Our Power Source

For Peter, the denier, it meant getting to watch thousands of people partner with Christ for the very first time after the lowest arguably point in Peter's life. Jesus pruned him, provided Holy Spirit, and then partnered with him. The same God who met Israel in the wilderness, the same God who raised Jesus from the grave, the same God who filled that upper room with tongues of fire is the same God who is in your home, who is in your car, who is in your workplace, and who is in your uncertainty. Praise the Lord. [00:51:51] (45 seconds)  #PartneredWithChrist

Pruning can often feel like silence or loss. Before there was wheat to wave, there was wilderness to walk. Before the tongues of fire at Pentecost, there was a quiet upper room. I know as I have been munching on this passage in Leviticus 23, I found myself really asking the Lord how I was supposed to talk on pruning when, honestly, I've felt stuck in it. [00:42:43] (31 seconds)  #PruningProcess

In the gospel of John, Jesus calls the holy spirit our advocate and counselor. He guides us and speaks on our behalf just like that battery powers our devices. The Holy Spirit empowers us to go and make disciples. The Holy Spirit convicts us, guides us, teaches us, gives us spiritual gifts, and so much more. Jesus gives us relationship. Holy Spirit gives us power. We get to see that transformation in our friend Peter. [00:48:53] (40 seconds)  #SpiritEmpowersMission

Many scholars believe that these two loaves represent two peoples, Jews and Gentiles, who were the non Jews. It's important to know that during this time, the Gentiles were hated by the Jews. The Jews despised these people. I think only by the will of God could these people that hated one another come together to form one family, one team of messy people who can help people find and follow Jesus. [00:51:01] (40 seconds)  #UnityInChrist

Some days, friends are best as getting out of bed, putting on clothes, and going to work. Some days, it's checking off one thing on your list and getting some groceries. Some days, it's a fully cleaned house and all the laundry folded. Some days, it's all your classwork being completed and aced. Today, let's all choose to offer up our best to Jesus, whether that means inviting him to partner with you for the very first time or inviting him to grow you in ways you may not even understand. Let me pray for you. [00:52:38] (49 seconds)  #OfferYourBestToJesus

You see, the wheat was used to make yummy bread. Have you all had a fresh loaf of bread? Oh, delicious. This is what the Israelites used to eat and survive, and that's what God was asking for. The people of Israel had been freed from a life of slavery. They'd been tested, they'd grumbled and celebrated and lived full lives, and we find them at the foot of Mount Sinai. They learn about the promised land and getting to grow all these new crops, but who wants the first and the best? God. [00:36:57] (41 seconds)  #FirstFruitsOffering

The idea of first fruits is easier to remember because it's right there in the name. It's the this idea of taking the first of this beautiful harvest that the Lord has given you and offering it back up to him. The feast of weeks teaches us that God asks for our first and our best even when we don't know what's coming next. Now it's important to note that we're in the festival of weeks, but we're talking a lot about first fruit. There's actually a whole festival that's dedicated to first fruits. [00:35:14] (37 seconds)  #GiveFirstAndBest

Though it's important to note that Phil didn't instantaneously get that world renowned fame, it took more waiting, years and years of waiting. And I think a lot of us can relate to that waiting or uncertainty. Maybe you've seen miracles like the Israelites or even success like Phil Wickham. So you find yourself simultaneously experiencing this fear, but also peace. [00:39:02] (30 seconds)  #WaitingInFaith