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Key Bible Verse: For to me, living is for Christ, and dying is even better (Philippians 1:21). Bonus Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:1, 6–9

Easter day 1973 in Uganda. After ministering all day to more than 7,000 people, pastor Kefa Sempangi wearily retreated to the room where he was staying. Several men pushed in behind him and closed the door. The tallest of Idi Amin's assassins pointed his rifle in Kefa's face and announced they were going to kill him. But first, he'd allow some final words.

Staring in shock and fear, Kefa suddenly regained his composure and uttered words only God's Spirit could have supplied: "I don't need to plead my own cause. I'm a dead man already. My life is hidden in Christ. It's your lives that are in danger. You're dead in your sins. I'll pray that, after you've killed me, God will spare you from eternal destruction."

The hatred in these men's faces changed to curiosity. The leader directed them to drop their rifles and asked Kefa to pray for them. He prayed for their salvation. Amin's men left, promising their protection. In fact, they later became believers, eventually assisting Kefa's family to escape from Uganda.

What motivates believers to face oppression so triumphantly? Their eternal hope in Jesus.

—Gene Getz in The Measure of a Church

My Response: How is my eternal hope making me triumphant?

Thought to Apply: To hold to God is to rely on the fact that God is there for me, and to live in this certainty. —Karl Barth (Swiss theologian)

Adapted from The Measure of a Church (Regal, 2001) by permission.

Prayer for the Week

Dear God, I thank You that what is unseen is eternal. Give me the eyes of faith to see reality.

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