Leaving Your Comfort Zone

“If anyone follows Me, he must deny himself, pick up his cross and follow Me.” - Matthew 16:24 

Everyone likes to be comfortable.  I can remember an occasions when Martie and I got to sit on a soft sofa after months of sitting on hard chairs in Haiti.  Seems like a small thing, but the feeling was exquisite.  We like routine.  Mainly because we know what to expect.  There is no uncertainty in routine.  Each day is like every other day.  Each day, week, month and year like the other. Routine.  People find comfort in that.  Being around people who look like you, believe like you, talk like you, do what you do … it is a comfortable place to be.  Watching a news report about a war in a different land or the ravages of a natural disaster allows you to be comfortable in your routine.  You may not be able to empathize – because you have never left your comfort zone – but you can sympathize – at least until the commercial, supper  or the start of your favorite program.  We like to be comfortable and we don’t like giving that comfort up.  

If you are a Christian – born again by faith in Jesus – even then you are most likely looking for the comfort found in a routine existence.  Going to church – sitting in the same seat or pew – talking to the same people – listening to the same sermons – routine.  We love it – crave it even.  But, like Pastor Rick Warren said “God is more interested in your character, than in your comfort.”   And how does God develop godly character in you? Not through routine.  God calls out of the routine for this world into the uncertain world of faith.  Not knowing what will happen tomorrow – next week, month or year.  But we live in confidence, by faith, knowing that God does.  

I have quoted this before but it bears repeating. It is from the C.S. Lewis book “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” Aslan is a type of Jesus. 

“Aslan is a lion- the Lion, the great Lion." "Ooh" said Susan. "I'd thought he was a man. Is he-quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion"..."Safe?" said Mr. Beaver ..."Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King, I tell you.” 

God is not “safe” but He is good.  He has our best in mind.  He will disrupt your routine, if you allow it. That is correct – He won’t make you abandon what is comfortable – but He will invite you to leave it behind for something much better.  What you see as “dangerous” depends upon the maturity of your walk of faith.  For a child, putting their toes in the water may seem like a great accomplishment.  For an adult, jumping off of the high-dive is a challenge. Both require stepping into the unknown – the uncertain – the “anything but routine”  Jesus said “If anyone follows Me, he must deny himself, pick up his cross and follow Me.”  

Are you a Jesus follower or Jesus watcher?  It is one thing to marvel at the person jump off of the high-dive and quite another to grip the end of the board with your toes right before you take that leap of faith. 

As a first step, the Bible tells us to abandon our affection for the things of this world and the comfort we find in them.  To turn to God, the God of all comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3-4) He may tell you to leave your “nets” and follow Him.  There is a song that comes to mind. Knowing You Jesus – Graham Kendrick 

“All I once held dear, Built my life upon.  All the world reveres and wars to own.  All I once thought gain, I have counted loss.  Spent and worthless now, compared to this.

Knowing You, Jesus, knowing You. There is no greater thing. You're my all, You're the best. You're my joy, my righteousness. And I love You, Lord

Now my heart's desire is to know You more. To be found in You and known as Yours. To possess by faith what I could not earn. All-surpassing gift of righteousness

Oh to know the power of Your risen life. And to know You in Your sufferings. To become like You in Your death, my Lord. So with You to live and never die”

As a Christian, God calls you to leave what is comfortable – what is routine for something greater – something eternal.  So come on – go ahead and put your toes in the water - then jump in.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

Not Everyone Listens

When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved. And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet: “‘Go to this people, and say, “You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.”  For this people's heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed; lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand  with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’- Acts 27:23-27

As you know we all have a "charge" from the Lord to go and share the Good News. There are a number of admonitions in the New Testament that tell us that the Gospel seed will not always fall on fertile soil. In fact, in the parable about the seed (Matthew 13) there were three places where the seed did not grow, yielding a crop - that being salvation. I am careful to not "fill in the blanks" as I wrote about the other day - but math would tell me that it is three times more likely that my sharing the Gospel will fall on deaf ears 3 out of 4 times.  

The point is - our responsibility is to tell - just like Paul did in Rome. In his case he always spoke to the Jews first and it was the Jews that were spiritually blind and deaf. Remember Jesus' words - Matthew 13:15-16

For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’ But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.

