welcome to today's encouragement from our daily bread my name is Bill Crowder and I titled are reading the socratic Club
 in 1941 the socratic Club was established at England's Oxford University it was formed to encourage debate between Believers in Jesus and atheists are agnostics religious debate it is secular University isn't unusual for what is surprising is who chaired the socratic club for 15 years the great Christian scholar c.s. Lewis
 willing to have his thinking tested Louis believe that faith in Christ could stand up to greet scrutiny he knew there was credible rational evidence for believing in Jesus in a sense Lewis was practicing Peter's advice to Believers scattered by persecution when he reminded them in 1st Peter 3 in your hearts Revere Christ as lord always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have but do this with gentleness and respect
 Peter makes two key points we have good reasons for Our Hope in Christ and were to present our reasoning with gentleness and respect
 trust in Christ isn't religious escapism or wishful thinking our faith is grounded in the facts of History including the resurrection of Jesus and the evidence of the creation bearing witness to its creator
 as we rest in God's wisdom and the strength of the spirit may we be ready to share the reasons we have for trusting our great God
 today's our daily bread devotional scripture reading is from 1st Peter chapter 3 verses 13 through 18
 who's going to harm you if you're eager to do good but even if you should suffer for what is right you are blessed do not fear their threats do not be frightened but in your hearts Revere Christ as lord always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have but do this with gentleness and respect keeping a clear conscience so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander
 British better if it is God's will to suffer for doing good than for doing evil for Christ also suffered once for sins the righteous for the unrighteous to bring you to God he was put to death in the body but made alive in the spirit
 let's pray
 almighty God thank you for giving us credible evidence to support our faith in you deepen our faith as we walk with you and show us your faithfulness every day we pray in Jesus name amen
 today's encouragement was provided by Our Daily Bread Ministries