Father, may our heart’s cry be the same as that of the Apostle Paul who declared, For me to live is Christ and to die is gain. Physical suffering and persecution for the sake of Christ will prove our faith to be genuine and will gain for us a crown of life. Suffering and persecution here on earth is temporal, but a crown of life is eternal! Help us to live not just for the here and now, but set our affections on that which lasts forever so that we stay the course! May our faith in You increase as we build treasures in heaven rather than chasing after fool’s gold here on earth. And may our resolve to stand firm intensify as we see the day of Your return approaching. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.