Oh that the people would see and hear. It is especially sorrowful when those people are related to you. They are part of your family. About that, Jesus also said - 

Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” - Luke 12:51-53

There was unity when no one believed or everyone believed. I don't tell you this to discourage you, but that you might understand that your testimony to you family is actually your heavenly obligation to the world - including your family. How they respond is between them and the Lord. No matter you will love them. I can tell you that my mom witnessed to me for 7 years and Martie 5 years, from the time we started dating. So don't give up but remember what your role is. You can't save anyone - no matter who much you want to.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

When Bad Things Happen Stop Trying And Start Trusting

“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.” - 1 Peter 4:12

“Wanting to make sure that my adversary gives me all my rights is a natural thing. But Jesus says that it is a matter of inescapable and eternal importance to me that I pay my adversary what I owe him. From our Lord’s standpoint it doesn’t matter whether I am cheated or not, but what does matter is that I don’t cheat someone else. Am I insisting on having my own rights, or am I paying what I owe from Jesus Christ’s standpoint?” Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest 

Ever ask, "Why is this happening to me?" Why are they treating me this way? Hidden behind those questions is the underlying belief that “I didn’t deserve it!”  Here is the deal … bad things will happen to “good” people … even to someone as good as you are.  Did you deserve what did or said to you? Perhaps or perhaps not.  Whichever the case, the issue is how we respond to what has happened. For most of us, our response is to hunker down in our foxhole and fire back with “righteous indignation” and perhaps the sorrow if the offender holds a close place in our heart. If they through a stone - then we throw a boulder.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. 

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?  And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” - Matthew 5:38-48

Be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect.  Wow! How hard is that?  It’s not humanly possible.  Not that we don't try or at least pretend. The things is, you will never respond the way Jesus told you to if you try to do it on your own.  The response to others in 1 Peter and Matthew 5 are not derived from the human will but by faith in Jesus and the power of the Spirit in you.  Stop trying to live the Christian life in obedience to the Word of God through human determination .. by your ow will power or "won't" power. It just does not work.   

What God tells us to do is not humanly possible.  It is not a natural response but a spiritual one. You can't live the Christian life on your own. So stop TRYING and start TRUSTING.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

The Cost Of The Ministry God Has Given You

But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.  - Acts 20:24

I have mentioned this before - God has a plan and a purpose for every Christian. A specific plan and purpose. A plan and purpose of spiritual significance. He is really not interested in your material wealth, earthly success, or notoriety among men - the mortal side of your existence. What He is interested in is showing the world Jesus through the lives of His adopted sons and daughters - you and me - the immortal side of our existence.

Serving God in the immortal may well cost you something on the mortal side.  We like to think that becoming a Christian will somehow make our natural lives easier - pain free even. But that is not Biblical.

And another of the disciples said to Him, “Lord, allow me first to go and bury my father.” But Jesus *said to him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead. - Matthew 8:21-22

Another also said, “I will follow You, Lord; but first permit me to say goodbye to those at my home.”  But Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. - Luke 9:61-62

If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. - Luke 14:26

Following God must be the priority in our lives - even to the point of abandoning our earthly affections. Understanding that when we are born again by the Spirit - our primary perspective and priorities must be in the context of our new life.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. - 2 Corinthians 5:17

In other words - our affections must change. Think about the greatest commandment.

And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?” So he answered and said, “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’ ”And He said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.” - Luke 10:25-28

So if you are loving God with your "ALL" that means you are not to love the things of this world more than God. It also means that your spiritual affection will be challenged by the desires of your old nature. But the word of God is clear.

Someone said the other day that our priorities should be - God - Family - Work - Ministry - Self. I think that ministry must be moved up after God and before Family - how I love my family is part of the ministry that God has given me. Starting with my wife first. Everything that follows God must be born out of my love for Him.

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.  And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. - 1 John 2:15-17

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

Resisting The Spirit

 If you…remember that your brother has something against you… —Matthew 5:23

“This verse says, “If you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you….” It is not saying, “If you search and find something because of your unbalanced sensitivity,” but, “If you…remember….” In other words, if something is brought to your conscious mind by the Spirit of God— “First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift” (Matthew 5:24). Never object to the intense sensitivity of the Spirit of God in you when He is instructing you down to the smallest detail.  Jesus does not mention the other person— He says for you to go. It is not a matter of your rights. The true mark of the saint is that he can waive his own rights and obey the Lord Jesus. The process of reconciliation is clearly marked. First we have the heroic spirit of self-sacrifice, then the sudden restraint by the sensitivity of the Holy Spirit, and then we are stopped at the point of our conviction. This is followed by obedience to the Word of God.” - Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest

Has the Spirit of God ever spoken about something to you that was contrary to what you wanted to do? The Spirit's voice is not audible. It is more of a realization or impression. You know that you know but you don't know why you know. You know?  If you are born again and therefore have been sealed by the Spirit, I am certain He has.  Why does He need to speak to us? Because we tend to follow the ways of the flesh.  The Spirit convicts us of sin, which is to say we are living or doing in a way that is contrary to the nature of God and our new nature.  Jesus said of the Holy Spirit ... 

