Blessing Those Who Sneeze?

Not long ago I was in a meeting when someone sneezed. Three people said, “God bless you!”

Have you ever wondered why people say “God bless you” after someone sneezes? It’s even weirder when someone speaks the German word “Gesundheit.” We’ve learned to bless people who sneeze because we were taught growing up that it’s the polite thing to do.

So where did this idea come from? The custom of blessing people who sneezed goes back to the Dark Ages when people believed that sneezing was expelling a demon from one’s body. Speaking God’s blessing supposedly prevented the evil spirit from re-entering the person. Pope Gregory the Great popularized the “sneeze blessing” to ward off the bubonic plague, where sneezing was a symptom of the disease. Of course, blessing the sneezer is a superstition and the practice is not found in the Bible.

It just goes to show that we often do things out of tradition and never think, “WHY am I doing this?” Even in church we can follow the traditions of men instead of God’s Word. If you try to break the man-made tradition to follow a new way where God is leading, some people will protest, “We’ve never done it that way before!”

The Pharisees revered their traditions over God’s Word. Jesus rebuked them, “And why do you yourselves transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?” (Matt. 15:3). Jesus never said to bless those who sneeze, but He did say, “Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you” (Luke 6:28). That’s the command we need to obey, not the other.

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

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How NOT to Make Decisions

Jurors in Kentucky couldn't decide whether or not to convict a man of murder—so they flipped a coin and found him guilty! The lawyer for the defendant said, "It's scary to think that twelve people would decide to flip a coin to reach a verdict, especially in a murder case." The judge threw out the decision and ordered a new trial. 

On an episode of House Hunters, a couple flipped a coin to decide whether to buy a more expensive house or a lesser priced one. The coin landed on “tails.” That’s how NOT to make a decision. Many people place their destiny in the hands of fate instead of the hands of God. Here is God’s way to make decisions.

1. Pray for wisdom. God always knows what we need to do, even when we don’t. James 1:5-7 says He will give direction if we will ask in faith.

2. Consider your options.  Think through your situation and list every possible option to take. Jesus said to first sit down, which settles down our emotions so we can think clearly. Then calculate the cost, which means to do a background check on the potential situation (see Luke 14:28-32).

3. Ask the Holy Spirit to point you to the right path. Psalm 32:8 says, "I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go. I will counsel you with My eye upon you."

4. Walk in the light you have. Sometimes it's a spotlight while at other times it's a flicker we can barely see. Walk in the light that God provides.

After deciding don't look back and question your decision. Doubting yourself will only cause problems after you have already made the correct decision. (see Luke 9:62)  Remember that decisions produce consequences. Good decisions will result in good consequences. www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com  www.makinglifecount.net

NEW BIBLE STUDY at Making Life Count Ministries: 

What did Jesus mean by salt losing its saltiness? Click the link to find out.

Slaying Your Giants explains how to defeat 20 “invisible giants” that you battle in your mind.

The Sure Cure for Worry proves that GOD IS IN CONTROL and you can trust Him to take care of the things that worry you.

Making Life Count Ministries
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Prattville, Alabama 36068-0174
www.makinglifecount.net 
Thank you to all who support this discipleship ministry. 

The Umpire in Your Heart

If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit dwells in your heart and acts as an umpire to guide you down the right paths. When you are making a decision He will lead you through the desires in your heart (Psalm 37:4) and the peace in your heart. Colossians 3:15 says, "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts." The Greek word for "rule" means "to act as an umpire."

In a baseball game, the umpire is the one who decides whether you are safe or out. In the same way, when you praying about what to do, having an abiding peace in your heart gives the assurance that you’re on the right track, and a lack of peace in your heart is a warning that something isn’t right. A lack of peace in your heart can be for one of three reasons:

1. It might be God’s will, but you need to get some questions answered first. The umpire is telling you to do more investigating of the situation to clear up some issues. If you can resolve those uncertainties, God will give you peace to proceed.

2. It might be God’s will, but the timing is not right. Ecclesiastes 3:1, 11 says, “There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven…He has made everything appropriate in its time.” A lack of peace may mean the umpire is saying you need to wait for further guidance.

