Today in church we spoke about history going backwards to the Reformation.  One of the topics was on martyrs and how many have died for Christ over the centuries.  Many died for no other reason than telling others about him or daring to share with another the word of God. 

One of the ladies asked what the difference was between a martyr and the Islam extremists blowing themselves up for their faith.  I explained that a Christian died by him or herself for their belief sometimes even because they were trying to save another.  In the case with the extremists we hear of today, they are taking many people with them by force on their way to eternity.  I wouldn't call an extremeist  a martyr.  They are taking their own life and those of many others.  The others, having no choice, are the true martyrs not the ones with the bombs strapped to their backs. 

I remember way back hearing a story about a girl in Europe sometime during the dark ages who would not recant her faith after being found out.  She was given many opportunities to do so and was sentenced to death by being bricked behind a wall alive.  Brick by brick they put up all around her, giving her chance after chance to recant.  She would not.  With one last chance before the last brick went up in front of her face she stayed resolute.  She would not deny her God.

I was reading this today from Adrian Rogers and thought about that young maiden who died for her faith.  What an example.  What a testimony she had.  Would I be as brave as she?  I'd hope so, but until we are put into these positions we don't know exactly how we would react.  We do know that God gives us what we need during these times to get thru it.  Story after Martyr story bears this out.   Anyhow this is what I read today.

The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever.” 1 Peter 1:24-25

Many centuries ago there was a Roman emperor named Diocletian who was known for his hatred of Christianity. He hated the Bible so much that he took a Bible and burned it, and then on top of that burned Bible he erected a monument. Chiseled on that monument were these words: Extincto nomini christianorum - “The name of Christian is extinct.” Over the years many like Diocletian have sought to eradicate the Bible and Christianity, but for naught. The Bible is the incorruptible Word of God, and the foul breath of time and the gnawing tooth of decay cannot destroy the Word of God!