1 Peter 3:15b
“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.”
There has to be a beginning for everything. That is also true for preachers who have to deliver their first sermon. For me it was while I was still in the Air Force and stationed at Rapid City, South Dakota. The pastor asked me to bring the message in the Sunday evening service. I spent many hours in preparation and wrote my notes on a small sheet of paper. I was ready ― or so I thought!
The song service ended and I walked nervously to the pulpit and gave the congregation a big smile as I opened the Bible to my notes. I could not believe my eyes. “Bread-milk-eggs-lettuce.” I have no idea how it had happened, but my sermon notes got mixed up with the grocery list Joyce had given me.
Now if that would happen at this stage of my life, I could preach a sermon on the bread of life, desiring the milk of the Word, the hatching egg of spiritual maturity — though I’m not sure how I would cover the last one except to say, “Lettuce pray!”
It has taught me that we need to be prepared at all times to share the precious Word of God. We never know when the opportunity will arise, and we may be all that stands between some poor soul and eternity. I want to be ready! How about you?
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
360-570-0074
PastorCecil@Daily-E-Votional.com