Our Scripture reading today is Revelation 6:9-11.
Verse 9, "And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:"
The Apostle John writes under the inspiration of God's Spirit of what is yet to come.  He is given a view into future events.  In this particular event, John is able to see those who were martyred for their faith in God and His Word.  I cannot begin to imagine what this might have looked like.  While their bodies had suffered for the name of Jesus, man was not able to kill their souls.  Man was not able to keep them from being in the presence of God.  These martyrs are under the altar.  They are most definitely near to the heart of God.  They gave the ultimate sacrifice.  
The challenge for today is for us to consider the testimony we are holding.  What does our testimony look like?  Are we standing for Jesus Christ or are we backsliding away from Him?  Do those we work with know we are a follower of Jesus Christ?  On of the greatest needs we have in Canada is for God's children to hold a testimony that is faithful to Him and His Word.  Canada needs men and women who are bold and compassionate for the glory of God.  
I leave you today with the song, Stand Up for Jesus by George Duffield:

1 Stand up, stand up for Jesus
ye soldiers of the cross;
lift high his royal banner,
it must not suffer loss:
from vict'ry unto vict'ry
his army he shall lead,
'til ev'ry foe is vanquished,
and Christ is Lord indeed.

2 Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
the trumpet call obey;
forth to the mighty conflict
in this his glorious day:
ye that are men now serve him
against unnumbered foes;
let courage rise with danger,
and strength to strength oppose.

3 Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
stand in his strength alone;
the arm of flesh will fail you,
ye dare not trust your own:
put on the gospel armour,
each piece put on with pray'r;
where duty calls, or danger,
be never wanting there.

4 Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
the strife will not be long;
this day the noise of battle,
the next the victor's song:
to him that overcometh
a crown of life shall be;
he with the King of glory
shall reign eternally.