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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Prattville, Alabama 36068-0174

www.makinglifecount.net  Twitter: @KentCrockett

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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

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BIBLE STUDY “The Pre-Existence of Jesus”

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Making Life Count Ministries

P.O. Box 680174

Prattville, Alabama 36068-0174

www.makinglifecount.net  Twitter: @KentCrockett

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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 flesh. You’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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NEW BIBLE STUDY “Comparing the Parables of the Talents and Minas”  

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An Unusual Answer to Prayer

While crossing the Atlantic on an ocean liner years ago, Bible teacher F. B. Meyer was asked to give a speech to the passengers about how God answers prayer. An agnostic who listened to Meyer’s message said, “I don’t believe a word of it.” 

Later that same day, the agnostic went to hear Meyer speak to another group of passengers. Before he went to the meeting, he put a couple of oranges in his pocket. On his way, he passed an elderly woman who was asleep in her deck chair. Her arms were outstretched with her hands open, so as a joke he put an orange in each hand.

After the meeting, he saw the elderly woman eating the fruit. “You seem to be enjoying those oranges,” he remarked with a smirk on his face. “Yes, my Father is very good to me.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’ve been sick for days, so I prayed that God would somehow send me an orange. I fell asleep when I was praying. When I awoke, I found not only one, but two oranges in my hands!”

The agnostic was stunned because he had just heard Meyer talk about how the Lord answers prayer, and God chose him to provide the oranges she had requested. Because of this, he put his trust in Christ. (Our Daily Bread, April 5, 2000).

Philippians 4:19 says, “My God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Just let Him decide how He will do it. He just might surprise you. www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com www.makinglifecount.net

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BIBLE STUDY “The Five Purposes of Prayer”

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Making Life Count Ministries

P.O. Box 680174

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www.makinglifecount.net  Twitter: @KentCrockett

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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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BIBLE STUDY “Does Everything Happen for a Reason?”

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Making Life Count Ministries

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www.makinglifecount.net  Twitter: @KentCrockett

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