Fire in our hearts - The Jesus Army

FIRE IN OUR HEARTS THE LORD TOOK HOLD OF BUGBROOKEWhen God moves everything happens! What a story! Largecongregations, generous giving, a wonderful sense of love, andmany turning to Jesus. There are many pressures, some disappointments,occasional abuse and false gossip. But Jesus is Lordand by the Spirit we have continuing victory. There is a greatrevival of faith arising in Britain. The Jesus Movement is hotnews. We ourselves are receiving many letters and phone calls.People come from long distances. BBC Radio has contacted us.But in the midst of all this we must maintain a close walk withGod.At this time God gave them a prophetic ‘wisdom-picture’ of awheel with hub and spokes, the hub representing the committedcore of the church. Revivals have often failed as numbersincreased. The hub at Bugbrooke must grow stronger tohold the growing church together.The summer retreat in Matlock was a timely regathering ofstrength. Noel took the theme of deepening. Though theirliberty was growing, they saw that the backdrop must be holinessand full surrender to Christ. The hymn, ‘Burn fire ofGod, my ransomed soul possessing’ moved many to tears.Jesus was to be all in all. They were choosing a path of fierce,loving abandonment to Christ and his kingdom.Noel spoke from Timothy and Titus on God’s order withinthe church. He also introduced them to the writings of WatchmanNee who had just died after twenty years’ imprisonmentin China. Nee had pioneered churches in China and manyregarded him as a prophetic voice to the West. In his book,The Normal Christian Life 13 , Nee emphasised baptism, separationfrom the world and the distinctiveness of the church.72