As we met online (via Zoom) on 4th May we saw a large expanse opening up before us, with the Lord’s command to fill it with God’s glory. Ephesians 1:22-23 says: ‘God placed all things under [Jesus’] feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way’. The Lord is opening up a wide place for us; we – His Church – are His agents in this world, to hear and to do His will. This is a pivotal moment. We saw a picture of our hearts connecting as one and criss-crossing to bring life to the Body of Christ.
The Lord warned us to beware of the ‘sugar’ of this world. Sugar is sweet to the taste but it also is addictive, harms our bodies and masks other healthier tastes. Too many of us are addicted to the world’s ways (especially in our religious practices) and need to give them up by offering them to the Lord. Leviticus 2:11 onwards reminds us that our offering to God must not contain yeast or honey (puffed-up religion or worldly sweeteners) but only salt, which intensifies true flavours and keeps things from decay.
The Lord is calling us to a table, much as He called the disciples to His last supper. This is a table of intimate sharing, where only the truth is spoken and spoken plainly. It is a table of solemn agreement and covenant. This is where we hear – and agree with – the Lord’s heart and mind.
We were reminded of the significance of our prayers and the impact which they have. We need to be better stewards of our time so that we can take a greater part in the Lord’s great work in our churches and communities.
We saw Psalms 120 to 134 (the ‘psalms of ascent’) as a picture of our journey, both as individuals and as Maranatha, which leads us to God’s dwelling place and prepares us to be His dwelling place here (‘from Babylon to God’s house’).
The Lord reminded us of the key description of His Church as having three components, working together seamlessly, like the ossicles in the ear. These are:
We are challenged by the Lord to see and perceive these three as He sees them.
The Lord wants us to change our perspective; to be expectant and positive. To hear His voice in greater detail and definition than ever before. To say ‘yes’ where we might previously have said ‘no’. To trust that the door is wide open for us…
Don’t underestimate what I can do
Don’t underestimate what I am doing
Don’t underestimate your calling in all this
Our final encouragement was a picture of a watering can with a plant growing out of the spout, permanently supplied with the water it needs. The Lord says (Psalm 1) that we can be ‘like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither – whatever they do prospers.’
Some words given during our meeting:
‘It is early evening and I come amongst you to sweep the darkness away and bring you into the light of My truth, the truth that no darkness can shatter, that, as you say, I am King of kings and Lord of lords. Fellow people, assert this truth to all who would hear you, for it will sustain them and guide them along the right path towards the light and bring them into fellowship with Me.’
and
‘It’s all very well listening to what I have to say, but will you do what I tell you? You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink. Are you thirsty enough for My word? Will you listen to what I have to say and do it? For, I tell you, have high expectations of what I am about to do.’