Tuesday, February 25, 2014

No More Olympic Gold Medals?

Suppose that gold, silver, and bronze medals would no longer be awarded at the Olympics. How would that affect the contestants? Some athletes would refuse to participate. Others wouldn’t train nearly as hard. Envisioning winning a gold medal is what motivates athletes to get through extremely grueling training. Some athletes train for hours every day for four years to run a 10-second race!

The Scriptures reveal that God will reward His faithful followers with something much greater than a gold medal. These eternal rewards are designed to motivate us to live correctly during our short stay on earth.  They will not be given to every believer, but only to His children who have cheerfully sacrificed and served Him.

You only have a window of time to win them. Rewards can only be earned after you are saved—in the time-space between the moment of salvation and the day you die. I believe receiving these rewards will be thousands of times more exciting than winning an Olympic gold medal, and they will have something to do with our eternal assignments, which will be like special privileges. It’s hard for us to grasp, but winning a heavenly reward will actually improve your eternal experience!

God could have kept the truth about eternal rewards a big secret that would be revealed after we die. Instead, He told us about them to motive us to live for the next world. I’ve heard some Christians say, “I don’t care anything about rewards in heaven. Going to heaven is good enough.” Although that sounds humble, that statement is an insult to God and rejects everything He has revealed about rewards. Consider a few verses:
  • “Blessed are you when men cast insults at you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great” (Matt. 5:12)
  • “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matt. 5:20).
  • “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great” (Luke 6:35)
  • Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever” (1 Cor. 9:24-25 NIV).

Always keep in mind that the Lord is watching your attitude, giving, and service to determine your position and assignments in the next life. We need to be more motivated to win these heavenly rewards than an athlete is to win an Olympic gold medal!  

For more info on eternal rewards, read The Judgment Seat of Christ and Rewards in Heaven.
Follow me on Twitter @KentCrockett  
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Slaying Your Giants is filled with interesting stories, humor, and practical advice about how to conquer 20 giants (fear, depression, discontentment, self-image, anger, and more)

The Sure Cure for Worry contains amazing true stories and helps the reader see God is in control.

Monday, February 17, 2014

Ignoring the Evidence

Did O.J. Simpson get away with murdering Nicole Simpson and Ron Goldman in June 1994? O.J’s blood DNA was found near the victims, on the walkway, at the rear gate, and on Ron Goldman’s boot. His blood was also found on the floor of O.J’s Bronco, along with the steering wheel, driver’s door, and console. O.J.’s defense attorneys accused the police of planting O.J.’s blood at the scene of the crime. That might plant doubt in some people’s minds, but how did Ron and Nicole’s blood get inside O.J.’s car and house?

Nicole’s blood was found in O.J’s Bronco on the steering wheel, console, and carpet. Ron’s blood was also found on the console. Nicole’s blood was found in footprints made by size 12 rare Bruno Magli shoes, which O.J. happened to own and was his shoe size.

At O.J.’s house, his blood was found in the driveway and foyer. O.J.’s blood, Ron and Nicole’s blood, and hairs from both Ron and Nicole were found on the glove in his yard. Both O.J’s and Nicole’s blood were found on a sock in his bedroom. The defense team couldn’t explain how Ron and Nicole’s blood was found in all those places. All this evidence was ignored by the jury, which acquitted him.

Why would someone want to ignore evidence? Primarily because ulterior motives are involved. When Jesus performed healing miracles as the religious Pharisees watched, they refused to believe in Him because they didn't want to lose their political power. They said, “If we let Him go on like this, all men will believe in Him and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation” (John 11:48).

Many people today refuse to believe the evidence that proves the existence of God and the truth of the Bible. They're afraid to examine the evidence of hundreds of fulfilled Bible prophecies and that the amazingly complex human body couldn't have evolved by mere chance. Why won't some people honestly examine the evidence? It's because they "suppress the truth" because their hearts are darkened (Romans 1:18, 21). If you don't want to believe something, it doesn't matter how much evidence is presented. As the saying goes, "A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still." Take an honest look at the proof and arrive at your own verdict. 
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NEW BIBLE STUDY: Barabbas and the Scapegoat
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Two books to help you grow in your faith:
Slaying Your Giants is filled with numerous interesting stories, humor, and practical advice about how to conquer 20 giants you will face in life (fear, depression, discontentment, self-image, anger, and more)
The Sure Cure for Worry contains amazing true stories and will help the reader see God is in control. (For those who may doubt the existence of God and those who need guidance)

Friday, February 7, 2014

Your Authority as a Believer

In an episode of The Andy Griffith Show, a couple of farmers were illegally selling their vegetables on the roadside. Deputy Barney Fife pulled his squad car over and told them they had to leave. The two big bullies stood up to him, saying they weren't going anywhere. Barney backed down from them and hurriedly sped away.

After returning to the courthouse, Barney was fearful of having to confront the lawbreakers again. When Sheriff Andy found out what the farmers had done, he reminded Barney that he was an officer of the law, and he had to go back and order them to get out of town.

Barney returned to the veggie stand and asked them again to leave. The thugs walked up, stood in front of him, and defiantly crossed their arms. Barney tapped on his badge, looked them in the eye, and said, "Sure, you guys are big, but this badge represents people who are a lot bigger than you are." The bullies hung their heads, backed down, got in their truck and left town.

This scene gives us a picture of the authority that believers have in the spiritual realm. In our natural strength, we'll act like Barney, fearful of the devil. Satan plants lies in our minds, telling us that we’re worthless, and that every horrible thing imaginable will happen to us. It's at that time we must remember our divine deputy badge and use our authority over Satan. Jesus said, "I have given you authority...over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall injure you" (Luke 10:19).

You have been "deputized" by the King of kings, and the spiritual badge you're wearing represents a God who is much bigger than the devil. When you submit to God and stand in your authority, you can stand up to the devil, resist him, and he will flee (James 4:7). Satan is terrified of believers who realize they have authority over him and command him to leave. So don’t let him torment you with fear and worry for another minute. Use your spiritual authority and order him to "get out of town."  www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com   www.makinglifecount.net
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                                    Two books to help you grow in your faith
SlayingYour Giants is filled with numerous interesting stories, humor, and practical advice about how to conquer 20 giants you will face in life (fear, depression, discontentment, self-image, anger, and more)

The Sure Cure for Worry contains amazing true stories and will help the reader see God is in control. (For those who may doubt the existence of God and those who need guidance)