TREASURED ABOVE ALL!
Dear friends, don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that. But I’ll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell. Yes, he’s the one to fear… I tell you the truth, everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, the Son of Man will also acknowledge in the presence of God’s angels… Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. —Luke 12:4-5, 8, 34
Before Beheading, Children Tell ISIS: ‘No, We Love Jesus’—Some of the bravest martyrs this generation may ever know are teenagers—and perhaps even younger. When Islamic State militants threatened four children in Iraq—all under the age of 15—with death if they did not promise to follow Islam’s “prophet” Muhammad, they defiantly stated, “No. We love Yasua (Jesus). We have always followed Yasua.” http://www.charismanews.com/world/46330-before-beheading-children-tell-isis-no-we-love-jesus
Where is my heart or your heart focused on? Where is my treasure or your treasure? What truly is most important to you and me? I was recently talking with a follower of Jesus and he said, “I truly hope that if I were to be put in a situation where I was told to deny Jesus or die that I would do the right thing.” The conversation went on to discuss possibilities such as “Jesus truly knows I love Him so if I did deny Him to live, wouldn’t He forgive me for that?” Well, we can come up with all kinds of scenarios, but when it comes down to it, if it ever does, may we be faithful until death. These young people’s lives were not wasted! They are great testimonies to us. I am grateful for their courage and they truly show Who they ultimately valued— so much that they would not deny Jesus in the face of death. Yes, I thank God for their faithful example. May I be like them…faithful until death— however it comes. “In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid. What can man do to me?” (Palm 56:4, 10-11; 118:6; Hebrews 13:6).
Dear Father, may it be so that I would follow the Lord Jesus right to the point of death in whatever form or circumstances that might come. Oh, I look so forward to being with You Lord where all things will be right… forever!