Rachel Joy Scott is not a name that very many people know. If I mention Cassie Bernall and Columbine, it may all come together. Rachel was the second shooting victim, she saw what happened to Cassie and still stood faithful to the Lord Jesus. Throughout the ages there have been many that have been tortured and killed because of their faith. John the Baptist was beheaded, James the brother of John was killed with the sword, Stephen was stoned, Peter was crucified upside down. Even with the end that they suffered we all must reflect on and contemplate what is written in *Psalms 116:15 Precious [and of great consequence] in the sight of the Lord Is the death of His godly ones [so He watches over them].* Credible research has reached the shocking conclusion that every year it is estimated that more than 100,000 Christians are killed because of some relation to their faith. The sad part of today’s society is that many say that they are willing to die for Jesus but few seem to be willing to live for Him. One of my favorite Bible verses is, *Philippians 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ [He is my source of joy, my reason to live] and to die is gain [for I will be with Him in eternity].* And yet how many in the modern day church live out those words to the fullest? A.W. Tozer wrote, “If God gives you a few more years, remember, it is not yours. Your time must honor God, your home must honor God, your activity must honor God, and everything you do must honor God.” My beloved, as we are in the beginning of a new year, may God give us boldness to stand up in the face of the enemy and proclaim Jesus with all that we are, no matter the consequence or the outcome to everyone we come across. I pray that I am strong enough in my faith to go out as boldly as those who have been martyred in the past. I pray this in Jesus’ precious and powerful name, Amen. In Christ Love, douglas