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Are you ready?

Are you ready?

Words of Faith 2-11-2020

Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2020

Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com

Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL

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1 Peter 3

      [15] But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, [16] keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

 

         Are you ready?  If someone asks you today?  Are you ready to give the reason for the hope that is in you?  What will you say? 

        

         How would you reply if a neighbor or friend, family member or co‑worker asked: "Why is it you always have hope?"  Would you let the moment slip away, as we sometimes do?  A bit embarrassed to talk about faith matters. 

         After all, there is always the chance that they might not understand.  They could even speak badly of you!  No!  That is really the voice of the enemy that tells you not to speak up.  Jesus WANTS you to be His witness.  That is why He planted hope in you, not just for yourself, but to share with others!  So, what will you say?

          You could give an excellent theological treatise.  You could tell about all the doctrine you know.  Doctrine is great, but it isn't the reason for your hope, is it? You could tell about your church.  Churches are fine and interesting and often provide many wonderful ministries.  But is that the reason for your hope?

          You could talk about how bad the world is and how sin, even the sin of the person asking, will lead to destruction.  But that is not very gentle, nor is it the reason for your hope. You could talk about how wrong all the other religions of the world are.  But that doesn't show very much respect even if what you say is true.  And wrong religions aren't the reason for your hope anyway.

           Ah! You could talk about some of the people you know who are very godly.  Some have a great testimony.  But you know, in a courtroom, they don't even allow that.  They call it "hear‑say evidence.”  People need to hear firsthand about things when the verdict is important.

            Oh.  Here is an idea.  Do you remember the man Jesus healed who was born blind?  In the Gospel of John, chapter nine, everyone wanted to know the reason for hope that was in him.  They even wanted to know about doctrine so they could argue with him.  But do you remember what the formerly blind man said?  He was ready.  "One thing I know.  I was blind, and now I see!"  That is the most powerful thing.  You can't argue with it.  It is not an idea to debate.  It is simple.  This is what Jesus did for me! 

            How about that?  If someone asks you why you are cheerful, or hopeful, or positive, or enthusiastic, just tell them about Jesus.  Tell them your truth.  Tell them how you met the Truth.  The Way.  The Life.  Tell what He did for you.  Tell what He does for you.  It is the one thing Jesus can offer only through YOU.  No one else can share with power what Jesus did in your life.  And that might be exactly what that person needs.  Are you ready?

 

 

             Lord, Jesus.  I confess.  I have missed a lot of chances.  Forgive me for the times when I have been unprepared.  Give me the grace to be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks for the reason I have hope.  In Your name, Amen.

 

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The Words of Faith devotion is published five days a week by E-mail, and our website, and our church app, excluding Federal holidays. Please feel free to forward this devotion to a friend who might be blessed by this devotion. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2010 Jeffrey D. Hoy. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to forward this copyrighted material or use portions of it with appropriate notation of the source for non-profit purposes.  

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