Seeking to Impress Others?

A businessman’s office wall was covered with award plaques and framed documents. On it was a diploma from 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 because 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 “theatre.” The actors on the Greek stage performed in the theatre and craved for the applause of their audience.

The Pharisees were religious actors, playing the role of a righteous person in the “theatre” of street corners, synagogues, and the temple. They longed for applause of people rather than the applause of God.

In the age of social media, seeking to be popular and please people is a danger for us as well. The apostle Paul said, “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).

Don’t sacrifice what you know to be true for fear of what others think. Only one opinion matters. God’s. 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 Do We Know The Titanic Really Sank?

The Titanic sank in the Atlantic Ocean on April 15, 1912, but how do we know for sure? No one alive today was there when it sank. So does that mean it never happened? Do you have to swim to the bottom of the Atlantic to see it with your own eyes before you will believe?

Approximately 1,500 passengers drowned but 700 people survived the tragedy. Those survivors were eyewitnesses to the accident, and newspapers recorded their comments about what they saw. No one living today questions whether or not the Titanic sank because we have a record of the eyewitness reports.

How do we know Jesus rose from the dead? Just like we know about the Titanic—through the eyewitness reports. Paul writes, "He was raised the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than 500 brethren at one time...then He also appeared to James and all the apostles...and He appeared to me (Paul) also." (1 Cor. 15:6-8).

But here's the real proof. The disciples were so convinced of His resurrection they were willing to die for Him. And most of them did. When they were threatened with death and offered their release if they would deny Christ, they would not renounce Him. 

Paul was beheaded. Peter was crucified upside down. Thomas was killed with a spear. James was executed with a sword. Phillip was crucified. They were so convinced Jesus was resurrected that nothing could change their minds—even torture and death.

Fact: Jesus did rose from the dead. He's worth following for the rest of your life. Can you believe it? www.makinglifecount.net

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BIBLE STUDY: Did Jesus die on Friday or Wednesday?

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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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Hate Yourself or Love Yourself?

Should you hate yourself or love yourself? Author Leanne Payne has said, "If we are busy hating the soul that God loves and is in the process of straightening out, we cannot help others. Our minds will be riveted on ourselves—not on Christ who is our wholeness.”

When Jesus said to hate your own life (Luke 14:26), He meant for us to hate selfishness. He did not mean to hate yourself as a person that God created. Jesus said to love your neighbor as yourself (Matt. 22:39) because you can’t honestly tell someone God loves them if you don’t believe it about yourself.

A prison chaplain told me, “Do you know why prisoners commit crimes? It’s because they hate themselves. And if they hate themselves, how can they love others? If they don’t have respect for themselves, why would they respect anyone else and their property? That’s why it doesn’t bother them to steal or kill. They don’t love others because they don’t love themselves.”

This chaplain knows how prisoners think because he too was once incarcerated. He killed someone when he was younger and was sent to prison. During his time in jail a chaplain told him about God’s love and led him to the Lord. After serving his sentence and released, he went back into prison as a chaplain. He now teaches prisoners they need to receive God’s love and accept themselves as His creation. Only then can they respect others.

God demonstrated His love for you by dying for you (Rom 5:8). “The love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit (5:5). When you allow God’s love to enter your heart, you will love yourself as He loves you—and then you can extend that love to your neighbor. Have you learned to love yourself? It’s not selfish. It’s what God wants. 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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Every Decision is a Trade

When you make a decision it’s like making a trade—you give up something to get something else. You go to a furniture store, hand cash to the salesperson and walk out with a chair. You’ve traded your money for furniture. When you exchange wedding vows, you’ve decided to give up single life for married life. A wise decision is when you “trade up” and gain something better than what you had before.

To make a wise decision you must

1. Correctly determine the value of what you have and what you want. If you misjudge the value of either one, you’ll make a foolish decision.

2. Consider the long-term outcome. Instant gratification is short-lived while delayed gratification means waiting to get something much better.

Jesus told a rich young ruler if he would sell his possessions and give to the poor, he would gain “treasure in heaven” that would last forever (Mark 10:21). He was offering him something of much greater value. But the man didn’t believe what Jesus told him and walked away disappointed. Why? He misjudged the value of both what he had and what he would receive. He owned much property and didn’t want to give it up. He thought this short-term life was more important than the long-term next life. That was 2,000 years ago. Do you think he regrets his decision?

Esau traded his birthright (his inheritance) for a bowl of soup because misjudged the value of both his birthright and the bowl of soup (Gen. 25:32). He thought his inheritance was worth nothing and the soup extremely valuable. He was hungry (instant gratification) and said, “What use is the birthright to me?” Later he realized his foolish mistake and cried because he couldn’t get it back (Heb. 12:17).

The next time you need to make a decision think about the value of what you’re trading. Ask yourself, “Will I better off many years from now?” 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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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

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Prattville, Alabama 36068-0174

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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

www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com