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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NEW PROPHECY BIBLE STUDY: When will people saved during Millennium receive eternal glorified bodies?

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Making Life Count Ministries

P.O. Box 680174

Prattville, Alabama 36068-0174

www.makinglifecount.net  Twitter: @KentCrockett

www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com

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 matters—but 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.

www.makinglifecount.net

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Making Life Count Ministries

P.O. Box 680174

Prattville, Alabama 36068-0174

www.makinglifecount.net  Twitter: @KentCrockett

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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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NEW BIBLE STUDY: “What does ‘Lead us not into temptation’ mean?”

NEW ARCHAEOLOGICAL DISCOVERY: Israeli student finds ancient rare coin of King Agrippa

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Making Life Count Ministries

P.O. Box 680174

Prattville, Alabama 36068-0174

www.makinglifecount.net  Twitter: @KentCrockett

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If Fish Could Talk

Suppose you’re a fish and see a juicy floating worm. Just before you can eat it another fish quickly swims and takes the bait. You’re stunned because the fish immediately shoots straight up out of the water and doesn’t come back!

A few minutes later, you spot another worm. Again, another fish grabs it before you can get there. Up it goes and never returns. This happens three more times. Since you’re a talking fish, you warn the others, “I’ve figured out something bad happens whenever I see a floating worm. I don’t understand why but every time a fish bites a worm it’s immediately jerked out of the water.”

Some fish ridicule you. “You’re not going to tell us what to do. If we see a worm we'll eat it!” Later you don’t notice them around anymore. You only see the other fish who listened to your advice. (If only people would listen)

James 1:14 says, “But each person is tempted when (WHEN?) they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.” The Greek word for “enticed” means “to bait a hook.” The fisherman uses bait to attract the fish and hides a hook inside to conceal the consequences. It takes two things to catch it—a hungry fish and enticing bait. 

Your mind is the pond where Satan goes fishing. Instead of dropping a worm into your mind he drops in a lying thought, “You can have this and nothing bad will happen to you.” You can’t see the hook, but if you’re wise you’ll swim away. Bait always includes consequences.

The fish that took the bait never dreamed it would end up in a frying pan. The alcoholic never thought he would end up in the street gutter when he took his first drink. The adulterer never dreamed he’d lose his family for yielding for one fleeting moment.

What's the bait that's tempting you? Remember a hook is always hidden inside. Avoid the bait and you won’t suffer the consequences.  www.makinglifecount.net

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BIBLE STUDY: “Overcoming Temptation”  

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Making Life Count Ministries

P.O. Box 680174

Prattville, Alabama 36068-0174

www.makinglifecount.net  Twitter: @KentCrockett

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Death is Like Falling Asleep and Waking Up

Passing through death’s door can be a terrifying thought if we don’t believe what Jesus said about it. What will it be like? The Bible says death for the Christian is like sleeping. When Lazarus died, Jesus compared it to sleep (John 11:13). Paul also referred to a believer's death as sleep (1 Cor. 15:51). It doesn't hurt when you go to sleep, does it? No. In fact, many people look forward to sleeping.

A little boy asked his mother what death was like. She said, "Do you remember when you fell asleep in the living room? Your father picked you up and carried you to your bedroom. When you woke up, you found yourself in another room. Death for a Christian is like that. You go to sleep in one room and wake up in another room. You fall asleep on earth and wake up in heaven."

Jesus took the sting out of death for those who love Him, so you don’t need to be afraid of it (1 Cor. 15:55, Heb. 2:15). Our body stays behind awaiting resurrection but our spirit immediately goes to be with the Lord. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord (2 Cor. 5:8). Click here to find out how you can find peace with God.   www.makinglifecount.net

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Making Life Count Ministries

P.O. Box 680174

Prattville, Alabama 36068-0174

www.makinglifecount.net  Twitter: @KentCrockett

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How to Handle Criticism

The Pharisees kept trying to find fault with Jesus even though He was sinless. “And the scribes and the Pharisees were watching Him closely …in order that they might find reason to accuse Him” (Luke 6:7). If Jesus couldn’t escape criticism, neither will you. Do you know any of these critics?

Perfectionist Pete. Quick on the flaw. No one can ever reach his unattainable expectations, including himself.

Sarcastic Sally. Cuts others down by using snide remarks to make herself look better.

Teasing Tom. Makes jabs by joking. Rips others apart under the guise of humor. Excuses himself by saying, “Can’t you take a joke?”

Gossiping Gilda. Talks about people behind their backs but not to their faces. Exaggerates others’ faults and shows no mercy.

Angry Allen. An “in-your-face” guy. His anger boils over and reprimands you face-to-face, not caring how it devastates you.

Preying Pauline. Exposes others’ faults through prayer requests. “We need to pray for Marlene. I think she might be pregnant and doesn’t know who the father is.”

Jealous Jane. Feels threatened by others and points out their imperfections to make her rivals look ugly.

How can we handle being criticized? The same way Jesus did. He only sought to please His Father and ignored His critics. Paul said, “For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.” (Gal. 1:10). Seek to please God more than people and the sting of criticism won’t bother you. www.makinglifecount.net

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BIBLE STUDY: “Resolving Conflicts”

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Making Life Count Ministries

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Prattville, Alabama 36068-0174

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The Blind Girl Couldn't See the Toys

At Christmastime in 1897, a newspaper reporter in Boston saw three little girls standing in front of a store window full of toys. One of them was blind. He overheard the other two trying to describe the toys to their blind friend. The reporter said he never thought of how difficult it would be to explain what something looks like to someone who is blind. He wrote a story about the three girls for his newspaper.

Two weeks later, the reporter attended a gospel meeting conducted by Dwight L. Moody. He wanted to write a critical article attacking the evangelist. To the reporter’s surprise, Moody quoted from his newspaper article about the three girls at the toy store window.

Moody said, “Just as the blind girl couldn’t visualize the toys, so an unsaved person can’t see Jesus Christ in His glory.” Moody preached that God opens the eyes of anyone who acknowledges his sin and accepts Christ by faith. The newsman was touched by Moody’s words and realized he was a blind man who needed his eyes opened. That day he accepted Jesus as his Lord.

People who are in darkness cannot see. “The god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel” (2 Cor. 4:3-4). Jesus said, “I am the light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness (John 8:12). Everyone is like that reporter and only Jesus can open our spiritual eyes. Have your eyes been opened? If so, you’ll see God and live your life differently. www.makinglifecount.net 

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BIBLE STUDY: “Why Did Jesus Need to be Born of a Virgin?”

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Making Life Count Ministries

P.O. Box 680174

Prattville, Alabama 36068-0174

www.makinglifecount.net  Twitter: @KentCrockett

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