We receive a lot of sales catalogs from various places. Bible book stores, home supplies stores, auto supply stores, woodworking stuff, diabetes materials, unique gift ideas and I could probably go on and on. I am sure that in the catalogs that sit on our kitchen table, you would be able to find just about anything in this world you’re looking for.

Obviously some of these catalogs are what catches my eye and they are the ones that I peruse. In a recent flip through one catalog, I saw a sign with this quote on it.

“Find something you would die for and live for it.”

If you are like me, you have probably asked yourself these questions, “Would I die for my faith? Would I choose death over renouncing Jesus?” If you are like me, you have probably answered these questions with a resounding “YES!” But would you or I really?

I think this quote helps me to see that if I am not living out my faith on a daily, hourly, minute-to-minute basis, I don’t know that I would have the ability to die for my faith. My faith must be so ingrained in my heart and soul that there would be nothing for me to live for without my faith.

I like the quote. But maybe it should be:

“Live for something you are willing to die for.” Or “Live for Jesus…He died for you.” Oh I don’t know…I’ve got it pretty mixed up in my mind now.

Here’s what I do know Scripture says about living for Jesus and how it can affect our day-to-day lives. See if these verses help you in your walk with Christ.

“Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33 – NIV)

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength…Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mark 12:30-31 – NIV)

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2 – NIV)

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17 – NIV)

“Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more.” (1 Thessalonians 4:1 – NIV)

“But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.” (1 John 2:5-6 – NIV)

Persecution is part of our faith-walk. Maybe we haven’t known what it is really like to be persecuted as some of our fellow Christians around the world. But if we hold unswervingly to these verses of Scripture and follow the guidelines, then if and when we do face persecution (and even death), we will be able to withstand it all because of our faith in Jesus Christ.

Today, let’s all strive to live for Jesus. Live to follow His guidelines and walk the way He did. Let’s live for Him because He died for us.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna