Mixed Reviews

Monday March 2, 2015

A recent spate of God-related films led to surprising success at the box office. Reviews, however, were decidedly mixed.

Noah is one such film. The writer-director is an atheist who calls his project "the least biblical film ever made", causing many Christians to revile the film. Others said, "An atheist is getting people to talk about God. How cool is that!"

We could surmise any number of reasons why Jesus revealed Himself as the Word instead of the video. He could have visited our planet in say, the 1940s, or divinely arranged for the Romans to invent celluloid by the first century. But He didn´t.

When Jesus arrived in the flesh, He met mixed reviews. Sinners loved Him. The religious leaders? Not so much. They hated the way He painted outside their clearly drawn lines, hanging out with the untouchables, redefining the Sabbath and claiming equality with God.

But Jesus didn´t care about His ratings. Rather, He told the religious leaders :"You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me!" (John 5:39). Then He added, "Your approval means nothing to me" (v.41).

Jesus still gets mixed reviews. Regardless, God is being discussed in our popular culture, which affords us a chance to engage in healthy dialogue with our friends. So how do we do that? We don´t have to praise or hate films or win arguments. We simply need to tell our story and the way it merges with Jesus' story.

There´s a line in another recent film about faith, God´s not Dead, that applies here : "Don´t try to be clever. Be content to tell the truth." You may not get great reviews, but you´ll be in good company! - Tim Gustafson

Read
John 5:31-47
"If I testify about myself, my testimony is not valid. There is another who testifies in my favor, and I know that his testimony about me is valid.
You have sent to John and he has testified to the truth. Not that I accept human testimony; but I mention it that you may be save. John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light.
I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the very work that the Father has given me to finish, and which I am doing, testifies that the Father has sent me. And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent. You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.
I do not accept praise from men, but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts. I have come in my Father´s name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God?
But do not think I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, on whom your hopes are set. if you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. But since you do not believe what he wrote, how are you going to believe what I say?"

John 1:5
The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

John 1:10-11
He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.

Question to Ponder
How can you use popular religious-themed books, music and films to tell others about God?
What has He done in your life that you can share with unbelievers today?

**Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) Mar 2015 - May 2015 issue

Surprise!

Tuesday February 10, 2015

For many years it was believed that Dr. David Livingstone, famed missionary to Africa, had just one convert. The man was a chief from Botswana named Sechele whom Livingstone wrote off, stating that the chief had backslidden. Sechele, however, might in fact have been one of Africa´s greatest evangelists. Missionaries arriving to work with the Zulu Ndebele tribe in 1859 were surprised to find that they already practiced regular Christian prayers. Sechele had taught them to read the Bible and many of the Bakwena had become believers in Jesus.

Paul commended the believers in Thessalonica with whom he had spent only a few weeks before fleeing to Berea (Acts 17:1-10). Out of concern for the young church, he sent Timothy to see how they were doing (1 Thessalonians 3:1-5). Paul was overjoyed to hear that despite persecution, they had remained strong (2:13-14), growing in their faith, love and hope (1:3, 6-7). Although he had to warn the believers of the dangers of sexual immorality and correct some views of the ressurection and the return of Christ (4:1-8, 13-5:11), Paul was immensely proud of the growing church (2:19-20).

We can despair at times when our attempts to bring someone to salvation comes to nothing. Paul reminds us, however, that some will plant, some will water and some will reap, but it is God who makes the seed grow (1 Corinthians 3:5-9).

Paul was overjoyed to learn that the Thessalonian church was thriving, and David Livingstone will likely be surprised at the harvest that came from his witness in Africa. One day, may we also experience joy and amazement when we see who is in heaven as a result of God using our witness for Him. - Ruth O'Reilly-Smith

Read
1 Thessalonians 1:4-8
For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. The Lord´s message rang out from you not only in Maceonia and Achaia - your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not nee to say anything about it.

Ephesians 2:8
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.

Question to Ponder 
Who can you share your faith with today?
Why can we remain hopeful even if someone who we share Jesus with doesn´t appear to be interested?

**Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) Dec 2014 - Feb 2015