verse 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."
I remember when I first starting sharing my story. I finally was able to get up the courage to talk about God's grace defining my life instead of the decisions and the actions of that part of my life.
I remember being scared to death to tell other followers of Jesus because I was afraid that people would judge me. But I also remember that when I shared my story with people who were not followers of Jesus I sensed a movement of God within me. I had more courage. I spoke more authetically. I shared my story as it was.
As I read Peter I sense he is talking about sharing our story with people who don't follow the way of Jesus. When we do that, God goes before us and He works through us. Our story is wrapped in Jesus' redemption story. I can tell my story because the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus has now become my story too.
13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear[b]; do not be frightened."[c] 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.
Fear and Worry are just about one in the same. Worry is the fear of not getting what you want. Christ did not die for us for us to learn to be selfish. He wants us to give whole heartedly. Our hope is not in this world, but in the heavenlies.
I myself am in a major battle, because my husband is going after my daugher, because of the rigid fundamentalist church beliefs that I am forcing on her. I am proud to say my daughter is a Christian. I am proud to say that at 9yrs old she ministers to people. Of course he doesn't want her like this, he gets condemned everytime she preaches to him. Praise God for that !!
Charter Oak Church is a family of Jesus followers who want to reach out to those who are searching and equip believers to become fully devoted followers of Jesus.
verse 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."
ReplyDeleteI remember when I first starting sharing my story. I finally was able to get up the courage to talk about God's grace defining my life instead of the decisions and the actions of that part of my life.
I remember being scared to death to tell other followers of Jesus because I was afraid that people would judge me. But I also remember that when I shared my story with people who were not followers of Jesus I sensed a movement of God within me. I had more courage. I spoke more authetically. I shared my story as it was.
As I read Peter I sense he is talking about sharing our story with people who don't follow the way of Jesus. When we do that, God goes before us and He works through us. Our story is wrapped in Jesus' redemption story. I can tell my story because the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus has now become my story too.
13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear[b]; do not be frightened."[c] 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.
ReplyDeleteFear and Worry are just about one in the same. Worry is the fear of not getting what you want. Christ did not die for us for us to learn to be selfish. He wants us to give whole heartedly. Our hope is not in this world, but in the heavenlies.
I myself am in a major battle, because my husband is going after my daugher, because of the rigid fundamentalist church beliefs that I am forcing on her. I am proud to say my daughter is a Christian. I am proud to say that at 9yrs old she ministers to people. Of course he doesn't want her like this, he gets condemned everytime she preaches to him. Praise God for that !!