13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 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, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.

Peter 3:13-17

Questions for Reflection:

What do you find hardest about the direction Peter gives in these verses? What do you find easiest?

What is the reason for your hope today? How does that profound certainty in Jesus give you 'new life living' today?

Prayer of the Week:

Jesus, I love You! I worship You! I trust You! I give myself over to You today in my heart’s search for life. Restore me in You! Renew me in You and lead me in this time of prayer.

Jesus, I sincerely receive You as my Life, and I receive all the work and triumph in Your resurrection, through which You have conquered sin, death, judgment, and the evil one. Death has no power over You, nor does any foul thing. And, I have been raised with You to a new life, to live Your life—dead to sin and alive to God.

Jesus, You are my Living Hope, and I now receive the gift and presence of Your Holy Spirit. “Come Holy Spirit” – I receive You now and surrender to You so that I might be empowered by You, and I might always be ready to give an answer to anyone asking about the reason for the Hope I have. You are my Hope, Jesus, and I sincerely ask You to lead me in my life, decisions, conversations, and actions this day so that hope seeking questions about You are cultivated in the minds of those around me. Oh, Jesus, I want to be a life giving, sincere, and hopeful witness for You among the people around me.

Holy Spirit, I ask You to help me see how “hope in Jesus” makes a difference in my life today. Help me be thoughtful about You and the life and hope I have because of You so that I might be ready to give a gentle, respectful, and life giving answer to all who are open and asking.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the Alpha course. Thank You for this worldwide, Holy Spirit inspired tool, which helps Your children share “Hope in Jesus” with friends and family. Holy Spirit, I ask You to bring to mind those people in my life which I might invite to Alpha. Please inspire conversations around me so that I might join You Jesus in touching the lives of people who are close to me but far from You that they might come to know the Hope You have for them. (Notice who comes to mind that you might pray for and be open to inviting to Alpha.)

I love You Jesus, and I am thrilled that today, I get to be Your agent of Hope in the world of people around me today!

Amen