The Story Your Face Tells

In the 1800s a couple of prospectors discovered gold and wanted to keep their discovery a secret so others wouldn't find out.  When they went back into town to buy supplies, neither of them said a word to anyone. But as they started back to the mountains, everyone in town was following them with picks and shovels.  Although they hadn’t told anyone about finding gold, their discovery was written all over their faces.

Your face is connected to your heart. Your facial expressions are the newspaper headlines telling the story of what's taking place inside your heart. If you are angry it will show up on your face. If you are depressed, it’s obvious to everyone. But Proverbs 15:13 says, "A joyful heart makes a cheerful face." Joy cannot be suppressed. It will always make a person smile.

We can decide the headlines people will read on our faces. What we think about determines our emotions—and this determines our facial expressions. We can change our moods by changing what we think about. Joy comes from not only thinking positively, but also seeing God’s hand at work in our lives and trusting Him with the outcome of every circumstance. “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right …whatever is praiseworthy—think about these things” (Phil. 4:8).

What is the story your face is telling today? www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com www.makinglifecount.net 

Making Life Count Ministries

P.O. Box 680174

Prattville, Alabama 36068-0174

www.makinglifecount.net 

Enjoying Every Stage of Life

Have you ever wanted to be a different age? Younger people cannot wait to grow up. Elderly people wish they were young again. Some people aren’t happy no matter what age they are. It helps to understand that it is God’s will for you to be the age you are right now.

It is no accident that you are alive on earth at this time. God didn’t want you to live in the 1600s but created you to live at this time. Acts 17:25-26 says,  “He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and boundaries of their habitation, that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us."  

This verse tells us God determined your lifetime to be now. Every stage of life has its benefits. Whether you are 25 or 65 years old, be happy with your age. If you are a parent, enjoy every stage of life of your child. If you are tired of changing diapers, don’t wish for your child to grow up. Enjoy that stage of life because it will pass too quickly. If you are getting older, don’t keep wishing you were younger. You cannot go back in time, so enjoy your stage of life right now. It’s God’s will for you to be at this age—and it’s also God’s will for you to be thankful for it (see 1 Thessalonians 5:18). www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com www.makinglifecount.net

Two Important Books:

Slaying Your Giants  Learn how to defeat the invisible giants attacking your mind.

The Sure Cure for Worry proves God is in control and can be trusted to handle the problems you are worried about.

Making Life Count Ministries

P.O. Box 680174

Prattville, Alabama 36068-0174

www.makinglifecount.net 

The Quest to be Famous

A little girl was asked what she wanted to be when she grew up. She replied, “Famous!” Why are so many people obsessed with fame? Our society equates fame with significance. The more famous you are, the more significant you are in others’ eyes. And if you are not famous, then try to be friends with someone who is famous so you can tell others, “I’m friends with (fill in name).”

What is fame? It’s how many people know you. It is name recognition. If many people know your name, you’re famous. We live in a time like never before where anyone can become “famous” if their YouTube video goes viral or if they have thousands of Facebook friends or Twitter followers. There’s nothing wrong with those things, but it is wrong if you are deriving your self-esteem from them. The fact is, the most admired actor is worth the same as a homeless man sleeping in a cardboard box. “The rich and the poor have a common bond; the Lord is the maker of them all” (Proverbs 22:2).

One celebrity said when no one knew him, he desperately wanted to become famous so the paparazzi would take his picture for magazines. But after he gained fame, he lost something he couldn’t get back—his privacy. He couldn’t go anywhere without someone asking for his autograph or snapping his picture. He found himself hiding from the paparazzi so they wouldn’t take his picture. The magazine articles about him contained slanderous gossip because that’s what sells. After he achieved his goal of being famous, he discovered his fame wasn’t a blessing but was actually a curse.

God isn’t interested in us being famous in the world’s eyes, but in us being faithful in His eyes. To do this, we must change the audiences we want to please. Instead of living to please others, live to please the Lord who is always watching. “Therefore we have our ambition…to be pleasing to Him. He died for all that they who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf” (2 Cor. 5:9,15). www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com www.makinglifecount.net

Two Important Books You Need to Read:

Slaying Your Giants shows how to conquer the 20 invisible giants (attitudes) trying to destroy you.

