“And they loved not their lives until the death”

Hundreds of Christians sat horrified in silence. The large screens across the sanctuary told the grisly—yet glorious—story. Twenty-one Egyptian disciples of Jesus were kneeling at the water’s edge. Behind each one stood a masked Islamic assassin. In moments, twenty-one sheep of Jesus would be beheaded.

Not one broke ranks and screamed for mercy.

Not one cursed Christ in order to save his life. A close-up showed one uttering his final prayer. What was he saying? Perhaps, like Stephen, “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. Save them.”? Or perhaps, “Lord Jesus, thank you for the grace you have me to live for you. Now give me the grace to die for you.”?

Only the Lord knows, as heaven prepared to greet 21 unknowns of earth who were about to receive the greatest reward of all—the martyr’s crown. No, we did not view the final bloody beheadings. But when I gave the call to renounce sin and self and to give the Lamb and Lion of God total loyalty beginning immediately, hundreds stood to say an eternal “Yes!” to Jesus Christ.

I want this to remain brief for its fullest impact.

My heart burned as I preached to the multitudes. The devil wants the youth of the world so they can steal, behead and destroy. With renewed fire I want the youth of the world to meet Jesus Christ and join His army of saints whose purity, love and power are so contagious that the world will know that Jesus lives! Yes, that is what I am going after.

 Will you go with me and the team with your concerns, prayers and help?

“Yes, Lord!”

Frank