Analyzing Zacchaeus

Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector in Israel and became rich by swindling people out of their money. He was Ebenezer Scrooge and Bernie Madoff wrapped up into one person. One day he heard Jesus was coming to Jericho, so he climbed a tree to see over the crowd. Jesus looked up, called him by name and said He wanted to stay at his house.

     Zacchaeus replied, “Lord, half of my possessions I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much" (Luke 19:8). Let’s play the role of a psychiatrist and analyze what changed him:

1. Change begins when the heart changes. A person’s heart must change before behavior will change. The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sins and our need to change. The rebellious prodigal son’s heart was changed when he “came to his senses” (Luke 15:17). He decided to leave his partying life and returned home to serve his father. When your heart changes, you’ll have the desire to live differently.

2. Change happens in a point in time. After Zacchaeus said he would repay those he had cheated, Jesus said, “Today salvation has come to this house” (19:9). The day before Zacchaeus met Jesus, he was an evil crooked man. But when he realized Jesus was the Son of God, he decided to walk in a new direction. He came down from the tree and declared out loud what he would do differently, “I will give…I will pay back.”

3. Change results in different behavior. If a person claims to know Jesus but there isn’t a change in behavior, then you must question whether it’s a genuine conversion. Zaccheus went with his money bag to those he had cheated and repaid them four times as much. Jesus didn’t tell him to do that. Zaccheus knew in his heart that’s what he needed to do.

Has your heart changed? What are you doing differently since you met Jesus? Let Zacchaeus be your role model. www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com  www.makinglifecount.net

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BIBLE STUDY: “What does it mean to repent?”

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Making Life Count Ministries

P.O. Box 680174

Prattville, Alabama 36068-0174

www.makinglifecount.net  Twitter: @KentCrockett

The Baggage on Your Soul

A burden is an invisible weight that you carry on your soul. Just like the man in the picture is loaded down with suitcases on his back, your soul can get loaded down with invisible baggage.

We acquire burdens (baggage) by continually mulling over problems that bother us. Rest for your body comes by sleeping, but only Jesus can give you rest for your soul. Jesus said, "Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me…and you will find rest for your souls" (Matt. 11:28-30). We carry excess baggage because we haven’t learned from Jesus how to correctly think and live.

Here are a few burdens that weigh down our souls:

GUILT—refusing to believe that Jesus will forgive all your sins.

GRUDGES—wanting to punish those who have hurt you.

WORRY—refusing to trust God to take care of your problems.

DEPRESSION—the darkness that comes to your soul when you lose hope. Ps. 42:5 says, “Why, my soul, are you so downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God.”

To get rid of our baggage we must "Cast your burden upon the Lord" (Psalm 55:22). Notice that God does not automatically remove your burdens from you. He instructs you to cast them to Him. When you throw a ball, you must let go of it. After you cast your problem into God’s hands, the weight will be lifted off of your soul.

My book Slaying Your Giants ($5.99) gives detailed information on how to conquer depression, unforgiveness, guilt, anger, worry, discouragement and much more.

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

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Read Chapter 1--If God Knows What I Need, Why Should I Pray? ("Look Inside")

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Making Life Count Ministries

P.O. Box 680174

Prattville, Alabama 36068-0174

www.makinglifecount.net  Twitter: @KentCrockett

People You Need to "Unfriend"

Although God tells us to love everyone, He doesn’t call us to be friends with everyone. We need to “unfriend” certain people who negatively influence us—and I’m not just talking about Facebook. Here are three types of people to unfriend:

1. People who gossip about others. “He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, therefore do not associate with a gossip” (Prov. 20:19). Remember, the one who gossips to you will also gossip about you. Gossipers belittle and slander others to make themselves look better.

2. People with toxic attitudes. Toxic people will poison your spirit. They are controlling, manipulative people who will drain you emotionally, depress you, and make you feel guilty. “If anyone does not obey our instruction…take note of that person; don’t associate with him” (2 Thess. 3:14). Someone who is continually tearing you down is not your friend because “A friend loves at all times” (Prov. 17:17).

If you’re married to a toxic person, ask God to give you wisdom about what to do. If the relationship is abusive, you must protect yourself and your children. Consult with your pastor or a godly individual about the steps you should take.

3. People who claim to be Christians but don’t act like it. Paul said, “I am writing you not to associate with any so called brother if he is an immoral person…a reviler, a drunkard or a swindler—not to even eat with such a one” (1 Cor. 5:11). Their walk doesn’t match their talk, and they hypocrisy can trick you into compromising your integrity.

You don’t need to have a lot of friends—just a few. Spend your time with those who will encourage you and keep away from people with toxic attitudes and destructive behavior. www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com  www.makinglifecount.net

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CLICK HERE for 77 Answers to Bible Questions

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