26^th September, 2016.

Scripture Reading: Mark 8:31-38.

Memory verse for the week: Lev. 6:13

‘And the fire on the altar shall be kept burning on it; it shall not be put out. And the priest shall burn wood on it every morning, and lay the burnt offering in order on it; and he shall burn on it the fat of the peace offerings.’ (NKJV)

A Christian Martyr is one who suffers persecution and/or death for refusing to renounce his faith in Jesus Christ.

Would you like to suffer persecution or die for your faith in Christ Jesus? Some of the all-time martyrs of Christ include:

1. Stephen: A Deacon of the early Church. Acts 6:1-7.

He was falsely accused and later stoned to death. He died praying for the forgiveness of those who stoned him. Acts 7:59-60.

• Andrew: A disciple of Jesus.

He was crucified on an X shaped cross on the northern coast of Peloponnese. He refused to be crucified in the same manner with Christ but rather was crucified on a X-shaped cross.

• Simon Peter: A disciple of Christ.

He was martyred under Nero’s reign; killed in Rome. He was crucified upside down at his own request. He saw himself unworthy to be crucified in the same way like Jesus.

• Wycliffe:  The Bible translator.

Translated Latin Vulgate into common English. He was persecuted for his stand against Papal authority. He was burnt and his burnt body was exhumed again and burnt along with many of his writings.

• John Huss: A Czech Priest.

He was burned on July 6, 1415 at the stake for heresy against the Catholic Church. A Stake is a wooden post to which a person was tied before being burned alive as a punishment.

• William Tyndale:  English Bible translator

He stood against many teachings of the Catholic Church and opposed King Henry VIII’s divorce. He was choked to death while tied to the stake and then his body was burnt on October 6, 1536.

A question comes to my mind: Teenager, what are you going to be remembered for when you die? Make up your mind to do exploit for God writing your name in the sand of time; sold out for your master’s use.

… And they loved not their lives even unto death (Rev 12:11b),

ACTION WORD: DIE FOR A RIGHTEOUS COURSE.

PRAYER POINT:

1. I will maximize this one life I have been given to the glory of God , in the name of Jesus
2. I clear away every obstacle on my way to fulfilling God’s plan for my life in the name of Jesus.