Be Prepared

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."

Always be prepared to answer anyone who asks, give the reason for the hope that you have. This verse makes two very big assumptions in my opinion. The first is that we have and understand our hope. The Second is that this hope is so big and prevelant that people just have to ask how we do it. How do we live the way we do. How are we the way we are... especially in these tough times. In my experience these are very very big assumptions to make. Why is it that today you cannot tell the Christians from the non-Christians. Is it because the world is so much better than it was in the time of Peter. Well certainly we have some different morals which we might consider better than the pagan culture of that day. But we also have some problems that are more prevelant. Or is it that we Christians today are just not doing as good of a job. Perhaps we are not filled with all the enthusiasm that they had back then. I mean after all its been 2000 and some odd years since Jesus ROSE FROM THE DEAD. Whatever you think it is I want you to notice. The verse does not say that that people will ask you about your morals. No it says you will be asked about your HOPE a definate difference. So I have to ask. Are you living you life with hope. If the answer is no then I have to ask why not. What is it in your life right now that is keeping you from living a life of hope. Whatever it is I suggest you hand it over to Jesus and then walk away let him handle it.  If you say your are living a life of hope, then is it such a hope that draws people in and forces them to ask... How do you do it? What is it that allows you to live this way? Becuase let me tell you something you already know. The World is losing Hope. Global warming, Sex trafficing, Hunger, Homlessness, Child Soldiers, Cooruption of Governments and businesses. And in tha face of all these things if you live a life of extreeme hope then others will ask you and be drawn to that hope.

You will notice the last part too. It says to give them the reason for your hope with respect and gentleness. When you offer them the shining light of Hope that is our Lord do so with respect. It is not your place to judge and call attention to faults and failures. This is the complete opposite of and offering of hope. Also do it with gentlness. I said a second ago it is not our place to judge, Keep in mind also that your are offering them the light of the world which no shadow can hid from. When you give them the light od Hope that is our Lord it may feel to them like you have justkicked them out of a black cave where yes they may have been hopless, but at least they could hide that and anything else that they felt was wrong with them. In the Light nothing can be hidden and this can be painfull and uncomfotable for them. Therefore Gentleness is key when Showing them the Light, especially if you do not want them running back into the darkness and hiding there forever, and being consumed by it. It is by our love that they will know us but it is our hope that will draw them to us. remember that as you go out into the world. Find your hope and keep it infront of you always live your lives in such a way that others are drawn to you compelled to find out what it is that is so different about you. Pray that you are always ready to give the answer when they ask. Be ready.

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Trust in the Lord

psalms :16-22

16.No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength.17.A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save.18.But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,19.to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.20.We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.21.In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.22.May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you.

No king is saved by the size of his army. ... Despite all its great strength it cannot save. It seems like today we all put a lot of hope and trust in ourselves, or in the things we control. Family, work, money  and countless other things that we have the power to control.  But the Psalmist says these things cannot save us. No matter how strong they are ( or how strong we have built them to be)  they will fail us in the end. But the Lord on the other hand, the Psalmist says that he is our "help and our shield" and that our hearts can "rejoice in him". Most of us will say we believe this but our actions do not back it up. Our actions say ... Ya I believe he could help me, but im gonna do my best to take care of it on my own and then if he shows up all the better.... this is not what putting your hope in the Lord is though. It is trusting it completely to him much like you would when you give someone who works for a you a project. to them you say do this and expect it to be done. While we cannot command the Lord to do what we want we can know he will help us because he loves us. So here is my chalenge to you to day find one thing this week , just one, It can be as big or as small a thing as you like and put your trust completley in him. For me I didnt study for a test, now this was not supposed to happen this way but when I realized I didnt have time I gave it to God anddid not even bother cramming and you know what I passed with flying colors. Now it is your turn to do the same. Whatever it is that you cannot seem to handle this week, whatever it is that you dont have time for. Ask God for help and then leave it to him, and I know you will be pleased with the results.

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Failure

We try so hard to do what is right, I try so hard to do what I should. Instead however I give in to my fleshly desires and often cause others to stumble with me. I am a failure. There is no way around it, no excuse I can make, no way I can reason my way to accepting it. All my attempts to do right end in failure and it seems that I am destined for failure for the rest of my life. Now let me be clear I do not mean failure in the sense that the world would describe. In fact by their standards I am a privileged individual with everything going for me who has managed to achieve a decent amount of success in his 20-21 short years here. But all of their measures fall short of God who is the final Judge. I recall a passage from Romans that illustrates best this feeling


Romans ch7:15-16 "15I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good.

I do not understand what I do. Truly I have no idea why I am the way I am. I know that sin has no power over me, and that I have the power to rebuke and throw Satan from my presence. But I don't. I just do not do it instead I allow my self to sin and I have no idea why I know the consequences of my sin and I am beginning to understand what I am doing to the heart of God when I sin, but none of that stops me, not my love for God, nor my fear of eternal death.

Paul did offer some hope though. In the following verses 17-20 he tells me that it is not in fact me who is doing the sinning.