3. It is not God’s will and the Holy Spirit has removed your peace. If it isn’t God’s will, the umpire is telling you no by shouting “you’re out!” He is giving a warning that you are heading down the wrong path.

Submit yourself to God and let Him direct your steps (Proverbs 3:5-6). He knows the future and His peace, or lack of peace, is one of the ways He will guide you.  www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com  www.makinglifecount.net  

NEW BIBLE STUDY at Making Life Count Ministries: 

What does “the earth is full of God’s glory” mean? Isaiah 6:3 says that the earth is full of God’s glory. With all the evil in the world, how can it be filled with God’s glory? What does it mean?

Making Life Count Ministries

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Thank you to all who support this discipleship ministry.  

When God Punishes Your Enemies

It might surprise you that God promises to punish your enemies. Romans 12:19 says, “Never take your own revenge, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.” Sometimes we forget that God loves justice and He is the only one who can administer the correct amount of punishment.

The apostle Paul realized the importance of letting God punish his enemies instead of taking matters into his own hands. He said, “Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. The Lord will repay him according to his deeds” (2 Tim. 4:14). And God will repay those who have harmed you as well, but first He wants you to try to make peace with them.

Romans 12:18 says, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.” God wants you to make the first move at peacemaking. Sometimes your attempt to make peace will soften the other person’s heart and the relationship can be healed. But what if the other person never changes? It’s tempting to take your own revenge, but this is when you need to “leave room for the wrath of God.”

1. If you take your own revenge, you are trying to play the role of God. Getting revenge is a right that belongs to God. He says, “Vengeance IS MINE.”

2. If you take your own revenge, God will back off from what He intended to do.

God says, “Oh, so you want to do it? That is what I wanted to do. I can get vengeance better than you, so if you do it your way, it will interfere with what I want to do.”

3. If you take your own revenge, it means that you don’t believe God will correct the wrong. You must believe that God is just and He will hold the person accountable who hurt you.

When will God get vengeance? It might be in this life, the life to come, or both now and later. If the other person never apologizes and makes things right, you can rest assured that the Lord knows how to settle the score correctly. www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com

NEW BIBLE STUDY: How will God resurrect the dead from dust? This study explains how He will bring back the bodies of people who have disintegrated or have been cremated.

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A Sneaking Suspicion

After David killed Goliath, women danced in the streets and sang victory songs. Saul smiled when they sang, “Saul has killed his thousands. . .” Then the women sang the second stanza: "And David his ten thousands" (1 Sam. 18:7). When Saul heard them praising David more than himself, jealousy consumed him. He said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, but to me they have ascribed thousands. Now what more can he have but the kingdom?” An evil spirit came on Saul and he “looked at David with suspicion from that day on” (1 Sam. 18:9,10).

Here are three characteristics of jealousy:

Jealousy is suspicious. Saul “looked at David with suspicion” until his dying day. Jealousy views people as suspects who are guilty.

Jealousy feels threatened. Jealousy is rooted in insecurity and will attack the perceived threat. Saul tried to kill David by throwing a spear at him (1 Sam. 18:11).

Jealousy never trusts. Saul had a sneaking suspicion that David was plotting to overthrow him. David had no such intentions but Saul chose to believe the lies in his mind instead. Even when David gave him proof by sparing his life, Saul wouldn’t change his mind and continued to persecute David.

Jealousy destroys relationships and this is why it is dangerous. It can kill marriages. Instead of drawing a person closer, it has the opposite effect and drives the other person away through accusations. Even though jealousy primarily operates in romantic relationships, it can also be found in the secular workplace between co-workers, in political campaigns between candidates, and even in church when someone else is praised for their spiritual gifts.

James tells us where these thoughts are coming from. “If you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic” (James 3:14-15).

The way to conquer jealousy is to humble yourself, let Jesus be your greatest love, and place your situation in God’s hands. For more information about how to overcome jealousy, read chapter 18 in Slaying Your Giants.  www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com 

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NEW BIBLE STUDIES: How did Jonah stay alive in the whale for three days? Did Jonah breath inside the whale or did he die?

Did two different people write the Book of Isaiah?  Some modern-day “scholars” deny that Isaiah wrote the book. This study disproves that theory.

Who wrote the Book of Hebrews?  Hebrews in the only book in the New Testament where the author is unknown. However, it was likely written by one of these three people.

