Here’s Hope: “God, too has an unshakable delight in what-- and he has made. He thinks each of his children is wonderful. Whether they’re a ‘a hit’ in the eyes of others or not, he will always think they are wonderful.” (Quote from Jim Adams after interviewing Irving Berlin)
Bible Passage: John 14:1-7, “I am the way…” Please read the entire passage!
Consider This: If I ask you to explain, what does it mean to be an apologist? How would you answer? To be honest, I did not really know for many years working as a minister. An apologist is someone who gives a defense for what they believe to be true. Another definition reads, “one who speaks or writes in defense of a faith, a cause or an institution.”
Last week, the modern day church lost one of the greatest thinkers of our time. Ravi Zacharias died on May 19, 2020 and the world lost one of the most effective Christian apologists that ever lived. Mr. Zacharias was born in India and moved to Canada early in his life and later became a citizen of Canada and the United States. His ministry based in Atlanta, Georgia is called RZIM ( Ravi Zacharias International Ministries ) You can go to www.rzim.org to explore his website and his ministry. His British/ Indian accent made him very interesting to listen to but his ability to stimulate your thinking about Christian ideas made him shine like the brightest star on a clear summer night.
Just today I took the time to listen to his words he spoke at the Passion Conference in Atlanta in January of this year (2020). The Passion Conference is designed for college age young adults and Mr. Zacharias was encouraging his listeners to consider, “What Does It Mean To Be Human?” My simple summation of his inspiring words are: “As a human being, you are extremely special in God’s eyes because you and I are created in the Image of God.” One of Ravi’s illustrations was about his own life, when he was 17 years old, he had attempted suicide. After being hospitalized, a man came into his room with a Bible and shared with Ravi and his mother, the words of Jesus, “because I live, you also will live.” Those words always stayed with Mr. Zacharias and he proposed the idea, who have you taken the message of the Gospel to lately, who have you shared Jesus’s words with today.
This reminds me of my own experience about how I came to know Christ. My mentor, Rev. Tom Gaskins, was a 27 year old seminary student, pastoring a small Baptist church when he simply shared the Gospel with me. Those inspiring words from John’s Gospel (John 14:6) still challenge me today, “Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Today, I am so grateful for men like Ravi Zacharias and Tom Gaskins who challenge folks like you and me with the simple but profound truth found in God’s Word.
Please consider going to YouTube and searching for videos of Ravi Zacharias. The 2020 Passion Conference is a great way to begin learning about this brilliant and gifted servant of God.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for blessing our generation with the gift of a leader and apologists like Ravi Zacharias. Thank you for his ministry which challenges seekers, Christians and even skeptics to consider the depth of your love for us, people who need a Savior. May his ministry continue to challenge us to “Let My People Think.” With heartfelt appreciation, we thank you Father, for Ravi’s life and ministry. Amen