Author: Ben Bourland

“But in your hearts set Christ apart as holy [and acknowledge Him] as Lord. Always be ready to give a logical defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope that is in you, but do it courteously and respectfully.  [And see to it that] your conscience is entirely clear (unimpaired), so that, when you are falsely accused as evildoers, those who threaten you abusively and revile your right behavior in Christ may come to be ashamed [of slandering your good lives].  For [it is] better to suffer [unjustly] for doing right, if that should be God’s will, than to suffer [justly] for doing wrong.” 1 Peter 3:15-17  ->me:  Today we had the 4th instance of our weekly TALK | EAT | FELLOWSHIP lunch at work and we had 2 new attendees.  We had a wonderful time talking and discussing our mission field -> our offices.  I can’t remember if it was Rob, Jason, or Nick who said it but they referenced these verses when we talking about being bold in our witness.  I had read these verses before but they hit me in a new practical way today.  As I prepare to go to Mexico tomorrow with 15 other men, I am humbled by these verses and reminded of the witness we carry with us whether we are walking through an airport or walking door to evangelizing – ‘in my heart set Christ apart as holy’ – and be ready to have a good answer as to why I have the hope that is in me; do it in a way that I have a clear conscience.  I am challenged to be ready, to carry myself in a nonthreatening and respectful way, and to behave as Christ even if it might mean I might suffer unjustly.

“Then I [looked and I] saw a solitary eagle flying in midheaven, and as it flew I heard it crying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth, because of the rest of the trumpet blasts which the three angels are about to sound!” Revelation 8:13 ->me: Ok, I am in the thick of it now…I just got done reading about the first 4 trumpets -> 1) Storm of hail and fire mixed with blood that burns up a third of the earth, trees, and grass. 2) Something resembling a giant mountain being hurled into the sea wiping out a third of the sea life and ships as well as turning a third of the sea to blood. 3) Huge star from heaven (looking like a burning torch) dropping and contaminating a third of the rivers and springs with bitterness (wormwood) where many people die that drink it. 4) A third of the sun, moon, and starlight smitten. To me this sounds like a volcano, followed by an asteroid, followed by an contaminated icy comet, and then light obstructed by fallout from these things blowing up and crashing into the earth. Then, we have this single eagle shouting 3 woes announcing the remaining 3 trumpets. My prayer tonight was not to understand the true meanings of this vision (I am not sure we are supposed to know other than that 7 terrible things will happen), but that the Lord would help me understand what He wants me to take away from this passage. Will surprise you that I see God’s grace here? He could just wipe the whole earth out at once and be done with it and onto establishing His new Kingdom – No, He gives, time and time again, warnings to win more people to Himself as well as execute His justice on the wicked. Isn’t true of our own lives? God could have smote me down after the 6th time I chose an idol over Him, but no He relented and gave me 26 more times before I surrendered to Him. I don’t deserve even the life I have, I should be thankful everyday for the next breath He gives and await the triumphant return of His Son.