7-29-2019

Good Morning All,

     1 Peter 3:15; “but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,”

     “I wish I had said something.”  “I didn’t know what to say so I didn’t say anything.”  I hear that a lot.  We go to work and get into a conversation with a co-worker or we are at coffee and church, God, faith, religion becomes the topic and we freeze.  Or even worse, a friend comes to us quietly and they are distressed with some event in their life.  Maybe they have found out they have cancer or that their son or nephew has lost his job.  We know we should say something but what.

     It is times like these that make us feel useless and without any clue as to who we are.  You might even remember this verse, “Be prepared to give a defense of your faith” and the guilt sinks in.  It is times like these that cause our confidence to sink.  It may be of little consolation but all Christians go through this.  We all face times when a chance or an opportunity to witness to our faith in Jesus and how we benefit from that faith just slips through our fingers.  Maybe you were tongue tied, maybe you were intimidated, or maybe you just didn’t see the opportunity until after it was over.  It happens to all of us.

    The first thing is to stop beating yourself up.  That is really the devil and your old sinful nature attacking you.  Remember if the devil can convince us to always back away; if the devil can crush your confidence; he wins.  Our confidence doesn’t come from inside of us, remember it comes from God and one of the best ways to approach this is by asking ourselves a simple but honest question, “Why do I believe in Jesus?”  This is the question that provides for our defense.  When Peter speaks of defense, he is not talking in terms of Perry Mason or anything like that.  He means to give an explanation.  This will usually arise when someone is hurting and they ask you, “how do you handle this stuff; how do you cope?”  It is here that we get to witness.

    It will not be an argument; it will be one hurting soul looking for grace, comfort and hope.  So, be prepared at least a little, trusting also that God gives us the words but we still must be prepared.  Take a little time and think up how you would answer someone’s question or address someone’s pain.  It might take some time but it might be a good learning experience.  How do you receive God’s comfort?  How do you receive Hs grace?  This is part to come up with an answer but also to aid you in your faith.  How do you receive God’s comfort?  When you realize this, first you can offer this advice and direction to the person you are talking to.  It will also help you when you are troubled.  Some hear it best in music, some feel it best in the company of loved ones, and some receive by reading God’s Word. 

      Whichever method comforts you the best, we see that God uses whatever created means he wants to come to you.  Plus, we know that God will give us other chances to witness for him.  He will be there for you whatever you need from him; God will provide.

Dear Father, we often miss chances to witness for you to bring your comfort to a hurting world.  Give us the strength and the courage to speak your love and grace to those around us who are most in need of it.  Guide us by your Spirit.  In Jesus’ precious name we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret