Words and Vision

A real gem of a day beginning with a very misty start which quickly burnt off to reveal all the colours of autumn sparkling in the vibrant sunshine under a cerulean sky. Gorgeous - a fantastic spirit-lifter.

The gifts of the spirit flowed during the worship, particularly through those named Peter (or so it seemed to me)! Dr Peter Cu_ brought this reading from 1 Peter 2:4-6

As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame." (NIV)

Peter felt that the Lord wanted to remind us that he is doing something in each one of us - building up each individual whilst knitting us together to build the church.

Julie S_ spoke of how we have an opportunity today to come to Jesus - he accepts us and loves us. We have choices to make. We can come with all the things in our life that hold us back, bring them to Jesus and walk away free, no longer burdened by the past, or we can choose not to come, but to walk away with all those things we came in with. Julie reminded us: draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

Paula M_ asked: "Do you believe it? The God who moves mountains; the God who rescues us from death - do you believe it?"

Peter Ca_ asked in the spirit: "Have you fathomed the mysteries of God? Do you know what Jesus did for you? Do you want to know more of my kingdom, more of my mysteries? If you know, you will want to worship me, worship the living God - there is more to know about me"

Inspired by the spirit, Pete H_ sang:
I will live my life to follow you (repeat)
I wasn't worthy of you
but you gave your life
I wasn't worthy of you
but you paid the price
Now I am worthy
Do you see what He has done?
If you believe Him
It does something in you
Do you believe it?
Will you live for it?
I will live my life in worship to you (repeat)
I will give my life in worship to you (repeat)

Nigel S_: God laid a blanket of the Holy Spirit over us today - He wants to speak to His church. He is softening our hearts to hear from him.

John F_ described his vision about a section of the church members being screened off, not fully available, not fully known, not able to play a full part because of something holding them back, whether impropriety in finance or business, having given up on a marriage (to those, the Lord says: "You may have given up on your marriage, but I haven't given up on you!"), lies, deceit, duplicity or pride, etc. Invited anyone who felt they fitted into any of these categories of people screened off from the rest to come forward and kneel in obedience.

After people responded to John F_'s vision and call:
Nicola: "God's heart is breaking - love is pouring out - huge joy at your response – but for many this is just the beginning – in some cases there are actions that you need to do to follow up your response. God is faithful and will walk alongside you as you do what needs to be done."


Sally: "As you kneel, you reveal your soles - your soles needed re-soling - when re-soled, you should walk taller, in a different direction - likewise kneeling in surrender reveals your soul - God has re-souled you - no longer the same broken down - arise anew.