Kent Crockett's Devotionals: January 2015

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Following Jesus by Not Following Jesus

When I first became a Christian I was told that I needed to “follow Jesus.” I wondered, "How am I supposed follow Jesus when He isn't physically on earth anymore?" I found the answer in Mark 5.

A man was so possessed with demons that he could break chains that were used to bind him. Jesus cast the demons out of the man into a herd of pigs, which rushed over a cliff and into the sea. As Jesus was getting into the boat to leave, the formerly demonized man begged to go with Him.

Jesus wouldn’t let him go. Instead, He said, “Go back home to your own people and report to them how much the Lord has done for you and how He has had mercy on you” (Mark 5:19). Jesus knew he could make a bigger impact by sharing his testimony back home rather than going with Him. The man was following Jesus by obeying Him—and not by physically following Him.

How do we follow Jesus today? By obeying God’s Word and the promptings of the Holy Spirit, who indwells all true believers. You don’t have to become a missionary in a foreign country to follow Jesus. You can do the same as this man—share Jesus where you live right now with the people you already know. If everyone would do this we could evangelize the world in a matter of days.

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

BIBLE STUDY: Is this a mistake in Matthew 27:9?

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Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Secondhand Faith

If you own a secondhand coat, you weren’t the original owner but received it from someone who was. A secondhand faith doesn’t connect directly with God but imitates someone else’s faith. Some Jewish exorcists who were not true believers in Jesus tried to cast out a demon using His name. They said, "I command you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.” The evil spirit answered, “Jesus I know and Paul I know, but who are you?” (Acts 19:13-16). The demon knew their faith wasn’t genuine but was an imitation.

These exorcists saw Paul casting out demons so they copied the words he used. Many people today don’t have genuine saving faith but will say the same words their Christian parents used. Their faith isn’t connected directly with God. They attend church because they were brought up going to church, but they don’t live like they believe in Jesus. They’ve deceived themselves into thinking they are Christians because of their secondhand faith.

Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” They answered, “Some say John the Baptist, and others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah, or one of the prophets” (Matt. 16:14). Someone living at that time was teaching Jesus was Elijah—and even had followers who believed the same thing. These people got their secondhand faith from a false teacher.

Then Jesus asked, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” Jesus said, “Flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father in heaven.” (Matt. 16:17). Peter got his firsthand faith from God's direct revelation to him.

Many people will stand before Jesus on Judgment Day and will be shocked to discover that their faith was secondhand (See Matthew 7:17-23). To find out how to have firsthand faith click here.

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

NEW BIBLE STUDY: “Why did Jesus talk about Himself in third person?” (Matt. 13:41 “The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom…”)