Many Problems, One Solution–The British Fall Conference
by Kim Rogers

"I asked God to show me the answer for my life this weekend." This statement by one of the conference-goers started off the 1999 British Fall Conference at Hothorpe Hall, Leicestershire on the weekend of the 8th October. And, once again, Jesus Christ through His Body moved in to offer the sole answer to every problem in life: "Christ in you, the hope of glory."

How does God answer a prayer like that? Through the everyday activities and conversations shared by those in whom He lives His life. Friday evening began with people from England, Scotland, Ireland and the U.S. becoming acquainted or re-acquainted. On Saturday, in part because we had a newcomer, and in an attempt to share the solution to her grief, we launched into Norman Grubb’s pamphlet The Key to Everything. We read from Norman’s pamphlet that we are only vessels, that there is no independent self, and that we are operated either by the spirit of Christ or Satan. "You contain Him [Jesus Christ]-He motivates you. And you learn the habits of this abiding life. He is the one who lives it." Revisiting those fundamentals brought home that this message is for every area of life.

As the conference went on, we were reminded that it is in the normal activities of daily life that Christ functions through His body. Saturday after-noon, a shopping trip to nearby Leicester became one of His surprising ways for the "equipping of the saints for the ministry."

Casual conversation over dinner unearthed an area needing exposure to the cleansing Light of Jesus Christ. As one woman talked about her career and education, others began to perceive that she had an inflated view of their importance. As the evening went on, the Spirit doggedly pursued her and pointed the woman’s false view of her education, career, and herself. We knew that facing reality was the only way that Satan’s lie could be exposed and she could be set free (John 8:32). Only then could she have the opportunity to reject Satan’s lie that she is some "self’ that needs bolstering by inflating her circumstances-and replace it with the truth that regardless of personal achievements, we have no "self’ on which to base our identity. We only manifest the qualities of the one operating us-Christ or Satan. Recognizing that there is no "self’ to try to validate (Satan’s "self’-delusion), she had the choice to affirm that Christ is the only worthy, righteous One and in union with Him, she can experience the life she truly desires-Christ, Himself, living as her.

From dealing with career issues to bereavement and relationships, Jesus Christ provides the total answer. At the British Fall Conference, once again Christ manifested His outpoured life through us-His true love would not allow any idol to stand in the way of God being the only priority in our lives. As Norman says, "Not God first, but God only." Norman’s pamphlet was the key to the whole weekend–indeed everything!