Encouragement

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Be Prepared…Are You?
©
by

Stephen A. Peterson


As a Boy Scout, we Scouts were challenged by our Scoutmaster to daily practice the motto—“Be Prepared”. Likewise, if someone asked you and then challenged you concerning your Christian faith, your relationship to Jesus Christ, and why you made your denominational choice, could you defend your faith choices? Hopefully, you would be able to do that, and more. With wisdom, unconditional love and compassion, telling someone ABOUT your Christian faith, your relationship to Jesus Christ and why you have made a denominational choice requires one “Be Prepared” continually. It is also what Peter the Apostle meant when he wrote the early Christians (But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be prepared to give defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and compassion. 1 Peter 3:15). Being prepared is not so much being able to quote Scripture verses from memory (though that is not a bad strategy) but being able to Biblically defend your faith in God.

Being prepared is being able to explain to a friend or opponent why you are a Christian and/or how God helps you make it through, for example, a challenging time at home, work, or at school. Or how it is you have not given up hope on your faith. Or how you know, for certain, that God will get you through your day. Or how you know for certain that you are saved, right now, through your relationship with Jesus Christ. Christians, regardless of denominational affiliation can, without shame or fear, express with compassion, unconditional love, mercy and reconciliation that hope and your very existence comes from Almighty God. That you have come to know God who brought reconciliation and eternal life from the Cross of Jesus Christ—your rallying point! You have come to know God who forgives you and permits you to start over no matter how many times you have messed up (sinned)!

As Dr. D. James Kennedy of Coral Ridge Ministries, Fort Lauderdale, Florida and the late Bishop Fulton J. Sheen have stated our world desperately needs the voices of Christians to speak boldly and openly about their faith in Jesus Christ and the hope that it always brings. There are more than enough lost men, women and children in a Christian’s life who need to hear the Good News by word and deed! Christians need never argue with them, pressure anyone, manipulate or deal with petty dogmatical differences that exists between denominations. When Christ will judge a person’s worthiness for the Kingdom of God, denomination will not be an issue. The issue will be the acceptance of His work, by faith. No one brings salvation to anyone except Jesus Christ Himself. We need only give the reason for faith and hope that we (you) have.



Prayer: Almighty Father, help me always to be prepared to share the faith and hope you have given me. Amen

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