A Thank You + A Quote

I wanted to send a thank you note to {YOU} for taking part in the start back to our Yielded Bible Study here in Dallas!  It is such a gift to serve you and open up God's Word together. Thank you for your willingness to dive deep and find treasures tucked away in the exchange of Simon Peter and Jesus as we study this story out of Luke 5 together.  Love how we discovered it is in those places we are willing to go just a bit further from the shoreline of comfort with the Lord where He fills us to the brim with blessings.....so much so that we are compelled to share them with others!  

Tuesday night I shared a quote from a letter written by an African pastor who was martyred for his faith and believed to be a part of a note {The Fellowship of the Unashamed} posted on the wall just above his desk.  Quoted in Brennan Manning’s the Signature of Jesus; which is one of my favorite books and I used as a portion of my research for this Luke 5 study together. 

 

Here is the full version of that letter.  

The Fellowship of the Unashamed

 

I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed.  The dye has been cast.  The decision has been made.  I have stepped over the line.  I won’t look back, let up, slow down, or back away.

 

My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future, is secure.  I’m finished with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap giving and dwarfed goals.

 

I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity.  I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded.  I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk with patience, live by prayer and labor with power.

 

My face 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 not be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded, or delayed.  I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

 

I won’t give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, spoken for the case of Christ.  I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.  I must go ‘till He comes, give ‘till I drop, preach ‘till all know, and work ‘till He stops me.  My banner is clear.  I am a part of the fellowship of the unashamed.

 

 - A final testimony by an African Christian just before he was martyred for his faith.

Praying this gives us the boldness we need to activate all the Truth we stored up in our hearts during Tuesday night's study. Remember anything God reveals in a corporate setting is motivated towards finding a personal exchange with us as individuals. Deeper friendship with Jesus is always the goal.  So grateful that over and over again Jesus is after our hearts.  

Love you all dearly and praying you have a tremendous week. xo, Cari