It Only Takes a Spark

I prayed on specific words in relation to our Christian walk.  The word “Spark” was brought to my mind.  Maybe God brought it to my mind because July 4, Independence Day, is close.   When we encounter Christ, it only takes a spark.  In that instant we are changed, we are free, and people will notice.

As kids, usually on the fourth of July, we used to have sparklers that we would ignite and then run around the yard with them. You know the little sparklers that you can buy in the stores.  They were small, but you could see the light.

Then to light someone else’s sparkler we would put the two sticks together, and the sparkler that wasn’t lit would come to light.  We would pass it on.  There is a song we would sing at campmeetings.  “Pass it on” by Kurt Kaiser.  The first verse starts with “It only takes a spark to get a fire going.”    

Verse 1

It only takes a spark

To get a fire going

And soon all those around

Can warm up in its glowing

That’s how it is with God’s love

Once you’ve experienced it

You spread His love to ev’ryone

You want to pass it on.

~ Kurt Kaiser

It does only take a spark to get the fire going.  That is how it goes when we have experienced the love of God.  In an instant, we are changed. You want to share it.  Once you receive that love and feel that freedom, you want to pass it on.

Living IN Revival, we want to pass the good news on.  The freedom that can be found in Christ.  It is tremendous.  It is FREEDOM.  The TRUTH, the freedom, that in an instant, can change us. When we have that, we want to share it with those around us.  We can find illustrations of this change in an instant and the need to share the story, in the Bible and all around. 

The Woman of Samaria ~ Better Known as the Woman at the Well.

 She had gone to the well for water to quench her thirst.  One encounter, one conversation with the Lord. It only took a spark, and she went back into her town proclaiming what she had experienced.  “Come see a man who knew all about the things I did, who knows me inside and out. Do you think this could be the Messiah?” and they went out to see for themselves. – John 4:30 ~MSG

 “They went out to see for themselves.”  There must have been something about the woman.  Think about it. What a difference in that woman from the time she went to get the water when no one else was around to when she went back to the town.

Something in her countenance had changed that when she returned and told her story, people wanted what she had found.  She couldn’t keep the news to herself.  It was something that she had to share.  The town went to investigate for themselves. She had found something they were missing. 

What a difference that one moment with Christ made not only in her life but in her town's life!  She told of her encounter with Christ, and they went to see what she was talking about.  They wanted a change in their lives themselves.  ALL because of one conversation with Jesus, One Spark. 

The Story of the Jailor

Acts 16:23-33 ~ In the NIV

Paul and Silas were thrown in jail after been flogged.  It was midnight. They were bruised, battered, and in pain.  Yet, they were praying and singing.  “Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken.  At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose.” Acts 16:26.

The story goes on.  The jailor wakes up and sees the prison doors open.  Of course, he is going to freak out.  He freaked out so much that he was going to take his own life because of it.  But Paul shouted out “DON'T."

What kind of fire did Paul and Silas have for Jesus? They were bruised and battered but still singing and praying. The jailor saw this spark in them, and he wanted what they had.  The chapter continues. “At that hour of the night the jailor took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized.” ~Acts 16:33

Based on that one spark of Paul and Silas, that jailor and his entire family were baptized.  In one moment, the jailor was changed.  That change was seen by his family.  How else do you have an entire family be baptized in one instant?

That one event or that one spark changed the lives of that jailor and his family noticed.  They wanted what the jailor had.  In an instant, their lives were changed.

The Story of the Hemorrhaging Lady.

The woman who touched the robe of Christ was changed in an instant.  Luke 8:43-48, in the Message.  She was in the crowd. In fact, the verse emphasizes, “she slipped in from behind and touched the edge of Jesus’ robe. At that moment her hemorrhaging stopped.”

Because of her faith, in an instant, she was healed.  So much was her faith, that Jesus stopped what he was doing and called her out.  It wasn’t to embarrass her. He wanted her to tell her story.   Jesus had to have known who it was who touched his garment, but he wanted her to know that because of her faith, she was changed.

