I would guess that anyone reading this will go through this day without even the thought that God might be calling them to be a martyr. D.L. Moody was once asked if he had the grace to be a martyr. He answered that he did not, but if God wanted him to be one, He would give him a martyr’s grace. 

 

When I think of martyrs, it is easier to think of martyrs from long, long ago, but there are those that are willing to give it all for God’s glory and mission today as well. This book looks at 21 Moody Bible Institute alumni who gave their lives for Christ. MBI’s legacy spans 130 years, so there are some from the past–the first shared is from 1898–but also some from the present. The book begins with the story of Bonnie Penner Witherall who lost her life in Christ’s service in 2002. 

 

The book provides stories of inspiring lives and challenges us what it really means in Philippians 1:21 when it says “To live is Christ, but to die is gain.” Critics may ask the question, “Why this waste?” as they read these stories. As the book shows the reader, the only answer to that question is one short word–GRACE. Their life goal was to share the grace of the Savior Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth and at any cost. God gave them the grace to be this message-bearer even when the cost was their own lives. 

 

It was good for me to read this book, because even though our Christian walk may have difficult times, most of us could never imagine the trials these individuals experienced and how through God’s grace they gave their lives in His service for His glory. Even younger readers would be moved and inspired by the stories in this book. For more information or to purchase,

click here.  (Mike Fischer)