Samuel D. High
sdhigh@aristotle.net
-----Original Message-----
From: "Apostle Tom" <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Sent: Mon, 07 May 2007 16:15:57 -0500
To: pressingon@hotmail.com
Subject: Morning Manna (May 8); BP: I Pet. 3:13-17; RBTTY: Lk. 24:36-53; II Kings 4-6
May 8 “A Ready Reason”
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts—and be ready always to give an
answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with
meekness and fear.”
I Peter 3:15
If it’s hidden in our hearts and always on our mind, it’ll not be far
from our lips.
Multi-tasking.
That’s the modern catchword nowadays for trying to do a lot of things
at the same time. But, it’s also an easy way to end up trying to do too
much, which is the formula for mediocrity or insanity!
While it gives us a sense of accomplishment to perform these multiple
tasks simultaneously, too often we’ll end up, as someone said, “Sacrificing
the important on the altar of the urgent.” That’s why today’s Manna is such
an important one for every Pilgrim if we are to “always be ready to given an
answer to every man of the hope that resides within us.”
Now, it goes without saying that this hope, which comes from God along
with faith at the new birth, isn’t wishful thinking. It’s not some
“pie-in-the-sky-by-and-by” belief; neither is it the proverbial “whistling
in the dark.” Instead, it is the “Anchor of the soul that’s
sure-and-steadfast” and rooted in Who God is and what He has promised (Heb.
6:17-20; 11:6).
If we are to “always be ready to give an answer of why we have hope to
those who ask” (and even those who don’t), we must “sanctify the Lord God in
our hearts.” The Greek word “hagiazo” is used here for “sanctify” and comes
from the same root word for “holy” and “saint.” It basically means “to set
apart, make holy, to consecrate, dedicate, sacred, etc.”
Thus, the picture is clear: If we are to be an “ever-ready Pilgrim”. .
. “in season and out of season” (II Tim. 4:2). . .the Lord Jesus and what
He’s done for us can never be very far from the forefront of our minds. We
can’t compartmentalize Him—i.e., have one part of our life that’s “sacred”
and the other “secular”—and be able to verbalize a “ready reason for our
hope” at a moment’s notice.
No, we must insure that Jesus is Number One in our lives and sitting on
the throne in our hearts if we are to be “holy hopefuls” when the bell
sounds. Glory! And, as the Apostle Peter reminds us, such sharing should
always be “with meekness (Grk. ‘prautes’-‘mildness, humility, gentleness,
etc.’) and fear (reverent awe).” Simply put, it’s easy to slip into a
spirit of haughtiness when sharing about what God’s doing in our lives if
we’re not careful.
Oh, dear Pilgrim, are you “ready today to give an answer to those today
who may ask you why you have calm assurance when they don’t?” Let’s hope
so. Why not turn off the radio on your way to work today and sing “His Eye
Is On the Sparrow”. . . “It Is Well With My Soul”. . .or “Rock of Ages”?
That way His Love will be fresh on your mind and a reason for your Hope
fresh on your lips should an opportunity arise today.
_________________________________________________________________
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