Always Be Ready…

I spent last week in the beautiful sunshiny state of Florida.

Without even a close contender following, Florida is my most favorite place in the whole wide world. I try to go there every time I get to choose a vacation spot.

This time I was with my mama and my childhood best friend and then my best friend had invited one of her friends.

I’m a little apprehensive to write this post but for the sake of the point I’m trying to make from it I’m gonna go ahead…

I had a conversation while on vacation regarding faith…my Christian views were opposite from this other person’s beliefs. It’s easy and natural for me to discuss my beliefs when others are in agreement with what I believe but when their beliefs oppose mine the conversation that ensues can be kinda difficult.

I won’t go into large detail but there was talk of their “belief in Buddha” and also mention that they’d “never read nor want to read the Bible because it was written by man…and often times pastors are hypocritical.”

You guys!! The coolest thing happened right then and there though…I was actually able to respectfully share my view without stalling on my words. I’m forever saying that I’m a much better writer than talker but this day the Holy Spirit was all over the moment.

I simply (and kindly) responded something along these lines, “I actually don’t agree with that, the Bible notes that it’s the inspired word of God. Yes, true that pastors can be off because they’re only human, but a good pastor will challenge you to get in the word yourself and find out how it’s speaking to you. For me when I read in the beginning of the Bible and it talks about creation of the world and everything in it and how people came about, and I read about sin entering and forgiveness of sins because of Jesus’ mercy and grace, then I can’t not believe every single part of it. When I read it everything just makes sense to me. It’s like a puzzle that fits together perfectly from start to finish.”

I really don’t know if my words at the time made a difference but I can trust God to do His will and way with how He used me and in His own timing. Ultimately it’s always up to an individual to choose how they will respond to God’s invitation when they hear a message. Without being pushy I can only do my part and then leave it in God’s hands afterwards.

I wasn’t really expecting to have that conversation while vacationing in Florida but in the time since I’ve thought about how incredibly important it is to truly live out the verse from 1 Peter 3:15.

And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. —1 Peter 3:15

Situations like what I described above are why verses like 1 Peter 3:15 are included in God’s word.

As Christians we must be able to open up about our faith and sometimes even defend it, to know and trust what we believe, and be able to share that hope with others in a compassionate way.

As long as we’re breathing and communicating with others the opportunity to share our hope of Jesus always exist…doesn’t matter if we’re in the comfort of our own community or vacationing at our favorite getaway…as Christians we must be ready and willing to share our hope in Him!!

APPLICABLE VERSES:

But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. —1 Peter 3:16

Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. —Colossians 4:5-6

Author: alimw2013

About For His Purpose~ My name is Alicia and I'm a thirty-something year old who loves Jesus. Only through God’s amazing grace and mercy I have been redeemed from past regret and shame. Reading His word has allowed me to look past Satan’s forceful lies, to see myself for who Christ says I am in Him. Through writing I have learned why I made the choices I made in my younger years and I now have a better understanding of why I desire to love God like crazy these days. Despite my daily failures, God remains faithful always. I am reassured of His unconditional love for me by every ink-drop spilled out on paper, each committed prayer as I cry out to Him, and deep understanding reflected through reading His word as truth. Yes keeping a blog will make me vulnerable to others’ opinions- there will be some who don’t understand, some who may criticize or judge, but on the other hand if just one piece expressed through my writing grabs someone’s attention and directs them to God, then pouring out my heart in a blog for the world to read is worth it. I choose to glorify Him alone through words streaming across a glowing screen. And it wouldn’t be fair if I didn’t reveal the fact that I’m incredibly quirky; I’m my loving husband’s best friend, my vivacious kids’ craziest cheerleader and spiritual trainer (3 John 1:4). I love anything farmhouse and rustic style. I think cupping a warm coffee mug in the palm of my hands is more satisfying than the contents within. I share a common obsession with my husband for the mountains, but I would (without a doubt) settle for waves crashing against my legs at the Atlantic Ocean just as well, and I almost always have a Yorkie curled up on my lap while writing. *All photos are photographed by forhispurpose.blog and therefore may not be stored or photocopied in any manner.

