| The following post titled 'Under Construction: Windows is based on our Under Construction series across C3 Sydney's 11 Locations |
l “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people. Ephesians 1:17-18 (NIV)” l
Windows represent how and what we see and our perspective in life. A window can be open, closed, half open or curtained. Their purpose is to let in the light. Our spirits need to let in the light also - the light of God, the Word, His truth, His vision.
We know that when our eyes are closed we are not letting in the physical light but we can forget that if our heart is closed, we cannot receive God’s light either. If our heart is aching or cynical it becomes closed, so let Ephesians become our prayer: “the eyes of your heart may be enlightened” so that wisdom and revelation can come in.
Ask God what He Thinks
The world is full of perspectives on how we should see ourselves and our world but it is far better to ask God what He thinks (Romans 8:28, Proverbs 3:5-6). When we seek God, we can know Him better. The word the Bible uses for “know” is not referring to head knowledge but a relationship of the deepest intimacy. Images, pictures and words from God stay with us for years, offering encouragement in difficult moments as we remember what God Himself said to us.
A personal prophecy changes our spirit. Consider Isaiah’s vision in Isaiah 6:1-8. An encounter with God changes your life and there’s no limit to how many times we can hear from God. When God is present in our meetings, do you stand back or do you seek Him, positioning your body and heart to receive a revelation?
Position Yourself
Habakkuk was a prophet, living in a city surrounded by a wall for protection. The wall had watchtowers in it for spotting approaching enemies. Habakkuk however, goes up to the watchtower to watch for God. God can talk to us anywhere and any time but He loves it when we position ourselves to hear from Him and when we position our hearts to receive from Him. So how do we receive revelation from God?
1. The Word
Pray the prayer in Ephesians and keep reading until He speaks. The Holy Spirit highlights promises in the Bible to encourage us. When a verse is revealed to you in this way, meditate on it -picture it, consider how it applies in your life, repeat it to yourself and get it into your spirit. Revelation brings knowledge, insight, understanding and assurance to our lives. What do you need to hear from God today?
2. Through the Holy Spirit
He is the Spirit of truth, the messenger bringing light (John 16:13) who revealed Jesus to us for our salvation. Take time both in quiet places at home and in our meetings to wait with an expectant heart. God is hungry to show us things if we ask (1 Corinthians 2:9-10).
What do you want to see about God/yourself/your circumstances? Dare to dream and get a God perspective of your future.
Something to talk about:
1. Can you share about a specific encounter with God which changed your life?
2. Have there been times when you couldn’t hear from God? How did you readjust to “open up”?
3. What do you want to hear about from God this week?
