Jesus for Answers?


A recent interview on GLC television, with Host Amy Cooper on the “Light of the Southwest,” led to a discussion (as often happens with TRI) of “Did Jesus come to give us the answers?” It is my contention that He did not – He came to teach us to think. The secrets we’ve been missing are in “the red ink.” (Red Letter Edition Bibles record the words of Jesus in red ink.)

The first book I read as a child was the Bible.  Although I don’t hold a reckless view of infallibility of inerrancy of the Bible – I feel that it is a valuable record of the exemplars of faith. One can ascertain my appreciation of the Bible, not as demonstrated by the liturgical adjectives that I use to describe it, but by the fact that I live by it.

Jesus said about His words what can be said by no other, “My words are Spirit and they are Life.” I believe Him. Some of the authors who inspire me – Abraham, Jeremiah, David, Job, John and Paul; but when you get the red letters (the words of Jesus) right, it ALL makes sense.

I am a former pastor, an insider who was privy to many of the escapades and shenanigans employed to build congregations calling it church; to build hope and call it faith. I quit. However, instead of tossing the whole package, I committed to an objective read of the Scriptures.

One day when I was demanding answers of God the tables turned; God became the inquisitor and I the examined one. As I answered His questions I came to a startling conclusion, “The Bible is ruining my religion.”

Then, my education began . . .

My life journey, searching for a logical and honest faith, has given me an objective view of the Scriptures. I learned years ago, to have a mind that is not hemmed in by prejudice, stifled by tradition, fenced by preconception is to have all knowledge at least within reach. It is a daily fight to keep these encroachers at bay, but is well worth the struggle. To see something that is so familiar to you a little differently because the God of the universe took time to illuminate you, will change you forever.

Don Harris of Think Red Ink Ministries is a preacher who offers solid, practical advice to men and families. Don is an accomplished author and the weekly host of “The Red Letter Edition – LIVE!” radio program which features a call-in segment for listener questions.

You are invited to “give a listen” at www.ThinkRedInk.tv.  We broadcast 24/7/365.

 

 

“How much better is a man than a sheep?”

I think that’s an interesting question.  I discuss this topic in my book, “The Questions of Jesus,” Question 25 – “How much then is a man better than a sheep?”

“…The lamb is the epitome of servitude; it has no other purpose than to give. No reason but to serve, the lamb always provides food and clothing and neither offers resistance to the one who shears it, nor to the one who slaughters it…”  You are invited to listen to the audio of this question from “The Questions of Jesus” by clicking on the picture of the lamb.

Recently, God’s Learning Channel of Midland/Odessa, Texas (GLC) requested that Think Red Ink Ministries (TRI) record a series of programs to air in March on “How to Keep a Christian Passover”. This work was accomplished in February. It was a joy for TRI to have this opportunity to share the message of what Jesus Christ accomplished (and changed) in the Passover.

Though it is still 6 weeks to Passover, recording these programs has me thinking about Passover, more perfectly, “The Pesach”. The Lamb of God who came to take away the sin of the world, to cover us, to redeem us, to reconcile us … in His words…

“For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.

I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them…. 

Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are… 

Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. …”

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