he who has an ear, let him hear

last night we met for our friday community group. i find it interesting that each time we meet, we seem to become more accustomed to sensing where the Spirit is moving among us... and more eager to see God work among us when that happens.

our group was a bit smaller, as we had a few people out of town and a few more not able to come because of work schedules. we all were eager to see why God had brought a select few to our gathering that night... why he chose a more intimate group setting for that night and what he had planned.

our worship time was amazing, and in my opinion, it always is... we love worshipping together through song. our prayer time though? it never ended. looking back now on what God was doing, the entire night centered around prayer. during our worship time, nate could barely get a song out before someone was led to pray... every area of our gathering was covered in prayer, as were the people there... and it was beautiful... and it seemed neverending. there was just so much on our hearts.

nearing the end of our worship and prayer time, i picked up my bible and flipped it to revelations. i shared with the group what i was reading:

Revelations 3:14-22
"To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:
These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. 15I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. 19Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. 20Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. 21To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."

i was intrigued that in the "lets wrap it up" book of the bible... the last one God inspired... that he chose to focus first and foremost on encouraging and admonishing the churches listed in the first three chapters. i had never thought about why that was though, and i was a bit perplexed at what the differences in the churches were and the significance of each one.

our worship time was officially over as michael practically shouted (in anticipation of how God had already prepared for this discussion) "you're not going to believe this, but God led me to those verses this last week, and i started studying what the differences in those churches were!" we all freaked out, as it was evident God wanted us discussing this topic, and for a long time we mulled over the verses. our discussion was so uplifting and so encouraging! it morphed into so much about the different areas of our lives and relationships and being hot or cold, not lukewarm... and then into what we're all learning about our giftings (because we're so excited about gifts right now, everything ties back to them).

our discussion took a turn a bit later... to one of humility and brokenness as i brought up the fact that in many situations in the past, i wonder what God could've done and where i perhaps missed his best in a relationship or friendship because i was trying to be God in someone's life... i wondered aloud what would've happened if i could've admitted at those times when i was confused about a situation or feeling inadequate in my place in it, that i was illequipped in my giftings to be everything that a Christian brother or sister needed. in those times i couldve taken someone gifted in discernment or prophecy with me to help restore that brother or sister back to Christ.

i shared that so often i can get focused on how to convince people that their sin is wrong, but forget that our argument is nothing against that sin unless the Holy Spirit first opens someone's eyes to see Truth. it is the Holy Spirit's job to convict someone of their sin, not ours.

as we discussed this topic and gained more insight into this topic of balance in the Body of Christ, and where our different strengths and weaknesses lie... and also how to work together so that we are at all times one Body, complete and efficient in Christ to do his work... faith walked across the room to one in our group that was hurting, and sat down next to her.

faith shared that as we were talking, her heart was beating so loud in her ears, she could barely think straight. she was burdened for her sister in Christ who was hurting, but even more so because she feels inequipped to help her in the ways she needs. faith was confident God had brought this woman into our group for the purpose of healing and restoration, but she was equally as confident that there was someone else in the group that God wanted to use to bring about that healing... and she didn't know who that was.

so, we all gathered around our sister and prayed over her. it was intense... to say the least... and a time where we could all come together and claim Christ's power for our sister in Christ. we were all so humbled and so in awe at what God had done in that time we spent praying over her... and it was evident God's work in her life had just started. we are excited to see how God will bring us all together and show us his plan and purpose in our place in her life and how we can help come alongside her and comfort and encourage her in her healing process.

as we learn and we grow together, we have a chance to go through our growing pains together, too... and in those times when we get a chance to be a part of what God is doing in the lives of the people around us, it is a joyous occasion. our hurting sister on friday night shared her sorrow and her pain with us, and we got a chance to show her unconditional love and comfort her in that.

in those times, we learn... we learn what our place is in each others' lives... we learn how best to use our gifts and work together with each other...

and we see Christ more clearly as he shows us that his strength is made more perfect in our weakness.

so, really... if it perfects his strength, in and among us... is it a weakness at all?

so much more happened on friday night, and each time God brought to mind some new Truth to share or ordained conversations between peopel in our group, it was so characteristic of God just coming in and breaking through our preconceived notions of what he is capable of among us...

eight hours after i arrived for our community group, i left... at 2am.

it felt like two hours.