Thought Exercise and Book Deals!

     Many of the posts on this blog have something to do with evidence that supports belief in the God revealed to humanity in the pages of the Bible.  None of them provide conclusive proof that the God of the Bible actually exists or did all the things the Bible says He did.  For that matter, none of them prove conclusively that there is a God at all.  This leads us to a thought exercise to start off the week.  Consider this question:  If you could know beyond a shadow of a doubt whether or not a God exists, would you act on that opportunity?  Would you choose to know for certain that there is a God who made you, knows you intimately, and will hold you accountable for what you do with the life He gave you?

     It might seem like an easy decision, of course everyone would want to know, right?  I think the decision becomes more difficult the more familiar you are with the Bible.  If the God we read about in the Bible is real, there is a price to be paid in acknowledging that reality.  Are you willing to pay that price?  He tells us that we were made to live in relationship with Him, but that our disobedience and rebellion have broken that relationship.  He tells us that restoration of that relationship involved Him coming to earth as a human baby, living a perfect life, and offering that life as a sacrifice on your behalf.  Restoration of that relationship involves thinking again about the course of our life, recognizing and admitting our disobedience, and asking Him for forgiveness on the basis of His sacrifice.  It involves stepping off the throne of the universe as ultimate authority over our lives and yielding His rightful place to Him by aligning the lives He gave us with His purposes.  It is no small price to pay.  If the cost to know that there's a God seems too high for you, consider the price He paid to give you that opportunity.

     Here are some scripture references to support the above paragraph, in case you have questions:

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23)

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  (Romans 5:8)

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  (I John 1:8&9)

For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.  (I Corinthians 6:20)

BOOK DEALS:

     Ever since I purchased my first kindle, I have eagerly sought out good books at reasonable prices to fill that kindle.  Here are some current options:


The classic "The Existence and Attributes of God", a classic by Charnock, a book that is thicker than my Bible in printed form, was only .99 for Kindle on Amazon!


Max Lucado's short book Shaped By Grace was also available at a discount:

The Existence and Attributes of God

Shaped By Grace