Fire in our hearts - The Jesus Army

FIRE IN OUR HEARTS THE LORD TOOK HOLD OF BUGBROOKEever the youngsters realised they’d found something importantand hurried back to tell Noel.By now Noel was almost ready for God to baptise him inthe Spirit. ‘Any idea of a second experience,’ he wrote, ‘hadbeen taught out of me. I now saw the early church had a baptismof power and I needed to ask for and receive the Spirit.’ 6Out in Africa, Dave had met some Americans who spoke tohim of a second blessing, and the Lord challenged him abouthis barrenness. After reading in a book by Catherine Marshallabout surrendering the will to the Lord, he had a realexperience of meeting with God. His prayer life came alive.He just asked for things and ticked them off when the answerscame. By the end of 1968 he was praying for revival inBugbrooke.At the close of the annual church meeting in mid-December,Noel encouraged everyone to ask definitely for the HolySpirit according to Luke 11:13: ‘If you... know how to givegood gifts to your children, how much more will your Fatherin heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!’‘I have a text for 1969,’ he added. ‘“With God, all things arepossible.” Also this scripture from Ezekiel 34:26: “I will makethem and the places round about my hill a blessing; and...there shall be showers of blessing”’ (RSV).Within days it came. Noel was praying in the manse when atide of love broke over him and the Spirit came in power.Later he wrote of that moment:The experience was very much as Finney describes. Certainly itwas so intoxicating, so exhilarating, and so intense that I felt I33