What Does Only-Begotten Son Mean?

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.” Many people don’t understand what the term “Only-Begotten Son” means. They think God had only one Son in heaven and sent Him to earth. WRONG.

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 born with two natures—divine and human. Jesus was all God and all man.

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

Jesus always existed as 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.”  Jesus pre-existed as God and left His throne in heaven to come to earth and become man.

2. When Jesus left heaven to take on a human body, “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.” The angel Gabriel told Mary, “You will conceive in you womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Highest.” (Luke 1:31-32)

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. www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com www.makinglifecount.net

******************************************************************************************

BIBLE STUDY “The Pre-Existence of Jesus”

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

www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com

God Uses Broken Vessels

I’ve often heard the saying “God uses broken vessels.” It’s based on Psalm 51:17 which says, "A broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise." For years whenever I read that verse I pictured in my mind a pot broken into little pieces. It didn't make sense to me. Then it dawned on me that a cracked pot wasn't the right idea at all. Instead, brokenness is like a cowboy breaking a horse.

When a horse isn't broken, it tries to throw the rider off. But when it reaches the place of brokenness, the horse surrenders to the cowboy and quits fighting against him. Only then can the horse be guided wherever the rider wishes to lead it.

Saul was on the road to Damascus when he saw a light brighter than the sun and was struck blind. God said to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads” (Acts 26:14). A goad was a sharp stick that was used to prod oxen to most faster. When the oxen felt the prod, they would wound themselves if they kicked back. They learned it was easier to obey than kick back.

When we quit fighting against God and surrender to Him, we can be guided wherever the Lord wants to lead us. Being a vessel that's willing to be led by God makes a lot more sense than being a cracked pot. Do you want to be led by God? www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com www.makinglifecount.net

******************************************************************************************

BIBLE STUDY “Does Everything Happen for a Reason?”

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

www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com

Thankful All the Time

Thanksgiving is a day we set aside to give thanks and eat turkey. A kindergarten class at a school in Kentucky was asked how to cook a turkey. This is their instructions:

Go to the grocery store. Buy a turkey for $7. If the store doesn’t have any, go to the farm.

Catch & kill a turkey with an arrow. If you miss, shoot it with a gun. Take it home.

Cut out the bones. Take out the brains. Cut off the head, feet, eyes, nose, neck, face, feathers, and skin. Wash it in the bathtub. Put it in a pot. Let it dry off.

Put squishy brown stuff all over it. Cook it in the oven. Get it real hot--10 degrees. Cook it for 35 minutes. Take it out of the oven. Let it cool down. Slice it in long pieces. Eat it! It will be real good!

Hopefully you won’t follow those instructions, but that you will follow God’s instructions for being thankful. “In everything give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thess. 5:18). The Lord wants us to always be thankful, even when we are going through unpleasant situations. Some people complain all the time. God wants us to be thankful all the time. He is more interested in His children keeping a positive attitude through difficulties than always keeping us comfortable.

How is it possible to always be thankful? Every situation contains both good and bad, and you can choose what you want to focus on. Complaining comes from focusing on the negative in your situation. Thankfulness comes from choosing to see the positive in your situation and voicing your appreciation to God for it. But thankfulness isn’t genuine unless it comes from our hearts. David wrote, “I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart” (Psalm 9:1).

When God tells us to give thanks in everything, it must mean it’s really important to Him. He wants to hear it from us—all the time. Don’t wait until Thanksgiving Day to start. Begin today. www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com www.makinglifecount.net

****************************************************************************************************

Would you please consider giving a year-end gift to Making Life Count Ministries? All gifts are tax deductible. You can give by check or CLICK HERE to give by credit card.

     Our ministry receives 300,000 page views every year from all over the world.

     People living in over 17 countries receive our weekly devotionals by email

     Over 29, 000 people receive our Devotionals through Twitter.

     Our Devotional page has over 384,000 page views.

     Making Life Count Ministries has 270 Bible studies, sermons and information.

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

www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com

Everyone Needs a Point of Reference

Admiral Byrd, the famous explorer, once found himself about a hundred yards away from his South Pole hut when a sudden blizzard hit. The snow was blinding and he had no landmarks where he could get his bearings. He knew if you couldn’t find his hut within a matter of minutes he would die.

