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online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen
&
Brooksyne Weber
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Tuesday, May
23, 2023
This
fixer-upper on
a rural road
north of
Lititz PA is
in need of a
little TLC but
we were
impressed with
the blended
"family" that
had taken up
residence
here. I,
Brooksyne,
never weary of
seeing animals
alongside the
road,
especially
goats, sheep,
cows and
horses. I
suppose my
collection of
photos have
more animals
than humans,
especially
since we now
have four dogs
which can be
very
entertaining.
"Always
Be Prepared"
Message
summary: Let
us always be
prepared!
Listen
to our message
on your audio
player.
“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” (1 Peter 3:15).
We
had lunch last
Friday at the
local Career
and Technology
Center
(CTC) culinary
school
here in Mount
Joy
with Nick
Nichols, a
long-time
local friend.
Nick is a
colorful man
in his
eighties who
has had a
plethora of
life
experiences.
But he told me
of one that I
suppose is
unique among
anyone I know;
he flew on Air
Force One with
the president
(President
Kennedy).
“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” (1 Peter 3:15).
We
had lunch last
Friday at the
local Career
and Technology
Center
(CTC) culinary
school
here in Mount
Joy
with Nick
Nichols, a
long-time
local friend.
Nick is a
colorful man
in his
eighties who
has had a
plethora of
life
experiences.
But he told me
of one that I
suppose is
unique among
anyone I know;
he flew on Air
Force One with
the president
(President
Kennedy).At
the time he
was a young
airman in the
Air Force and
had the duty
of making
calls from the
plane for the
president and
always being
ready for any
incoming call.
He told me
that his duty
required that
he always
maintain
complete focus
on the
equipment.
When the
president
entered the
plane he
walked right
behind him but
Nick was not
to turn around
and look at
him let alone
say anything.
He was to
always be
prepared to
perform the
duties
required of
him.
Today
we want to
focus on just
one phrase
from our text,
“Always
be prepared to
give an answer
to everyone
who asks you
to give the
reason for the
hope that you
have'.
Nick had a
vitally
important role
during his Air
Force One
experiences
but so do we,
as committed
believers,
that requires
us to always
be prepared.
In light of
eternity it is
all the more
vital.
This
Scripture
teaches that
we are to
always be
prepared with
our witness
for Christ and
truth.
Our witness is
not something
we should be
able to turn
on or turn
off.
Paul wrote
that we are to
“be wise in
the way we act
toward
outsiders;
making the
most of every
opportunity”
(Colossians
4:5). The fact
is you are
witnessing
every day,
whether
effectively or
not. Paul
wrote of the
Corinthian
believers, “You
yourselves are
our letter,
written on our
hearts, known
and read by
everybody"
(2 Corinthians
3:2). What are
people
“reading” from
your life?
The word “answer” is the Greek word “apologia” from which we get the English word apology. But it doesn’t mean that our answer is something we are sorry for! We also get the word apologetics, which is the defense of our faith against all false systems. In fact several versions use the word "defense" in this passage and this is what we are doing. We need to be always be prepared to defend our faith.
Although having a knowledge of the Bible and theology is important, the primary reason for defending our faith according to this passage is “to give the reason for the hope that you have". This world needs the hope we have in Christ. Do you know the reason for the hope that you have? “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness!”
This is a big and growing responsibility with the dominance of secular humanism along with the preponderance of scores of competing religious systems vying for converts. Today know what you believe and why you believe it and stand unashamedly for the Gospel of Jesus Christ! Your life can be a message of hope for a world that is searching for genuine hope.
Let us always be prepared!
The word “answer” is the Greek word “apologia” from which we get the English word apology. But it doesn’t mean that our answer is something we are sorry for! We also get the word apologetics, which is the defense of our faith against all false systems. In fact several versions use the word "defense" in this passage and this is what we are doing. We need to be always be prepared to defend our faith.
Although having a knowledge of the Bible and theology is important, the primary reason for defending our faith according to this passage is “to give the reason for the hope that you have". This world needs the hope we have in Christ. Do you know the reason for the hope that you have? “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness!”
This is a big and growing responsibility with the dominance of secular humanism along with the preponderance of scores of competing religious systems vying for converts. Today know what you believe and why you believe it and stand unashamedly for the Gospel of Jesus Christ! Your life can be a message of hope for a world that is searching for genuine hope.
Let us always be prepared!
Daily
prayer: Father,
as we set You
apart in our
heart from
everything
that is
common, we
begin to lay
hold of Your
holiness, Your
power and
goodness,
justice and
truth which
also gives us
an even
greater reason
for the hope
that we have
in You. The
basis of our
hope is in the
resurrection
of Jesus
Christ from
the dead, who
conquered the
enemy of our
soul. We
defend our
faith with
gentleness and
respect lest
we espouse a
superior
attitude or
reveal any
attitude that
is
inconsistent
with Your
compassionate
and just
nature. May
Your
indwelling
Spirit guide
us as we
remain
prepared and
ready to reach
others with
the message of
hope and
forgiveness
through Christ
Jesus our
Lord, in whose
name we pray.
Amen.Added Note: When talking with Nick last Friday he told us he has been reading about our riding e-bikes in our messages. The men's group in his church is planning to take some bike rides and he wanted to join them. He also told me he hadn't ridden a bike in some 60 years. He went to a local bike shop to test ride an electric bike and they gave him an e-bike to try without any instructions and he told me it was quite a ride especially since the test track had some tight curves! Wow! We're glad he was able to keep the bike upright.
He
was over to
our place
yesterday to
try out our
e-bikes but I
gave him some
instructions
first before
his take-off!
