December 15, 2025 • 24 mins
The house lights come up, the guitars fade, and a stadium shouts, “I am the one that Jesus loves.” That electric moment from Brad Arnold of Three Doors Down launches a candid, soul-level journey through how faith actually takes root: someone speaks, someone hears, and something in the heart awakens.
We dig into Romans 10 with clear, practical language. Paul’s chain is simple and heavy: people can’t call on Christ without believing, can’t believe without hearing, and can’t hear without someone speaking. That’s why testimonies matter and why the proclaimed word about Jesus—his death, resurrection, and lordship—still changes lives. We explore the tension between access and response, how hearing moves beyond sound into understanding and trust, and why ordinary conversations can carry eternity’s weight. Along the way, we point to real stakes—addiction, illness, hope—and the audacity of telling a crowded venue that love has a name.
Then we pivot to a powerful reading from Og Mandino’s The Greatest Salesman in the World, Scroll IX, treating love as both strategy and safeguard. Love greets the day, refuses gossip, praises quickly, and guards the gates of body, mind, soul, and heart. It opens doors logic can’t, shields us from bitterness, and trains us to act with courage and tenderness in the same breath. Whether you lead a team, parent a child, or walk into a room of strangers, this is a field guide for living a message people can hear.
If this conversation stirred you, share it with a friend who needs hope today. Subscribe for more faith-forward stories, leave a review to help others find the show, and tell us: who first spoke faith into your life?
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
SPEAKER_00 (01:07):
Brad Arnold, the lead singer for Three Doors
Down, has been openly sharinghis faith in Jesus from the
stage for years.
At nearly every show, he pausesthe concert to talk about what
Christ has done in his life.
One of his signature moments isgetting the entire crowd to
(01:30):
shout, I am the one that Jesusloves.
And at a Hershey show a fewyears back, thousands of rock
fans screamed it together atfull volume.
He did it again at the RuhoffMusic Center near Indianapolis,
delivering a several-minutemessage about Jesus and hope
(01:55):
that left the whole venuebuzzing.
Arnold has battled addiction andeven stage four cancer, and he
says Jesus is the one who savedhis life, which is why he
refuses to stay silent about hisfaith.
A rock star preaching the gospelbetween his songs.
(02:18):
Now that's real kryptonite tothe darkness.
My name is B-Robb, and that'sFood for Thought.
Indeed it is, and this is theFood for Thought Faith Cast.
And man, that is a Brad Arnold'san incredible story.
He's an incredible singer.
(02:38):
He has some incredible lyrics.
I've always been drawn to hismusic as heartbreaking as some
of it is, but a lot of it'sreally motivational stuff.
And he wrote some songs for ourmilitary, that sort of thing.
(03:21):
Everybody knows who they are.
Once again, this is B-Robb.
You are on the Food for ThoughtFaith Cast.
Thank you for tuning in thisafternoon.
We're going to get to it.
We're going to get to it down toit.
Like I said, this week'ssubject, or whatever you want to
(03:47):
call it, we're going to betalking a lot about love.
And there is no greater lovethan God giving his only
begotten Son.
There is no greater love.
John 3 16.
And he loved you so much that hedid that.
(04:11):
And Jesus loved you so much thathe did that.
Can I get a amen to the triuneGod?
Can I?
Can I get a amen?
Romans 10 17.
So then comes faith.
(04:34):
So then faith comes by hearingand hearing by the word of God.
So the NIV version,consequently, faith comes from
hearing the message and messagesheard through the word about
Christ.
A lot of different versions outthere.
The King James, so then faithcometh by hearing, and hearing
(04:57):
by the word of God.
You've heard a lot of differenttranslations.
You've heard um the key Greekterm here is word, which is rima
Christu, which is word ofChrist, and that's a Greek term
(05:22):
in emphasizing the spoken orproclaimed message about Jesus
rather than just the generalscriptures.
So it's a gospel, if you will.
