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Fire in our hearts - Jesus Army

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FIRE IN OUR HEARTS<br />

AWAKE O ZION!<br />

reasonable bet that they have spread more happ<strong>in</strong>ess than<br />

harm. 27<br />

In fact, the church was <strong>in</strong> danger of be<strong>in</strong>g overrun by the<br />

<strong>in</strong>telligentsia. Students and professionals swarmed <strong>in</strong> like<br />

bees around a honeypot, but <strong>in</strong> God’s wisdom the pace was<br />

set by the locals and the converts. There was some depth<br />

beh<strong>in</strong>d the raucous brotherhood of Argyle Street, and we all<br />

learned to live from the heart. ‘Out of y<strong>our</strong> belly,’ said <strong>Jesus</strong>,<br />

‘will flow rivers of liv<strong>in</strong>g water’ (John 7:38 NKJ). In the atmosphere<br />

of released emotion and spiritual worship, many <strong>hearts</strong><br />

were <strong>in</strong>spired and lifted.<br />

Spontaneity, though, needed the balance of discipl<strong>in</strong>e. Many<br />

drifted <strong>in</strong> and out, flirtation between the sexes was a danger,<br />

and there was a need for hol<strong>in</strong>ess. We sought to be more<br />

accountable to one another and taught biblical discipleship<br />

and commitment. Some resented this and Noel replied with a<br />

ra<strong>in</strong> of heavyweight quotes on the notice sheet from men like<br />

Tozer and Nee. Cross-bear<strong>in</strong>g, brokenness and death to selfliv<strong>in</strong>g,<br />

became the themes of the day.<br />

The Lord now began to say, ‘Take my people deeper!’ Deeper<br />

<strong>in</strong>to God and deeper <strong>in</strong>to his k<strong>in</strong>gdom. As the word of God’s<br />

k<strong>in</strong>gdom was proclaimed, I felt I was watch<strong>in</strong>g the parable of<br />

the sower <strong>in</strong> action. My spirit was excited (I’d found out where<br />

it was!) and I soaked up the vision. Some of us felt we had<br />

stumbled upon treasure and wanted to give everyth<strong>in</strong>g to ga<strong>in</strong><br />

it.<br />

But not all responded this way. ‘Life’s worries, riches and<br />

pleasures’ (Luke 8:14) choked some lives, and slowly the summer<br />

crowds of 1973 th<strong>in</strong>ned out. As we moved on <strong>in</strong>to 1974<br />

105

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