He wanted her to tell her story.  How many people heard what happened to her in that moment?  Her testimony of what God had done, in an instant.  IT truly is amazing.  She could have backed away and not volunteered the fact that it was her, but she did.

It only takes a Spark.  Can you imagine the story she told that night when she went home?  “Hello, husband, I have something to tell you.”  In a moment, her life is not the same.  In a moment, she knew Jesus and was not the same.

The Story of Bryan Welch

You may not know the story of Bryan Welch, the co-founder of KORN.   With one spark, the Bible, he was changed.  According to Bryan, his rock and roll lifestyle was a dangerous spiral.  He was on the brink of destruction with the drinking and the drugs.

 A friend gave him a bible.  Bryan, in an interview he gave to CBN said, “It’s about the book of life, and everybody needs to be taught…It’s gonna do stuff like this—like change a guy in a rock band.”

According to the same article, one week later, Bryan Welch, rock & roll star flew to Israel was baptized in the Jordan River.  It only took a spark, and now Bryan is sharing his faith to a multitude of people.  He is using his platform to tell his story and point people to Jesus.

The Story of Us

It takes only a spark, and we are changed. Christ wants us to spread the good news to those who need to hear it. When we are changed through Christ, we want to share it with anyone who will listen. He wants the world to hear of the freedom that can be found in Him.  Through His freedom, others will want what we have found. Something about naturally passing it on to others, like the sparklers.

What is your story?

Abba Father,

I pray that the spark that is changing people all around will start a wildfire of faith for others. Our stories need to be spread, and I pray that each of us tells our story of the Freedom that can be found in You. 

You keep igniting that spark in people, and we see time after time. We see you at work. Please continue to ignite that spark.  Soon all those around us will know of your glory.

In Jesus Name, AMEN!

~ Laura Maxson

Revival in the Storm

The waves are crashing over the little rowboat.  It is being tossed by each wave that hits it.  The wood cracks under the strain of the abuse. Storm clouds have covered the sky and darkened out the moon. Torrential rain is falling, and the wind is howling.

You are the only person in the rowboat, holding tightly to the sides of the boat so you will not be flung into the sea.  Getting drenched by the cold seawater, you don’t know how long the boat will be able to stay afloat.

Trying to scan the boat for a life jacket, but the pelting rain blurs your visions. The waves are getting bigger, and the wind is blowing fiercer.  The wind and the torrential rain muffle your screams for help.  It is a place of total helplessness.  

Every time lightning lights up the sky, you scan the horizon for any sign, for hope.  Yet, all you can see is the storm.  There is nothing out there but rough seas.  With each passing moment, helplessness overwhelms.

It is only a matter of time before the boat capsizes or breaks in two, not knowing what you will do if that happens. The one thing that you do know, if you don’t find safety quickly, you are going to drown. 

A large wave crashes over the bow the boat, and the little boat is flipped and splinters into the sea. Flying into the ice-cold water, and flailing your arms trying to stay above water.  It is now a matter of moments. If you don’t drown, you will freeze to death.

“SOMEBODY, PLEASE HELP ME! I don’t want to die alone,” crying out with the strength that you have left.

“Nobody is here for you. You are all alone,” A voice says in the dark.

Sinking under the wave and coming back up again, it won’t be long now. You have no more strength to fight.  The sea is going to claim you.  You don’t want to die, but you don’t see any solutions.

Then, for a moment, you think that you see a little light.  A hopeful, last-ditch mirage?  However, the light is there, and it is brighter now.  You are too far from land for it be a lighthouse. The light is getting brighter, and it is coming right at you.  

There is hope. Someone has seen you, and you are not alone.  They need to get to you post haste.  You are so tired of kicking and fighting for life. Knowing that someone is coming your direction, you muster up enough strength to flail her arms to get their attention. 

The light is now shining right on you. Someone has seen you and knows that you are in trouble. They are coming to help. One big wave crashes over you, once again pulling you under the water. You begin to sink into the depth of the sea.  The force pushing you down is more powerful than the energy that you have left to propel you to the surface.

As you are about to be claimed to the sea, you feel fingers wrap around your wrist. The grip is tight, and you feel the strength as they are pulling you closer to the surface.   A sense of relief fills you. 

