Sunday, February 24, 2019

Is it Gossip--or Something That Needs to be Said?


Terry always talked about Roger behind his back. I told Roger, “Terry’s always gossiping about you.” I was shocked when Roger replied, “Terry’s always gossiping about you, too!” It really is true—the person who gossips to you will also gossip about you. And this is why we shouldn’t be friends with anyone who spreads rumors. “He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, therefore do not associate with a gossip” (Prov. 20:19).

But just because you talk about someone doesn’t mean that it’s gossip. You need to talk to and about others when corrections need to be made. Second Timothy 4:2 says to reprove, rebuke, exhort, and instruct. Sometimes it’s necessary to talk about others, but in the right way. Ask yourself these three questions.

1. What’s my motive in sharing this information? Do you want to hurt someone’s reputation? Are you trying to make yourself look better?  

2. Have I verified that the information is accurate? "Every fact is to be confirmed by the testimony of two or three witnesses" (2 Cor. 13:1). This keeps false accusations from destroying a person's reputation. Don’t believe everything you hear. A teacher sent home a note to parents on the first day of school: “If you promise not to believe everything your child says happens at school, I’ll promise not to believe everything your child says happened at home.”

Information gets twisted as it’s being passed along. I was once preaching a sermon and asked the congregation, “If you’ve ever heard gossip about yourself and at least part of it wasn’t true, please raise your hand.” The entire congregation raised their hands! I told the church, “Remember this the next time you hear a rumor. It’s probably inaccurate or not even true.”

3. Am I sharing this information with someone who needs to hear it? Is the other person part of the solution? Will everyone be better off if you don’t share it?
Remember to ask yourself these questions the next time you’re tempted to talk about someone. www.makinglifecount.net
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Making Life Count Ministries
P.O. Box 680174
Prattville, Alabama 36068-0174
www.makinglifecount.net  Twitter: @KentCrockett

Sunday, February 17, 2019

Jesus Never Explained Why Tragedies Happen


When tragedies and accidents happen many people ask, “Why would God allow this?” Jesus had an opportunity to clear up these mattersbut He didn’t. Two disasters occurred where many people were killed. Pilate ordered some Jewish worshipers to be murdered, and 18 people were accidentally killed when a tower fell on them.

Luke 13:1-5 says, “There were some present who reported to Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. And Jesus said to them, ‘Do you suppose that these Galileans were greater sinners than all other Galileans because they suffered this fate? I tell you, no.…
Or do you suppose that those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them were worse culprits than all the men who live in Jerusalem? I tell you, no.’

Some people assumed they died because God was punishing them for their sins. Jesus corrected this incorrect assumption (“Do you suppose…”) and said those catastrophes didn’t happen because of their sins. Twice He said, “I tell you, no.” God wasn’t to blame for those tragedies.

Some people blame God for not preventing evil and suffering. But remember, Jesus saw evil and suffering every day and never blamed God for it. After all, He was God! He never said, “You’re right. I’m to blame for all these terrible things.” Obviously there’s more going on than meets the eye. Satan and his demons incite people to do evil, and most accidents happen due to natural causes.

Jesus wasn’t interested in giving us a theological explanation for every accident or calamity that happens. When you’re suffering your greatest need isn’t an explanation, but comfort for your soul and the strength to endure. One day when you stand before God, all your questions will be answered (1 Cor. 13:12). Until then, put your trust in God who knows all things and allow Him to comfort your soul.
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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

Sunday, February 10, 2019

Jump-Starting a Battery


Someone has said that discouragement is the devil’s most valuable tool. The Bible calls discouragement “losing heart” (Luke 18:1, 2 Cor. 4:1,16, Gal. 6:9). Discouragement means losing your strength, courage and motivation, which drains your spiritual battery. When you encourage a discouraged person it’s like sending energy into their spirit so they can keep going.

When you jump-start a battery, you pull alongside the vehicle that has a depleted battery. You connect the jumper cables on a car’s good battery to the battery in the other car. When you turn on your car, the power in your battery flows into the other battery to start the other car.

This illustrates how encouragement works. It’s like jump-starting another person. You pull alongside someone who is exhausted or has lost hope. Your encouraging words send energy into them so they can continue down the road.

Hebrews 3:13 says, “But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called ‘Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” Of course, every day is today. Today is today, and when you get to tomorrow, that will be today as well. This means we need to encourage one another every day.

How do you encourage someone? You speak positive words that give affirmation and hope. Compliment them on the good qualities you see in them. Tell them God loves them and He has a good plan in spite of the way they feel right now (Jer. 29:11). Dark clouds hide the sunshine but the sun is still there and your dark times will soon pass.
Don’t wait until tomorrow to jump-start someone. Do it today. www.makinglifecount.net
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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