He realized if he went searching for his hut without a point of reference, he would probably get lost. He refused to panic and had to think quickly. Here’s what he did. He stuck his ten-foot pole in the ground and tied his red scarf on the pole. Then he began looking for his hut, always keeping the red scarf in view. He went off in one direction looking for his hut, couldn’t find it, but came back to his pole. Then he went in another direction looking, but came back again. Three times he came back to his point of reference. Finally on his fourth try he found his hut.

God's Word is our reference point that gives us direction in life. Without a reference point that we keep going back to, we will wander aimlessly through life. "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" (Psalm 119:105). 

Many people have a Bible but never read it because they don't know where to start. I encourage you to start in the New Testament book of Mark and read 5 minutes a day. For example, read Mark 1:1-20 (half a chapter). The next day read Mark 1:21-45. You can read more than 5 minutes, but mark where you stop reading and then start there the next day.

Some people have a hard time understanding the King James Version because of the ancient language. I recommend an easy-to-understand yet accurate version like the NEW King James Version (which changes the ancient words like "thee" to modern words like "you") or the New American Standard Bible. 

After you finish the book of Mark, choose another New Testament book such as Acts or Philippians. Before you know it, you will have read the entire New Testament. Then you can do the same with the Old Testament. www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com www.makinglifecount.net 

****************************************************************************************************

Would you please consider giving a year-end gift to Making Life Count Ministries? All gifts are tax deductible. You can give by check or CLICK HERE to give by credit card.

     Our ministry receives 300,000 page views every year from all over the world.

     People living in over 17 countries receive our weekly devotionals by email

     Over 29, 000 people receive our Devotionals through Twitter.

     Our Devotional page has over 384,000 page views.

     Making Life Count Ministries has 270 Bible studies, sermons and info.

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

www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com

God Promises to Reward Us In Eternity

Baron de Rothschild was one of the richest men in the world. One day Rothschild decided it would be humorous to dress up like a beggar and have his portrait painted by an artist named Ary Scheffer. The Baron put on rags, struck a pose, and held out a tin cup. While he was posing, a friend of the artist entered into the room. Thinking he was a real beggar, the friend dropped a coin into Rothschild’s tin cup.

Ten years later, the man who gave the money to Rothschild received a letter containing a bank order for 10,000 francs. The note said, “Years ago you gave some money to a beggar in the studio of Ary Scheffer. Today he sends you the returns on your investment. Signed, Baron de Rothschild.” 

God promises to reward His children for helping those less fortunate. Jesus said, “When you give a reception, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, since they do not have the means to repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous” (Luke 14:13–14).  (Making Today Count for Eternity p.89)

Let’s think about this reception. When the crippled, lame, and blind arrive at the dinner, you will need to assist them in getting around. Then you’ll help feed them because they probably won’t be able to feed themselves. And since they can’t repay you, you’ll have to wait for God to reimburse you. It will be after you die and are resurrected.

At the time we receive our resurrection bodies, we will also receive our eternal rewards and assignments for the next life. And the formerly crippled, lame, and blind whom you served at the dinner will rejoice with you in their perfected resurrection bodies. www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com www.makinglifecount.net

****************************************************************************************************

Would you please consider giving a year-end gift to Making Life Count Ministries? All gifts are tax deductible. You can give by check or CLICK HERE to give by credit card.

     Our ministry receives 300,000 page views every year from all over the world.

     People living in over 17 countries receive our weekly devotionals by email

     Over 29, 000 people receive our Devotionals through Twitter.

     Our Devotional page has over 384,000 page views.

     MakingLife Count Ministries has 270 Bible studies, sermons and info.

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

www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com

Does Time Heal All Wounds?

In the 1963 Canadian Football League championship game, QB Joe Kapp got into a fight with Angelo Mosca, who was a defensive lineman on the opposing team. The referee stepped in and broke up the fight. After the game was over, they continued to dislike each other.

Forty-eight years later in 2011, the two former pro football players were invited to appear at a luncheon for the Canadian Football League. Joe Kapp was 73 years old and Angelo Mosca was 74 years old. When the two players were introduced, the luncheon's host give Kapp an olive branch to give to Mosca as a peace offering. Everyone thought it would be a light-hearted moment about their feud and would bring a laugh from the audience.