46 thoughts on “Always Be Ready…”

    2. “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.'” John 14:6
      There is only one way to God. Jesus is the way. There is no other. 😊

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      1. This does not contradict what i said because faith only works when it is complete and Jesus spoke in metaphors, the only eay to share the ineffable truth ❤️🙏

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    2. Don’t you just love those Jesus moments, Alicia? It’s so important to let Jesus shine through us, even while on vacation. I agree. The Word of God is “God-breathed,” and did not come by the will of man: but holy men of God “spake” as they were “moved by” the Holy Ghost.” God used these men of God to share His Truth. 🙌🏼
      ‭‭

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  7. I love this Alicia! I woke up yesterday morning and I knew I was having a dream about sharing the gospel. Like you, I’m a better writer than I am a speaker when it comes to sharing my faith. I woke up and immediately prayed, “Lord if you are about to throw me into this situation, I’m going to need you to take control of my mouth and give me all the words to say so I glorify you! There will be no backspace or deletes, so please help me speak the truth with grace. Amen” My heart prays it is just like your situation and seeds are planted. Way to go!!!

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    1. Oh that’s so awesome Cecilia!!! Thanks so much for sharing! I love you’re following up with obedience and full reliance on Him with a heart that’s saying “here I am Lord, use me”…..the Holy Spirit will surely lead!!!! I hope to hear about it in a follow up post.😉

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  8. I’m always nervous about doing that because people can get so offended but as long as we can do it in a kind way, it usually goes over okay and we can agree to respect each others beliefs. Glad you had fun in Florida. I think I’d like to go there. It seems very free right now, unlike my state.

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    1. Well I’m not gonna lie my heart was thumping pretty good😬🥴😅but I was like nope I gotta speak up for what I love so much…so I did!❤️🙌
      Florida was fun for sure but we were in Broward County (Fort Lauderdale area) and ya they were definitely sticklers about wearing mask in stores!! I was kinda surprised but i complied anyway…but yes you should go visit!😉❤️

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  9. This is a wonderful story. Thank you for sharing. I feel the same way. I feel I can speak up a whole lot more in writing than verbally. It is encouraging to hear how you handled this and how the Holy Spirit helped you. You are right, it is our job to plant the seed. But what they do after that is up to them. I pray that the seed you planted will grow. And by the way, I live in Florida! 🙂

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    1. Oh wow I didn’t know you live in Florida!! For some reason I was thinking the Carolinas or Virginia…I was in the Fort Lauderdale area just for the record.

      This was the first time I’ve been able to speak up (when my view has been opposite of someone else’s) without looking or sounding like a complete basket case!! Praise the Lord!! Hopefully this experience will make it easier for next time!🙏❤️🙌

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      1. I live about 5 hours northwest of where you were, so we weren’t near each other. I am so glad to know this situation went so well. And I do pray it helps you next time too. And thank you for telling the rest of us because it is very encouraging for those like me who also have trouble speaking up. I get tongue tied in regular conversations, let alone significant ones like this. LOL 🌸💕🌺

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  12. I love that passage! And you were clearly ready. 🙂 We may not have “rehearsed” what we’re going to say to a certain person, but we are told not to worry ahead of time what to say. The Holy Spirit gives us the words to say when the time comes. (Mark 13:11) Thanks for being “Exhibit A. 😉

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    1. Yes I need to always remember full reliance on Matthew 13:11!!! It’s not left up to me on my own, praise God for that otherwise I’d get nowhere!😅

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  14. Ann is spot-on. I can’t tell you how many times His Holy Spirit filled me with the right words at crucial times, words I didn’t come up with, or rehearsed. This is something only Jesus offered to His followers. Faith, in itself, does NOT redeem fallen humanity. A Redeemer, the Person, Jesus, redeems through grace. I can have faith in a recliner, but it only holds my feet up. As far as the “men” who wrote the Bible, this is the #1 default line for non-believers. No where on the shelves of the world’s libraries will you find a cannon written over a period of thousands of years by the hands of men who didn’t always live in the same area, or country, who most of which didn’t know one another, who had the same message, and pointing toward One Messiah to come Who would alone have the power to reconcile humanity to the true God. The hundreds of prophecies alone, spanning thousands of years, are so incredibly accurate & are continuing to be relevant today. Until someone like a CS Lewis, or Lee Stroble(?), dig into scripture and accurate biblical history, theybrelax on default lines. Proud of you, Alicia. God’s grip – Alan

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    2. So well said!! I love what you said here: ‘Faith, in itself, does NOT redeem fallen humanity. A Redeemer, the Person, Jesus, redeems through grace.’
      I’m so thankful my faith is in Him!!
      The uniqueness of the Bible is so irresistible to me and man I pray more people would give it a chance!! There’s no other book or “religion” out there that compares!!🙌🙌🙌

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  15. Such an inspiring and encouraging post Ali! That must have been some moment for you. I’m so glad you had that experience and I’m so happy to hear about it. Keeping being awesome in the Lord, and keep smiling. You shine like a star sister. ❤❤❤❤

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