Comfort in This Life?

Change of Plans...

     I had set out to write concerning the current state of political correctness (the word "current" indicating that "correctness" is ever changing),  but at the outset of this blog I noticed that my oldest daughter was on Skype. I could not pass up the opportunity to communicate with her, since it is not often that I am able to.  She started by wishing for me a belated happy birthday, to which I responded, "Birthdays are irrelevant when you understand that we are all eternal beings."  Well, that got the ball rolling. My daughter has never been one to shy away from conversation that has the potential to go beyond the mundane.  Eventually we got around to her concern for me;  she is well aware of the Christian paranormal ministry I am involved in with my dear brother in Christ, Bill Posey.  I indicated to her that I am ready to leave this world, as Paul the apostle stated, ready to depart this world and be with the Lord. Her response was understandable as a daughter, and predictable. She asked, "So you want to die?"  No, really, I don't want to die. I wanted her to understand that there is an immense difference in wanting to die....and being ready to die.
     We have a contemporary conundrum in Christianity today....at least...as I see it.  Christians appear to me to be very comfortable in this life. Now, I should make it clear at this point that I am referring to mainly American Christians.  I cannot speak to the condition of our brothers and sisters around the world.  Paul, at the end of his life, indicated in his second letter to Timothy that there was waiting for him (Paul),  "the crown of righteousness,  which the Lord,  the righteous judge,  will award to me on that day - and not only to me,  but also to all who have longed for his appearing."  (2 Tim 4: 6-8)
     I just cant mince words anymore.  The American "church" is a fat whore.  She has compromised herself to the world (and ultimately to the devil) in exchange for all the comforts this life has to offer.  There are "pastors"  drawing salaries that assure a very comfortable lifestyle.  There are church buildings that could grace the covers of magazines. There are compromises that have been made with federal and state governments that cede ultimate authority,  not rightfully to Jesus Christ,  who by the shedding of His precious blood bought and paid for her, but to rules and regulations set down by civil authorities (and don't play dumb mr pastor and mr elder,  you know what I am referring to).
     With all of these comforts in mind,  and the fact that they will never be challenged by the "leaders" in their congregations to not only hear the Word...BUT TO OBEY IT..I don't believe Christians in this country reflect what Paul was referring to...a body of believers who are longing for His return.  You have to be suffering to want something different.  What are American Christians suffering, exactly? Why should they truly desire the return of Jesus Christ when there is no challenge to their profession of faith?  To me, it appears like they have all the comforts of home.  And that....is an unmitigated tragedy.
     My daughter suggested that I should take a break from "all this paranormal stuff" and "focusing on evil."  I told her essentially that Christianity has been on a long coffee break.  The institutional church is so introverted and inward focused that it ought to implode.  There are so few who venture out from  church building walls to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ into the darkness of the paranormal realm.
Jesus Christ never promised His disciples comfort in this life, rather tribulation. The question for the believer is this; is your personal salvation all that Christ came to accomplish?  This makes you a believer.  You are saved,  and that is wonderful beyond words.  But Christ did not save us to rest IN THIS LIFE.  There is the time of rest Paul spoke of to Timothy.  Until then,  disciples of Jesus Christ are FOLLOWERS of Him.  Following means obeying Him.  Jesus said in John 14:15, "If you love me, you will obey what I command."  I tell you, the last thing I am looking for in this life is comfort.
At this point in her life, my daughter just doesn't understand that.