Instead of handing it to him, Kapp pushed it into Mosca’s face and then punched him. Mosca retaliated by hitting him with his cane. Like the referee did 48 years before, the host stepped in and broke up the fight. Both men were still angry over an incident that happened in 1963. If time could heal wounds, 48 years should be enough time.

God put a time limit on how long to be angry. It’s not 48 years, but less than 24 hours. “Be sure to stop being angry before the end of the day” (Eph. 4:26 NCV). If you don’t throw water on the fire before the sun goes down, your anger will keep flaring up—even 48 years later.

Time doesn’t heal all wounds. Forgiveness does. Whatever was done to you, it’s time to let it go. Forgive and release the wrongdoing into God’s hands. It’s the only way to have peace of mind. www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com www.makinglifecount.net

****************************************************************************************************

BIBLE STUDY “Who are the Two Witnesses in Revelation?” CLICK HERE

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

www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com

Where God Guides, God Provides

In the early 1900s, God called Rees Howells and his wife to go to Africa as missionaries. They lived in Wales and didn’t have the funds to get to Africa. The Howells first needed to get to London to begin their faith journey.

They didn’t have enough money to buy train tickets all the way to London, but they did have enough to buy tickets to Llanelly station in Wales. From there they would have to catch another train to London, but they couldn’t buy tickets there because they had spent all their money to get to Llanelly.  

The train to London would arrive in two hours. As they sat in Llanelly station, they prayed for God to provide the ticket money before the train arrived. God told Rees to get in the ticket line. He took a step of faith and got in line behind a dozen people. As the line kept getting shorter, Rees continued to stay in line even though he was broke.

With only two people ahead of him, a man turned around and said he had changed his mind. Then the stranger put thirty shillings in his hand and walked away. It was the amount needed to buy their tickets to London! The miraculous provision was like the ram caught in the thicket at the last moment for Abraham (Gen. 22:13).

Rees and his wife served as missionaries and became a channel of revival in Africa. And it all started with trusting God for train tickets. Are you obeying what God is telling you to do?  www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com www.makinglifecount.net

****************************************************************************************************

BIBLE STUDY on “The Antichrist” CLICK HERE

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

www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com

Knocking Until the Door Opens

Late one afternoon when the office was ready to close, the business manager finally allowed a life insurance salesman to see him. The manager told the salesman, “You should feel highly honored. Do you know that I have refused to see seven insurance men today?” 

“I know,” replied the salesman. “I’m them!”

Jesus told a parable about a man who went to a friend’s house at midnight and knocked on his door, asking for bread (Luke 11:5-8). His neighbor told him to go away. But the man kept knocking on the door, knowing his friend wouldn’t get any sleep until he opened the door and gave him bread. Jesus concluded, “Because of his persistence he will get up and give him as much as he wants.”

The man did not give him the bread because of their friendship. The only reason for granting his request because the man kept pounding on the door. Jesus used this as an illustration of the kind of persistent faith that He’s looking for. Persistence is the most overlooked way to receive God’s blessings. (If God Knows What I Need, Why Should I Pray? p.81)

What if he had quit knocking after the first refusal? He might have thought, “It must not be God’s will or he would have opened the door on the first knock.” But it was God’s will because he finally received the bread.

What if the four men who carried the paralyzed man to Jesus would have turned around because of the crowd around the house? (Mark 2:2-12). They could have given up and said, “It must not be God’s will.” But they persisted and lowered him through the roof. And it was God’s will because Jesus healed the man.

What if the Canaanite woman had turned around after Jesus ignored her? (Matt. 15:22-28). She could have said, “It must not be God’s will.” But it was God’s will because she persisted and Jesus healed her daughter.

Sometimes you won’t get what you're praying for because it’s not His will. But what if you don’t get it because you quit knocking too soon? God won’t get mad at you for pounding on His door. He might even open it and give you the bread you need.  www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com www.makinglifecount.net

****************************************************************************************************

Do you know how we got the Bible? CLICK HERE for the answer.

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

www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com

Touching a Sore Spot

One Sunday morning I greeted a man as he entered the church. When I shook his hand, I placed my other hand on his shoulder. He immediately recoiled in pain, moaning "Owww!"

I didn't mean to hurt him when I greeted him. I was trying to make him feel welcome. I had gently touched him on his shoulder, the same thing I had done to several other folks that morning. However, no one else had pulled away from me. This man reacted differently from the rest because He had injured his shoulder a few days before. I had touched his sore spot.

