Isaiah 40:28-29

"Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
The Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,

If you have ears, listen to what the Spirit says to the church

Revelation 2 & 3

I think God gave me a vision in which I saw a large construction site, lots of ugly mess, lots of building work, lots of change. Amongst the construction site right in the middle was a tree, a beautiful tree that stood out contrasted against the concrete and building work. Underneath the tree was a community gathered, a thriving community that seemed to not be harmed by any of the change going on around them.

My understanding of what God is saying through this vision is: amongst the changes in the church whether in the structure of church life with MSCs  or in the structure of building work, stand firm in your faith and the community will strengthen.  Welcome change but through God's guidance and remaining united in him the community will thrive. And don't do it alone, face the changes or constructions as a community.

This vision brings together a number of themes God has been underlining to us as a church again and again:  community, new life, and the importance of waiting on God in prayer.

What a glorious God!

Isaiah 53:3-10

Despised, so that we might draw near to Him

Rejected, so that we might be forgiven and accepted

Pierced, so that our hearts would be pierced by His great affection for us

Crushed, so that we might be whole

Oppressed, so that we might soar on wings like eagles

Afflicted, so that we would not have to bear the weight of our guilt and shame

Slaughtered, so that we might live

Judged, so that we might go free

Cut off, so that we might be grafted into His family

Assigned a grave, so that we might take up our place of royal residence with our Heavenly Father

Suffered, so that we might enjoy God's abundant blessings

Guilt offering, so that we might be found innocent of all our offenses

What a glorious God!

Dave Smith