Our Online Gathering on Sunday 2nd February followed hot on the heels of our Maranatha Weekend Gathering in Davyhulme, Manchester. This email will begin with a very brief summary of the highlights of the weekend, before going on to the ‘Pointers’ arising from our online gathering.
Healing and restoration for the heart of the Body of Christ was the dominant overall theme of our weekend gathering.
- Our ONENESS as followers of Jesus synchronises the heartbeat of the body of Christ. Our oneness especially embraces those suffering persecution as Christians. LOVE is the source of our oneness and is the power that is ‘pumped’ through the whole Body.
- We LISTEN to the Lord’s heart TOGETHER by drawing very near to Him, as the apostle John laid his head on Jesus’ breast. We do this as ONE people, to discern the orientation and the rhythm of His heartbeat. We are then able, in agreement, to ‘pump’ a resounding YES to the will and purposes of God and a NO to those things which oppose His will (see Matt 18.18-20). In this way, our synchronised ‘yes’ will shake the world, as we ‘pulsate’ with the LIFE, TRUTH and LIGHT of Christ. The Lord is shaking the world out of the Church. We are to synchronise our hearts with the Lord’s, like soldiers synchronising their watches on the eve of battle.
- The Maranatha Community is called to be an instrument of HEALING for the Body of Christ. There is healing and renewal every time we gather in unity. Healing is not dependent upon our understanding, but is through faith in the One who heals. As we ask, so we receive. We should ask specifically for the Lord to heal any barriers to His Love and Truth in our hearts. As we address the wounds of the heart, we will see healing in the ‘battlefield’ of the mind. There is much fear within the Body of Christ. Perfect love drives out fear and builds confidence of heart. The Body of Christ can be encouraged (strengthened in heart) and confident under the protection of the Lord’s all-covering canopy.
- We are called to demonstrate love in an unGodly culture. In our oneness and love for one another, we are sensitive to each other’s wounds and also to the wounds of a suffering world.
- Fulfilling God’s purposes often involves metamorphosis – a change from what we have been to what we can become. As the Lord is doing a new thing, we are open to His power to transform us and the whole of Christ’s Body to be more and more conformed to the likeness of Jesus.
Here are the key points which emerged from our sharing during the online gathering on Sunday 2nd February:
- Our gathering started with the reading of Isaiah 35 with the invitation to receive this Word for our own lives as well as for the nations and all dimensions of life. It speaks of total transformation, which is what the Lord wants for His people. It’s time to be strong and not afraid (v3-4) then the eyes of the blind will be opened. It is as if our disposition affects the provision of water for the parched land.
- The Lord is repeatedly urging His people to seek intimacy with Him in these days. “Nestle into me”. It is the place of deeper revelation about who He is.
- Picture: Hands reaching up, light coming down. Word: “Open your hands to release your burdens. Receive My love and peace.” Ps 24.3-4: “Who may ascend… He who has clean hands and a pure heart…” There is need for us to let go of the things we hold on to – disappointments and fears – especially where there is a fear of losing control. God wants to put something into our hands. The Lord is more interested in hands being clean than capable. As we ASCEND and lift up holy (clean) hands over our nation, things will happen. Remember God’s promises eg. Isaiah 35.
- What prevents us from lifting our hands? Our reluctance? Opposition? In the place of intimacy, there is safety to receive from the Lord with open hands. We all receive a gift of Grace. In the safe place of God’s covering the gift can grow and be released.
- Word: “The darkness will increase before the light increases – do not be afraid. I am sending you ahead of the light to announce its coming. You will speak the light into the darkness and prepare the way. Then the light will come and many will see and believe.” This is reminiscent of John 1 and the call of John the Baptist. We are in the days of preparing for the return of the Lord.
- Question: How does the Lord want us to ADVANCE? This question applies to us individually as well as corporately. We should remember that satan works hard to prevent us from fully realising and living in our true identity in Christ. Esther knew her true identity, even whilst in exile, married to a foreign king. Because of this she was able to save her people, the Jews, from annihilation. Mordecai was given the wisdom to set out the wording of a decree, sent out in the name of the king. The Jews were saved by being given the right to defend themselves, though under attack. They moved from a place of fear and intimidation to a place of confidence, which invoked fear in the enemy causing it to collapse. The Lord wants us to ADVANCE in our confidence in Him and in our true identity in Christ.