Um, the basic context of thebook of Romans, the apostle Paul
wrote Romans to explain thegospel.
Salvation comes by faith inJesus Christ, not by works or
(05:46):
Jewish law.
That's Romans 1, 16 and 17.
Chapters 9, 11 specificallyaddress why many Jews rejected
the Messiah while Gentiles,Gentiles accepted the Messiah.
(06:07):
In Romans 10, Paul stresses thatrighteousness, right standing
with God, back that up.
Righteousness means rightstanding with God is by faith,
and it's available to everyone,not just Jews, but Jews or
(06:28):
Gentiles.
Everyone who believes, and youcan go back to verse nine
through thirteen, which statethat he then poses a series of
(06:49):
rhetorical questions in versesfourteen through fifteen.
How can people call on the Lordif they haven't believed?
How can they believe if theyhaven't heard?
How can they hear withoutsomeone telling or preaching to
(07:10):
them?
How can anyone preach that's notsent?
Or unless he is called or sentby God.
Now, this builds to verseseventeen.
(07:31):
Faith arises when people hearthe gospel message about Christ
proclaimed.
Paul notes that Israel hadheard.
(07:56):
Quoting Isaiah fifty-onefifty-three one, the issue
wasn't lack of access, the issuewas rejection.
But faith comes by hearing,right?
(08:16):
Saving faith comes by hearing,trusting in our Lord Jesus for
salvation.
Which actually develops throughencountering the gospel and the
message.
Hearing isn't just auditory.
(08:40):
It's receiving, understanding,and proclaiming the word.
Hearing isn't just auditory,it's receiving, understanding,
and proclaiming the word.
Because the word is proclaimed.
(09:00):
What word am I talking about?
I'm talking about the gospel,the good news of Jesus Christ,
the death, the resurrection, andthe lordship.
His preachings.
I'm just trying to spark faith.
(09:27):
Anyways, guys, this verse is acornerstone for understanding
how God draws people tosalvation through the preached
word.
Through the word of God.
While highlighting humanresponsibility to respond in
(09:48):
faith.
This is often a huge discussionof missionaries, Bible studies,
and personal devotion.
Keep the faith alive, keep theconversation alive.
(10:12):
The gospels are meant to betold, preached.
Jesus' message is meant to beheard.
Faith comes by hearing, andhearing by the word of God.
(10:35):
So you must tell somebody, showthem the word of God.
Show them how to pray.
And God will guide the way.
Show them how to pray, God willguide the way.
Faith comes by hearing, andhearing by the word of God.
(10:58):
Guys, I love you.
Um, I just read a book in thepast three days called The
Greatest Salesman of All Time.
And this book is written byOgmandino, and it's a great,
(11:25):
great book.
I think you don't have to be asalesman.
This is more of uh life lessons,and a lot of this stuff I
already know.
I was in sales for over 30years, but I didn't really
understand how to put it intolife if that makes sense.
(11:52):
Anyways, I'm gonna read you achapter out of the book.
The um I gonna read you chapter.
We're gonna keep with the lovetheme.
We're gonna keep with the lovetheme.
I'm gonna read you chapter nine.
(12:13):
And if you haven't read thisbook, it's not a long read.
And they've got an audio bookthat's cheaper than the actual
book.
So it is perfect.
I think it's about a three-hourread, three-hour listen.
(12:34):
Um, perfect for a nice drive.
Might be a little bit longer,don't hold me to that.
Maybe five.
I don't, I don't know.
But here is chapter nine, and Ihope you like it.
I hope you like it, guys,because I really, really enjoy
the message.
God bless you.
I love you.
(12:54):
Stay prayed up.
Love everybody.
Walk into the room glowing.
It's your choice.
God bless you.
(13:31):
For this is the greatest secretof success in all ventures, in
all things.
Muscle can split a shield andeven destroy life, but only the
unseen power of love can openthe hearts of men, and until I
master this art, I will remainno more than a peddler in the
(13:56):
marketplace.
