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April 8,
2002 -- Issue #553 "Be
sober, be vigilant; because your adversary Any
bargain hunters out there? My
wife and I love to search for bargains. Once a month we go
to a relatively large flea market in a neighboring state,
just to find a good deal.
We also check out yard sales and garage sales, always
on the lookout for that hidden treasure in another man's
junk. When we visit our favorite department store, the first
stop is the clearance aisle! It's
not that we're stingy...we just like to get the most out of
the Lord's money. (It's His, you know!) Another
one of our favorite places to search for discounted items is
the local shoppers' guide. The Merchandiser covers our area
of the woods and we just love to scan the classified ad
listings. That's where the real bargains are. When
searching through the classifieds, occassionally you will
find a notation at the end of the ad. Immediately following
the price of the item you read "Firm" or
"Not Negotiable." "Not
negotiable" means the seller is not going to reduce his
price. It means that the seller will not compromise, bargain
or negotiate his or her stand when it comes to the issue of
price. Basically, it means, "Don't ask. I won't do
it." When
it comes to temptation, you and I are to wave that banner
found in classified ad listings..."Not
negotiable." Reduce the amount of my tithes and
offerings? No way! "Not
negotiable." Watch
that r-rated movie that has nudity, violence and curses the
Lord's name? Out of the question! "Not
negotiable." Get
lazy in my prayer time and Bible study? Absurd! "Not
negotiable." Compromise
my beliefs because of peer pressure at work, within the home
or around friends? "Not negotiable." Friends,
when it comes to our Christian convictions, there absolutely
should be no compromise. We just don't bargain or negotiate
when it comes to the commands of Jesus Christ. It's
"Not negotiable." Make
no mistake, sometime today satan will come at you with his
propaganda, with his lies, with his offer to compromise in
some area of your Christian walk. When
he does, say it loud, say it clear, say it in the Name of
Jesus... "It's Not negotiable..." "Don't
ask. I won't do it." |
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