Years of struggle had finally ended for George. He completed all of his requirements to become a high school teacher. After sending out many resumes one principal finally invited him for an interview. He looked forward to it with great excitement.

Sitting across from the principal he was asked, “In your biology classes, would you teach biology or evolution?”

Anxious to get the job he replied, “I would teach it any way you wanted me to teach it. It really does not matter to me.”

In many of his letters Paul addressed the importance of being Christians of conviction. Writing to the church at Corinth he boldly declared: “Be on guard! Stand fast for what you believe. Be courageous. Be strong. And everything you do must be done with love!”

No apology here. Those words are as important when he wrote them as they are today. The spiritual danger to compromise our faith greets us everywhere we turn. The temptation to compromise our witness when we are called upon to speak boldly for Christ is difficult when the fear of rejection overwhelms us. And we often act unlovingly towards others when acts of kindness and thoughtfulness could be essential to bring and to win them to Christ.

Prayer: Lord, we pray that we will become strong in our faith through You. May we rely on Your strength and power to overcome the temptation to compromise. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: 1 Corinthians 16:13 Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.

William Booth, the founder of the Salvation Army, began his ministry as a pastor. God burdened his heart for the people of London who lived and worked in the poorest section of the city. He would go there day after day and night after night to preach the Gospel and witness to the lost. But leaders of his denomination did not like it and called him to appear before their council.

After they outlined their complaints against him as a pastor, he asked, “May I enter evangelistic work?”

“No!” they answered, and offered him a compromise.

His wife Catherine was standing in the gallery. Upon hearing the decision of the council, she stood up, waved her handkerchief and shouted, “Never!”

Booth sprang to his feet, waved his hat “goodbye,” met his wife at the door and together they went out to launch the Salvation Army.

God has something significant for each of us to do. He has a place for us to be and a job for us to do. And He will give us the skills and talents to do what He has called us to do. But we must be willing to hear and ready to serve.

Prayer: Help each of us, Father, to be open to Your voice and available to Your call. May we listen carefully for Your call and follow Your instructions as we seek to do Your work. In Christ’s Name. Amen.

Scripture for Today: Matthew 28:18-29