Is Something Wrong?

Have you ever started making one of those flat pack furniture products? I have, and on more than one occasion I've got to the end to find something didn't fit or was in the wrong position. It's disheartening. You want to take a hammer to the whole thing, but instead you take another look at the instructions and try to find the place where you went wrong, and then take it apart and put it right.

I've just been thinking of this, this lunch time. I think something's wrong. In the Church. Somewhere, quite a long time ago, maybe even before we were born, something has not been done right, and just when we think we are near completion we've ended up with something defective.

What were we building? Maybe some of us don't even have any idea. I'm no expert, I'm nobody, but I was hoping to see the Church, The Body to move and act just like the Body of Christ should. In power, in love, in presence, in a dimension that I've only read about happening someplace else, some time else.

I'm tired. Tired of people talking about the presence in the meeting while I wonder why I missed it, and if it was His Presence, is it possible to miss it? What would it be like, His presence? Maybe I wouldn't even be able to stand. Maybe there would be laughter, tears, maybe even some falling over dead?

And what would His Power be like to see in action. Maybe people being healed there and then on the spot, and that this wouldn't be a one off or a story we drag out from the locker: 'remember when this happened", but a daily thing. Maybe people would be challenged as the Holy Spirit was allowed to take charge of the Church He is building, rooted to the spot in fear of their lives if they do not repent there and then. Maybe miracles would be seen, wonders and signs.

Is this all pie in the sky, or is this incredible description actually the life style of what should be your average, normal Christian?

So, where did we go wrong?

Which one are you?

I woke up thinking of this. Which of these pictures do you realistically think describes your life with the Lord?

There's no sync button

I recently bought a new computer, and even more recently upgraded the hard drive. What makes it easy to not lose any information during these upgrades and changes is the ability to sync things. All your old files, web pages, passwords, nearly everything can just be synced so you are right back where you were before the upgrade.
The Holy Spirit doesn't like sync buttons.
When he 'upgrades us' through the process of the Cross, even what we considered the best part of our old lives, the bit we think of as 'not that bad' is unwanted by the Spirit. He doesn't want any of that old life coming through.
What I mean by that is, sure you may have been a good accountant before you were saved, and after you probably are still a good accountant. But, whatever skills you bring with you, or think will be an asset to the body...aren't.
It is only when there is sacrifice (death) does the fire come. Or to put it another way, only after the Cross has done it's work on you or any part of your flesh that has tried to cling on does the Spirit empower.
I know that's not the best news to all those working merrily away in their own power, in their own strength to their own ideas and agendas, but unless the Cross does a thorough work the Spirit will not place his seal of approval in empowering on your work.

The Highlighter Challenge

I recently heard of this challenge Bryn Jones made to a group of Leaders.

Take 3 different highlighter pens.

Start at the beginning of the New Testament.

Highlight in different colours each time you find something written about:

• Who You Are In Christ
• What You have In Christ
• What You Can Do in Christ

Bryn said that one of the biggest challenges facing the Church is for Christians to find their identity in Christ, and this was a very practical and clever way to help find that identity.