Amazon.com customer review: “Slaying your Giants is by far the best book I have ever read for a Bible Study class. No matter what issues you are facing—fear, temptation, worry, anger… the true stories are uplifting, humorous and very rewarding.”

The Sure Cure for Worry proves God is in control and can be trusted to handle the problems you are worried about.

Making Life Count Ministries

P.O. Box 680174

Prattville, Alabama 36068-0174

www.makinglifecount.net 

Did Jesus Die for ALL Sins?

Did Jesus die for every sin that will ever be committed? Did He die for everyone or only for those who will believe in Him? These theological questions have been debated for centuries. Those who believe in “Limited Atonement” teach that He only died for those who will be saved. Those who believe in “Unlimited Atonement” teach that He died for everyone. The answer becomes clear when we examine the Scriptures.

1. Jesus died for all sins for all time. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son” (John 3:16). “The world” means everyone in the world and not just believers. “We have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all…but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God” (Hebrews 10:10,12).

2. Jesus is potentially the Savior of everyone. “We have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe” (1 Timothy 4:10). He is potentially the Savior of everyone because He died for all sins, which makes it possible for anyone to be saved. He is the actual Savior only of those who put their trust in Him and have received the free gift of salvation. If I bought you a gift and offer it to you, it’s potentially yours but it doesn’t actually become yours until you receive the gift from me.

3. God wants everyone to be saved. “God desires all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4). The Lord is “not willing that any should perish but for all to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). Although the Lord wants everyone to be saved, each person must choose to receive the free gift of eternal life.

4. Everyone who repents and calls on Him will be saved. Jesus said, “Unless you repent you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:5). “Whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13).

You can receive salvation by praying this with a sincere heart: “Heavenly Father, I realize I am a sinner and need to be saved. I am truly sorry for my sins. Jesus, come into my heart and save me. I give my life to you. I ask the Holy Spirit to empower me to live a life that’s pleasing to you. Thank you for giving me eternal life. Amen.”

If you sincerely prayed that prayer, you have been born again and Jesus has come to live inside you. Welcome to the family of God!

BIBLE STUDY: Calvinism vs. Arminianism vs Evangelicalism  This is a more detailed study of “Limited Atonement” versus “Unlimited Atonement.”

SONG OF THE MONTH “Forever Live” by Kari Jobe.  This powerful song (begins at 1:58 mark) describes the moment Jesus rose from the dead.

Making Life Count Ministries

P.O. Box 680174

Prattville, Alabama 36068-0174

www.makinglifecount.net 

Can You Answer 10 Bible Questions?

Imagine going to college for four years and never learning anything. If that happens, something is wrong with the teacher, the student, or both. Now imagine going to church for years and never learning what’s in the Bible. Sadly, this is happening all over the country. If you’ve been attending church for 5 years, you should be able to supply the missing words below.

1. The sons of Adam and Eve were _________ and __________. (Genesis 4:1-2)

2. Moses received the 10 Commandments on Mount _____________ (Exodus 31:18)

3. King Saul threw a spear at _______________ (1 Samuel 18:10-11).

4. Jesus said, “When the Son of Man comes, will He find ___________ on the earth?” (Luke 18:8).

5. Jesus said, “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their __________?” (Matthew 16:26).

6. Jesus said, “Lay up for yourselves ________________ in heaven.” (Matthew 6:20).

7. Jesus said, “Unless you ___________ you will all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:5)

8. “It is the _________ of God that leads you to repentance” (Romans 2:4)

9. “It is by _____________ you have been saved through faith” (Ephesians 2:8).

10. Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice and I know them, and they __________ Me, and I give eternal life to them.” (John 10:27-28).

Answers: 1.Cain, Abel  2.Sinai  3.David  4.faith  5.soul  6.treasures  7.repent  8.kindness  9.grace  10.follow

If you couldn’t answer these questions, the solution is reading small sections of the Bible every day on your own. Here is a good Daily Bible Reading Plan to follow. If you cannot read all the verses each day, continue following the plan even if it takes you two years to read through the Bible.  www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com  www.makinglifecount.net

BIBLE STUDY: “How Do We Know the Bible is True?”  Why would you want to read the Bible unless you believe that it’s true? This article will help you decide.

