Our Comfort...

I have no problem admiting that I LOVE to be comfortable.  And I'm selfish too.  Sometimes I can forget all together what this life is really about, which is advancing God's kingdom.  You see God doesn't want us to be comfortable all the time.  He wants to stretch us.  He wants us to grow. 

Matthew 16:26 For what profit is it to a man, if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?


Matthew 6:19 Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.

Our lives should be about the end result.  Our reward in heaven.  And we should desire to share this reward, this treasure with everyone we encounter.

Luke 9:23 And He said to them all, "If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever will lose his life for My sake, the same shall save it.

We have to deny our self.  Deny our own worldly desires and replace it with the desires of the Lord. 
 
James 1:2-4  Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

God says that we should consider it a joy when we encounter life's struggles because it tests our faith and teaches us to persevere. 

So don't get too comfortable with your life.  Don't close yourself off to the rest of the world; the lost, the poor, the hurting, the needy.  Being a disciple of Christ means that we are called to LOVE all people.  So get out of your bubble and get a little messy.