Reading: 1 Peter 3
My Verse: "But in your hearts set Christ apart as holy [and acknowledge Him] as Lord. Always be ready to give a logical defense to anyone for the hope that is in you, but do it courteously and respectfully" (3:15).
I tend to get nervous when I think about this "Always be ready to give a logical defense to anyone for the hope that is in you." Lord, forgive me because I forget You in this. Peter points out that I must "in (my) heart set Christ apart as holy." This must come first - always!
Only then will I be able to through You "give a logical defense."
But I feel nervous and doubtful of my ability to give a good rationale for my belief. I have never been very good at speaking - at being forcefully convincing. I feel like I tend to lose my way. I know this is because I forget You in the process! I am in awe of those with the great skill of oratory. I do not have that and so I can empathize with Moses when You, God, called on him to speak for his people.
Again I know, Lord, You provide us what we need when we need it. You have shown us this throughout Your Word - in the life of Moses and so many others. Thank You for the many examples of Your provision here - how I need reminding!
You created us with fantastic, rational, intelligent minds. You expect us as this scripture states to use our minds intelligently, "but . . . courteously and respectfully."
Help me to continually renew my mind with You as Paul calls on us to do in Romans 12:2. "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind , so that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you]. '
Help me to place You always at the forefront of my mind, to dwell on You. "Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things" (Philippians 4:8). By thinking on "these things" I will be studying You. I will be preparing my mind.
Only You and Your Word can correct my wrong thinking and shape my mind to think and speak after Your most logical thoughts with courtesy and respect!
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
My Verse: "But in your hearts set Christ apart as holy [and acknowledge Him] as Lord. Always be ready to give a logical defense to anyone for the hope that is in you, but do it courteously and respectfully" (3:15).
I tend to get nervous when I think about this "Always be ready to give a logical defense to anyone for the hope that is in you." Lord, forgive me because I forget You in this. Peter points out that I must "in (my) heart set Christ apart as holy." This must come first - always!
Only then will I be able to through You "give a logical defense."
But I feel nervous and doubtful of my ability to give a good rationale for my belief. I have never been very good at speaking - at being forcefully convincing. I feel like I tend to lose my way. I know this is because I forget You in the process! I am in awe of those with the great skill of oratory. I do not have that and so I can empathize with Moses when You, God, called on him to speak for his people.
Again I know, Lord, You provide us what we need when we need it. You have shown us this throughout Your Word - in the life of Moses and so many others. Thank You for the many examples of Your provision here - how I need reminding!
You created us with fantastic, rational, intelligent minds. You expect us as this scripture states to use our minds intelligently, "but . . . courteously and respectfully."
Help me to continually renew my mind with You as Paul calls on us to do in Romans 12:2. "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind , so that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you]. '
Help me to place You always at the forefront of my mind, to dwell on You. "Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things" (Philippians 4:8). By thinking on "these things" I will be studying You. I will be preparing my mind.
Only You and Your Word can correct my wrong thinking and shape my mind to think and speak after Your most logical thoughts with courtesy and respect!
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
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