[Jesus said] \u201cYou must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mark 13:9-11<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Are you ready? Christ calls us to live a life of courageous witness in the face of hostility from others. Are you ready to be that witness? While we might know how to prepare for a job, school year, or vacation, how will we prepare to live a life of courageous witness?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While Jesus was teaching his disciples during his final week, he described what was coming after his resurrection. False teachers would deceive many. Conflicts and natural disasters would rage all over the world. Yet for Christians, the hardest part would come from those who oppose Christ and his Word. Hostile opposition from local communities to the highest levels of government would become a reality for God\u2019s people. Since then, Christians of every century have had to make faithful witness in the face of persecution. They proclaimed Christ even when faced with death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What about us? Are we ready? If not, how can we be ready? We can prepare to be Christ\u2019s witnesses by returning to his Word. There in the Bible, we find God\u2019s law that cuts sinners to the heart. Yet, we also find Jesus\u2014our living and enduring Savior, who forgives our guilt and gives us confident hope, who strengthens us to be his courageous witnesses. Jesus even tells us not to worry in those situations because he will send his Holy Spirit to help us give the reason for the hope that we have no matter the situation or what we face. So then, like the disciples of old, prepared with God\u2019s Word, as we courageously witness Christ as our Savior, the Spirit speaks through us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prayer:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
O Lord, when confronted with opposition to you or your Word, help me to find courage in you. Send your Spirit to speak the truth of your Word through me that others may know you. Amen.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"