The Pioneer Assembly

What does the Holy Spirit do?

What does the Holy Spirit actually do? We often relegate Him to only gifts or a moment, but He’s so much more… right?
In this episode, Bethany Barr Phillips explores the multifaceted role of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers. It’s important to understand the Holy Spirit not just as a theological concept but as an active presence that guides, strengthens, and connects individuals to God. Through a four quadrant approach, Bethany breaks down the various roles of the Holy Spirit highlighting that ultimately each role works together in tandem with the Father.
 
Quotes:
“1.The Spirit awakens a person’s heart. 2. The Spirit teaches a person’s mind. 3. The Spirit leads to the Word. 4. The Spirit convinces of sin. 5. The Spirit draws to Christ. 6. The Spirit sanctifies. 7. The Spirit makes a person spiritually minded. 8. The Spirit produces inward conflict. 9. The Spirit makes a person love the brethren. 10. The Spirit teaches a person to pray. These are the great marks of the Holy Spirit’s presence. Put the question to your conscience and ask: Has the Spirit done anything of this kind for your soul? “  — JC Ryle
 
“The HS never enters a man and let’s him live by the world.” AW Tozer
 
Takeaways
He is not just a concept but an active presence in our lives.
The holy spirit converts what’s in your mind into your heart.
What we know about God will only stay as knowledge unless we know the Holy Spirit and allow him to turn it into experience.
The Holy Spirit guides us into all truth and points us to Jesus.
Believers are sealed with the Holy Spirit upon faith in Jesus.
The Holy Spirit is not a prescription but the power and presence of God.
 
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction to the Holy Spirit
01:15 - Introduction to the Holy Spirit's Role
01:29 - Understanding the Role of the Holy Spirit
03:46 - The Holy Spirit as a Helper and Guide
06:28 - The Active Presence of the Holy Spirit
09:10 - The Strengthening Power of the Holy Spirit
11:33 - The Gifts and Access Provided by the Holy Spirit
16:08 - Invitation to be a apart of the Pioneer Assembly
 
Connect with Bethany
Pioneer Assembly Substack
Pioneer Assembly Book Club
Pioneer Assembly Instagram

Misconceptions About the Holy Spirit

Misconceptions about the Holy Spirit aren’t anything new, but they are definitely something to look out for. Why? Because at some point in your faith, having a misconception about the Holy Spirit will cause faulty thinking and frustrated living.
In this episode of the Pioneer Assembly, host Bethany Barr Phillips discusses common misconceptions about the Holy Spirit, emphasizing the importance of understanding His true nature as a person rather than a force or mere feeling. She shares personal experiences that shaped her understanding and encourages listeners to engage with the Holy Spirit, highlighting that He is available to all believers. The conversation aims to clear up misunderstandings and foster a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit.
 
Takeaways
Misconceptions about the Holy Spirit can weaken faith.
The Holy Spirit is a person, not a force.
If the enemy can’t convince you the Holy Spirit is real, then he’ll try to convince you the Holy Spirit is something he isn’t.
The Holy Spirit is available to all believers, not just a select few.
Comfort in misconceptions will hinder spiritual development.
 
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction to Summer in the Spirit
01:42 - Misconceptions About the Holy Spirit
06:16 - The Holy Spirit: A Person, Not a Force
11:53 - The Holy Spirit: More Than Just a Feeling
16:48 - The Holy Spirit is for Everyone
19:03 - Conclusion and Call to Action
 
Bethany's website
 

Holy Spirit 101: Who is the Holy Spirit?

SMany have often described the Holy Spirit as an “it” or a “thing,” when actually, He’s the third person of the Trinity. He’s the One Jesus knew was coming after Him. He’s… well, that’s that we’re talking about on this first episode of the series entitled “Summer in the Spirit.”
In this Episode, host Bethany Barr Phillips, introduces the series focusing on the Holy Spirit she emphasizes the importance of understanding the Holy Spirit both theologically and personally.  Through sharing personal experiences and insights, Bethany explores the role of the Holy Spirit in everyday life, the misconceptions surrounding Him, and the empowerment He offers to believers.
 
Takeaways
“I don’t want the world to define God for me, I want the Holy Spirit to reveal God to me.” A.W. Tozer
We often limit the Holy Spirit by trying to neatly define Him.
Have you described the Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit is a person of God, not a force.
Understanding the Holy Spirit is crucial for spiritual growth.
The Holy Spirit’s presence and power is not restricted to the pages of the Scriptures.
 
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction to Summer in the Spirit
08:09 - Personal Experiences with the Holy Spirit
18:33 - Theological Insights on the Holy Spirit
24:23 - Conclusion and Call to Action
 
Bethany's Website. -  Where you can find out more about how to follow, the substack, the Pioneer Assembly Book Club and more. 
 
 

Seven Decisions You Won't Regret

Regret is REAL. And knowing it’s coming is sometimes worse than knowing you may have to live with it. While you may not always like a possible outcome,  you don’t have to regret the reality from a decision you made.
In this third and final episode in the series on decisions, Bethany Barr Phillips discusses the complexities of decision-making and dissects regret, offering seven decisions you won’t regret. These seven key decisions can lead to a life with less regret, encouraging listeners to trust in God's guidance over worldly desires.
 
