Series: The Mvmnt 
Message: The Holy Spirit at Pentecost 
Preacher: Japhet De Oliveira 
Reflection: Japhet De Oliveira 
Live Wonder: Zan Long 
Live Adventure: Zan Long 
Live Purpose: Jessyka Albert 
Editor: Becky De Oliveira

Refresh: Begin today in prayer. Ask God for understanding through the Holy Spirit and for God’s character to be revealed.

Read: Acts 1:12–2:21 in the New International Version (NIV). Note 1–3 insights or questions. 

Reflect:  Remember that conference in Brazil I told you about yesterday? It was during that conference that Dr. Bailey Gillespie did a presentation on connecting with and reclaiming youth in the church. His presentation was based on extensive research from the Value Genesis studies that he had carried out. He was recognized as an authority on this difficult subject. 

All participants had headsets for translation, and, in addition to the headsets, live translation always took place from the front. Spanish was the main language translated from the front. You have probably seen these kinds of sessions before. The presenter says a sentence and the translator repeats it as fast as they can in the other language. I have worked with some amazing translators around the world. The best ones even emulate the tone and style of the speaker. They copy body language and facial expressions. They ask you before you speak if there are any key words, technical terms, or even a manuscript that you plan to follow so they can do their homework ahead of time. On that particular day, when Dr. Gillespie was speaking, the translator was a pretty well-known leader in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Dr. Gillespie spoke and paused—the translator spoke. They started to build a certain chemistry and energy. All was going well. Then suddenly, Dr. Gillespie stopped speaking. He turned to the translator and said, “That is not what I said!” The translator replied—in English—“That is because you’re wrong, so I am telling them what they need to hear!” The translator had no idea that Dr. Gillespie spoke Spanish and was hoping to get away with delivering his own lecture rather than translating the material as it was presented.

Understanding in your own language what is true for yourself is so important. You have to wonder how such a small tribe—in our case the Seventh-day Adventists—managed in such a short time to share the Gospel in so many different countries around the world. They were able to do this because of their passion to make sure that everyone had the opportunity to hear the Good News in their own language. They felt it was important for people to process the truth for themselves. 

Recalibrate: Having discovered the beauty of who Jesus is, what will you do? 

Respond: Pray for the courage to follow Jesus fully.

Research: What ways does your local Church encourage you share Jesus?

Recharge: Wonder/Adventure/Purpose

Jesus, may I always be who You designed me to be, loving You. Talk about all the people who love your child (mom, dad, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, teachers, pastors, friends) and remind them that because Jesus loved us, we can love others too!

Have you ever played a game of follow the leader, where you have been led the wrong way by someone whose eyes were not on the leader? Either they got distracted or they wanted to be the leader. As a result, everyone behind them, if their eyes were not on the leader, was led a different direction. Who have you got your eyes on? Have you got a clear vision of who your leader is?

Do you remember what was going on with Peter during the time Jesus was about to be crucified? Peter denied he even knew Jesus three times. Now he is speaking to hundreds about his friend and Savior Jesus. Maybe this week you feel like you’ve messed up or haven’t been a good follower of Jesus. Give yourself the freedom to   forgive yourself and follow Peter’s lead in moving forward.