--Weapon Number Three
-Revelation 7:9-17

"They overcame him (Satan), by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death."
(Revelation 12:11)- bible

In 1969 we lived in Nairobi, Kenya where ethnic rivalry reached a fever pitch with approaching elections. To assure victory, Kenya's largest tribe revived an ancient loyalty oath that swore obedience to the tribal ancestors. For born-again Christians, this was a problem. They could not "drink the blood oath" because they had already "drunk" the blood of Jesus. As they said, "The two bloods do not mix." Their determination to follow Jesus--even if it meant death--marked the revived Christians.

The events at that time eventually led to a funeral I attended for one Christian man martyred for Christ. Thousands gathered to mourn his death and celebrate his life. It was truly a holy moment when the martyr's widow--also beaten, but still alive--stood with raised bandaged arms to say, "My departed husband and I freely forgive in the name of Jesus Christ those who did us harm." - cross

Do I value my Lord more than my own life, even so much as to not shrink from death? Do I freely forgive as He forgives me? Let us consider those sobering questions today.

--"...Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters." (1 John 3:16)

--Haven Today

Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." [John 14:6]