1 Peter 3:15
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.”
From time to time I have shared the story of an embarrassing incident that my wife Joyce and I experienced. We were traveling to California to attend a Billy Graham School of Evangelism conference. It was a Sunday and we were on I-5 in southern Oregon. It was a little past eleven and we knew we would be late for a church service, but decided to try and find a church and get in for part of the service.
We made it into a service and were seated just after the offering; a young woman sang a special number, and we were anxiously waiting for the pastor to deliver his message. Presently he came to the pulpit and announced that he would turn the service over to the representative for the Gideon Bible Society. He stared directly at me and waited.
It was one of those “Oh, no” moments when you just knew he thought I was the man of the hour. It felt like every person in the congregation turned and stared at me. I just shrugged and shook my head. The poor pastor had not prepared a message, and it was painful to watch him try to get a few thoughts across to the congregation.
It taught me once again the validity of the instructions Paul gave to the church at Philippi: Always be ready. None of us know when we may be called upon to share the hope of Christ to someone who desperately needs it. Be ready!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil