DAILY BIBLE VERSES AND PRAYER THOUGHTS:

MONDAY - VERSES: Exodus 20:3-6; Deuteronomy 13:1-4; Daniel 3:14-18; Luke 4:8; 16:13 PRAYER THOUGHT: Thank God for the opportunity to serve Him. Thank Him for being such a wonderful God to serve.

TUESDAY - VERSES: Job 31:24-28; Psalm 33:20-22; 71:5; 119:114; Jeremiah 17:7; Acts 26:6-7; 1 Timothy 1:1 PRAYER THOUGHT: Thank God for the hope that you have because of Jesus Christ.

WEDNESDAY - VERSES: Joshua 22:5; 24:23; Psalm 37:31; 40:8; 86:12; Mark 12:30 PRAYER THOUGHT: Ask God to help you intentionally set Him on the throne of your heart and keep Him there throughout every day of your life.

THURSDAY - VERSES: Matthew 5:13-16; Mark 8:38; Romans 1:16; 5:5; 10:11; Titus 2:7-8; 1 Peter 3:15-16 PRAYER THOUGHT: Ask God to help you live your life in such a way that others will ask you about the hope you have.

FRIDAY - VERSES: Matthew 5:6; Deuteronomy 30:10-16; Psalm 119:11; Jeremiah 20:9; Luke 8:15 PRAYER THOUGHT: Ask God for the desire to study and learn how to answer for your hope.

SATURDAY - VERSES: Matthew 10:27-34; John 12:42; Acts 24:14-
16; Romans 10:9-10; 15:9-14; 1 John 4:15 PRAYER THOUGHT: Ask God to bring you into contact with someone who is interested in sharing your hope.

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"Too many Christians are no longer fishers of men but keepers of the aquarium."

If we won't stand up and speak out when we are free, what makes us believe that God will allow us to keep that freedom?

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ASSIGNMENTS

1. Daily read over this material and read or sing the song.

2. Place the scripture where you will see it throughout each day.

3. List those with whom you could and should share your hope.

4. At the close of day write down the ways you have shared your hope.

5. Plan to tell the class how you have shared your hope in the past or plan to in the future, or tell how you should have shared your hope but didn't.

SPIRITUAL HEALTH REGIMEN - WEEK 19

11-25-12 to 12-1-12 - READY TO ANSWER

SCRIPTURE – 1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;

COMMENT – We should always be prepared and ready to tell others why we have hope of life eternal and how they can have that hope.

SONG –RING OUT THE MESSAGE

1. There's a message true and glad For the sinful and the sad, Ring it out, ring it out; It will give them courage new, It will help them to be true; Ring it out, ring it out.

2. Tell the world of saving grace, Make it known in ev'ry place Ring it out, ring it out; Help the needy ones to know Him from whom all blessings flow; Ring it out, ring it out.

3. Sin and doubt to sweep away, Till shall dawn the better day, Ring it out, ring it out; Till the sinful world be won For Jehovah's mighty Son; Ring it out, ring it out.

REFRAIN: Ring out the word over land and sea, Still far from Jesus many live in sin and doubt, Ring out the news that makes men free, To all the lost of ev'ry nation, Ring it out, ring it out.

THOUGHTS

You lived next door to me for years We shared our dreams, our joys, our tears,

A friend to me you were indeed - A friend who helped me when in need.

My faith in you was strong and sure We had such trust as should endure,

No spats between us ever rose Our friends were alike, also our foes.

What sadness, then, my friend, to find That after all, you weren't so kind.

The day my life on earth did end I found you weren't a faithful friend...

For all those years we spent on earth, You never talked of Second Birth,

You never spoke of my lost soul And of the Christ Who'd make me whole.

I plead today from hell's cruel fire And tell you now my last desire,

You cannot do a thing for me, No words today my bonds will free.

But do not err, my friend, again, Do all you can for souls of men,

Plead with them now quite earnestly Lest they be cast in hell with me.

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If you wish to enrich days, plant flowers;

If you wish to enrich years, plant trees;

If you wish to enrich Eternity, plant ideals in the lives of others.

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Christianity is something which is meant to be seen. As someone has well said, "There can be no such thing as secret discipleship, for either the secrecy destroys the discipleship, or the discipleship destroys the secrecy." A man's Christianity should be perfectly visible to all men.

Christians need to take a public stand with God, no matter what the cost. We also need to take a stand for our faith and have the courage to say, "I'm a Christian." If we are to have revival in this nation, that's what Christians will have to do.

Every Christian ought to be ready to stand up courageously and unashamedly for the Lord. How inconsistent that a person redeemed by the blood of Christ experiencing saving power should cower before an unbelieving world!

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On one occasion Frederick the Great invited some notable people to his royal table. Including his top-ranking generals. One of them by the name of Hans von Zieten declined the invitation because he wanted to partake of communion at his church.

Some time later at another banquet Frederick and his guests mocked the general for his religious scruples and made jokes about the Lord's supper. In great peril of his life, the officer stood to his feet and said respectfully to the monarch, "My lord, there is a greater King than you, a King to whom I have sworn allegiance even unto death. I am a Christian man, and I cannot sit quietly as the Lord's name is dishonored and His character belittled."

The guests trembled in silence, knowing that von Zieten might be killed. But to their surprise, Frederick grasped the hand of this courageous man, asked his forgiveness, and requested that he remain. He promised that he would never again allow such a travesty to be made of sacred things.

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Perhaps you recall the story of a man who distributed tracts for many years on a street corner. Finally, seeing no visible results, he gave up. When he returned to the same spot two years later, he saw another individual handing out Gospel leaflets as he had done. Striking up a conversation, he discovered that the man had become a Christian through a salvation tract given him on that corner about two years before. The convert added, "Many times I've come back here to find that earnest worker and thank him, but he never returned. I decided he must have died, and so I've taken his place!" The first man suddenly realized that his work had not been in vain. Much encouraged he went back to giving out tracts the very next day.

It takes many blows to crack a hard boulder; and if one stops too soon, all his previous efforts go to waste, for the work of the sledge is cumulative. It is the constant pounding on the same spot that weakens the stone. This is also true of the flinty hearts of men. The Word of God, "Like a hammer," may have to be applied often before it breaks "the rock in pieces. So don't stop preaching to that needy soul -- BE PERSISTENT! The next word of Scripture he hears may be the final stroke that will open his heart to the Gospel!

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READY TO DEFEND

I. SANCTIFY GOD IN YOUR HEART

A. SANCTIFY MEANS TO SET APART AS HOLY

B. ONLY TIME GOD IS TO BE SANCTIFIED

C. GIVE GOD A SPECIAL PLACE IN YOUR HEART

II. BE READY TO GIVE A DEFENSE

A. PAUL DEFENDED THE GOSPEL - PHILIPPIANS 1:7

B. DAVID UNASHAMEDLY SPOKE OF GOD - PSALM 119:46

C. JEREMIAH SPOKE IN SPITE OF DANGER - JER. 26:12-14

D. KNOW HOW TO ANSWER - COLOSSIANS 4:5-6

E. CORRECT IN HUMILITY - 2 TIMOTHY 2:24-26

III. FOR THE HOPE THAT IS IN YOU

A. SOME HAVE NO HOPE - 1 THES. 4:13-18 & EPH. 2:11-13

B. HOPE ONLY IN THIS LIFE? - 1 CORINTHIANS 15:19-20

C. OUR HOPE IS IN HEAVEN - COL 1:4-5 & 1 PET 1:3-4

D. OUR HOPE IS ETERNAL LIFE - TITUS 1:1-2 & 3:4-7

F. CONFESSION OR OUR HOPE - HEBREWS 10:22-25

IV. WITH MEEKNESS AND FEAR

A. NO ARROGANCE IN SALVATION - ROMANS 11:19-21

B. CORRECT IN HUMILITY - 2 TIMOTHY 2:25

C. SAVE OTHERS WITH FEAR - JUDE 1:22-23

CONCLUSION

READY TO DEFEND

SCRIPTURE - (1 Pet 3:8-16) Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; {9} not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. {10} For "He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit. {11} Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it. {12} For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil." {13} And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? {14} But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. "And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled." {15} But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; {16} having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.