It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.  And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment - John 16:7-8

That conviction is actually a good thing - even though it makes us uncomfortable. It should actually. The question is, “How do you respond when He speaks?”  Do you say “yes Lord”? Or do you “turn the music up to drown out His voice” because you don’t want to do the very thing He is saying – do? 

The Bible calls that quenching the Spirit or putting the fire out.  Oh Saint, this life we live in the flesh we live by faith.  

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. - Galatians 2:20

God will always prompt you to obedience.  By His Spirit, He will challenge you to deal with those things that hinder your unfettered relationship with Him.  You cannot offer anything that is acceptable to God if you do not have “clean hands and a clean heart”.  

Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? ​​Or who may stand in His holy place? ​​He who has clean hands and a pure heart, ​​Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, ​​Nor sworn deceitfully. ​​He shall receive blessing from the LORD, ​​And righteousness from the God of his salvation. - Psalm 24:3-5

If you choose to ignore the prompting of the Spirit you are doing nothing more than practicing vain religion.  Praising God with your lips while your heart is far from Him. (Matthew 15:8) You might as well be watching TV for all of the spiritual good that is being derived!  We are a stubborn lot.  Holding on to attitudes and habits that are clearly contrary to who we are in Christ. Listen, you are not alone in this struggle.  But God has given you the power to overcome, and the means to live in victory. You must yield your life to the leading of the Spirit and then pick up your cross daily.  That requires faith and that comes from God.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

When the Spirit Speaks

Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” Whenever you turn to the right hand Or whenever you turn to the left. - Isaiah 30:21

“As servants of God, we must learn to make room for Him— to give God “elbow room.” We plan and figure and predict that this or that will happen, but we forget to make room for God to come in as He chooses. Would we be surprised if God came into our meeting or into our preaching in a way we had never expected Him to come? Do not look for God to come in a particular way, but do look for Him. Keep your life so constantly in touch with God that His surprising power can break through at any point. Live in a constant state of expectancy, and leave room for God to come in as He decides.” - Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest 

Martie and I are taking a class at the church we are attending to qualify us as teachers for a connection group - think Sunday school class.  There is a spectrum of Christian maturity among those taking the class. So when the instructor mentioned the the Spirit speaks, I asked him to clarify what that looks like. Not for me, but there are a number of younger Christians who might hear the words but not really understand what the Spirit speaking sounds like. I caught him off guard with the question - not intentionally - and he didn't really answer it. So I thought I would write about it. Jesus said ....

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. - John 14:26

I would like to say He speaks with a voice - but He doesn't - really. Do you remember Elijah in the cave?

And he [the Lord] said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah? - 1 Kings 19:11-13

In my experience, when the Spirit has spoken, it is more of an impression than an audible voice. Let me give you a recent example. A few weeks ago I broke a tooth, at the gum line, and had to have the root extracted and then a bridge made. I told the dental assistant that I have been in 2 wars, flown helicopters, and done some other dangerous things - but none of that compares to my sitting in that dentist chair.  

When I broke the tooth I went to see a local dentist for an evaluation but I had the sense that  I should contact a friend of ours, a dentist named Ben, in Montgomery, Alabama to see if he would do the work. I had not talked to him in several years. That required us to make a 10 hour drive from Houston to do it, but I "felt" it was the right thing to do. He agreed immediately. As some of you know, we have been making wooden napkin holders to gift to widows and widowers as a way to encourage them to keep their eyes on Jesus and their faith in the Father. I happened to have a test piece with a cross and the word "Faithful" engraved on it. I "felt" that I should take it to Montgomery and give it to Ben. When I arrived at the office and sat down in the "CHAIR" I set the plaque on the work table for Ben to see. When he did he got excited - grabbed the plaque and said that he would be right back.

You see - Ben had started a men's Bible study group and he had told them that he was asking God to give him a sign that what he was doing was the right thing. And God had me give him the sign - a physical sign. Ben took a picture of it and sent it to all of the men in the study. Would God prompt me by His Spirit to drive to Montgomery to hand Ben a piece of wood? Uh - absolutely. Could I have decided that driving all that way to do something that I could do in Houston was too much trouble - Absolutely.  But I felt going was right without knowing the significance of our making the trip. Later, I told the dental assistant that my primary reason for coming to Montgomery was not to get my tooth fixed - God had sent me to encourage Ben. God is good!

