A New York family bought a ranch out West where they intended to raise cattle. Friends visited and asked if the ranch had a name. “Well,” said the would-be cattleman, “I wanted to name it the Bar-J. My wife favored Suzy-Q, one son liked the Flying-W, and the other wanted the Lazy-Y. So we’re calling it the Bar-J-Suzy-Q-Flying-W-Lazy-Y.” “But where are all your cattle?” the friends asked. “None survived the branding.”
That is a funny joke but when it comes to compromising our life and faith, it is no joke. This world will pull on you from all areas of your life to compromise your integrity, your character and your word. Once you lose these things in your life, the Bible says you are no longer “salty” and you are good for nothing but to be trampled under the foot of men. Dear Church, our testimony before the world is so valuable that men will see and glorify the Father. May we be diligent with keeping our character without compromise in this crooked and perverse generation. Pastor Mark