I will make love my greatestweapon, and none on whom I call
can defend against its force.
My reasoning they may counter,my speech they may not trust, my
(14:20):
clothes they may disapprove, myface they may reject, and even
my bargains and deals may causethem suspicion, yet my love will
melt all their hearts like untothe sun whose rays soften the
(14:42):
coldest clay.
I will greet this day with lovein my heart.
And how will I do this?
You ask?
From this day forth I will lookon all things with love, and I
(15:03):
will be born again.
I will love the sun for it warmsmy bones.
I will love the rain, for itcleanses my soul.
I will love the light, for itshows me the way, yet I will
love the darkness because itshows me the stars.
(15:27):
I will welcome happiness, for itenlarges my heart, yet I will
endure sadness, for it opens mysoul.
I will acknowledge rewards forthey are my due, yet I will
welcome obstacles, for they aremy challenge.
(15:48):
I will greet this day with lovein my heart.
And how will I speak?
You ask.
I will praise my enemies, andthey will become my friends.
I will encourage my friends, andthey will become my brothers.
(16:10):
Always will I dig for reasons toapplaud.
Never ever will I scratch forexcuses to gossip.
When I am tempted to criticize,I will bite my own tongue.
When I am moved to praise I willshout from the rooftops.
(16:32):
Is it not so that the birds, thewind, the sea, and all of nature
speaks with the music of praisefor their creator?
(16:52):
Can't I speak with the samepraise, the same music, the same
purpose to the Creator'schildren?
So from this moment I willremember this secret, and it
(17:14):
will change my life forever.
I will greet this day with lovein my heart.
And how will I act?
You ask, I will love all mannersof men, for each has qualities
to be admired, even though a lotare hidden.
(17:38):
With love I will tear down thewall of suspicion and hate which
they have built round theirheart, and in its place I will
build bridges so that my lovemay enter their soul, the love
of God.
I will love the ambitious forthey can inspire me.
(17:59):
I will love the fail, for theycan teach me.
I will love the kings, for theyare but human.
I will love the meek, for theyare divine.
I will love the rich, for theyare yet lonely.
(18:20):
I will love the poor, for thereare so many.
I will love the young for thefaith that they hold.
I will love the old for thewisdom that they hold.
(18:40):
I will love the beautiful fortheir eyes and sadness.
I will love the ugly for theirsouls of peace.
I will greet this day with lovein my heart.
(19:01):
But how will I react to theactions of others?
You ask, with love.
For just as love is my weapon toopen the hearts of men, love is
also my shield to repulse thearrows of hate and the spears of
(19:21):
anger.
Adversity and discouragementwill beat against my new shield
and become as softest as thesoftest rains.
My shield will protect me in themarketplace and sustain me when
I am alone.
It will uplift me in moments ofdespair, yet it will calm me in
(19:44):
time of exaltation.
It will become stronger and moreprotective with use until one
day I will cast it aside andwalk unencumbered among all
(20:05):
manners of men, and when I do,my name will be raised high on
the pyramid of life.
And I will greet this day withlove in my heart.
And how will I confront eachperson I meet?
(20:26):
You ask.
In only one way.
In silence and to myself, I willaddress them and say, I love
you.
Those words are spoken insilence.
These words will shine throughmy eyes, unwrinkle my brow,
(20:51):
bring a smile to my lips, andecho in my voice, and their
heart shall be opened.
And who will say, No, When hisheart is open and feels my
(21:12):
genuine love, I will greet thisday with love in my heart.
And most of all I will lovemyself.
For when I do, I will zealouslyinspect all things which enter
my body, my soul, my mind, andmy heart.
(21:34):
Never will I overindulge therequest of my flesh.
Rather I will cherish my bodywith cleanliness and moderation.
Never will I allow my mind to beattracted to evil and despair.
Rather I will uplift it withknowledge and the wisdom of the
ages.
(21:56):
Never will I allow my soul tobecome complacent and satisfied.
