As we reflect and look back over the years we consider ourselves immensely blessed and deeply grateful to be involved in the moving of God. I use the word, ‘moving‘ because God is always speaking, encouraging, strengthening and leading His people onwards as He builds His Church. Our God is ongoing in His ways and not static or detached from His Church. I thought much about what is, what was and what could be. Then I read a stirring article below which underscored how we are longing for a new day in Church life today.
WHERE IS THE FIRE?
“Where is the fire, the passion, the burning love and spiritual desperation, resulting in sleepless nights, anguish in prayer, someone daring to ‘go it alone’ with what looks like reckless obedience to the Holy Spirit? Where is there a new, deep, pure sense of spiritual urgency and Spirit inspired and Spirit fuelled enthusiasm? Where, oh where, is the fire, the passion, the anointing, the power, the glory? Oh for the glory days again!
Where is there a healthy fear [reverential awe] of God among believers? Where is the undeniable and pure Holy Spirit activity, conviction, anointing in life, word and emotions? Where is conviction of sin, deep repentance, whole-hearted, radical conversion?
I grieve over humanistic and psychological substitutions for the Holy Spirit’s work, and for sub-standard, flesh-tainted Ishmaels!” [Quote from “Moving Forward” by John Beaumont] https://hislife.co.uk/2009/10/24/moving-forward/
CONVERSATIONS
My wife and I talk about days we experienced during the charismatic renewal and the significant godly qualities which marked HIS people. Informal, simple gatherings of believers who loved Jesus and worshipped with breathtaking anointing. A love for one another that broke racial, denominational and ideological barriers. Anointed prophetic words of life and believers with a deep hunger longing to live consistently in the fulness of the holy Spirit. An obedience to God, a reverential fear of the Lord and meetings from house to house with no professional leaders trying to control activities.
It is a new day, we have a fresh start and that longing for Him is still fresh and alive within so many of God’s people.
Lord, ‘WE LONG FOR THE FIRE!’