Sunday, December 29, 2019

Preparing for the Future

In Matthew 25:1-10, Jesus told a parable about ten young women at a wedding. Jewish weddings usually happened at night, and the guests had to bring their own lamps and oil. Jesus said five of the young women were wise because they brought oil for their lamps, but the other five women were foolish because they didn’t bring oil, which meant they couldn’t light their lamps. 

The foolish five turned to the wise five said, “Give us some of your oil.” They answered, “No, because there won’t be enough for us and you too.” When the five foolish women left to go buy oil, the bridegroom came and they missed the wedding procession and feast. Jesus called them foolish because they didn’t prepare.

Preparation means we do something now to get ready for the future. “By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household” (Heb. 11:7). Noah believed what God told him and spent years building the ark. He didn’t wait till the last minute when the clouds grew dark to start construction.

Joseph stored grain for seven years in times of plenty before the famine hit (Gen. 41:48). He didn’t wait until the famine came to start preparing. Ants are considered wise because prepare their food in the summer to get ready for winter and gather provision in the harvest (Prov. 6:9).

God doesn’t always tell us what will occur in the future or when it will happen. It’s wise to save ahead for unforeseen expenses, and it’s extremely wise to make peace with God before the coming judgment. Have you wisely prepared for the future? www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com www.makinglifecount.net
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Making Life Count Ministries
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www.makinglifecount.net  Twitter: @KentCrockett

Sunday, December 22, 2019

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 meansuniquely bornor 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
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BIBLE STUDY The Pre-Existence of Jesus

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Sunday, December 15, 2019

The Angels Appeared to the Shepherds, Not the Pharisees


The shepherds were near Bethlehem, watching over their sheep at night. Some people think they were raising sheep that would be sacrificed in the temple. Perhaps they sat around the campfire, discussing the Scriptures concerning the Messiah being the ultimate sacrificial Lamb who would die for the sins of the world.

Suddenly an angel appeared to announce the most significant event to ever happen on earth—the birth of a baby who was God in the fleshYou’d think the angels would appear to the religious leaders in Israel. Instead, God chose shepherds to be the first to receive the good news because He knew the Pharisees and Sadducees would be the ones who would oppose Him.

Suppose you’re alone in your house when an angel instantly appeared in your living room. You would be terrified! When the angel appeared to the shepherds, they were “greatly afraid” (Luke 2:9). The angel told them to not be afraid because he was bringing great news of joy. “Today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord…You will find the baby wrapped in cloths, and laying in a manger” (Luke 2:8-14).

The Lord sent only one angel to make the announcement. After they calmed down, He sent a multitude of angels to confirm the message. Imagine what that must have looked like as the sky was lit up with thousands of angels praising God! This was an unmistakable sign to them that this newborn was the Savior of the world.

Although the angel didn’t give the shepherds specific instructions as to where to find the baby, God made sure they found the Christ child. And if you are willing to search for Christ, He will make sure that you’ll find Him as well.  www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com www.makinglifecount.net
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Sunday, December 1, 2019

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
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Making Life Count Ministries
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Sunday, November 24, 2019

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
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Sunday, November 17, 2019

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 
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Sunday, November 10, 2019

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
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Sunday, November 3, 2019

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

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Sunday, October 20, 2019

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
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BIBLE STUDY on “The Antichrist” CLICK HERE

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Sunday, September 29, 2019

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
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Sunday, September 22, 2019

Reinventing Yourself


During the Great Depression, Wallace Johnson was fired from his job at a saw mill. He and his wife desperately needed income from his job just to get by. His worried wife asked, “What are we going to do?” Wallace thought through his options and told her, “I’m going to mortgage our home and go into the building business.”

Wallace was forced to reinvent himself. His first venture was constructing two small buildings. God blessed his business with more construction projects. Within five years, Wallace had become a multi-millionaire and later a co-founder of Holiday Inn motel chain.

He wasn’t bitter at the man who fired him. Instead he said, “Today if I could locate the man who fired me, I would sincerely thank him for what he did. At the time it happened, I didn't understand why I was fired. Later I saw that it was God’s unerring and wondrous plan to get me into the ways of His choosing.”

What looked like the worst thing that could happen to them actually became the best thing. “The Lord your God turned the curse into a blessing for you because the Lord your God loves you” (Deut. 23:5).

Sometime during your life you might have to reinvent yourself. “Reinventing yourself” means that when a door closes, you chart a new course for your life. You might have to do something that you’ve never done before, just like Wallace Johnson. “Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established” (Prov. 16:3). With God involved, the new path can be more blessed than the original route. www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com www.makinglifecount.net
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Why did Jesus talk about Himself in third person? CLICK HERE for the answer.

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