ARE YOU A VICTIM OF COMFORT?

ARE YOU A VICTIM OF COMFORT? BY PASTOR E A. ADEBOYE

SOME PEOPLE FIND IT EASIER TO MANAGE HARDSHIP THAN COMFORT, LITTLE THAN SURPLUSS, BLESSING RATHER THAN BEING A BLESSING, YOU ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE A VICTIM!

Memorise: "He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful" (Matt 13:22)

Read: Matthew 13:18-23

18 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.

19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.

20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;

21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

One major challenge we must face is to recover every good thing we have lost. Nothing is completely lost until God says so. That means, it is possible for you to recover everything of value that has eluded you. The Lord will restore every good thing you have lost in Jesus' Name. David lost his link with God to comfort (2 Sam 11:1-27). Like David, some Christians were mighty prayer champions: they could tarry in God's presence in fasting and prayer for several hours while supplicating. But after success, prosperity or comfort came, they began to ask themselves, why pray so much? Do you know that some believers who live in smaller and less comfortable apartments such as a room and parlour live more spiritually vibrant and God-glorifying lives than those who live in luxurious mansions? Comfort is not anti-Christian. It is only unfortunate that we let it take more valuable things from us. When we owned an ordinary fan, we could still pray at night but when we started living in large apartments with each room air-conditioned, it took away our night prayers from us. Every mark of quality Christianity that success, comfort and wealth have stolen from you must be recovered!

When David was running from one cave to another, he remained in good spiritual form. Before success and fame came, he was at the vanguard of pleasing God. So he conquered the lion, bear, Goliath, etc. But when comfort set in and he had become king as promised, he became a victim of his success. The giant killer who was applauded by all and sundry became comfort's prey. Temptation came and he fell like a pack of cards. Comfort brought the sword of God's judgement into his house. Is the fulfilment of God's promises in your life causing a down turn in your spiritual life? Examine your life and list out areas comfort, success and prosperity are fast eroding God's graces on you and take immediate steps to contain them. Devise a practical plan that can restore you to the place you fell from. You don't have to be a victim of comfort.

THE FATHER’S BLESSING: “I pray for you today, you will never again be a victim either of comfort or discomfort, plenty or want. You will henceforth be a victor and a master of every situation and circumstances you find yourself. The Lord will restore every good thing you have lost in Jesus’ Name.” (Amen.)

ACTION POINT FOR TODAY

Don't tempt God! When God's blessings make you to drop in your fellowship, commitment or service in God's house, you tempt Him to take them away, and to return you to status quo.