One more example. I was on staff with Promise Keepers for a time in the mid '90s.  I attended the PK Pastor’s conference in 1995 in Atlanta.  There were about 40,000 ministers in the Georgia Dome attending the conference. As we all prayed in silence, with eyes closed, I was wondering how God would show himself in this glorious event. Perhaps the roof would open and God’s Shekinah Glory would once again appear. Well, I peeked. I confess it!  But as I looked up, I saw a single dove flying in circles above the crowd.  I closed my eyes, opened them again and the dove was gone.  So I thought – get a grip Charley, you were seeing things.  After the Amen … a man standing next to me said “Hey did you see that Dove flying over the crowd?”  Ever since, Doves have been following me around.  I won’t go into details … but it is not just my imagination running away with me!  And I thank God each time for the reminder to me that He is with me.  

You know that God has sealed you with His Spirit.  He has blessed you with every spiritual blessing. Rather than hope that the Spirit will speak to you - expect to hear from Him - watch for Him - it won't in be great and strong wind that tears the mountains and breaks in pieces the rocks or an earthquake. It won't be a fire by night or a cloud by day but, instead it will be the sound of a low whisper or an impression.

And when it happens, like Samuel, just say "Yes Lord, your servant is listening." 

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

Making A Sacrifice From The Heart ... Just Like Jesus

When it pleased God…to reveal His Son in me… —Galatians 1:15-16

"The call of God is not a call to serve Him in any particular way. My contact with the nature of God will shape my understanding of His call and will help me realize what I truly desire to do for Him. […] Service is the overflow which pours from a life filled with love and devotion. But strictly speaking, there is no call to that. Service is what I bring to the relationship and is the reflection of my identification with the nature of God. Service becomes a natural part of my life. God brings me into the proper relationship with Himself so that I can understand His call, and then I serve Him on my own out of a motivation of absolute love. Service to God is the deliberate love-gift of a nature that has heard the call of God. Service is an expression of my nature, and God’s call is an expression of His nature. […] The Son of God reveals Himself in me, and out of devotion to Him service becomes my everyday way of life.” - Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest

When I typed this devotion it was 22 degrees in Pasadena, Texas, and pretty chilly in the room I was sitting in.  I had pulled my red hooded Carhartt work jacket from the closet.  Why am I telling you this?  Because it has to do with the point of this devotion. About 17 years ago, I was standing in a parking lot of a church in Waveland - Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi, doing pretty much what I am doing now. Not typing a devotion, but serving the people affected by a disaster, in the freezing cold, however without my red coat. 

Oh, it was cold … colder than I thought it would be on the Gulf Coast.  I had not dressed for the weather … because I didn’t bring a coat.  But I wasn’t thinking about being cold, but about getting the volunteers to the work that they had come to do.  That’s when a young man walked up to me.  He asked me if I had a coat, I told him no.  Then he did something that has been with me since that day, he took his coat off, a red Carhartt work coat and gave it to me.  He said, “here you can have this one.”  Well, I am a great giver … but like most givers, I struggle with receiving. But, this time, ….. I did accept the coat.  I recognized the sacrifice he was making … I saw Jesus … I saw something holy that was taking place … an expression of sacrifice … 

“No greater love has one man than this, then that he lay down his life for his friends.”  -  John 15:13

A sacrifice costs the one sacrificing something that is dear to them.  In that moment, I was reminded of Matthew 22 and the parable of the sheep and the goats … “Lord when did we see you …?” It is a coat … not a sacrifice on the cross … but that is not the point … it’s the heart that made the sacrifice that makes the coat significant.  I remember with a smile on my face - I suppose to diffuse the humbling feeling I was experiencing, I said, "You know the Bible says that if a man asks for your cloak give him your shirt also (Luke 6:29)" To which he replied with a smile - "No, I need my shirt!".

This coat hung in a closet for the four years we served in Haiti.  But even then, each time I saw it there, my heart was rended (sp)  and I was taken back to that parking lot.  I was reminded of what is important in life.  I am sure that the young man had no idea what the gesture would mean to me years later.  And likewise my friend, you  have no idea what your kindness toward others, your sacrifice from the heart will mean to them.  That is not the motive for our doing and serving … our motive … our motivation … our reason … is the love of God that we bear in our hearts that has found a way to express itself and bring glory to the Father. 

Allow God to reveal His Son through your life. 

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone