Hearing God today

As part of our series on spiritual gifts, Dan spoke about the gifts of tongues and prophecy last Sunday from 1 Corinthians 14. If you weren't able to make it or tune in, you can watch it below. 

After the sermon, Dan encouraged people to pray quietly for a few minutes, asking God for a verse or word or picture that might be for someone else. Here is what was shared. These will all need to be weighed, to test if they are from God or not: 

• God’s hand reaching down into water, gripping your hand and pulling you up into fresh air
• T: "For ages I didn’t have a name …"   J: "Not one your parents gave you, but from the moment of your birth I knew your name. I whispered in your ear, ‘Do not be afraid. I have risen; I, the Christ, hold you’" 
• Is 43 “I have called you by your name, you are mine”
• When we are feeling blown by the winds around us remember Jesus is the Rock beneath our feet. 
• We are acceptable as we are. It is alright to be ordinary like a seed that just needs space, opportunity and sustenance to grow. The harvest we bring is always acceptable to God. Let’s not compare ourselves to one another but bring what we have and share as we can.
• Things may be bleak at the moment. But a bright new dawn is coming. 
• The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord has sent you to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.
• On Pentecost Sunday when we were praying for the Holy Spirit to come, I had a picture of tongues of fire circulating above the chancel but that there was something hindering them from descending into the church. Perhaps a word for me but perhaps for the church as a whole. When I prayed about it later I wondered whether the hindrance might be unforgiveness.
• There’s a body of water and it’s still but then a dove comes and suddenly the water looks alive. 
• But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ 2 Corinthians 12:9
• “I have loved you with an everlasting love. I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” Jeremiah 31:3
• I pictured a swan (female) with ducklings following and then nestling into her back. I asked for revelation and it was maybe that someone is considering adopting one or more children and that they could provide a strong, safe and beautiful place for those children.
• Though there may be prolonged periods of darkness and uncertainty and uncomfortableness, the light will come.
• As an onion has an outer layer that needs removing to uncover the multiple layers within, so God wants us to remove our outer layers to allow him into our lives – one layer at a time.
• I was looking down on a peaceful and sunny rural scene, with fields and a broad river running through it. The growth of vegetation nearest the river was the most lush and plentiful, with thick grasses close to the bank blowing in the breeze. A church building stood to the side, the other side of the lush grass, a small distance from the river.
• One of the names God gives himself: “I am the LORD who heals you”
• I see a picture of hands raised, the young, even children, and the old, ready to share what is on God’s heart for St. James’ by the Park. If we speak out there is an exciting future for our church.
• I am doing a new thing. The light is green so go! Use your faith.
• 1 Peter 2:9  God does not want us to sit in a dark corner with our mouths shut. He wants us to stand up straight and put on our royal crowns.
• A picture of a Christmas Tree hanging with red and white striped candy canes. A sense of God’s joy as his children take the gifts and enjoy them – he doesn’t want them to be left on the tree, but to be taken and enjoyed. They’re not just to be looked at, but to be tasted and enjoyed.
• I am the God who sees. I see you. I have not forgotten you. I see you. I am El Roi the God who sees. I see you.
• It's time to take off your masks and speak God’s words. Do not be afraid. Be bold. BE strong. For the Lord your God is with you. He will uphold and strengthen you.

If one of these speaks to you, let us know - it can be a huge encouragement to know that we've heard correctly from God and that it's been of real benefit to someone else!