful! Who are you?”

The fearful four tremble in the Wizard’s presence. Dorothy says to the big face of the Wizard, “I’m Dorothy. We’ve come to ask you…” The Wizard interrupts her with a thundering, “Silence! The great and powerful Oz knows why you have come.” He then belittles the tin man, “You dare to come to me for a heart, do you? You clinking, clanking, clattering collection of junk!” (Hendrickson Publishers 2016, p.91,95)

Some people view God's throne like Oz's throne when they pray. But God calls His throne “The Throne of Grace” and not “The Throne of Terror.” Hebrews 4:6 tells us, “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in the time of need.” This verse tells us 5 things about how to pray (explained in detail in the book).

   1. WHO can go—“Let us therefore come”

   2. WHERE to go—“to the throne of grace”

   3. HOW to go—“come boldly”

   4. WHY to go—“that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help”

   5. WHEN to go—“in time of need”

Once you understand these 5 things, you’ll become more confident in your praying.

www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com

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NOW AVAILABLE at your local Christian bookstore. If God Knows What I Need, Why Should I Pray? Some things in your life will not happen unless you pray! CLICK HERE for a PREVIEW.

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

Guarding Your Heart

Steve Irwin was "The Crocodile Hunter" on the TV series by that name. I remember watching one show where he was in a muddy river at night catching crocodiles with his bare hands! On another episode, he caught with his hands the 10 deadliest snakes in the world. I thought for sure he would eventually be killed by a crocodile or deadly snake. The world was shocked by how he actually died.

In 2006, Irwin was snorkeling in shallow water above a stingray, when suddenly it threw up its tail and spiked him in his heart. He died seconds later. Experts said the odds of this happening were one in a million. The only way a stingray can kill you is to stab you directly in your heart with its barbed spine. He let his guard down and was attacked at the one place where he was the most vulnerable—his heart.

The Scripture tell us, "Guard your heart above all else for out of it flows the springs of life" (Prov. 4:23).  Protecting your heart against attacks from Satan is your highest priority. The devil will try to plant evil thoughts in your heart that can destroy you. You can stop these "heart attacks" by stationing guards around your heart.

HOW TO GUARD YOUR HEART

To guard your heart means to stop destructive thoughts as soon as they come. Depression wants to enter your heart to destroy your will to live. Anger wants you to destroy others. 

1. Yield to the Holy Spirit.  “Submit therefore to God…” (James 4:7) The Holy Spirit is the only One who gives you the desire and power to be holy. Without the Holy Spirit, you can’t resist anything evil.

2. Control what you think about. You can choose what you think about. When you go to the wrong places in your mind, it opens your heart for an attack. “Do not give the devil an opportunity” (Eph. 4:27).

3. Resist Satan. If you are under attack, don’t give in but take a stand against the enemy. “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7). But he won’t flee if you don’t resist.

Only you can protect your heart, so start right now. www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com  

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NOW AVAILABLE in eBook: My new book If God Knows What I Need, Why Should I Pray? is available in eBook format (paperback in bookstores June 1). Some things in your life will not happen unless you pray! CLICK HERE to read chapter one (look inside).

Receive these devotionals 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 

The Things You Shouldn't Have Said

The prophet Isaiah had a vision of God on His throne in heaven. Immediately Isaiah 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, the Lord of hosts” (Isaiah 6:1, 5).

Isaiah was one of the greatest Old Testament prophets, so what did he say that was so bad? It probably wasn’t filthy words, but he was ashamed of the words he shouldn’t have said. Perhaps he had lost his temper and called someone an idiot. Maybe he belittled someone in private, but now he was ashamed because He knew that God had heard it.

Have you ever said something that you wish you hadn’t said? We all have. You cannot recall those words, but you can apologize to the person you hurt. You would be amazed at how humbling yourself and asking forgiveness can heal and repair a relationship. If you’ve ever made fun of, or unjustly criticized someone, it helps to realize that person was created by God. John reminds us, “The one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen” (1 John 4:20).

An angel touched Isaiah’s mouth with a burning coal and said, “Your iniquity is taken away and your sin is forgiven” (Isaiah 6:6). The Lord will also forgive you for the words you wish you hadn’t said—if you will ask Him. And don’t forgot to apologize to the person you harmed. www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com

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Receive these devotionals 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 

Can You Find the Normal Person in the Picture?

The 1960’s TV show The Munsters was a comedy about a family of four monsters and one normal person. Herman Munster was Frankenstein’s monster, his wife Lily and Grandpa were vampires, and the son, Eddie, was a werewolf. Marilyn, the niece, was the only normal person. The four Munsters believed they were normal and that Marilyn was the oddball. Of course, they had it backwards—Marilyn was normal and they were abnormal.

If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, the world is going view you like the four Munsters see Marilyn. They actually believe that since you aren’t like them, you aren’t normal. You are Marilyn living in a world of Munsters. Jesus said, “If you belonged to the world, it would love you as it loves its own. But I have chosen you out of the world, so you don’t belong to it. That is why the world hates you.” (John 15:19 NCV).

The world is getting weirder every day. Abnormal is now considered normal, and normal is abnormal. Right is wrong and wrong is right. If you choose to remain a virgin until you get married, they think something is terribly wrong with you. Although you want to be accepted by others, keep in mind that you are living to please the Lord. You are not living for this world, but the eternal kingdom to come. “Nonbelievers (the Munsters) think it is strange that you do not do the many wild and wasteful things they do, so they insult you. But they will have to explain this to God, who is ready to judge the living and the dead” (1 Peter 4:4).

Stop trying to change yourself to be accepted by the Munster world. Just live to please Jesus and He'll take care of everything you need in this life. www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com

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Did you know you can TRANSLATE this devotional into other languages? On the right side of www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com choose a language and click “Translate.” If you know someone in another county, send this devotional to them in their language.

Receive these devotionals 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