With God's Help, We Can Do It by Art Bangert

The Bible says, "Be ready at all times to give every man that asketh thee a reason for the hope that is within you." My hope and what I believe is found in John 3:16. "God so loved that world (that's me) that He gave His only begotton Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life." That's my hope, and that's what I believe. It's so simple and yet we confess in the Apostles' Creed, "I believe that I cannot of my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ my Lord. But the Holy Ghost has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctifies and keeps me in the one true faith." He does this through the Means of Grace, the Word, and Sacraments. It is important that we use these.

What does it mean to believe in Christ? He took all of our sins upon Himself, paid the penalty for our sins with His suffering and death on the cross, and rose from the dead the third day. He thus forgives our sins and earned eternal life for us. That is what I believe. It gave me a purpose in life.

I committed my life to Christian education, teaching in Christian schools, preaching in vacant congregations, leading devotions in nursing homes. Christ did everything necessary for our salvation. He says, "Go ye therefore unto all nations, teaching them." We have a long way to go.

In retirement years we become depressed thinking, "I'm not good for anything anymore." But then we remember that there is someone in need of my touch, someone in need of my embrace, someone in need of a word of encouragement, someone in need of God's Word.

This is what I believe! It's my hope and my life. We have much to be done. It is eternally important. We, with God's help can do it! Yes we can!