Prayer and incense

During the time of prayer this morning, I had a strong "smell" of incense and then had a picture of smoke rising from the congregation as if from an incense stick. Against the smoke, colours seemed to change until there appeared a background of purple which I believe represented heaven touching earth. Purple is often depicted as a royal colour but it is also a mix of blue (the heavens) and red (the earth).

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.