Rev. Ray and Pat Amos

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” 1 Peter 3:15

Last evening at church, a friend and I were remembering the wisdom of Bishop L. Scott Allen back in the seventies. He said that pastors must be ready to preach, pray, and die at all times.

While pastor of the Graham circuit (My second appointment) there was a group of men in the community called “The Old Guard.” They met each Thursday morning at Trinity UMC in Bluefield West Virginia for devotions and fellowship.

Once I was called at the last minute to come and give a devotion. I did, but I was totally unprepared, and it showed. There was a man who sat on the back row who whispered loudly to his neighbor, “He ain’t doing too good is he?”

There are those days when nothing comes together like it should, and someone is happy to tell us. At times like that I pray the song, “When I’ve done the best I can, and my friends misunderstand, Thou who knows all about me, stand by me.”

Faith brings no guarantee that we will not have bad days, or that we will not fall along the rugged paths of life. Faith promises that when the sun sets on that bad day that our good God will still be with us; and that when we fall, we will get back up.

Whatever today brings us, may we be ready to give an answer for the hope that we have. My hope is in Jesus, and nothing less.

Grace and Peace, Rev Ray