Making Life Count Ministries

P.O. Box 680174

Prattville, Alabama 36068-0174

www.makinglifecount.net 

Thank you to all who support this discipleship ministry. 

Contributions to Making Life Count Ministries are tax-deductible.

Why Prayers Aren't Answered Like You Asked

Romans 8:26 says, “We do not know how to pray as we should” but the Holy Spirit will help us in our praying. This means He will reinterpret our prayers and the answer may arrive differently than the way we asked for 3 reasons:

Reason #1  I’m asking for something that will produce harmful consequences.

We ask can for things that are not God’s will, which would sooner or later make us regret it. Sometimes we ask without any consideration of how it will affect ourselves or others.  

If I keep praying for something and God keeps saying no, it means that He must know something that I don’t know. Since God knows the outcome of everything (and I don't), I’ve learned to let Him determine how the answer comes. I’ve learned to thank Him for His “NO” answers because He’s simply trying to protect me. He loves me so much that if I ask for something that will hurt me, He will deny the request. 

Reason #2  I’m asking with the wrong motives.

A pastor asked a little boy if he prayed every night. The boy answered “No.” The minister asked, “Why not?” He answered, “Because I don’t want something every night!” Prayer isn’t just for asking for toys and candy. James 4:3 tells us that if we ask for something with the wrong motives, He won’t let us have it. Although the Lord wants to bless us, He wants to do it when our motives are correct so that it won’t increase our selfishness.

Reason #3  God has something better for me than what I’ve asked for.

Many times when God says no, it’s usually because He has something better for us than we asked. Andrew Murray said, “God reserves the very best for those who leave the choice with Him.” If you have surrendered your life to the lordship of Jesus Christ, you need to remember God’s promise:  “No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly” (Psalm 84:11). He will give you His best but you might need to wait for a period of time for it to come. However, when it does arrive you’ll be so glad you waited!  www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com  www.makinglifecount.net

BIBLE STUDY: How did we get the Bible?  Do you know how the Bible was compiled?

Making Life Count Ministries

P.O. Box 680174

Prattville, Alabama 36068-0174

www.makinglifecount.net 

Thank you to all who support this discipleship ministry. 

Contributions to Making Life Count Ministries are tax-deductible.

Either God is Real--Or He Isn't

Do you wonder if God is real? Maybe you are doubter or unbeliever because no one has given you enough proof to believe. A jury doesn’t need to have every question answered before it can reach a verdict. They just need to examine the evidence to convince them beyond a reasonable doubt. Here are three pieces of evidence to consider. (Click the links for a more detailed explanation)

Item #1  Fulfilled Bible Prophecies The Biblical prophets wrote down numerous predictions in the Scriptures which came to pass hundreds of years later exactly as they prophesied. Fulfilled Bible prophecies provide proof that God knows the future, can control earthly events, and the Bible is true. Jesus fulfilled more than 300 prophecies. The probability of one man fulfilling 48 prophecies is one in 10¹⁵⁷.

Item #2  The Amazingly Complex Human Body When you look at your computer with its many complex parts, you know that it required an intelligent designer to coordinate each part so that it would function. Even though you didn’t see the computer being designed and built, you have no doubt that someone, somewhere, made it happen. When you examine complexity of the human body you know it could not have come into existence by accident.

Item #3  Near Death Experiences This is when someone dies and is resuscitated, and the person claims they either went to heaven or hell. While I don’t believe many of the testimonies of those claiming NDE’s, I do believe some people’s experiences are real. I hope you will take the time to watch this incredible video interview of a former atheist was dead for 15 minutes. (If you don’t have time to watch the entire video, fast forward to the 35:45 mark)  

If you’ve read the information on the linked pages, I hope you’ve been convinced beyond a reasonable doubt. The good news is that God is not just real but He loves you and has a purpose for your life. I hope you’ll continue your search for truth.  www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com   www.makinglifecount.net

Making Life Count Ministries

P.O. Box 680174

Prattville, Alabama 36068-0174

www.makinglifecount.net