God Of Revival

There are some songs you sing - but every once in a while, God uses a song to transform.

Today's devotional is from the song, “God of Revival,” from the For the City album by Garden Music.

The verse is from John 12:24:

I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives.

My wife is a plant mom, or as I like to call her, a plant boss! She is literally amazing at caring for them, re-potting them, and straight-up making them grow really well. One of my favorites in her collection is the variegated monstera! I, on the other hand, want to be a plant dad, but I have to be honest with my past. I used to somehow kill succulents, even though it is one of the hardest plants to kill. So even though I don't have my wife's superpower, I look at her plants and think of wonderful sermon illustrations, so God is good!

In John 12:24, Jesus is alluding to His death on the cross. He must be the kernel of wheat that plants Himself on the cross and dies. When He does, His death will produce many new kernels, a plentiful harvest of new lives.

Jesus is saying, just as I planted myself and sacrificed, you too, disciples, must follow me. Because when you do, I will produce through you many new lives spiritually.

Family, this is a verse God has used to root me in ministry. Whenever I waiver or have doubts, I go back to this scripture, and God renews my calling. Furthermore, as God has called my wife and I to San Diego, John 12:24 went deeper. As some of you know, who have moved later in your life, you know that changes have a lot of goodbyes and hellos. It has a myriad of joys and challenges. However, we believe it is the Lord who has moved us here.

But for me, God has used John 12:24 to challenge me deeper in 2022. God was asking me, Sean, are you just moving here, or are you ready to plant yourself to be a kernel of wheat who dies and sacrifices? Sean, do you just like this church and North County, or are you willing to give all of yourself so that God can produce many more disciples of Christ?

I had to sit, pray and contemplate this for many months. But by God's mercy, He has given me His heart for this place. So I said yes, as long as You want me here, here am I. I want to be a John 12:24 disciple.

So whenever I see the plants in our home, God reminds me, plant yourself here. Grow disciples here.

This is where today's song is basically an anthem for me in 2022. As I am planted here, I want revival here.

Come awaken Your people

Come awaken Your city

Oh, God of revival, pour it out, pour it out

There are 1.1 million residents in North County. It is 1/3 of the 3.3 million residents in San Diego county. From the cradle to the grave, my prayer is that Jesus will be lifted high. My hope is that Jesus will grow deeper here.

I'll end with the last lines of the song:

There's no prison wall You can't break through

No, mountain You can't move

All things are possible

There's no broken body you can't raise

No, soul that You can't save

All things are possible

All things are possible

I believe this for North County, do you?

As you listen to this song, pray today for our city for 5 minutes. Pray for not bigger churches but deeper disciples. Pray for souls to be saved. Pray for revival.

Pastor Sean

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