Being uncomfortable in a comfort seeking world

Comfort.

From automobiles, to recliners, to clothing, people look for comfort. Some seek it financially. Others seek it physically. A person’s comfort level in any situation can only be defined by that person.

But today I want to share with you about another type comfort that has settled upon us – spiritual comfort.

I define spiritual comfort as born again believers becoming complacent in their obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ. In fact, I consider myself an expert on spiritual comfort because I have found myself parked there too many times.

Let me give you some of the symptoms of spiritual comfort.

At the top of my list is being comfortable when it has been days since I have spent time talking and listening to God in prayer and in the reading of His word – the Bible.

I am really comfortable when weeks have gone by without my having shared the gospel – or my testimony – with anyone.

Spiritual comfort definitely sets in when I look at my check book and see that I have not tithed regularly.

Of course I am really mired in spiritual comfort when I find it so easy to criticize other believers for the way they are serving God.

Spiritual comfort is sin in disguise.

Yes, sin – that three letter word that we do not like to hear because it makes us, well, uncomfortable. It causes us spiritual discomfort…or at least it should.

Is there an inoculation we can take for the malady of spiritual comfort or are we destined to be forever under its destructive power?

Jesus has the answer. He calls it “Repent.”

If you think sin isn’t talked about much in churches today, think about the last time you heard a message about repentance. To repent is to change the direction of our life. It is to turn from living the comfortable life, and to turn to living a life pleasing to God.

As born again believers we need to be uncomfortable in a comfort seeking world. Our desire must be to be obedient to the commands of Christ, no matter how uncomfortable it may make us.

Jesus said, “If anyone wants to be My follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of Me and the gospel will save it. For what does it benefit a man to gain the whole world yet lose his life?”

Jesus knew it would not be comfortable for us to follow Him. But He gave us such a great example of someone who was willing to suffer through unimaginable discomfort because He desired to please God rather than man.

What are the circumstances or entanglements in your life that have lowered you into the hammock of spiritual comfort? Will you, knowing the love God demonstrated for you through His Son, recommit yourself to an uncomfortable life; one that loves, honors, and obeys your Lord Jesus Christ?

If this is what you know you need to do…then take the advice of Jesus, "Repent," and be set free!

Invest in God's kingdom by developing tomorrow's Christian leaders

Leadership.

Many strive to achieve it, few master it.

It is a position of influence that can lead others to evil, e.g. Hitler and Hussein, or lead to good, e.g. Lincoln and Churchill. Christian leadership is used by God to advance the cause of Christ. People like Billy Graham (BGEA) and Bill Bright (CCCI) have been used by God to bring millions into His kingdom. But Christian leaders are needed in schools, homes and communities. They are needed in marriages and ministries. And these leaders are developed through discipleship as the Great Commission is carried out around the world.

Developing Christian leaders, men who know and do the will of God, is part of the discipleship role of WorldReach.

Since August, I have been co-leading a leadership study for a local high school football team. It is done as part of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes huddle on campus. God has given me the privilege to co-lead this discipleship group with a coach from a major college football program. Our desire is to see these athletes not only excel in sports, but to become spiritual leaders on their campus, in their community, at their churches, and ultimately, throughout their life.

It is a sacrifice for these guys. The sessions begin at 7:00am, an hour earlier than most will usually arrive on campus. Their day is already full with school and football practice. However, they have the desire to be Christian leaders and are willing to be inconvenienced to attend the non-mandatory training.

It is not convenient for the coach or me, either. Our day begins as early as those who attend; maybe even earlier. We have to make certain the room is set up with sound and video, and the coach always picks up Chik-fil-a chicken biscuits and orange juice for our group breakfast. Our regular jobs are still filled with the tasks that need to be done, but we believe God gave us this opportunity to invest in His kingdom through the lives of these young men.

After five weeks, we have heard testimonies of the changes God is making in their lives. Only He knows the depth of these changes and how He will use them to mold their character for the tasks to which He will call them. As long as they remain faithful to their Lord, and we remain faithful to His truth, God will continue to transform these athletes into fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ - leaders within His body.

It is usually not convenient to join God, but He never promised us that following Him would be convenient; however, it is rewarding, not just in how you see others being used by God, but in the knowledge that you are being obedient to do what He has called you to do.

As God gives you opportunities to invest in His kingdom by discipling others, be sure to obey Him and do it; then enjoy seeing Him developing His leaders of tomorrow.

The lesson I learned from 9/11

Do you remember where you were six years ago today?

There are a number of historic events throughout my lifetime that are etched into my memory.On the day President John F. Kennedy was assassinated I was at my grandparents house, sick from school (maybe sick of school too). Lying on their living room floor, watching whatever black and white TV show was on at the time, I remember a special news report breaking into the program. For some reason I figured it was important, so I went and told my grandmother the president had been shot. It caused her to stop ironing.

The next significant event I remember was Neal Armstrong's first steps on the moon. I was laying on my parents bed with my brother, sisters, and parents watching the old portable Philco TV. The words, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind," came crackling over the airwaves.

At eighteen, and ripe for the military draft, I remember sitting in my car listening to the radio when I heard Henry Kissinger declare, "Peace is at hand" in Vietnam. This declaration, combined with my draft number of 282, pretty much assured me that I would not be drafted into military service. At the time, I was enjoying too much of a reprobate lifestyle to want it interrupted by having to leave town for any reason.

I just came off a golf course in Western North Carolina, got into my car with three other men, turned on the radio, when I heard the report that President Ronald Reagan had been shot.

Riding in my 1984 Jeep CJ (which I still own), coming home from work, I had to pull over to the side of the road as I began weeping when the radio reported that the first Gulf War had begun with the "Shock & Awe" bombing of Iraq.

Six years ago today, I was returning from Dunkin' Donuts when I pulled into the parking lot of our old church building and was told by a friend that an airplane had hit the World Trade Center.

Events prior to 9/11 for which I can recall the place I heard about them were historically significant, but none would have as big an impact on me personally as the heinous actions of 19 Islamic terrorists against our great republic that bright, sunny morning in Manhattan. The senseless murder of the 2,973 Americans and other nationals that day changed my daily focus. While I understood that evil existed in the world, and I knew that many of the terrorist acts previously committed against the US around the world confirmed the evil in men’s hearts, I never sensed that it would have any impact on my day to day life.

9/11 did not leave me with a hatred for Islam or the terrorists who were involved in carrying out the murderous events of that day, even though my first thoughts were in that very direction. But I serve a mighty God Who loves me and used this tragedy to remind me that He so loves the world...even those who are Islamic terrorists...that He gave His only Son, that whoever would believe in Him (Jesus) would never die, but have eternal life.

The lesson for 9/11 that has stuck with me these past six years, is that I need to tell people about Jesus, because only He can transform an evil heart to do good. As I live to complete this task, I will never forget that it took such a significant event to bring home the simplistic truth of the Great Commission Christ gave to me, and to narrow my focus onto what I would do with this truth. If I want to see a world transformed by the gospel, I cannot sit around waiting for someone else to be the one who is willing to tell others about Jesus. Whatever the cost, wherever it may take me, whenever I must go, the most important thing for me to do is be a witness to others about the transforming gospel - the good news - of Jesus Christ.

This is the lesson I learned from 9/11.