Rather I will feed it withmeditation and prayer.
Never will I allow my heart tobecome small or bitter.
Rather I will share it and Iwill grow and warm it and warm
(22:20):
the earth.
I will greet this day with lovein my heart.
From this moment forward I willlove all mankind.
From this moment, all hate islet go from my veins, for I have
not time to hate.
(22:43):
No time to hate, only time tolove.
From this moment I take thefirst step required to become a
man among men.
With love I will increase mysales a hundredfold and become a
great salesman.
(23:03):
If I have no other qualities, Ican succeed with love alone.
Without love, you will fail.
Though you can possess all theknowledge and skills of the
(23:25):
world, without love, you willfail.
So I will greet this day withlove, and I will succeed.
Brad Arnold, the lead singer for Three Doors
Down, has been openly sharinghis faith in Jesus from the
stage for years.
At nearly every show, he pausesthe concert to talk about what
Christ has done in his life.
One of his signature moments isgetting the entire crowd to
(01:30):
shout, I am the one that Jesusloves.
And at a Hershey show a fewyears back, thousands of rock
fans screamed it together atfull volume.
He did it again at the RuhoffMusic Center near Indianapolis,
delivering a several-minutemessage about Jesus and hope
(01:55):
that left the whole venuebuzzing.
Arnold has battled addiction andeven stage four cancer, and he
says Jesus is the one who savedhis life, which is why he
refuses to stay silent about hisfaith.
A rock star preaching the gospelbetween his songs.
(02:18):
Now that's real kryptonite tothe darkness.
My name is B-Robb, and that'sFood for Thought.
Indeed it is, and this is theFood for Thought Faith Cast.
And man, that is a Brad Arnold'san incredible story.
He's an incredible singer.
(02:38):
He has some incredible lyrics.
I've always been drawn to hismusic as heartbreaking as some
of it is, but a lot of it'sreally motivational stuff.
And he wrote some songs for ourmilitary, that sort of thing.
(03:21):
Everybody knows who they are.
Once again, this is B-Robb.
You are on the Food for ThoughtFaith Cast.
Thank you for tuning in thisafternoon.
We're going to get to it.
We're going to get to it down toit.
Like I said, this week'ssubject, or whatever you want to
(03:47):
call it, we're going to betalking a lot about love.
And there is no greater lovethan God giving his only
begotten Son.
There is no greater love.
John 3 16.
And he loved you so much that hedid that.
(04:11):
And Jesus loved you so much thathe did that.
Can I get a amen to the triuneGod?
Can I?
Can I get a amen?
Romans 10 17.
So then comes faith.
(04:34):
So then faith comes by hearingand hearing by the word of God.
So the NIV version,consequently, faith comes from
hearing the message and messagesheard through the word about
Christ.
A lot of different versions outthere.
The King James, so then faithcometh by hearing, and hearing
(04:57):
by the word of God.
You've heard a lot of differenttranslations.
You've heard um the key Greekterm here is word, which is rima
Christu, which is word ofChrist, and that's a Greek term
(05:22):
in emphasizing the spoken orproclaimed message about Jesus
rather than just the generalscriptures.
So it's a gospel, if you will.
Um, the basic context of thebook of Romans, the apostle Paul
wrote Romans to explain thegospel.
Salvation comes by faith inJesus Christ, not by works or
(05:46):
Jewish law.
That's Romans 1, 16 and 17.
Chapters 9, 11 specificallyaddress why many Jews rejected
the Messiah while Gentiles,Gentiles accepted the Messiah.
(06:07):
In Romans 10, Paul stresses thatrighteousness, right standing
with God, back that up.
Righteousness means rightstanding with God is by faith,
and it's available to everyone,not just Jews, but Jews or
(06:28):
Gentiles.
Everyone who believes, and youcan go back to verse nine
through thirteen, which statethat he then poses a series of
(06:49):
rhetorical questions in versesfourteen through fifteen.
