Who invented Comfort Zones?

A number of events recently has made me think that sometimes we are just too cozy in our churches! We love meeting together for worship and fellowship and enjoy our time together, and that is brilliant, but we become uncomfortable if something out of the 'ordinary' happens!

It seems that we are lulled into a sense of security, whether true or false, but when something comes along that makes us feel uncomfortable, we huddle together in the hope that we can regain that feeling of security.

Okay, this is all a bit vague so let me put to you some instances!

1) A person, who obviously has different behavioural standards, enters the church during a morning service and tries to join in. Their behaviour immediately puts us on edge because they seem unpredictable and we don't know what they are going to do!
2) A person, who was invited to the service, causes a bit of a commotion because they made some people cry and others laugh with joy!
3) A person, comes into the church and ministers to a few of the congregation and they are healed of different things!

Now I have to say, that this sort of thing doesn't happen all the time at our church, but it should! You see, that person is the Holy Spirit and He does move amongst us during our times of worship, but some feel uneasy because of the instances I have just quoted. But I have to say, that He is a gentleman, because He never comes in uninvited. He never upsets people, but releases them from past hurts. He is never a show-off as He is only doing what our Father in heaven is asking Him to do!

As we read through Acts and learn of the first Christian church it becomes apparent that where the Word of God is preached, and His name is worshipped, signs and wonders accompanied them. I am a firm believer that is still the case today as we have witnessed in our church!

And yes, sometimes it is a bit unnerving and a little frightening if you don't know what is happening, but when you know it is the Holy Spirit at work, you realize that God is meeting the needs of His church and equipping us to complete His mission to this world.

Don't be frightened when the Holy Spirit moves, but invite Him to fill you anew so that we can do the work of our Father in heaven.

Baptism is just the beginning!

As a pastor, I have the privilege of serving people at different stages of their lives and faith journey's and one of the most joyful milestones is their baptism! It is such a joy to take new Christians through the waters of baptism and see their faith grow. As a pastor of Baptist church we follow the New Testament practice of baptizing believers by full immersion, which basically means that we baptize those who clearly profess their new faith in Jesus Christ, from head to toe by laying them down under the water and raising them out in a matter of a second or so.

For the believer, this is a tremendous occasion as their share in one of the sacraments that identifies them with Christ, as they profess their faith to all around, and signify the 'death' of their old life as they go under the water, and their new life in Christ as they are raised up. For most, it is a deeply spiritual moment marking a change in their lives for ever.

For Jesus, his baptism by John the Baptist, marked the start of his 40 days in the wilderness to be tested by the devil. And it seems that after such a spiritual 'high' comes times of trial and testing.

I am always careful to warn 'baptisees' that sometimes after baptism comes a time of trial, temptation or persecution. You see, when the devil loses out on a soul, he tends to fight back, but the good news is that he is a defeated foe! The way to win a battle is to know your enemy, and so if you know where the attack is coming from, you can guard yourself against it!

Baptism is the start of an incredible journey of faith where God's promises come alive and bestowes an abundant life of meaning and purpose. His Holy Spirit guides us and empowers us to be effective witnesses to His grace and mercy, and to a life of mission in the name of Jesus Christ.

I can't imagine a life without Him!