Don't Let the Fire Die

By Gobel Brockman

     I’ve thought about how quickly things can change in our spiritual lives. It’s interesting to me that we can go from “on fire-red hot revival” to near apathy in what seems like a relatively short time. A prime example of that in Scripture is found in the story of the church at Ephesus. In Acts 19 we read of miracles and deliverance taking place by the power of God in Ephesus. Their response was instantaneous and drastic:

“The story of what happened spread quickly all through Ephesus, to Jews and Greeks alike. A solemn fear descended on the city, and the name of the Lord Jesus was greatly honored. Many who became believers confessed their sinful practices. A number of them who had been practicing sorcery brought their incantation books and burned them at a public bonfire. The value of the books was several million dollars. So the message about the Lord spread widely and had a powerful effect.” Acts 19:17-20 (NLT)

     The power of the Holy Ghost was moving in Ephesus. People were turning from sin and turning to Jesus. Miracles were taking place. People were being set free and finding what true life in Christ was really about. In a relatively short time, however, we hear Jesus saying these words to those same Ephesian believers:

“I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.” Revelation 2:2-5 (ESV)

     The church of Ephesus went from burning their sinful possessions in the public square to being on the brink of losing their fire for the Lord altogether. The sad thing was that all the while they were still “doing church.” They were working, patiently enduring, and standing for the name of Jesus – and yet Jesus said, “I have something against you.” I submit to you that it’s no different today. We can still be active in church while having left our “first love” for Jesus Christ. The harsh reality is that Jesus wouldn’t accept it from the Ephesians, and He won’t accept it from us either.

     I can’t help but wonder just how widespread this is right now in our churches. How many prayer rooms that once blazed with the fire and zeal of the Holy Ghost are now little more than a pre-service formality? How many worship services that once touched the heart of our Father are now just “good music” that appeals to our ears? How many preachers that once preached with a palpable anointing are now delivering little more than motivational speeches that give us full pews but empty hearts? How many men and women of God who once grieved about their sin are finding themselves entangled by it again?

     How quickly it can happen. I have sadly learned that from experience over the years.

     My prayer for myself is that in those times I will heed the words that Jesus spoke to them: “Repent, and do the works you did at first.” May I fan into flames the fire that God has kindled in my heart. May what I do for the Lord be born out of my love and worship of Him. May our prayer rooms be filled with power and intercession. May our worship truly touch the Father’s heart. May preachers boldly proclaim the full counsel of God. May we see true, lasting revival touch this nation and the world.

     May we not let the fire die.

Storm Watchers

By Gobel Brockman

     It has been a wet spring here in the Midwest. Farmers have been struggling to get their crops planted because of the wet soil. Last night (as I type this) some pretty severe storms moved through our area. I’m sitting here now listening to thunder, while occasional lightning flashes through the sky. It causes me to think of a passage of Scripture found in Mark 4:35-40:

“That same day, when the evening came, He said to them, “Let us go cross to the other side.” When they had sent the crowd away, they took Him in the boat just as He was. There were also other little boats with Him. A great wind storm arose, and the waves splashed into the boat, so that it was now filling the boat. He was in the stern asleep on a pillow. They woke Him and said, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” He rose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” Then the wind ceased and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is that you have no faith?”

     It’s one thing to sit in your living room and watch a storm; it’s another thing entirely to be out on a lake in the middle of one. That’s exactly where they found themselves. One of the interesting things to me is they were exactly where Jesus told them to be when the storm hit. Many have the mistaken idea that if we follow Jesus, we will have a virtual problem-free life. I remind you that nothing could be further from the truth. Following Jesus doesn’t guarantee that you won’t have problems; being called to “take up your cross and follow Me” (Luke 9) should give us a great indication that struggles will be a huge part of our lives. But another thing I find interesting in this story is that after Jesus rebuked the storm and brought a great calm, He didn’t comfort or console the disciples.

HE REBUKED THEM.

     “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” On the surface, those seem like tough questions. They thought they were close to losing their lives, and now Jesus is calling them down for being full of fear and empty of faith. To understand the frustration that Jesus seemed to be expressing in that moment, we need to look at the last verse of the passage (verse 41):

They feared greatly and said to one another, “What kind of Man is He, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”

     That was the point – for them and for us. Jesus knew exactly “what kind of man He was” and if the disciples had known it as well, fear would not have had a place in that boat. It’s no different for those who follow Jesus today. In the midst of the storms we face – both physically and spiritually – we need to remind ourselves “what kind of Man is in our boat.” Storms that bring fear to us cause Him no consternation at all. He knows where’s He’s going and He knows that He’s in control.

     Do we?