1 Peter 3:15-16
By Ali

“But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.” (1 Peter 3:15)

Taken by itself, verse 15 could well be speaking generally of apologetics. The context reveals it is about our Christian response to persecution.

Much has been made, and rightly so, of the suffering of our Middle Eastern brothers and sisters at the hands of ISIS. One of Scripture’s messages to them, and to us, is that when we are reviled for our faith in Christ, it is an opportunity to explain why we are people of such great hope, rather than people paralyzed by fear and anxiety. 1 Peter 3:15-16 is an exhortation to boldness about the gospel in the face of maltreatment by people whose eyes are blinded to God’s grace. Evangelism in the context of persecution is proclaiming our inner hope to those who have no hope.

As with everything else the Lord lifts us to, our Christian calling with regard to evangelism is a very high calling. There is no prideful defense, no haughty claiming of our rights to better treatment. Instead, Peter tells us our attitude is to be gentle and respectful, consistent with our unassailable character reflecting Christ.

Peter’s words shine brightly in our troubled times, when it is no longer difficult to imagine the stripping away of our religious freedoms resulting in our own suffering for Christ. Let us prayerfully prepare our hearts and our lives for the defense of the hope that God has placed inside us.

Ephesians 2:10
By Rev. Jan Sattem


Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” The context is where Paul is describing how each one of us was saved. Eph.2:10 indicates that which follows next — good works. One of those good works is surely to tell others about the new life we have been given.

In the ancient city of Susa, a young woman pondered her life and her good fortune. It would be death for her to approach the king. Yet her uncle Mordecai was encouraging her in just that vein. It was wonderful that she was now the queen, but at the moment Mordecai was asking her to point out a specific problem to the king. Ester was filled with fear and perhaps even looked for another to take this burden. Mordecai explained that God could raise up another to save the Jewish people from this hate-filled plan, but He had not. He says to her, “ . . . who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?”

Evangelism is a sharing of the good news of salvation. It is to tangibly be used by God in the harvesting of souls. This is one of the reasons we have all been born-again — to tell starving beggars where we just found a sumptuous banquet. It is God who regenerates the heart and it is that same God that uses us to give them the right hand of fellowship into the family of God! Praise God that he still uses His children in this manner!

John 4:39
By Rev. Greg Conover


Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.” (John 4:39)

Why would any of us brag about Jesus? The answer can be found in the Samaritan Woman’s story in John 4. She was “loose” and had many men. She was an outcast, sinful, from the “other side of the tracks,” and was rejected by the “good people.” No good religious person would go near her.

As Jesus sent his disciples into town for some sandwiches, He drew near and engaged her at a well. He asked her questions. She lied and tried to deflect the conversation. He knew better. He exposed things about her that would make us all blush. He knew all of her sin and deepest secrets. She could not hide her shame from Him.

But, He did not reject her; He loved her. She had been thirsty for love and acceptance searching for it in men, in one-night stands and with multiple husbands. They never satisfied. They just made her thirsty for more of what never quenched her need for love.

Jesus then told her about the real living water – the water that completely satisfies. The living water that meets us at our deepest sin and cleans us from all unrighteousness. This water was the water she needed. This living water is Jesus! Then she ran home and told everyone about Jesus. She couldn’t keep it to herself.

What compelled her to run and tell? The fact that Jesus knew everything about her and loved her anyway. She knew how sinful she was, yet was loved and accepted not scorned and rejected. She had a life of guilt and shame – now she was loved.

You see this woman is you and me, seeking idols to worship thinking they will satisfy.  We seek love and acceptance in someone or something other than Jesus. We thirst.

When we see our sinfulness and yet we’re still pursued by the relentless love of Jesus we will brag on Him. Thirsty people given water that fully satisfies will tell others about this never

Psalm 37
By Rev. Ben Carver


The Psalms reminds us of the eternal promises of God for his people. In Psalm 37, the writer contrasts the life of wisdom with the life of folly. The former leads to righteousness and life, the latter to despair and death.

As Christians, we are called to share the good news of righteousness and eternal life through Jesus Christ. Because of his death on the cross and his resurrection on the first day of the week, you have the promise of peace with God, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal life with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

God calls you and I to share the message of salvation with others. We don’t redeem lost people, but we tell them about the Redeemer. Salvation belongs to the Lord.