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A Tale of Three Crosses

The Bible mentions three men dying on crosses and they all have a story tell.

Cross #1—a thief DYING IN SIN. “And one of the criminals who hanged there was hurling abuse at Him saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save yourself and us” (Luke 24:39). This thief called out to be saved, but he wasn’t sorry for his sins. He wanted to be saved from punishment for his crimes but his heart had not changed. This man died IN his sins.

This man represents those who want to be saved from punishment but don’t want to be saved from their sins. Jesus told the Pharisees (who rejected Him), “I go away, and you shall seek Me, and shall die IN your sin; where I am going you cannot come” (John 8:21) Jesus said that dying in your sins keeps you from going where He was going, which was Heaven.

Cross #2—a thief DYING TO SIN. The second thief said, “We are receiving what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong…Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom.” And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise” (Luke 24:41-43). This thief was sorry for his sins and wanted Jesus to save his soul. This thief represents those who see Jesus dying for their sins, have a change of heart and are willing to die to their sinful ways.

Cross #3—a Savior DYING FOR SIN. Jesus went to the cross for one purpose—the die for the sins of the world. Isaiah 53:6 says, “The Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him.” Jesus bore our sins in His own body on the cross (1 Peter 2:24). That means salvation from sin is only found in Jesus Christ. Matthew 1:21 says, “He will save His people from their sins.”

Both thieves called out to be saved but only one was saved. What was the difference? The first thief wasn’t sincere and had no change of heart. If Jesus had set him free, he would have returned to his life of crime. The second thief wanted to be saved from his sins. If Jesus had set him free, he would have turned from his sinful life and would have followed Him. Which one of these thieves represents you? www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com

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NEW VIDEO TEACHING (10 minutes): "7 Signs of the End-Times"  Four signs have come to pass, but 3 other signs might be a while before being fulfilled.

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Looking for a good book to study in a SMALL GROUP? Slaying Your Giants is filled with interesting stories and Biblical insights, and includes a free 20-Lesson Discussion Guide in the back of the book.

The Sure Cure for Worry proves that GOD IS IN CONTROL and you can trust Him to take care of the problem that worries you.

The Hypocrisy of the Pharisees

A businessman’s office wall was covered with award plaques and framed documents. On the wall was a diploma from the Harvard Business School, a “National Salesman of the Year” award, and a letter from the President of the United States. A visitor was impressed by his honors and asked, “How did you manage to accomplish so much in such a short time?” “It really wasn’t that hard,” the man replied. “I have a sign-printing business.”

Hypocrisy is trying to impress others by pretending to be something that we’re not. Jesus called the Pharisees hypocrites 14 times in the book of Matthew alone. They performed their religious duties “to be seen” by men (Matt. 6:1). “To be seen” in Greek is theathemai, which is where we get our word “theater.” Jesus was saying that a hypocrite is an actor who plays a role. The actors on the Greek stage performed in the theater to be seen by an audience. Their reward for their performance was the applause they received from the spectators.

The hypocritical Pharisees were merely religious actors, playing the role of a righteous person in the “theater” of street corners, synagogues, and the temple. They longed for the praise of men, which was the reason they performed so many righteous deeds in public. When they received compliments and applause from their admiring audience, Jesus said, “they have received their reward in full” (Matt. 6:2).

The Pharisees serve as a warning to not become actors, who do the right things but with the wrong motives. We are hypocrites if we say that we believe God’s Word but live in a way that doesn’t line up. The antidote for hypocrisy is to live with a “sincere heart” (Heb. 10:22) and “love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith” (1 Tim. 1:5). The apostle Paul told us there is only one audience we need to please: “For am I seeking the favor of people, or God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of Christ” (Gal. 1:10)

Check your heart. Keep doing what’s right, and do it to please God.

Have you read about the strange customs of the Pharisees? Click on Who were the Pharisees? Be sure to read the 26 Questions, which helps to identify Modern-Day Phariseeism.

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

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Slaying Your Giants is filled with interesting stories, humor, and practical advice about how to conquer 20 giants (fear, depression, discontentment, self-image, anger, and more)

The Sure Cure for Worry contains amazing true stories and helps the reader see God is in control.

What is Making Life Count Ministries? (3 min. video)