Suddenly I understood how physical injuries can teach us about spiritual wounds, and why people with wounded spirits are offended by innocent comments and react abnormally. They’re protecting sore spots on their souls. The slightest touch on their hurting area affects how they react to others.

Even King David had a sore spot. He said, “For I am afflicted and needy, and my heart is wounded within me” (Ps. 109:22). Because a sore spot is invisible, no one knows where it’s located until someone touches it. An abnormal reaction to an innocent remark, which wouldn't bother a healthy person, usually indicates a hidden hurt has been detected.

Even if you were wounded years ago, an unhealed sore spot can cause pain today. If someone says something that triggers a hurtful memory, you’ll either react defensively or withdraw in pain. Someone has said, “A person with a toothache cannot fall in love.” That’s true. It’s hard to love others if you are hurting inside.

Healing begins by forgiving the person who hurt you. Ask God to heal you of your hurts from the past. You’ll feel a lot better tomorrow if you will do it today. www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com www.makinglifecount.net

****************************************************************************************************

FREE PRINTED SERMONS CLICK HERE

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

www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com

The Wrong Solution to the Problem

Suppose one morning your car doesn’t start, so you replace the battery. Your car still doesn’t start, so you put in another battery. Your car still doesn’t start. You replace the battery again. You keep doing this and before long you have a garage full of batteries, never realizing that the car is out of gas. You’ve chosen the wrong solution to your problem.

Many people look for the wrong solutions to their problems. Choosing the wrong solution not only doesn’t solve the problem, but usually makes your situation worse! For example:

Situation #1 Boy and girl fall in love, both thinking they’ve found “the one.” Wrong Solution: Decide to live together in same bedroom (Heb. 13:4). If it works out they will get married. Right Solution: Choose to live separately and stay sexually pure until marriage (1 Thess. 4:3). If they are meant for each other God will bless their marriage.

Situation #2 You have high credit card debt, a new car payment, and can barely make your payments. Wrong Solution: Keep buying more with your credit card and get Pay-Day loans to cover the difference (Prov. 22:7). Right Solution: Cut back on spending. Downsize to a less expense car. Sell unnecessary items to pay off your credit card. (Rom. 13:8)

Situation #3 Your 13-year old daughter wants to go to a party where you know there will be drinking. Wrong Solution: Give her permission to go but make her promise to not drink (1 Cor. 15:33, Prov. 13:20). Right Solution: Don’t let her go but instead let her invite a couple of friends to your house under your supervision (James 1:5).

What problem are you’re dealing with? Wrong solutions bring immediate relief but ultimate unhappiness. Right solutions are usually more difficult at first but bring peace and happiness. Many problems are caused because we haven’t obeyed what God has told us. Jesus said, “And why do you call Me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46) Are you doing it God’s way? www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com www.makinglifecount.net

****************************************************************************************************

WATCH VIDEO TEACHING (21 min.) “How Will God Provide for Me?” (Click and scroll down)

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

www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com

What Could Be Better Financial Security Than That?

A few years after we got married, Cindy told me what she was thinking on our wedding day as she walked down the aisle, I hope he will take care of me! In 1977, I had a part-time janitor’s job making $3 an hour while I attended seminary. What could be better financial security than that?

I had preached four sermons in my life by the time I had graduated from seminary. You’d think that hundreds of churches would come knocking at my door begging me to be their pastor. But not even a single church called. What could be better financial security than that?

After graduating, we loaded up a U-Haul truck and moved to Garden City, Kansas to plant a church. We had only been there one time, had no job, only a few dollars saved, and no place to stay. What could be better financial security than that? 

But we did trust God to provide for us. We never missed a meal, paid our bills on time, and constructed a church building debt-free. It was like when Jesus sent out His disciples to preach and said, “Take nothing for your trip, neither a walking stick, bag, bread, money, or extra clothes” (Luke 9:3). 

Later He asked them to recall when He sent them out empty-handed: “‘When I sent you out without money belt and bag and sandals, you did not lack anything, did you?’ They said, ‘No, nothing’” (Luke 22:35). God provided everything they needed.

He promised to provide for those who trust Him. What could be better financial security than that? www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com  www.makinglifecount.net 

****************************************************************************************************

ARE THERE CONTRADICTIONS IN THE BIBLE? CLICK HERE

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

www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com