Psalm 37 reminds us of this truth. “The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; he is their stronghold in the time of trouble.” (Psalm 37:39)

Salvation is God’s divine work. Our task is to share the message of salvation with coworkers, neighbors, friends, and relatives.

Today, take a moment to thank the Lord for your salvation. Then prayerfully ask the Lord to give you boldness to talk with others in your life who need to hear the good news of redemption in Jesus Christ.

1 Samuel 15
By Rev. Tom Shoger

In 1 Samuel 15, King Saul gave the prophet Samuel a list of excuses for his failure to obey a clear command of God. Samuel got straight to the heart of the matter in verse 22 when he said, “Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice…” In essence, Samuel said Saul’s actions proved Saul’s heart was not right with God. You probably understand this truth that obedience proves the true status of one’s heart.

But how are you at applying it in your daily living? For example, Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me.” (Matthew 28:18). From this position of authority, Jesus issued a command to His disciples to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). In other words, if by God’s grace you are a true believer in Jesus Christ, you are to replicate yourself by sharing the gospel of Christ with those you come into contact with on a daily basis. You are to pray for opportunities to be able to share the gospel. You are to pray for courage to be bold in sharing this life saving good news.

But the question is: Are you actively doing so? Do you actively share the good news of Jesus Christ with your family, neighbors, and acquaintances? Or, are you like Saul, giving a list of excuses instead? Think back and honestly answer this question: When was the last time I shared the gospel with someone? If you don’t know, then you are disobeying God’s clear command. Obedience proves your heart’s condition.
The Lord takes “great delight” in obedience that flows from a heart transformed by the gospel of grace. Pray for grace to freely obey His command to share the gospel.

Proverbs 9:13
By Jay Crout

“The woman Folly is loud; she is seductive and knows nothing.” (Proverbs 9:13)

It can be easy for us to forget what it was like to be a non-Christian. In fact, many of us probably don’t even remember a time when we didn’t know Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior. So, for us, it can be easy to read a verse like this and understand it only in the context of living out the Christian life – our sanctification.

Yes, Lady Folly presents a constant challenge for believers every day of our earthly life. We struggle to battle against her, and we often fail to accurately see the dangers of our sin. Worse, sometimes we even choose to follow the foolish paths even when we know how they will end.

But we, as believers, are no longer under the bondage of sin. And this means that Lady Folly – as seductive as she may be – no longer has dominion over us. But far too often we forget (or cannot even remember!) what it was like when we were unable to see the foolishness of Lady Folly’s loud and seductive calls.

Non-Christians live every minute, of every day, of every year, of their entire lives in this state. And without intervention, the result of Lady Folly’s dominion over them is found a few verses later: “But he does not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.” (Proverbs 9:18)

Lady Folly knows nothing and yet is proud to boast in it. Her words are smooth and cunning. And they bring with them deadly results. But the Lord has given us a greater word – the word of the cross. And while it is folly to those who are perishing, it is the power of God to those whom are being saved. It is this word – the word of the cross – that we have been given to proclaim. And it is our responsibility to make sure that those around us never cease to hear this call. Lady Folly may be loud and seductive, but the word we proclaim is truly transformative. Proclaim it!

John 4:7
By Rev. John Kimmons

“A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, ‘Give me a drink.’” (John 4:7)

What is the first word in evangelism and discipleship? It's simply, HELLO. Jesus met a lot of people who were not on the "religiously approved" list. He talked with a bi-racial woman and healed lepers, in spite of the fact that touching them was forbidden by the religious authorities. He healed the sick, blind, lame, and was accused of being a friend of sinners.

"Door-to-door" Mormon missionaries have about a .1% conversion rate. But their success in recruitment is about 50% when there are interpersonal ties.

For believers seeking to share their faith, there is a greater rate of conversion with a greater number of hellos. It's all about relationships! It begins by talking to God about people before we talk to people about God. Prayer and hello should go hand-in-hand as we ask God to lead us to people whose hearts He is preparing to receive the gospel.

Seldom do people come to Jesus at their first meeting. Be ready when God opens the door to share a simple presentation of how a person can trust Christ and mature. Presentations vary according to circumstances, Biblical knowledge, background, age, past history, and even a question that may be asked. Relationships where we have an opportunity to share the gospel most often begin with hello and a genuine concern for the person that we're addressing.

