In the context of significant events concerning the government of the UK, both politically and spiritually, we offered the duration of our gathering to the Lord in response to His continued call to ASCEND and ADVANCE. The following Pointers are a summary of the way the Lord led and spoke to us during the evening.
A new way of perceiving
- We were reminded of the way in which John the Apostle frequently wrote in his ‘Revelation’: I looked; I saw; I heard. The result was often not what was expected, eg. “Then I looked and heard…” (Rev 5.11) – the action was ‘looking’, but the account was of ‘hearing’. We sensed the Lord wanting a recalibration of the way we perceive and that this should start with a new way of thinking about past things. This process was compared with the way in which the invention of the Hubble telescope revealed galaxies not previously known and, further, that the subsequent James Webb Space telescope, was used to view thousands more new galaxies through a small black area identified with the Hubble telescope. We prayed the Lord would help us to let go of our familiar frameworks of reference individually and corporately.
- Our perception of ourselves also needs to be recalibrated by the Lord. We are more than what our senses perceive – see Ps 8.4-6.
Heart over mind
- Our hearts have a greater capacity to perceive the vast magnitude of the things of God than our minds. It is our hearts, which are created by our Maker to be His dwelling and which are at the interface of earth and heaven. Our hearts need ‘enlarging’ because they are designed to hold eternity – see Eccl 3.11. As we ask the Lord to reign in our hearts, there is an invitation from Him to explore new depths which He wants to reveal.
- We prayed for our hearts to be ‘enlarged’ and ‘stretched’ to a greater capacity to accommodate the increased understanding and interpretation of what the Lord is saying, individually and corporately. “And God gave Solomon wisdom and exceedingly great understanding, and largeness of heart like the sand on the seashore.” (1Kings 4.29). Our heart capacity is increased in the measure that our hearts are one with the Lord’s and, by extension, with one another’s. We used Ephesians 3.14-21 to pray further for our hearts.
- There is an important dynamic or movement in being overwhelmed as we receive God’s love which, in turn, we return to Him. This is especially effected in worship. It is the Lord’s love which then flows out as we share with one another; this is the bond of our oneness. This dynamic starts with our receiving from the Lord; no striving.
- During a prolonged period of silent waiting on the Lord, following prayer for the enlarging of our hearts, there was a sense of profound security, peace and stability, different in quality to anything sensed previously. The Lord is wanting us to know a deeper confidence in Him in preparation for what is yet to come. The world is full of fear. We are distinctive, representing the Lord’s nature in the world. “God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them… In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear…” (1Jn 4.16-18).
Do not allow the things of the world to cling
- Image – a wall with very thick ivy clinging to half of it. The remainder of the wall had been cleared. This was accompanied by a word: “cut the ivy down to expose me”.
- Image – a gold mine with walls covered. Word: “I have filled my people with my glory and I’m ready to reveal it.
- We are made in God’s image – this means so much more than we understand.
- Does ivy represent the things of the world? It is often viewed as being an attractive covering, but it is highly destructive, stripping life from the brick of the wall. It may represent age and long-standing tradition. To remove it requires tackling the root. We often cling to the things that are familiar. We are to cling to the Lord.
- We are as living stones forming the Temple of God (1Pet2). “..let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.” (Heb 12.1)
Words received during the gathering
- Open a new door, a new conversation, a new language. Make sure you interpret and listen to His word. Make sure it is a heavenly message. Be on your guard.
- I am the potter. I give you a new piece of clay to remould a new shape in your hearts. Feel a new heartbeat which is in a new rhythm.
- Do you realise how much I love you? It is beyond your comprehension.
OUR NEXT ONLINE GATHERING WILL BE ON SUNDAY 2nd AUGUST, 7.30-9.30pm
RESOLUTIONS AND DECLARATIONS
We continue to proclaim these daily as a Community. The Maranatha Prayer guide containing all the Resolutions, Declarations and accompanying material for prayer and action can be found here:
https://www.maranathacommunity.org.uk/declaring-the-word/
