⁵⁹ And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. ⁶⁰ And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. Acts 7: 59-60

Last week a gun man who was also a student at Umpqua Community College, Oregon, USA shot and killed nine students. President Obama is quoted as saying ‘this has become routine’. As shocking and devastating as this is, according to a witness who was shot and survived this was a religious motivated killing. He asked this question to each student one by one before he made the decision to shoot and kill them.

“Are you a Christian?” If they responded yes, then he said “Good because you’re a Christian, you’re about to see God in just about one second!” Then he shot and killed them. Amongst the Christians who died was a Seventh-day Adventist mother, Sarena Moore, 44. Please pray for her family and the church community.

When I heard about the motive I have to be honest and say that I questioned what my response would have been if I were in that classroom. He apparently asked them to stand individually. The eight who stood after watching their fellow Christian friend being gunned down had a faith that did not fail. What would you say?

Time has been called on their lives, the evil one can no longer tempt them and like Stephen their faith cost them their life. Do we love Jesus enough to give our lives to Him? How long will we continue to play with religion? Please pray that each day your faith will become more grounded and deeper so that when tested you will come forth like pure gold.

The song is one I have used recently but the message is appropriate nonetheless. ‘Will you love Jesus more’ by the Heritage Singers.