I am sick as I am penning this so my thoughts might be compromised, that is “less then desirable.”   Why am I sick?  Well in the big picture, it is just part of the fall of mankind because of sin.  In the smaller picture, because I was one of those that proudly proclaimed, “I don’t get flu shots!”  Certain types of Pride are sin, and I have had to ask the Lord to forgive me, but not getting a flu shot is not a sin, but by not taking the advise of the physicians I  compromised my health and I am now paying the consequences.  Getting back to the big picture, we don’t want to compromise when it comes to the advice of God’s word.  The enemy of our souls wants us individually and corporately to compromise because he knows in the end it will only bring hurt, heartache and destruction.  Billy Graham said, “Too many Christian TV and radio programs have been geared to please, entertain, and gain the favor of the world.  The temptation is to compromise, to make the gospel more appealing and attractive.”  I believe Mr. Graham is right, and I am fearful that compromise has crept into the church at large.  We would do well to hold our ground with biblical truth and heed the warning Jesus gave to the church in Pergamos (Pergamum), “Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” - Revelation 2: 16- 17a   Church, I would encourage us to continue to examine ourselves this New Year against God’s word.  Let us not be a comprising people, but a people who hold up the banner of truth in love!

In His Service,

Pastor Rod