“In your hearts revere 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.”
A Call to Readiness
The definition of revere is to feel deep respect or admiration for something. A few synonyms are to honor and esteem. If you noticed, none of those words are light and fluffy. They’re the exact opposite. They’re heavy and weighty. But not in a bad way.
Jesus, His glory, His presence carry weight. They can be felt. I have felt them.
I have felt the Lord’s presence in times of worship and in times of hardship.
In those times, He has felt so near.
In order to tangibly feel God, we must be attentive to Him. One of my friends said recently that as soon as we turn our attention to Christ, He is there. It’s not that He wasn’t there, but it is then He rests on us like He did for many in the Old Testament.
Preparation is a funny thing. In order to be prepared for something, you need to prepare for it. I never could have earned great grades in school if I never studied. God, in many ways, works the same way. He is so grand. He is always doing something new. He is never predictable. He is to be studied and known . . . every day, in every circumstance of life.
That is how we build intimacy and a flourishing relationship. God becomes Father, friend, and the love of our lives. Our love for Him only grows. Then we love to love Him and we love to share Him.
We want others to discover the hope and joy and peace we’ve found in relationship with Christ.
So, at any given time, we can share the truth of His nature. We can share about His goodness and grace in our lives with a beautiful ease. We can share with hearts of love and humility for others. It isn’t burdensome or stressful. We don’t have to muster up the right words to say. We need only to tap into our relationship with Him.
Are you prepared to give a reason for the hope you have in Christ?
Great post, Karina. We need to be able to not only be aware and attentive but to be able to explain our experience in terms that those who don’t understand, can have an expectation of hope. 🙂
Thank you Susan!!!! So much Amen!!!!!
This is something I have to continuously remind myself to be faithful in…studying his word daily, in the mundane and not just the highs and lows, so I can learn to feel his presence daily.
That is what we’re all aiming for sister! Let’s do this together!
I was blessed by the insight I gained from Jesus’ love and relationship with people. It is love in spite of. Thank you, Lord.
Amen Stephen! Thanks for visiting and sharing!
I’ve found this to be so incredibly true in my own life. For some time, I just didn’t understand it…how to turn my attention toward Him. Learning His character by reading His word and asking Him to explain it to me unlocked something magnificent. It gave me that same closeness I feel just sitting with a friend over a cup of tea. And I’d have never believed that to be possible until I experienced it myself. I simply cannot imagine my life without the full intimacy of knowing Him… <3
I love that Jennifer!!!!! Once we experience that intimacy, we cannot help but to shout it from the rooftops! We can never lead others where we have not been.
This Scripture really spoke to my heart this morning, so much so that I posted the article for our God Living Girls with Chronic Illness page. When dealing with chronic pain and illness, we might not be able to go on a mission trip or a witnessing event, but that doesn’t prevent us from giving a reason for the hope – and joy and peace – within us when we have an opportunity. Beautiful article on this Sunday morning.
Barbara, thank you so much! You are right on! No matter our struggle or hardship, we have hope in Christ. He is our joy and strength.
I’d love to “like” your share of my post and encourage any of your readers. You can comment and leave the link. 🙂
I agree with your friend that the Holy Spirit rested on people from the Old Testament but this is also the rest we are to labor to enter into, the rest that Jesus gives, the yoke that is easy. With study and worship you do find the rest from Hebrews 4. God is a lot more predictable to you when you reach your personal ” promised land.”
Thank you for sharing Rebecca! Blessings to you!
You are right on my friend. Sharing the hope that we have…means we have to have hope! The times when my well has been shallow with time with Jesus, I don’t have much to offer but empty words both in my relationships and in my writing. Thanks for reminding us!
~Jenny
Thank you Jenny! You are right on too! I love that I don’t have to create hope. Christ is hope. My job is just to lean into all that He is. Let’s lean in together sister!
I burried my step dad yesterday, he’s been in my life since I was about 6 or 7. I’m 47.
My real dad passed when I was a Jr in high school and my mom married my step dad after I graduated High school in 1987. He’s been more than a step dad to me. This speaks to me today to give this answer; now without a earthly father- God becomes my Abba Father. I will rely on Him more, talk to Him more openly and rely on His ever presence Spirit in my life- going forward, I pray my life is different in a good way. I pray that I do have a answer to give others – That Jesus is the only way,Truth and Life to see our loved ones again, to be eternal united with Him.
I’m so sorry Melissa! Praying for supernatural peace to hold you. May you grieve with hope. Rest in the arms of Abba Father. My you cultivate a deep intimacy with Him and be an encouragement to those who are grieving around you. He is near to your broken heart.
Blessings.
Melissa,
So sorry for the loss in your life. May God surround you with His loving arms. I pray peace and contentment can be felt. Rest mightily in Abba Father’s arms and know that He cares for you.
Blessings 🙂
I really appreciate what you wrote. I have been trying to do the daily examen, but I don’t think I understood the deeper need or desire to do it until you wrote “…He [God] is to be studied and known everyday…” Thank you for your insight.
My word Olivia! You just blessed me!
My prayer is that the Holy Spirit will constantly illuminate His truth and revelation to me and those who read my words. One of the best parts about God is that He desires to be known by us. He waits for us to engage with Him because He is a gentleman. He doesn’t force relationship on us. When we seek Him with all our heart and soul, He will be found by us. He is a faithful Father and friend!
Karina,
It is so important these days, especially, to give an answer for our hope. One way is to be in the word daily. Memorizing some key verses also helps. When the devil comes to tempt you-you will be ready to defeat those arrows. Now it is more important than ever to have and know the hope of Jesus. It is time to tell the world about Him and His great love for them!
Blessings 🙂
Amen!!!! The times are perilous and tumultuous! It is beyond urgent that we are ready to give an answer for our hope. The hurting are needing to know there is hope in spite of their pain.
Thank you for sharing!