The past few weeks have been filled with so many thoughts and emotions. It is time to get them written.
Last night there were two things that seemed to hit especially hard. I want to start by sharing something written by Brian Bowman, church planter in Phoenix:
James wrote to remind us that we need not strive to be like Elijah, we are already. He was a man with a nature like yours and like mine. But he prayed.
What is the backup plan?
What kind of church will Valley Life (We could say ‘Lake Center’) become if people don’t pray, the Spirit doesn’t work, and we are left to our human effort?
Will the church fail?
Will it die for lack of prayer?
This week, the honest answer broke my heart.
No.
History tells me that Valley Life could become a church, market to enough people, strain and work hard enough to get people to come, sing, give, volunteer, and help people who need it.
Yet, it would not be a result of Holy Spirit power.
And I would know the difference.
So would you.
We just wouldn’t say anything about it.
It’s embarrassing for a church to appear godly, but be empty of power.
Everyone knows it, but decorum demands silence.
I am now like an animal in the wild, panicked by my thirst. I am berserk with hunger for something I have tasted before. Holy Spirit power. A church filled with people and not power is an sucker’s trade.
——
Wow. That was followed by a facebook update from someone we knew from when we were with the IMB. This woman is as tenacious as anyone I have met when it comes to living as Christ. A month ago she went to the doctor for back pain. The doctors found a tumor on her spine. This called for aggressive surgery. According to her video they had to remove around 3 inches of her spine. She is now recovering and praying for tests to come back declaring her body to be cancer free.
Both of these items are reminders to me. We don’t have forever. We are not promised next year. I need love fully—serve completely–and make Him known to anyone that will listen. Let’s not be content to slip through life. Taste and see……follow the Spirit of God–no matter what the cost.
I’m with Mr. Bowman. I do not want to be a part of a church that is trying to function without the power of the Holy Spirit. I’m a Spirit-baptized Charismatic. I’ve been in both places – places with and places without the power of the Holy Spirit. The really sad part is that one place can be both over time – with and without. If we know we are in the place without the power of the Holy Spirit, we fail everyone if we say nothing – we fail ourselves, the people around us, our leadership and the Lord. Jesus told us, all we have to do is ask for the Holy Spirit. Our asking has to be real for the right reasons, but, just ask. Are we asking rightly? Prayer and discernment gives us the answer to that question, but we have to pray to know. Can Lake Center fail? Sure can, if we’re neglecting our responsibilities. For my part, I’m not willing to let it fail if I can do anything about it!