The Results are in!
Over the summer, we have had the results of many, many groups of people come in and effect our lives. Some of these results were for the good, some for the bad, some that had lasting effects, and some that maybe barely skimmed your attention. We have had the results of Supreme Court cases blasted out. You may have heard about that one. We have had the results of the FIFA woman’s soccer championship come in the news with the U.S. victory! We have heard of the people and nation of Greece in calamity. Finally, you and I have begun a new alliance with Cuba. Fantastic! (sarcasm? maybe!?.)
In Nehemiah’s time, they were dealing with the same ups and downs of life that we do today. By Nehemiah 9, they had conquered the task of rebuilding the walls, but then got to a season of life where they read the Scriptures again for the first time. It was a time of celebration that led to “fasting and wearing sackcloth and having dust on their heads.” (Verse 1) While you may not see sackcloth after starting First Priority in your community, you will hear things like, “I can’t believe we hadn’t started this years ago.” or “Why haven’t we thought of this sooner.” It is very much the same feeling as in Nehemiah’s day. People lament the fact that they let time go by without sharing the Hope of Christ with lost students in school. In verse 3 of Chapter 9 we see the people spending a quarter of their time reading and praying and a quarter in confession and worship.
I HAVE GOOD NEWS!
We have not wasted time. We have seen 7,715 students respond to the gospel in the 2014-15 school year! 7,715 people letting us know that they began a relationship with Jesus this past school year through First Priority.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us [and these students] new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.” 1 Peter 1:3-4 (italics mine)
In that we celebrate! As you continue on with First Priority, may you spend time celebrating, mourning, confessing and worshiping.
Peace,
Brad