How can people call on the Lordif they haven't believed?
How can they believe if theyhaven't heard?
How can they hear withoutsomeone telling or preaching to
(07:10):
them?
How can anyone preach that's notsent?
Or unless he is called or sentby God.
Now, this builds to verseseventeen.
(07:31):
Faith arises when people hearthe gospel message about Christ
proclaimed.
Paul notes that Israel hadheard.
(07:56):
Quoting Isaiah fifty-onefifty-three one, the issue
wasn't lack of access, the issuewas rejection.
But faith comes by hearing,right?
(08:16):
Saving faith comes by hearing,trusting in our Lord Jesus for
salvation.
Which actually develops throughencountering the gospel and the
message.
Hearing isn't just auditory.
(08:40):
It's receiving, understanding,and proclaiming the word.
Hearing isn't just auditory,it's receiving, understanding,
and proclaiming the word.
Because the word is proclaimed.
(09:00):
What word am I talking about?
I'm talking about the gospel,the good news of Jesus Christ,
the death, the resurrection, andthe lordship.
His preachings.
I'm just trying to spark faith.
(09:27):
Anyways, guys, this verse is acornerstone for understanding
how God draws people tosalvation through the preached
word.
Through the word of God.
While highlighting humanresponsibility to respond in
(09:48):
faith.
This is often a huge discussionof missionaries, Bible studies,
and personal devotion.
Keep the faith alive, keep theconversation alive.
(10:12):
The gospels are meant to betold, preached.
Jesus' message is meant to beheard.
Faith comes by hearing, andhearing by the word of God.
(10:35):
So you must tell somebody, showthem the word of God.
Show them how to pray.
And God will guide the way.
Show them how to pray, God willguide the way.
Faith comes by hearing, andhearing by the word of God.
(10:58):
Guys, I love you.
Um, I just read a book in thepast three days called The
Greatest Salesman of All Time.
And this book is written byOgmandino, and it's a great,
(11:25):
great book.
I think you don't have to be asalesman.
This is more of uh life lessons,and a lot of this stuff I
already know.
I was in sales for over 30years, but I didn't really
understand how to put it intolife if that makes sense.
(11:52):
Anyways, I'm gonna read you achapter out of the book.
The um I gonna read you chapter.
We're gonna keep with the lovetheme.
We're gonna keep with the lovetheme.
I'm gonna read you chapter nine.
(12:13):
And if you haven't read thisbook, it's not a long read.
And they've got an audio bookthat's cheaper than the actual
book.
So it is perfect.
I think it's about a three-hourread, three-hour listen.
(12:34):
Um, perfect for a nice drive.
Might be a little bit longer,don't hold me to that.
Maybe five.
I don't, I don't know.
But here is chapter nine, and Ihope you like it.
I hope you like it, guys,because I really, really enjoy
the message.
God bless you.
I love you.
(12:54):
Stay prayed up.
Love everybody.
Walk into the room glowing.
It's your choice.
God bless you.
(13:31):
For this is the greatest secretof success in all ventures, in
all things.
Muscle can split a shield andeven destroy life, but only the
unseen power of love can openthe hearts of men, and until I
master this art, I will remainno more than a peddler in the
(13:56):
marketplace.
I will make love my greatestweapon, and none on whom I call
can defend against its force.
My reasoning they may counter,my speech they may not trust, my
(14:20):
clothes they may disapprove, myface they may reject, and even
my bargains and deals may causethem suspicion, yet my love will
melt all their hearts like untothe sun whose rays soften the
(14:42):
coldest clay.
I will greet this day with lovein my heart.
And how will I do this?
You ask?
From this day forth I will lookon all things with love, and I
(15:03):
will be born again.
I will love the sun for it warmsmy bones.
I will love the rain, for itcleanses my soul.
I will love the light, for itshows me the way, yet I will
love the darkness because itshows me the stars.
(15:27):
I will welcome happiness, for itenlarges my heart, yet I will
endure sadness, for it opens mysoul.