If God allows us to build a friendship with a person, then we certainly want them to know our best friend, Jesus. It worked for Dr. Jim Polhill, a fellow ARP, who said hello to me, a lonely guy at the University of Georgia. His hello established a friendship that brought me to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Whose life will your hello change?

Psalm 37:4
By Charlie Phillips

Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.  (Psalm 37:4)

I recently heard a minister use this verse to prove to his congregation that God wants to give them all the material wealth for which they yearn. He said that if they delight themselves in God, He in turn will give them the riches they desire deep down in their hearts. This is a complete misapplication of the text, and most of us would never dream that God wants to fulfill our desires for earthly treasure. Having said that, we often substitute other things for worldly treasure such as a different job or more children. And while a new job or another addition to the family are both good things; might there be other desires we ought to have as Christians?

What if our delighting in God led to desires for things outside of our personal interests? What if instead of God’s people using Psalm 37:4 to justify personal gain, they looked to fortify their hope in Him? What if this verse was all about gaining God’s desires for His glory and His kingdom? How might we apply it differently?

Certainly the Lord desires that the gospel be preached to the lost. He proved this by giving us a Great Commission to complete through the power of the Holy Spirit. So maybe our delighting in God ought to strengthen our desire for the lost to be saved. Maybe our delighting in the Lord should cause us to pray for those around us that need to hear the gospel. Maybe our delighting in Christ ought to give us the courage and resolve to build relationships with people in our communities that are in need of eternal hope.

As we delight in the Lord through the power of the Holy Spirit, may he give us the desire to see the Great Commission be fulfilled!

Matthew 9:35-10:15
By Rev. Clint Davis

Jesus calls us to participate in his mission to redeem sinners by prayer and action in this passage. We are to pray to the Lord of the Harvest to send out laborers, and we are to participate in the harvest. Notice the following four points about Jesus' life, ministry, and expectations for his disciples in this passage.

First, Jesus was actively involved in a ministry that demonstrated and exercised the power of his kingdom. He taught in the synagogues. He proclaimed the good news of his kingdom. And, he healed every disease and affliction.

Second, Jesus had compassion on the crowds of people who had gathered around him because they were harassed and helpless. They were weary, tired, exhausted, exposed, and dejected. Their leaders, who were supposed to care for them, had abandoned them, burdened them, and blamed them.

Third, Jesus relieved people's burdens. He healed their afflictions in his grace and mercy. This healing, however, was not merely a physical one. Jesus proclaimed the good news of his kingdom while healing them of their diseases and afflictions. The outward healing illustrated the inner healing of the gospel in their lives.

Fourth, Jesus expects his disciples to have compassion on people as we participate in his ministry of relief. The harvest is plentiful. We need more laborers. And, the need is urgent.   

Therefore, pray earnestly for laborers for the harvest (9:38). Pray for spiritual eyes and a compassionate heart so that you may see people as they really are and discern their needs (9:36). And, be prepared to be the answer to your prayer as you participate in the harvest by doing gospel ministry (9:35, 10:1-15).

Acts 8:29-31
Alex Pettet, World Witness Director

And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” So Philip ran to him [the Eunuch] and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. (Acts 8:29-31)



Most likely, the eunuch was a God fearing Gentile barred from the inner-courts of the temple. As such, the eunuch never felt quite whole. He would be confused and disappointed by Scriptures that pointed towards, but yet concealed, the full picture of Yahweh. Then, he was sent a seatmate and we know the rest of the story.   

I find myself with lots of seatmates, usually on airplanes versus chariots. I have not encountered a non-Christian seatmate who was already reading the Scriptures, let alone Isaiah, but certainly I have had seatmates with lifelong disappointments like the eunuch. And, rather than giving them answers, I listen to their story with genuine interest and then share mine.

In 1996, before I left for the mission field, I attended a missionary training center where I learned how to share my “story” (i.e., testimony) in 5 minutes, 2 minutes, and then 30 seconds. Though I remember little else from the center, I still recall and use this today. As you know, people may not want to hear someone else’s story, but they are often willing to hear yours if you have taken the time to hear theirs. In the end, my story always ends with His story and His work on the cross.   

We all have seatmates in life whether they are in an airplane, in a pew, at work, in a gym or hunting stand. Let’s hear their story, share ours and end with His.