Christmas: What does "only begotten Son" mean?

Most Christians will tell you that Jesus is the only-begotten Son of God, but if you ask them what that means they cannot tell you. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” 

The Greek word for “only begotten” is monogenes and means “uniquely born” or “one-of-a-kind birth.” The conception and birth of Jesus was unique—nothing like it had ever happened before and will never happen again in the future.  He was conceived in the womb of a virgin by the Holy Spirit and is the only one who has two natures—divine and human; all God and all man. “Only begotten” does not mean that Jesus did not exist until the Father begat Him, which is what cults believe.

1. Jesus existed in eternity past as “the Word.” 

Jesus always existed as the Word (God) in eternity past. Micah 5:2 says His days are from eternity. John 1:1 says, “In the beginning was the Word (this was His name before “Jesus”) and the Word was with God (the Father), and the Word was God.”  This shows Jesus pre-existed as God before He came to earth and became man.

2. When Jesus left heaven to put on human flesh, “the Word” became “the Son.”

Cults teach that a father is older than a son, so Jesus must have come into existence at a point in time.  The Bible does not teach this. Jesus has always existed as God in eternity past, and the term “Son” refers to His humanity which began at His Incarnation. John 1:14 says, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” This happened 2,000 years ago when He entered a human body and was named Jesus. The Word became the Son when He came to earth.

Dr. Walter Martin, author of The Kingdom of the Cults, writes:

There is no such thing as “the eternal Son of God.” Before Jesus took upon Himself a human form, He already existed with the Father. Hebrews 1:5-6 says that when He brings the first-begotten into the world, He says, “I will be a Father to Him, and He will be a Son to Me.” This is a reference to the Incarnation. It is a change of relationship when the Word takes on flesh—the Word becomes the Son.

The terms "Father" and "Son" describe the first two Persons of the Trinity (God and Jesus), after Christ came to earth. This proves that the terms “begotten” and “sonship” refer to His humanity and not His divinity. As God, He had no beginning, was not begotten, and was not a Son. As man, He was begotten in the flesh and became the Son.  The term "Son of God" reveals His two natures: Son (humanity) and God (deity).

To read more on this topic, click here: What does “the only-begotten Son” mean?
www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com
www.makinglifecount.net

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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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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)
www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com
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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

Read 150 Bible studies at www.makinglifecount.net

It's Amazing What Praising Can Do

Read 100 of Kent’s “One-Liners” at http://www.makinglifecount.net/#/about-us/one-liners

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The apostles Paul and Silas had been beaten “many times” with rods, were thrown into prison, and their feet were fastened in stocks (Acts 16:22-34). Put yourself in their situation. Your back is throbbing and it hurts to lean against the wall, so you must sit upright. Your feet are locked in a fixed position in stocks, and you cannot move even a little bit to get more comfortable. You are bleeding, but you cannot do anything to bandage your wounds.
 

And why are you there? You were simply obeying what God called you to do and it upset some people. Your enemies went to the powers-that-be and drummed up false charges to get you out of their way. Wouldn’t that make you wonder why God would let you be mistreated for being obedient?

This type of abuse happened to most, if not all, of God’s choicest servants. It’s not easy to follow what the Lord wants you to do. We have a spiritual enemy that will use people to throw up roadblocks to keep you from fulfilling God’s call on your life. More than anything, Satan wants to first attack your attitude. He’s trying to get you to doubt, get discouraged, and complain. And that’s why it’s so important to keep the right attitude and continue to praise God, even when you are bruised, locked up in a dungeon, and see no way out.

Paul and Silas looked past their circumstances and started singing praises to God (v.25). You might be thinking, “But I don’t feel like praising.” How do you think Paul and Silas felt? Do it anyway! It takes faith to praise God when you are in the worst situation you have ever experienced.

After they started praising God, the Lord responded by sending an earthquake, and to quote the great theologian Elvis Presley, it "made that jailhouse rock." This wasn't an ordinary earthquake because "all the doors were opened, and everyone's chains were unfastened" (v.26). The jailer cried out to Paul and Silas, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" (v.30) They left the prison and baptized the jailer, along with his family, who were also saved. This family might have never come to know Jesus if Paul and Silas hadn't been arrested under this man's watch. And that's why God allowed them to get thrown into prison.

Here's what happens when you praise God in your desperate situation:

1. God will open doors for you.  “All the doors were opened” (v.26). When you praise God, He will open doors of opportunity that were previously closed.

2. Your chains will fall off.   “Everyone’s chains were unfastened” (v.26). When you praise God, He will break the spiritual chains of depression, fear, lust, and worry.

3. People will be saved.   "You will be saved, and your household" (v.31).  When you praise God, He will touch lost people's hearts.   www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com

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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

Read 150 Bible studies at www.makinglifecount.net

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

Are You a Bear Riding a Bicycle?

