To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. Titus 1:15 Agnes (c. 305) “Jesus Christ is my only spouse” When Agnes, a 13-year-old Roman girl from a Christian family, was courted by the...
Read moreJanuary 20
Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Ephesians 6:13 Roy Pontoh (1999) “A soldier of God is ready to die for Christ” Young...
Read moreJanuary 19
We fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18 Haik Hovespian Mehr (1994) “I am ready to die for the cause of the Church” On 19 January 1994 Bishop...
Read moreJanuary 18
But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:44-45a (NRSV) Manihera and Kereopa (1846) Reaching Rivals Manihera and Kereopa were part of a Maori tribe...
Read moreJanuary 17
It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in humans. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes. Psalm 118:8-9 Helmuth James Graf von Moltke (1945) Only Obeying God’s Orders Helmuth lived during the Nazi period...
Read moreJanuary 16
The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away—and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. I...
Read moreJanuary 15
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Philippians 4:4 John Hewitt (1942) “Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!” John, an Irish Brethren missionary to Japan during World War II, was arrested for his Christian witness along with...
Read moreJanuary 14
But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage...
Read moreJanuary 13
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11 Gumesindus, Servusdei and Aurea (850-59) Guilty of Preaching Gumesindus, a parish priest, and Servusdei, a monk, were two of 48 Christians decapitated for their...
Read moreJanuary 12
For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength. 1 Corinthians 1:25 (NRSV) Sergei Bessareb (2004) Church Founder Sergei spent 18 years in prison for organised crime, but while behind bars, he...
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