I will acknowledge rewards forthey are my due, yet I will
welcome obstacles, for they aremy challenge.
(15:48):
I will greet this day with lovein my heart.
And how will I speak?
You ask.
I will praise my enemies, andthey will become my friends.
I will encourage my friends, andthey will become my brothers.
(16:10):
Always will I dig for reasons toapplaud.
Never ever will I scratch forexcuses to gossip.
When I am tempted to criticize,I will bite my own tongue.
When I am moved to praise I willshout from the rooftops.
(16:32):
Is it not so that the birds, thewind, the sea, and all of nature
speaks with the music of praisefor their creator?
(16:52):
Can't I speak with the samepraise, the same music, the same
purpose to the Creator'schildren?
So from this moment I willremember this secret, and it
(17:14):
will change my life forever.
I will greet this day with lovein my heart.
And how will I act?
You ask, I will love all mannersof men, for each has qualities
to be admired, even though a lotare hidden.
(17:38):
With love I will tear down thewall of suspicion and hate which
they have built round theirheart, and in its place I will
build bridges so that my lovemay enter their soul, the love
of God.
I will love the ambitious forthey can inspire me.
(17:59):
I will love the fail, for theycan teach me.
I will love the kings, for theyare but human.
I will love the meek, for theyare divine.
I will love the rich, for theyare yet lonely.
(18:20):
I will love the poor, for thereare so many.
I will love the young for thefaith that they hold.
I will love the old for thewisdom that they hold.
(18:40):
I will love the beautiful fortheir eyes and sadness.
I will love the ugly for theirsouls of peace.
I will greet this day with lovein my heart.
(19:01):
But how will I react to theactions of others?
You ask, with love.
For just as love is my weapon toopen the hearts of men, love is
also my shield to repulse thearrows of hate and the spears of
(19:21):
anger.
Adversity and discouragementwill beat against my new shield
and become as softest as thesoftest rains.
My shield will protect me in themarketplace and sustain me when
I am alone.
It will uplift me in moments ofdespair, yet it will calm me in
(19:44):
time of exaltation.
It will become stronger and moreprotective with use until one
day I will cast it aside andwalk unencumbered among all
(20:05):
manners of men, and when I do,my name will be raised high on
the pyramid of life.
And I will greet this day withlove in my heart.
And how will I confront eachperson I meet?
(20:26):
You ask.
In only one way.
In silence and to myself, I willaddress them and say, I love
you.
Those words are spoken insilence.
These words will shine throughmy eyes, unwrinkle my brow,
(20:51):
bring a smile to my lips, andecho in my voice, and their
heart shall be opened.
And who will say, No, When hisheart is open and feels my
(21:12):
genuine love, I will greet thisday with love in my heart.
And most of all I will lovemyself.
For when I do, I will zealouslyinspect all things which enter
my body, my soul, my mind, andmy heart.
(21:34):
Never will I overindulge therequest of my flesh.
Rather I will cherish my bodywith cleanliness and moderation.
Never will I allow my mind to beattracted to evil and despair.
Rather I will uplift it withknowledge and the wisdom of the
ages.
(21:56):
Never will I allow my soul tobecome complacent and satisfied.
Rather I will feed it withmeditation and prayer.
Never will I allow my heart tobecome small or bitter.
Rather I will share it and Iwill grow and warm it and warm
(22:20):
the earth.
I will greet this day with lovein my heart.
From this moment forward I willlove all mankind.
From this moment, all hate islet go from my veins, for I have
not time to hate.
(22:43):
No time to hate, only time tolove.
From this moment I take thefirst step required to become a
man among men.
With love I will increase mysales a hundredfold and become a
great salesman.
(23:03):
If I have no other qualities, Ican succeed with love alone.
Without love, you will fail.
Though you can possess all theknowledge and skills of the
(23:25):
world, without love, you willfail.
So I will greet this day withlove, and I will succeed.
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