Memory verses for this week – 1 Peter 3:15 & 18
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts. Always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, with humility and fear, having a good conscience.
Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring you to God, being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the Spirit,
1 Peter 3:15 & 18
Do you inspire hope in others?
As a truly devoted follower of Christ, do people see Him in you?
Do others see that you have a good reason to believe in Jesus?
Well, let’s take a close look at this passage. We will find the answer to the question.
“Am I inspired by the hope of Christ?”
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts…
To sanctify something is to set it apart from the ordinary.
When we honor God, His will is our priority in thoughts, words, and deeds. Believers willingly submit to Him, even during difficult times.
Sons and daughters of God can do that only by the power of the Holy Spirit. Then the world can see there is truly something different in us.
Always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, with humility and fear, having a good conscience...
Believers must conduct their lives in such an ethical and godly manner that others recognize the difference in them.
True followers of Jesus are not filled with piety and judgement. They have genuine faith that remains the same even when no one else is watching. This faith endures through the darkest seasons.
An example of this persistent faith is found in the lives of some persecuted pastors in the United States.
They have enjoyed religious liberty since the founding of our country.
But in recent years pastors have begun to be the targets of religious persecution. Though this persecution is not to the degree of Christians in China, Africa and elsewhere, it is still a threat to their religious freedom.
For the first time in the modern era, preachers of the Gospel have been threatened legally and arrested for preaching the truth from God’s Word.
American believers cannot count on the preservation of our freedom to share the Gospel with impunity anymore.
But that’s okay. God’s divine plan cannot be shaken.
These dark days should not come as a surprise. Jesus warned that “...in this world you will have trouble…” (John 16:33)
Here is how He told us to respond.
“I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble; but cheer up! I have overcome the world.”
Believers can still inspire hope in their world, even amid suffering.
We have a Savior who was obedient to His Father through His suffering and death. (Hebrews 12:2)
Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring you to God, being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the Spirit,
1 Peter 3:15 & 18
Be a believer who inspires hope.
Let others see the difference that Jesus has made in your heart.
Share the Good News in your world!
Isaiah 52:7
New King James Version (NKJV)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
World English Bible (WEB)
by Public Domain. The name “World English Bible” is trademarked.
Statement of Faith
Getting the Seed out of the basket and into hungry hearts. Matthew 13 