INTRODUCTION

Throughout the years, faithful saints have been willing to lay down their lives for the truth. In Acts chapter 7, we read the account of Stephen’s final message to the nation of Israel. His message infuriated the people so much that they ran upon him and threw stones at him until they crushed the life out of his body. Stephen was martyred because he cared more for the truth's propagation than even his own life and welfare. Though most Christians are not living amongst such severe persecution, our willingness to contend should remain just as fervent. We should pray that God would give us some modern believers who, like Paul, would say, “that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death” (Philippians 1:20
See All...)!

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego knew what would happen if they refused to bow down to King Nebuchadnezzar's golden image. Yet, they were willing to stand for God even if it meant losing their lives (Daniel 3:14-18 [14] Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up? [15] Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands? [16] Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. [17] If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. [18] But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
  See All...). Let's ask God to give us such courage.
• (For everyone):  Would you be willing to give your life in defense of the truth? If not, why not? Is it possible that we do not love the Lord as much as we think we do?
• Stephen’s courage made a difference in the life of Paul (Acts 7:58And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.
  See All...). In what ways could the Lord use the testimony of a martyr to convert the lost in our day?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask the Lord to give us boldness like Stephen.
• Ask God to give us a willingness to die for the truth.

HYMN

THE SON OF GOD GOES FORTH TO WAR

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