Wednesday, September 22, 2010

"Why would we need to experience the Comforter if our lives are already comfortable?"

Robin is my closest friend of more than 30 years. He's challenged me lots of times in lots of ways. Most recently, he asked this question of me and the rest of the staff at CCC: "Why would we need to experience the Comforter if our lives are already comfortable?" 
That question relates to a passage in John 16 where Jesus promises to send the Comforter, The Holy Spirit. I had never thought about it that way...why would Jesus promise that if we weren't going to need it? 
When my walk with Christ is comfortable, what does that do to faith? In my estimation, it eliminates the need for faith. At least in terms of dependance. I suppose I could reword the question as: Do I live by faith? 
I continue the query to myself with questions like: Do I follow Christ in such a way that, without God's intervention, it will fail miserably? Do I seek God's will every minute? Are my thoughts towards my life with Christ "comforted" because I have sought His guidance throughout?
That passage in John 16 says that The Comforter will convict the world of it's sin. Ironically, last night Theresa and I talked with a young lady who needed comfort because her God-centered lifestyle had convicted those around her. Subsequently, she was experiencing persecution. 
Maybe that's why we don't need comforted, we aren't living lives that are pure enough to convict the world of anything.
We, as Christ's disciples, watch and listen to the same trash as entertainment, use the same vulgarities, struggle with the same sins as people who have never heard of Jesus. We are comfortable in our own little sloppy pens as so many pigs, awaiting slaughter.
When I am trying to live like Christ, I need comfort. When I'm living like the devil, I don't. And there's no "fence-riding" in between the two.
The bottom line is, sin is fake comfort resulting in eternal discomfort.  

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

What to Expect

Because of the way our services went on Sunday, I've had to do some reflection. Reflection on my own personal prayer life and reflection on my leadership focus. 
Several people were drawn powerfully into the Lord's presence, some for what they considered the first time. To that, I say, "Hallelujah!" We all need to seek God's face with that fervor all the time.
The direction that God's Word gives through the Apostle Paul is: "Don't worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done."
As I ponder my life, I consider the conversation that I enjoy with Theresa. I think about what she knows about the goings on in my life and then I compare it to what I've shared with my Lord. When I compare those, I realize why I'm so shocked when I encounter the Spirit of God as I did on Sunday. There are times when it would seem as though I don't even know him. Or I treat my Savior like the person wearing the headset at Sbux, I place my order and pull around expecting it to be filled. 
These observations are pointless unless it creates a change. And it has. I am walking this winding road, to the left and a step behind Jesus. Just like they taught me in basic training. The difference: I can talk all that I want and I'm telling Him everything. I'm telling Him my joys and pains. I'm probably telling Him about you.
I don't want to be shocked when the Holy Spirit moves in such a powerful way, I want to get to a point where I expect it.
The bottom line is that my spirit longs to be with the spirit of God.