[b]Extreme Readiness[/b]Readiness is a sign of commitment. Commitment that is unprepared to sacrifice is merely compromise in disguise. For example, consider the marriage commitment. It costs ones selfishness and deals a heavy blow to ones sense of independence. However, the result is a stronger marriage. Relationships that are not ready to sacrifice for the sake of commitment do not last. Compromise takes a steady toll and weakens our desire and ability to be committed. In the same way, the believers commitment to Christ must exact a price in order to maintain its value. We must prepare for the test of our commitment by daily affirming that Christianity is worth it. Its worth spending our time in daily prayer. Its worth gathering for worship at church. Its worth enduring hardship and trial, abuse, and even arrest for the privilege of maintaining our commitment without compromise.-Extreme Devotion, Day 3[url=https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=21548&forum=48&7]Ministry founder: U.S. Christians 'absolutely not prepared' for persecution[/url]
"Its worth enduring hardship and trial, abuse, and even arrest for the privilege of maintaining our commitment without compromise."Praise God - Amen!
hi, yrs. ago i was asst. pastor at a church that had about 80 families. the pastor yook his phd. and went headlong into a "cult". the deacons smugly implied to me that i had played politics to get the church after he left. God said no to me after being offered. they gave the chuch over to a young enthusiastic man who had little training. he ran out of sermons in a few mos. and the church split and vanished. you must be prepared. jimp