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t Alpha we have been discussing how we need to listen to God and seek what he wants to say to us, not just talk to or at him. This is important in all relationships, and most important in our relationship with God. So, I wonder how God speaks to you?
God often speaks to me first thing in the morning when I wake. Sometimes, a Bible verse comes to mind as if God is speaking to me about it. Other mornings he gives me visions. Last Monday morning as I awoke, I saw a chasm between myself and God and I took a big wooden cross to lay across it so I could walk over into the arms of Jesus, hugging him on the other side. At that time, flames flared up out of the chasm behind me and I had to tuck my feet up to not get burned. I was then aware of being in God's throne room. I sat with the image for a while and responded as led. Shortly after, a second vision came. I was walking out of St. Paul's Cathedral completely naked, going out into the world with nothing, holding my arms out wide. Both of these visions made more sense by the end of the day. During the morning, I visited a beautiful who would soon pass away. As he shared his journey with me, I was able reassure him from the vision I had that morning that Christ will bring him through, and Jesus is waiting for him with open arms on the other side where he will see the glory of God. The first vision from that morning made sense here. That evening, after a really hard day, I met with a longtime Christian friend and had a long, deep and honest conversation about faith and where I was at. I needed this conversation and so did she. She expressed appreciation and told me that she sees this kind of openness and vulnerability as being Naked, standing with arms out wide, nothing of your own. Just your authentic self! It was then that the second image from that morning made sense, and I was assured that God is with me and speaks to me and is carrying me through my tough time when I felt challenged in my faith. This Sunday, as we begin a sermon series in the book of Revelation, I pray we all grow in our faith and assurance of God being with us. May the symbols in the letter reveal more of God's truth to us and encourage us to live faithfully in this challenging time between Christ's first and second coming. John, calls this book a ‘prophecy’, indicating that it is the word of God, affirming the truth already revealed by God in the past, and applied to the situation in which John and his readers found themselves. Its references to things as yet in the future are an essential part of the encouragement of the saints in their current situation. This book is what God gave to John to say to Christians suffering intense persecution and pressure at the hands of the evil one. In our revelation series we will be reminded of Christ's incarnation – during which he glorified the Father [see John 17:4] – ‘the faithful witness’, His crucifixion and resurrection, in which he conquered sin and death – ‘the firstborn from the dead’ and His ascension to the right hand of God, where he is ‘the ruler of the kings of the earth’. Each of these aspects of Jesus Christ are of key relevance to John’s readers in the context of their witness, their struggle, and their victory. We will be reminded of three massive truths; Jesus loves us. He has freed us from our sins by his blood. And He has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father. May these truths affirm, strengthen and empower us in our own struggles. The voice of God is reported for the first time in this book: ‘I am the Alpha and the Omega … who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty’ [verse 8]. In reflecting on this passage, this song comes to mind. 'Alpha and Omega' - Gaither Vocal Band: Listen HERE I hope you enjoy listening to it and I encourage you to keep listening for God's voice and listen to/or see what he is wanting to say to you each day. God is with you. Rev. Tanya
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Reverend
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