Romans 5: 17-20 "17As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[c] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it."

Well that is a relief I have given my heart to God and continue to do so on a regular basis every day, and when I fail it is not me doing it but the sin living inside me. He continues to say that there is in fact a war going on inside between our inner being and our sinful nature. And we have the advantage in that war, we have Jesus Christ on our side though whom we have dies to sin and come alive with Christ so that we might resist that sinful nature.


OK I have to stop for a minute and be honest I began this as a post about my failure but as I have been writing it God has called to my mind these scriptures and has spoken to me as I write to you I entered this in a place of despair over my failures as a warrior for God unable to do what is right in the sight of God, now however God has led me to a place where I have more understanding about what is going on inside of me. God often does that he allows you to fall to a place of despair so that you are willing to be picked up by him and then he will give you what you need to carry on.

I think that many Christians come to a place where they just cant seem to do anything right. perhaps it is a multitude of things or maybe it is one thing you just cant seem to conquer. Obviously at least some of the Christians in Corinth were there when Paul wrote this letter. And most likely we will all get there at some point in our lives if not at many points. God through the writings of Paul has offered me comfort tonight and I pray that when you reach that point or if you are at that point that you allow God to some into that place and, whether it be through scripture, memory or a kind friend, that you are healed in that place and can move on to new heights in your life and a more consistent walk with God

Weakness

2cnd Corinthians 11:30-31

30.If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.31.The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever, knows that I am not lying.

If I boast let me boast in my weakness. Who of you when being interviewed have ever been asked what your strengths and weaknesses are. I would think every one who has been through an interview process. Any time we are asked that question we probably all do the same thing. Maximize our strengths and try to minimize our weakness. Either that or we answer with a weakness they would want us to have like being "over committed". But Paul here says he would want to boast in his actual weakness. Why on earth would he want to do that? especially at a time when his authority is being called into question. Because as he says later it is in our weaknesses that God shows his strengths. (2cnd Corinthians 12:9-10) And Paul knows that it is not about us. It is not about us being the best at what we do. It is not even about us being blessed with a gift. No it is about us allowing ourselves to be exposed and to let every one know our weaknesses and to know that we are really pitiful creatures, because when everyone knows our weaknesses, they will be amazed at Gods strength when he comes through for us. Now this is not an easy thing to do. Especially if we do not really believe that the Lord will come through for us. Because if he does not then we fall flat on our face in full view of the world and we are made to look a fool. But God will come through for you confess your weakness open yourself up to failure be prepared to be a fool for God and he will come through for you. It could be a test you just couldn't understand the material for. Or a speech you are ill equipped to give. God will be there and in your weakness he will be strong and everyone there will see Him glorified through you.

Love

Galatians 6: 10

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers

Let us do good to all people, especially those who belong to the family of believers. Oh How important this is.  Often times we are cruelest to those who share our faith. I myself have been called ignorant and dim witted after I had opened up about a personal attack on my faith. Instead of getting support and encouragement I was put down for letting something get to me. This is not what we are called to do. We are called to uplift and support others especially those who share our faith. Too many have fallen away from Christ when their christian family attacked and condemned them. It is a story I have read and heard far to often. So in the coming weeks remember to check your self and if even in doubt err on the side of compassion and love because those are how people are won we are not here to judge but to love so let us love. And if we Love those who do not share our faith how much more then should we love our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ building them up so that Satan will not take them away and devour them.

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Prayer for help

Lord,

I did it again I took my time and squandered it away. You gave us 24 hrs in the day more than enough to do what must be done. And yet we allow the world to distract us from what needs doing. Lord you know what I now face because of my lazyness. I know I deserve what is about to happen, but I could use a little help. I know I dont' have to be perfect but I feel that I am often evil instead of just a little messed up. So Lord I come to you now knowing that the consequences of my actions, my willful lazyness, are going to be tough. So Lord I ask for some divine intervention, knowing full well that I am completley incapable of doing one thing right and that only you can save this moment. Please Lord Save this moment glorify yourself here in this moment where I am worthless you will shine through and all will know that it was you and not me. However Lord if you will not glorify yourself here in this moment of my weakness and stupidity. Then Lord at least let me know you are still with me so that I can endure this trial with you in my heart and on my mind.

-Amen_

Wisdom

Proverbs 11:30

"The Fruit of righteousness is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise"

The Fruit of righteousness is a tree of life. I think we all have accepted this if you live for Christ and are righteous ( though his saving grace ) you will inherit eternal life, a.k.a a tree of life. And he who wins souls is wise ... not he who is wise will win souls. There is a subtle but important difference there to me and it changes my concept of wisdom, even biblical wisdom. I need not look for wisdom so that I may save souls but rather I should focus on saving souls and I will be considered wise, and in fact will be wise because, I believe, there is a link between the two parts of this sentence and the implication I think is that the one who wins souls is not only wise but also righteous and the fruit of righteousness is a tree of life. Which means that the one who saves souls will inherit eternal life and that, being the ultimate goal, is what makes him wise. He has figured out the path to eternal life which is winning souls for God.