Never Compromise

On your beliefs that is....

Of course, compromising in the ministry world with congregants, church council, and church staff happens every day. Whether it's at a vision meeting, deciding on the new sanctuary carpet color, or if Worship Team rehearsal should be at 8am or 8:30 am, we become accustomed to compromising and feeling good about the outcome. But if you are ever faced with a bona-fide challenge to your faith, you MUST be prepared to answer from your heart, jump up to your feet and take a stand for Jesus.

Never think that you are doing God a favor by not expecting a miracle.

A heart warming story that is straight out of the songwriting manuscripts of Mark Schultz is playing out as we speak in my family. My wife's sister and her husband have been expecting their first child about a month ahead of Ashlie's and I's second, but they were met with quite troubling and faith rocking news from the very beginning. On the first ultrasound, it was discovered that their little one was growing an underdeveloped heart. The news was devastating. Their doctor even went as far as to recommend that they "terminate the pregnancy." They immediately refused that option, and we all immediately began expecting God to make good on their stand of faith.

The past months have been really difficult for all of us. I can't tell the story as well as they do, so do me a favor and go to their blog an encourage them today. You will be filled with encouragement by reading, I can promise you that.

http://scarlettsstory.blogspot.com/

Seriously, go there. It would mean the world to them.

Never think that you are doing God a favor by not expecting a miracle. You can't set the bar too high for him to reach. You can't make any situation easier for him to fix. You can't "let him off the hook." By compromising your expectations of the all knowing, all powerful, all encompassing, creator of the universe, died for your sins, rose from the dead, worthy of all praise God... you are simultainiously doubting those very things.

Raise the bar high for God today. Be encouraged when you watch Him step over it by not even breaking sweat.

I know this is a pretty short post, but I believe that the answer here is crystal clear. No need to explain any compromise. In the words of Forrest Gump, "That's all I have to say about that."