Satan is a clever dude and an expert in tricking people. He loves to counterfeit God’s ways to deceive Christians into thinking they are on the right path, but leading them in the wrong way. Legalism in the church is a counterfeit spirit that masquerades as “dedication to God” but it actually prevents people from walking in the Spirit and God’s grace. It is a system of rules to follow, which is enforced by a person or persons who act like spiritual policemen.

A legalist tries to control other people’s behavior through browbeating and threats. He or she is like the circus person who trains a bear to ride a bicycle. The bear feels awkward doing it, and is only doing it because of the trainer’s threats. Garrison Keillor once said, “A bear riding a bicycle can be trained to do it, but he would rather be in the woods, doing what bears do.”

God calls us to freedom (Gal. 5:13) but legalism calls people to bondage. The Holy Spirit inspires joyful service (John 15:11) but legalism produces dreaded duties. The Pharisees were the legalists of Jesus’ day. In Matthew 23:4-33, Jesus rebukes them for adding heavy burdens on people.

#1 Legalists are typically perfectionists who have unrealistic expectations of others.

Imagine being a pole-vaulter and the highest you’ve been able to clear is 13 feet. Your coach sets the bar at 17 feet. When you keep going 4 feet under the bar, he goes berserk and screams at you for not meeting the goal he set for you. A perfectionist is like that coach who sees everyone as a pole-vaulter who fails to make it over the bar. No one will ever be able to meet his expectations because he sets the bar way too high.

#2 Legalists are highly critical of others. A legalist has no room in his or her heart for God’s grace and compassion. They will often blast others in public and belittle them behind their backs. Those who are highly critical have very little love in their hearts, which causes them to only see others’ faults.

#3 Legalists force people to obey through threats, intimidation, and guilt trips. They will make condemning statements to make others feel guilty so they will conform to their wishes. The people being controlled are more concerned with pleasing the authoritarian figure than they are with pleasing God. They will attend church to make sure the legalist sees them in attendance rather than going to worship the Lord. People were afraid of the Pharisees and followed their rules “for they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God” (John 12:42-43).

Lest we be misunderstood, God wants you to submit to those in authority in your church and be joyful in serving Him. Hopefully your church is filled with grace and the Holy Spirit, and led by those who love the Lord. Remember, though, that you get to choose your place of worship. If your church makes you feel like a bear riding a bicycle, it might be time to find a new circus trainer. www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com

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Several people wrote us the link didn’t work to “Can Christian lose his salvation?” The link is working now, so please click on the link and print it for future reference.
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We are excited that some students at a university in Kenya are using our studies at www.makinglifecount.net for a weekly Bible study. If you would like to start a study in your home, please email me kent @kentcrockett.com and I would love to show you how.
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Read over 130 Bible studies at www.makinglifecount.net
Are you worried about the future?  Read The Sure Cure for Worry
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Where is Your Focus?

A study was done with two groups of basketball players of equal talent. One group was instructed to practice shooting baskets for so many hours. The other group was told to stay out of the gym, but to practice shooting baskets in their minds and making them. They were instructed to see themselves continually shooting basketballs and visualizing them going through the hoop.

When they played the next game, the players who had rehearsed shooting in their minds hit a higher percentage of their shots than the ones who actually practiced with basketballs! This experiment shows that what you focus on makes a difference in what happens.  

I’m convinced that whatever we focus on determines whether we are happy or miserable, whether we have faith or fear. When Moses sent the twelve spies into the Promised Land, they all saw the same land. However, ten spies were afraid because they focused on the giants in the land, while Joshua and Caleb had faith because they focused on the good land God had promised them (Num. 13:25-33). All twelve were in the same situation, but their difference was their focus.

Focusing on what’s good isn't a secular concept—it’s a biblical command. The apostle Paul told us to meditate with positive, uplifting thoughts: "Whatever is true…honorable…right… pure…lovely…admirable…let your mind dwell on these things" (Phil. 4:8).

We naturally see the giants in our situations. It takes the determination of Joshua and Caleb to focus on what’s good. Instead of thinking about every hurtful thing your enemy did to you, focus on one good thing about that person. Every time you see that person, think about that one good thing and nothing else. You will be surprised how your happiness will return and your enemy cannot torment you anymore.

Instead of only looking at the problems in your job or marriage, focus on something that’s good in your job and spouse. It’s easy to see your problems, but the blessings are also there—you just can’t see them because you’ve been focusing on the wrong things. You must continually look for what’s good if you want things to improve. See the basketball go through the hoop and making the winning shot.

Every day God sends you into the Promised Land and asks you to bring back a report on what you see. What will you report at the end of today?  www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com

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Read over 130 Bible studies at www.makinglifecount.net
Are you afraid of the future?  Read The Sure Cure for Worry
Do you need to conquer depression, unforgiveness, or rejection?  Read Slaying Your Giants