Further
study:
Bible teacher Ken Boa has an interesting outline and notes for the passage today:
Many years ago there was a radio program in Kansas City with George Westlake, a local pastor who had a Call-In radio show on Sunday evenings. Listeners could ask questions about the Bible and he would do his best to answer them. I suppose this was before the quick access you now have by using a computer. Yet Pastor Westlake had a deep knowledge of God’s Word and was always ready to give an answer based upon Scripture.
Bible teacher Ken Boa has an interesting outline and notes for the passage today:
• “Sanctify
Christ as Lord
in your
hearts.” In
other words,
be certain
Jesus is Lord
of your life
and affirm
your utter
dependence
upon Him.
Remember that
when you are
talking with
someone
embracing
another
worldview,
this is a
spiritual
battle. Your
task is to be
faithful in
proclaiming
the truth. It
is God’s
business to
change the
person.
• “Always being ready.” Know God’s Word and know how and when to use it. In doing so, you will be prepared to correct misconceptions about biblical Christianity.
• “To make a defense.” Always keep the discussion focused on Jesus and His finished work on the cross. Stay away from minor issues and do your best to prevent the other person from focusing on his or her misconceptions. Stay focused in a friendly, God-honoring manner, and do not be sidetracked by the other person’s unique claims or errors.
• “To everyone who asks you.” Pray that God will give you opportunities to share your faith in this pluralistic culture. Above all, be a good listener and ask for permission to express your view in the discussion. Do not be pushy or arrogant.
• “To give an account for the hope that is in you.” It is your personal relationship with the living God that is the source of your power and strength. Do not be afraid to recount your personal experiences of all that God has done for you. He is your hope and strength.
• “Yet with gentleness and reverence.” Show patience, respect, and love as you talk. Always look for common ground and seek to develop a relationship of trust and confidence that God can use to bring that person to Himself. (From James P Eckman, The Truth About Worldviews)
• “Always being ready.” Know God’s Word and know how and when to use it. In doing so, you will be prepared to correct misconceptions about biblical Christianity.
• “To make a defense.” Always keep the discussion focused on Jesus and His finished work on the cross. Stay away from minor issues and do your best to prevent the other person from focusing on his or her misconceptions. Stay focused in a friendly, God-honoring manner, and do not be sidetracked by the other person’s unique claims or errors.
• “To everyone who asks you.” Pray that God will give you opportunities to share your faith in this pluralistic culture. Above all, be a good listener and ask for permission to express your view in the discussion. Do not be pushy or arrogant.
• “To give an account for the hope that is in you.” It is your personal relationship with the living God that is the source of your power and strength. Do not be afraid to recount your personal experiences of all that God has done for you. He is your hope and strength.
• “Yet with gentleness and reverence.” Show patience, respect, and love as you talk. Always look for common ground and seek to develop a relationship of trust and confidence that God can use to bring that person to Himself. (From James P Eckman, The Truth About Worldviews)
Many years ago there was a radio program in Kansas City with George Westlake, a local pastor who had a Call-In radio show on Sunday evenings. Listeners could ask questions about the Bible and he would do his best to answer them. I suppose this was before the quick access you now have by using a computer. Yet Pastor Westlake had a deep knowledge of God’s Word and was always ready to give an answer based upon Scripture.
Today's
Suggested Music and Supplemental
Resources
"Living
Hope"
Click
to listen on
YouTube
Shane and
Shane
The hope that
we have is a
living hope!
"Yet
Not I But
Through Christ
In Me"
Click
to listen on
YouTube
CityAlight
This morning I
will conduct
the funeral
service for
Ron Boyle, the
father of
Rachel
Caldwell.
Rachel and her
husband Rick
are very good
friends. I
dedicate this
song to them
and especially
consider the
words of the
chorus:
To
this I hold,
my hope is
only Jesus
All the glory evermore to Him
When the race is complete, still my lips shall repeat:
Yet not I, but through Christ in me!
All the glory evermore to Him
When the race is complete, still my lips shall repeat:
Yet not I, but through Christ in me!
Ron
has an
interesting
distinction.
He was
honorably
discharged
from both the
Marines and
Air Force.
While in High
School he was
recruited and
wanted to be a
Marine. He
went through
the training
but fell below
the size
requirements
and was
honorably
discharged. He
went back to
the same
recruiter who
suggested the
Air Force in
which he
served,
attaining rank
of Lt. Colonel
before another
honorable
discharge!
Finally
today:
I
checked last
night and we
now have
Mourning Dove
baby birds
under our barn
eve. I had to
step up on a
stool and hold
my camera high
to get this
shot. The
birds thought
it was time to
eat!
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In considering support we are so pleased when we hear from you, our readers, that our messages are a source of teaching and encouragement to you. We also urge you to consider the mission aspect of these daily teachings that are freely available and read by many all over the world.
To
donate
directly
online
click here.
(This will
open to a page
that
designates the
offering
to: STEPHEN
&
BROOKSYNE
WEBER -
700001-237376 SERVING
IN SPECIALIZED
CHAPLAINCY)
If
you desire you
can also
donate
directly
through PayPal
using this link.
This will open
to a page that
states
"Brooksyne
Weber". We
keep this
option
available due
to the
familiarity,
convenience,
for
international
supporters,
and for those
who may not
need an
official
receipt. You
can also set
up for
recurring
donations.
Thank
you,
Stephen
&
Brooksyne
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radioPermissions: Please feel free to pass on, reproduce and distribute any material on Daily Encouragement Net, in part or in whole, in any format, provided that you do not alter the wording in any way or charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. It is our desire to spread this material, not protect or restrict it. We do request that you keep the contact, copyright and subscription information intact.
Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.
Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
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