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.

Waiting for a Move of God

By Gobel Brockman


"I don't wait for a move of God - I AM a move of God!" - Smith Wigglesworth

     We constantly hear things like, "The next revival is just around the corner!" or "The next 'Great Awakening' will soon take place." People are using different phrases to describe what they believe will be "the next move of God." I want to be very clear that I fully believe that is true - the Spirit of God is moving mightily all over the world, and I believe that it will only increase in the coming days. But what has been on my mind is what we see in the first two verses of the very first book of the Bible (Genesis). We read this familiar passage of Scripture in Genesis 1:1:

     "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

     But what catches my attention is what we find in the next verse:

     "The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters."(Genesis 1:2) 

     What I find interesting is that in verse 1 God creates, and immediately in verse 2 it says that He was "moving over the surface of the waters." This is my point:

     We talk about "a move of God" and sometimes fail to recognize that He has been "moving" from the very beginning.

     My point is that the issue isn't that God doesn't want to move; the issue is whether or not we want to move along with Him. We hear a lot about the need for "discipleship." I fully believe that new converts to Christ need to be taught and nurtured in their new faith, but I have a little different view on discipleship that many seem to have. We see several places in the Gospels where Jesus would tell someone, "Follow Me." What we DON'T see is Jesus sitting people down and telling them beforehand everything they would encounter if they chose to follow Him. (We also don't see Him showing up at their house every Saturday to make sure they were coming to church every Sunday.) Jesus simply said "follow Me" - and then He kept moving. It was up to each person to decide whether or not they were going to follow Him. I don't believe it's any different today. God is moving, and He is still inviting all to follow Him. It is up to each of us to decide if we will answer that call.

     There is a great promise for those who do indeed respond to the call to follow Jesus, and it's this: the next great "move of God" is indeed on the horizon! Peter, in preaching the first sermon of the New Testament church, tells us this in Acts 2:16-17:

     "But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh..."

     That word is alive for us today. The same Holy Spirit that moved in Genesis 1:2 is still moving today! Those who will move with Him will be astounded at what He accomplishes in these days. By faith I am excited to see how God moves in these times - excited to see people born again, filled with the Holy Ghost, and moving in power as the Spirit of God moves in them and through them. I am eagerly watching to see how God moves in the days ahead.

     Because God is always moving.  

Child of God, Activate What's Already Yours

By Gobel Brockman


     There's a story in the Bible that most of you reading this will be familiar with. (If you're not, it's found in the Old Testament book of 1 Samuel chapter 17.) The Philistine army was prepared for war against Israel. Their greatest warrior was a giant named Goliath. He told the army of Israel to choose a man to fight against him, and the winner of that fight would determine who would reign. The Bible says that this went on for many days, and the Israelites were terrified at the thought of facing Goliath. But David - a young, ruddy shepherd boy - came to visit his brothers who were part of the army, and he was infuriated that this giant would dare defy the God of Israel. With a sling, a stone, and a solid faith that God was with him, David killed Goliath and took off his head - all while the army of Israel was "losing their heads" with fear.

     I see a lot of that going on today.

     I know that these are difficult times. I know the Bible tells us to not be "ignorant of the devil's devices." (2 Corinthians 2:11) We are also told to "be sober, be vigilant, because our adversary the devil roams about, seeking whom he may devour." (1 Peter 5:8) My point is simply that there is a substantial difference between being aware and being fearful. I want to be aware, but I refuse to be fearful. How can I say that? Because God has given me the Holy Spirit, who is NOT a Spirit of fear, but IS a Spirit of power, love, and a sound mind. Simply put, regardless of what's going on the natural and political world, I refuse to be afraid. Despite what may be going on in your life right now, rest in the knowledge that God is truly in control of every situation - and if you are His child, He's going to take care of you. You are in the palm of His hand, and you're safe there. No Facebook conspiracy post can change that. No election or politician will ever cause God to abdicate His throne. If you're born-again, then whether you live or die, you are the Lord's, and nothing can take you away from Him.

     I've been reading and studying about the life and ministry of the late English evangelist Smith Wigglesworth, and I've been profoundly impacted by his story. The stories of the miraculous that took place as a result of his faith have both encouraged and challenged me. One quote of his, however, really struck me with both conviction and hope. In talking about faith and power in the believer's life, he made this statement: "It is a sin to ask God to give you power if you've been baptized in the Holy Ghost. At that moment God has given you all the power you need." After reading that statement I thought of all the times I had been guilty of that very thing. I have been filled with the Holy Ghost, and with that infilling I have received from God everything that I need to live a victorious life. I don't need to ask God for something I do not have; I simply need to activate by faith what He has already given me. I was convicted by my lack of faith, while at the same time I was filled with hope upon realizing that God has given me His Spirit and His faith to live in all the power I need! I encourage you to surrender your life to Jesus Christ and to be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit and let your faith arise to believe for the miraculous!

     So don't lose your head - live in the power of God and watch Him deliver the head of the Goliath in your life to you instead.