The Fellowship of the Unashamed

Oh, that I could say this prayer and mean it...

It fills my heart with passion.

Pause. Ponder. Praise...

"I AM A PART OF the fellowship of the unashamed.

I have Holy Spirit power.

The Dye has been cast.

I have stepped over the line.

The decision has been made. I am a disciple of His.

I won't look back, let up, slow down, 

back away or be still.
My past is redeemed. My present makes sense. My future is secure.

I am finished and done with low living,
side walking, small planning,
smooth knees, colorless dreams, tame vision,
worldly talking, cheap giving and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position,
promotion, plaudence or popularity.
I don't have to be right, tops, recognized,
praised, regarded or rewarded.

I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience.
I am uplifted by prayer, labor by power,
my pace is set, my gait is fast,
my goal is Heaven, my road is narrow,
my way is rough, my companions are few,
my guide is reliable, my mission is clear.

I can't be bought, compromised, detoured,
lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed.
I will not flinch in the face of adversary,
negotioate at the table of the enemy,
ponder at the pool of popularity,
or meander at the maze of mediocrity.

I won't give up, shut up, let up,
until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up,
paid up, preached up for the cause of Christ:

I am a disciple of Jesus,
I must go 'til He comes,
give 'til I drop,
preach 'til I know,
and wait 'til He counts me.

For when He comes for His own,
He will have no problems recognizing me.
My banner will be clear."

~ Author: An unknown pastor from Zimbabwe

1 Peter 4:14-19 (The Message)

If you're abused because of Christ, count yourself fortunate. 

It's the Spirit of God and his glory in you 

that brought you to the notice of others. 

If they're on you because you broke the law or disturbed the peace, 

that's a different matter. 

But if it's because you're a Christian, 

don't give it a second thought. 

Be proud of the distinguished status reflected in that name!

It's judgment time for God's own family. We're first in line. 

If it starts with us, think what it's going to be like 

for those who refuse God's Message! 

If good people barely make it, 

What's in store for the bad?

So if you find life difficult because you're doing what God said, 

take it in stride. Trust him. 

He knows what he's doing, and he'll keep on doing it.