Stay alert shoppers…

This morning in my devotions I read of one of the countless martyrs who have gone to be with the Lord.   He is one amid a myriad of martyred saints who joining the whited-robed army of martyrs praising God and crying "Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might" …

"The Holy Martyr Philumenos suffered for Christ in the year 274, during the persecution against Christians by the emperor Aurelian (270-275). Saint Philumenos was by occupation a bread merchant in Ancyra. Envious persons reported to the governor Felix, that Philumenos was confessing the Christian faith, and he thus came before a judge. Saint Philumenos did not renounce Christ. For this they hammered nails into his hands, feet and head, and they forced him to walk. [Emphasis mine.] The holy martyr bravely endured the torments and he died from loss of blood, giving up his soul to God.

Friends, especially during this holiday season I am aware of God’s incredible subterfuge — His sneaking a tiny, helpless baby in behind enemy lines.  My goodness, that tiny skull could easily have been crushed with merely one calloused hand of any Roman solider.

"We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the control of the evil one. "  I John 5:19

Holiday shoppers, keep alert.  Stay on guard.  Don’t lose perspective.