You know that you are being saved from the depths.  There is a strong tug and you figure that you are almost at the surface.  Your lungs are burning for air.  Yet there will be air to breathe.  Just a few more inches. Reaching the surface, you inhale all the oxygen you can, and then …sit up in bed. 

The sheets on your bed are all in disarray.  You are still trying to catch your breath. You are drenched with sweat, but… you are safe in your bedroom at home. The storm is only in your dreams. 

“When you’re in over your head, I’ll be with you. When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down.” Isaiah 43:2 (MSG)

Yes, it was only a dream, but how many of us are sinking in the storms of life? For many of us, this is a real thing. The storms of life have capsized us.  We feel that the force pushing us down is stronger than our own strength.

We have all been there.  Even when we are walking with Christ, the storms of life will arise and capsize us.  Think about the disciples.    They physically walked with Christ every day for two years.  Yet, they endured the storms of life, and sometimes started to sink.

Jesus said to them. “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be Afraid.” Matthew 14:27 (NIV)

Photo by Tim Marshall on Unsplash

Got to love Peter.  He was seemingly fearless in certain areas.  Matthew 14:22-37 tells the story of the disciples in the boat.  “Meanwhile, the boat was far out to sea when the wind came up against them and they were battered by the waves.” (Matthew 14:24 MSG) They were in the storms of life, literally.

Jesus appeared to them.  Of course, that freaked them out.  Who wouldn’t be freaked out by someone walking on water towards them?  I know I would.

He says, “Calm down, it is me.”  Then good ole Peter says, “Lord, if it really is you, call me to come to you on the water.” Jesus answers, “Come on.”

Can you picture it?  Peter jumps out of the boat onto the top of the water.  The waves are still hitting the boat, and the wind is still whipping, but Peter just sees Jesus.  He is unaware, and all He sees is Jesus.

I can picture him sauntering towards Jesus, then realizes that there is a storm all around him. The wind and the waves are his focus now. He has lost focus of Jesus.

He is so caught up in the waves at his feet, and the wind around him.  That is when he starts to sink, and all he sees is the storm, and the water that is claiming him.  As he is sinking, he turns his focus back to Jesus.  “HELP ME!” he says.

In the Message, Matthew 14: 31, it states that Jesus didn’t hesitate.  “He reached down and grabbed his hand.  Then he said, ‘Faint heart, what got into you?”  Can you see the picture?

First off, Jesus didn’t hesitate.  He saved Peter first.  Then He said to Peter, “What happened, and why didn’t you have faith in me?”  Nowhere does Jesus say, “well, this is what you get for not keeping your eyes on me.”

    Living free in Christ, and having the revival in us, does not mean that storms of life won’t come.   It does mean that, with Christ, we know that any storms that come in our life have no power against Christ. It means that the force of Christ is stronger than the force of the storm that wants to sink us.

    How much freedom does that provide to you and me?  Yes, storms will come, life will happen, but we are saved in Christ.  That is amazing news to us that can only see the storm.

Again, Lord, do it again.  Let the revival begin again, and let it begin in me.

Poppa God,

    We know that there will be storms of life.  There are things that will drag us down into the dark waters. Sometimes it feels that the force of the dark is greater than our own strength.  When we lose focus of You and start to sink in that darkness, I thank You for not hesitating and for grabbing our hand.  You pull us up. You don’t stand there and tell us, “I told you so.”  You save us, and then You remind us that You have got us.

Thank you for the freedom in You. Thank you for Your saving grace.  I praise You that You continue to remind us that You will never leave or forsake us.

You are mightier than anything that the devil can throw at us.  The devil has ZERO authority over us, because of YOU. YOU ARE GOD.  You are our Rock, our Savior, our Deliver, and our Redeemer.   

 Though the storms may come, we know that You have us in Your grasp, and you won’t let us drown in the storms of life.

Thank you for the revival that You want to start in each of our lives.  Continue to knock on the doors of our hearts.     I pray, “do it again, Lord, do it again, and let it start with me.”

In Jesus Name AMEN!

Laura Maxson