Summary4 min read

Extreme Devotion – Episode Summary

Podcast: Extreme Devotion
Host: The Voice of The Martyrs
Episode: Day 342: Extreme Price
Date: December 8, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode, titled "Extreme Price," shares the striking and poignant story of Khalid and Samira, a couple in Yemen who converted from Islam to Christianity. The narrative explores the intense persecution they faced as a result of their faith, including personal tragedy and life-threatening violence. The episode calls listeners to reflect on the true cost of following Christ and challenges them to consider their own willingness to pay the "extreme price" for their faith.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Khalid’s Spiritual Crisis and Conversion

Doubt and Disgust:
- On September 11, 2001, Khalid, already questioning his Muslim faith, was deeply disturbed by fellow Muslims celebrating the attacks in the United States.
  
  “He watched in disgust that day as Muslims celebrated the terrorist attacks…” ([00:34])
Search for Truth:
- Khalid’s journey toward Christianity began as he encountered biblical teachings on forgiveness and love, which resonated deeply with him ([00:44]).
Transformation:
- These teachings eventually led Khalid to embrace Christianity. His wife, Samira, soon noticed and confronted him about the changes she saw ([00:55]).

2. Samira’s Conversion and the Cost of Faith

Shared Belief:
- After hearing Khalid’s explanation, Samira also became a follower of Christ ([00:59]).
Secret Faith:
- Out of fear of persecution, they kept their faith hidden for two years ([01:09]).
Public Declaration:
- Their public baptism marked a turning point, subjecting them to targeted harassment and repeated beatings ([01:12]).

3. Persecution Escalates and Tragedy Strikes

Forced Plans to Flee:
- The violence became so intense that the couple decided to leave Yemen, but tragedy struck before they could escape.
Attack on Samira:
- An unknown assailant switched Samira’s cooking oil with gasoline. She was set ablaze while preparing food; Khalid and their son managed to save her from the flames ([01:29]).
  
  “Father, Mother is on fire in the kitchen.” ([01:29])
Hostility at the Hospital:
- At the hospital, staff provided substandard care after discovering Samira’s Christian faith ([01:49]).
- She died after being given a questionable injection ([01:52]).

4. Khalid’s Endurance and Hope

Exile:
- Khalid and his children fled Yemen soon after Samira's death.
Faith in Suffering:
- Despite the devastation, Khalid finds hope and divine purpose in their ordeal:
  
  “The only thing I can think is that God is preparing us for something bigger to serve Him.” – Khalid ([02:09]) “It is in layer after layer of persecution that He changes us to be like Him.” ([02:18])

5. Reflection and Challenge for Listeners

Sobering Prompt:
- The episode closes with a challenge, asking listeners to consider their own commitment:
  
  “The price of following Christ is great. What price are you willing to pay for the sake of knowing Christ and making him known?” ([02:24])
Universal Call to Obedience:
- Whether or not one faces martyrdom, the episode stresses the universal Christian call to obedience and readiness to sacrifice:
  
  “We are called to the same obedience—to be willing to pay any price as Christ’s witnesses wherever He places us.” ([02:32])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Faith and Sacrifice:

“If you cling to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find it.” – Matthew 10:39 ([00:16])
Khalid on Purpose in Persecution:

"God is preparing us for something bigger to serve Him." ([02:09])
On Transformation through Suffering:

"It is in layer after layer of persecution that He changes us to be like Him." ([02:18])
Closing Challenge:

“What price are you willing to pay for the sake of knowing Christ and making Him known?” ([02:24])
On the Christian Witness:

“We are called to the same obedience—to be willing to pay any price as Christ’s witnesses wherever He places us.” ([02:32])

Key Timestamps

00:16 – Introduction of main theme: giving up one’s life for Christ
00:34 – Khalid’s crisis of faith and revulsion at 9/11 celebrations
00:44 – Discovery of Christian faith and conversion
00:55 – Samira questions Khalid and converts
01:12 – Couple suffers persecution after baptism
01:29 – Samira attacked in her home
01:49 – Hostility in hospital, Samira’s death
02:09 – Khalid reflects on divine purpose in suffering
02:24 – Host challenges listeners about the price of faith
02:32 – Universal call to obedience and witness

Conclusion

"Extreme Price" is a compelling account of courage, loss, and unwavering faith. Through Khalid and Samira’s story, the episode powerfully illustrates the literal and figurative costs of discipleship in a hostile context, urging listeners to examine their own willingness to follow Christ, whatever the price.

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Transcript27 lines

[00:00]
A
From the Voice of the Martyrs Extreme devotion.
[00:07]
B
Extreme price yemen Khalid Day 342 if you cling to your life, you will lose it.
[00:17]
A
But if you give up your life.
[00:18]
B
For me, you will find it. Matthew 10:39 on the morning of September 11, 2001, Khalid led the call to.
[00:30]
A
Prayer at his mosque in Yemen. Already wrestling with doubts about his Muslim.
[00:35]
B
Faith, he watched in disgust that day.
[00:38]
A
As Muslims celebrated the terrorist attacks on the United States.
[00:42]
B
In his ongoing search for truth, Khaled.
[00:45]
A
Encountered biblical teachings on forgiveness and love, which eventually led him to faith in Christ. Soon, his wife, Samira, noticed a change in his behavior.
[00:56]
B
When she confronted him about it, he admitted that he was a Christian and.
[01:00]
A
Explained that Jesus had changed his life. Shortly afterward, Samira also placed her faith in Christ. The couple kept their faith secret for.
[01:09]
B
Two years until deciding to make a.
[01:12]
A
Public profession through baptism. Predictably, Khaled and Samira then began to suffer harassment and beatings. The beatings became so severe that the couple made plans to leave Yemen. But those plans were tragically altered. One morning, Khalid was awakened by his.
[01:29]
B
Son shouting, father, Mother is on fire.
[01:33]
A
In the kitchen.
[01:34]
B
Someone had snuck into their home and.
[01:37]
A
Replaced Sameera's jar of cooking oil with gasoline. Khaled and his son extinguished the flames, and Samira was taken to the hospital with severe burns. But when the hospital staff learned that.
[01:50]
B
She was a Christian, they treated her poorly.
[01:53]
A
Samira died after receiving an injection of a questionable substance from her doctor. Khaled and his children left Yemen shortly after Samira's death. He said he has seen God working even through their suffering. When I think about our story, khaled.
[02:10]
B
Said, the only thing I can think.
[02:12]
A
Is that God is preparing us for.
[02:14]
B
Something bigger to serve Him.
[02:17]
A
It is in layer after layer of.
[02:19]
B
Persecution that he changes us to be like Him.
[02:24]
A
The price of following Christ is great. What price are you willing to pay for the sake of knowing Christ and making him known?
[02:32]
C
While not all of us will be killed for following Christ as Samira was, we are called to the same obedience to be willing to pay any price as as Christ's witnesses wherever he places us.
[02:45]
D
You can hear testimonies directly from persecuted Christians and gospel workers serving them every week on VOM Radio. Search for the Voice of the Martyrs or VOM Radio Wherever you listen to podcasts and subscribe today.