Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: FIRE (08/04/22)
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TITLE: Can it Blaze Again? | Previous Challenge Entry
By John Puckett
08/07/22 -
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When we had a burn up of trimmings from an overgrown hedge, no way could we hide the smoke. From our hillside home it could be seen from a great distance.
Fire is mentioned over 500 times in the Bible.
After his saving work at Calvary, Jesus returned to heaven and sent the Holy Spirit to establish the Church. “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come … there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.” Acts 2:1-3.
The Holy Spirit was fire in the disciples’ souls, and they could not hide the Gospel. “We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:20.
Many times the fire of the Holy Spirit has done a purifying work of God in the church and in the nation. The early Salvation Army emphasised the fire of God in its preaching, and much of the decadent society of 19th century Britain was awakened. Countless people were born again through the Gospel of Jesus.
Well, our bonfire became a pile of ashes by the evening, and by morning it had cooled into apparent lifelessness. However, deep inside that ash-heap were a few red-hot embers. With a new supply of fuel and air, they could burn again.
Today, are some churches ash-heaps?
In response to earnest prayer, God the Holy Spirit really can awaken their hidden embers and make them burn again. He might cause a lot of smoke, but that’s necessary if He’s going to get rid of the rubbish.
Be encouraged to cry out like the Psalmist: “Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You?” Psalm 85:6
When Humphrey Jones returned to Wales from the revival in the United States in 1858, he saw most churches and chapels as ash-heaps.
“Woe to you who are at ease in Zion!” was typical of the Bible verses on which he preached. Amos 6:1.
Consequently, God awakened many dull embers into powerful Gospel fires. Praise the Lord!
Have our communities seen much church smoke recently?
If we really give ourselves to prayer, our embers can certainly blaze again.
Be encouraged. There is hope in the ash-heap!
There is hope in the Lord!
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