I. SANCTIFY GOD IN YOUR HEART

A. SANCTIFY MEANS TO SET APART AS HOLY

B. ONLY PLACE GOD IS REFERRED TO AS SANCTIFIEE RATHER THAN SANCTIFIER

C. GIVE GOD A SPECIAL PLACE IN YOUR HEART

II. BE READY TO GIVE A DEFENSE

A. PAUL DEFENDED THE GOSPEL - (Phil 1:7) just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace.

B. DAVID UNASHAMEDLY SPOKE TO KINGS OF GOD - (Psa 119:46) I will speak of Your testimonies also before kings, And will not be ashamed.

C. JEREMIAH SPOKE IN SPITE OF THE POSSIBLITY OF DEATH - (Jer 26:12-14) Then Jeremiah spoke to all the princes and all the people, saying: "The LORD sent me to prophesy against this house and against this city with all the words that you have heard. {13} "Now therefore, amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the LORD your God; then the LORD will relent concerning the doom that He has pronounced against you. {14} "As for me, here I am, in your hand; do with me as seems good and proper to you.

D. KNOW HOW TO ANSWER - (Col 4:5-6) Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. {6} Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

E. CORRECT IN HUMILITY - (2 Tim 2:24-26) And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, {25} in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, {26} and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

III. FOR THE HOPE THAT IS IN YOU

A. SOME HAVE NO HOPE

1. (1 Th 4:13-18) But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. {14} For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. {15} For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. {16} For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. {17} Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. {18} Therefore comfort one another with these words.

2. (Eph 2:11-13) Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh; who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands; {12} that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. {13} But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

B. HOPE ONLY IN THIS LIFE? - (1 Cor 15:19-20) If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. {20} But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

C. OUR HOPE IS IN HEAVEN

1. (Col 1:4-5) since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; {5} because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel,

2. (1 Pet 1:3-4) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, {4} to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,

D. OUR HOPE IS ETERNAL LIFE

1. (Titus 1:1-2) Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness, {2} in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began,

2. (Titus 3:4-7) But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, {5} not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, {6} whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, {7} that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

F. CONFESSION OR OUR HOPE - (Heb 10:22-25) let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. {23} Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

IV. WITH MEEKNESS AND FEAR

A. NO ARROGANCE IN SALVATION - (Rom 11:19-21) You will say then, "Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in." {20} Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. {21} For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either.

B. CORRECT IN HUMILITY - (2 Tim 2:25) in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth,

C. SAVE OTHERS WITH FEAR - (Jude 1:22-23) And on some have compassion, making a distinction; {23} but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.

CONCLUSION

A. WE WAIT FOR HOPE TO BECOME REALITY - (Rom 8:24-25) For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? {25} But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

B. HOPE IN GRACE AND PURIFY SELF

1. (1 Pet 1:13-15) Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; {14} as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; {15} but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,

2. HOPE PURIFIES - (1 John 3:2-3) Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. {3} And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

C. DO YOU HAVE HOPE OF ETERNAL LIFE IN HEAVEN WITH GOD?

D. ARE YOU PREPARED TO GIVE AN ANSWER TO OTHERS ABOUT WHY YOU HAVE

THAT HOPE?

1 Peter 3:15 - But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.

1 Peter 3:15 - But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.

1 Peter 3:15 - But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.

1 Peter 3:15 - But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.

1 Peter 3:15 - But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.

1 Peter 3:15 - But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.

1 Peter 3:15 - But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.

1 Peter 3:15 - But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.

1 Peter 3:15 - But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.

1 Peter 3:15 - But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.

1 Peter 3:15 - But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.

1 Peter 3:15 - But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.

1 Peter 3:15 - But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.