NowTHINK!AboutIt

Avoiding Hackneyed...Making Sense

What Kind Of Savior Is Jesus? Certain!

by Leave a Comment

The saved aren't all equally expressive but they are equally certain.

A Meeting With Jesus
Can’t Be Mistaken
For Anything Else

Jesus was certain about salvation. There was nothing evasive or ambiguous in what he said or what He taught.

He was clear. He was definite. He didn’t leave us guessing.

His purpose statement is anything but vague:

The Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. (Luke 19:10)

And John, speaking of salvation said:

As many as received Him, to them gave he the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name. (John 1:12)

There’s no uncertainty here and it’s simple. Believe and receive. It’s a guarantee.

There’s also no application process, no waiting period or probationary phase. [Read more…] about What Kind Of Savior Is Jesus? Certain!

4 Reasons Seeing Jesus Won’t Produce Faith

by Leave a Comment

Jesus was often not present when miracles occurred.

Would A Visible Jesus
Be Easier To Believe?

I know some of the places Jesus traveled and the roads He walked on but I’ve never walked those roads with Him.

I know He traveled by foot and the roads were dusty, but I’ve never observed Him washing the feet of others.

I know Jesus ate fish, honeycomb, figs, olives, bread and lamb, among other things, but I’ve never shared a meal with Him. I’ve never observed Him while He ate.

I know what Jesus taught and what He said in prayer but I’ve never heard the sound of His voice.

I know He had face to face conversations with individuals but I’ve never had the benefit of reading the approval, the concern or the frustration in His eyes.

I have no visuals of Jesus. I don’t know the shape of His beard or the length of His hair. I can only guess at how tall He was or how much He might have weighed.

I’m guessing He wasn’t overweight but I have no visual to prove that.

A limited number have claimed to have seen and conversed with Jesus on earth following His ascension. Some claim His healing powers are just as active today as they ever were.

I know it may seem negative to say it but I’m skeptical about those claims. Before you criticize me too sharply I would qualify my skepticism by saying I’m not cynical.

I have no doubt that Jesus could do all the things I’ve mentioned – walk with us, talk with us, eat with us – and I don’t blame people for wanting that to happen.

I just can’t figure out why He would do these things so sparingly now, when He was so generous with His presence or powers in the first century.

I also think His physical appearance may not be as much of a boon for Gospel as many think.

People often exclaim:

It would be easier to believe if Jesus would just show Himself to us! If He walked with us and talked with us, belief would be automatic! How could we deny Him in the face of His physical presence?

But there are several reasons I’m skeptical about that too. [Read more…] about 4 Reasons Seeing Jesus Won’t Produce Faith

Book Review: The Green Ember by S. D. Smith

by Leave a Comment

The Green Ember by S. D. Smith

Designed For Children
Written For Everyone

The Green Ember is a great story written well. Rabbits are the heroes, wolves and hawks the villains.

The story is full of intrigue, adventure, action, mystery, surprise and struggle, but with a good mix of humor and playfulness. Written for children but in a way adults will enjoy.

The characters (the good guys) depict personal growth, sacrifice, humility, loyalty, trust, wisdom and dedication. The bad guys do what we expect bad guys to do. The story encourages us to visualize, believe in and work toward a future we cannot see.

Problems are created and resolved. Empathy is felt for those being wronged and disgust for those causing it. You’ll easily recognize and identify with the characters: the strong, the weak, the frustrated and the struggling.

Get a FREE Kindle Reading App for any device (PC, Mac, Smartphones, Tablets) at Amazon.com

A few phrases I loved: [Read more…] about Book Review: The Green Ember by S. D. Smith

11 Facts About Belief (aka Faith)

by Leave a Comment

Belief is measured by its object not its passion.

Belief Cures Cynicism
And Prevents Fatalism

Belief is simple. It isn’t restricted by age or intellect or culture.

It comes naturally to all of us but doesn’t always stick around. It shifts. It shouldn’t be taken for granted.

Paul preached it. Peter preached it. Both were following the example of Jesus, who preached it before them. Obviously, it’s important.

It’s a timeless universal response common to all Christians. We shouldn’t allow it to get lost in the jargon or smothered by bad attitudes. Following are a few facts to consider.

Belief Is What You Can’t Prove

The things we believe are the things we cannot prove. That is why belief and faith are synonymous. The words can be used interchangeably.

In fact, because you can’t prove what you believe, any action prompted by belief is an act of faith.

Most people actually refer to what they believe as their faith. I used the word Belief here only to change things up a bit.

Belief Is Universal

Everyone believes something. The only way to avoid belief is to know everything about the past and the future. In other words, you must be omniscient.

Jesus doesn’t believe anything because He knows everything.

If you aren’t omniscient, you’re a believer in something.

  • Every religious person has faith.
  • Every scientist has faith.
  • Every politician has faith.

We all believe something and act on it everyday.

[do_widget id=media_image-4]

People get up in the morning believing the day will be productive. They’re hopeful, which is a by-product of belief.

People target, visualize, and work toward personal goals knowing there are no guarantees. But realism teaches us that belief is the only way to make progress.

The Wright Brothers believed people could fly and acted on that belief. We all know the outcome of their efforts. [Read more…] about 11 Facts About Belief (aka Faith)

4 Friendship Lessons From The Bible

by Leave a Comment

Friendship is God's tool to make us better people.

Friendships Are Deepened
Through Trouble

Friend is a happy word. It makes us feel safe. It evokes a sense of support, love, security, connection and more.

If you have a good friend you’re better for it. It’s a comfortable place to be, or so the thinking goes, and the Bible makes statements that support these flowery ideas:

  • A friend loves through all kinds of weather – Proverbs 17:17 (MSG).
  • This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends – John 15:13 (MSG).
  • Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor – Ecclesiastes 4:9 (KJV).
  • Better is a neighbor (friend) that is near than a brother far off – Proverbs 27:10 (KJV).
  • A sweet friendship refreshes the soul – Proverbs 27:9 (MSG).

But these verses represent the ideal. They describe friendship at its best. Can we really expect that? Is any friendship 100% no fault? Or does reality provide a different perspective?

[do_widget id=media_image-4]

To balance things out the Bible also warns us that friendship can sometimes be a cover-up for questionable motives. [Read more…] about 4 Friendship Lessons From The Bible