Takeaways
Seven Key Decisions:
Prayer over Pettiness: Are you making a decision for or with God?
Trust over impulsiveness: Are your trusting His timing or creating your own?
Forgiveness over faking it: Are you truly forgiving or are you faking it and keeping score?
Right thing over the easy thing: Are you more concerned with comfort rather than call?
Obedience over independence: Are you willing to submit rather than lead your own life?
Resting over striving: Are you able to rest or do you feel like striving is significance?
Worshiping over worrying: Are you willing to worship instead of worry?
 
Chapters
00:00- Introduction to Decision-Making and Regret
01:48 - Seven Decisions You Won't Regret
05:49 - Prayer Over Pettiness
06:41 - Trust Over Impulsiveness
07:44 - Forgiveness Over Faking It
08:55 - The Right Thing Over The Easy Thing
09:59 - Obedience Over Independence
11:32 - Resting Over Striving
12:29 - Worshiping Over Worrying
13:40 - Conclusion: Living Without Regret
 
Links
Ryan McDermott's Book titled: He is Here
Pioneer Assembly Substack
Pioneer Assembly Book Club
Pioneer Assembly Instagram
Contact Bethany

If You're Struggling to Let God Guide Your Decisions...

Does God sometimes get it wrong? Is He willing to do for you what He’s done for others? Why is it such a struggle to trust God’s guidance in decisions? In this episode, Bethany Barr Phillips explores the complexities of trusting God's guidance in our decisions.  She discusses the struggle of faith, the importance of obedience, and the need to trust in God's plan, even when it seems unclear. God isn’t always going to do things like we want, but He is worthy to be trusted in the wandering. Through biblical examples and personal insights, she encourages listeners to embrace the journey of faith and recognize that God’s guidance doesn’t exempt us from things that might hurt us. It’s His guidance that allows us to walk through it into the next season of our lives.
 
Takeaways
We create a see saw effect of stress in our faith lives, b/c we get so fixated on being right, that we forget our main goal is to glorify God.
Trusting God means accepting step-by-step guidance.
Following God isn’t about knowing the whole plan. It’s not about trusting in the plan. It’s about trusting God.
God’s guidance must be greater than people’s opinion.
God's guidance does not exempt us from pain.
Sometimes we wait for signs when God wants us to act.
Chapters
00:00 -The Choice of Judas: Trusting God's Decisions
03:08 - Understanding God's Guidance in Our Lives
05:48 - The Seesaw of Stress: Balancing Faith and Decisions
08:52 - Biblical Examples of Step-by-Step Guidance
11:58 - Obedience and Surrender: Keys to Divine Guidance
14:48 - Facing the Struggle: Trusting God's Plan
18:09 - Navigating Hurt and Healing in Faith
20:51 - Encouragement for the Journey: You're Not Alone
 
Pioneer Assembly Substack
Pioneer Assembly Book Club
Pioneer Assembly Instagram
Contact Bethany

Making the Right Decision: 4 Questions for Decision Making

At some point, everyone faces a decision about their future. If you’re human, you have that moment in time where you froze thinking if you chose wrong, you’d end up like those looking for the holy grail before Indiana Jones came along. In this episode, Bethany Barr Phillips discusses the challenges of making decisions in life, and fleshes out indecision and no decision. Drawing from the allegory of Pilgrim's Progress, she explores the journey of faith and the necessity of making choices that align with God's will.
Whether you’re worried you’ll ruin your life or don’t trust the next right thing, this episode will challenge you to move forward with what’s in front of you.
 
Takeaways
God wants us to take action in our current season.
Making a decision reveals the level of our trust in God.
We cannot ruin our lives with a single decision if it honors God.
Making a decision is not God’s cruel way of testing you to see if you’re listening good enough. Sometimes, making a decision reveals just how much you really trust Him.
Any Godly decision about your life will not cause you to go outside of God’s word or live outside of God’s word.
 
Four Questions to Make a Decision:
1 - What does His Word say?
2 - What are my motives?
3 - Have I saught counsel?
4 - Will this decision point people to Jesus?
 
 
Chapters
00:00 - The Challenge of Decision-Making
01:31 - Understanding the Christian Journey
04:45 - God's Guidance in Decision-Making
06:29 - The Fear of Ruining Your Life
08:13 - Four Steps to Making the Right Decision
13:40 - Conclusion and Encouragement
 
Pioneer Assembly Substack
Pioneer Assembly Book Club
Pioneer Assembly Instagram
Contact Bethany

FIELD NOTES vol.3 BONUS: Why did Jesus rise from the grave?

"When Jesus died on the cross, so did your sin; when He rose from the dead, so did your hope." (Max Lucado)  Jesus rising from the grave is essential to the Christian pioneering journey, and yet, many don't truly understand why or what He accomplished. In this Field Note, host, Bethany Barr Phillips, answers two questions:
Why did He rise?
What did it do?
It's not enough to simply talk about the resurrection. We must understand that without it, we there is no reason for hope in the life of a pioneer. Don't miss this clarifying episode willing to give concrete reasons why Jesus rose from the grave and what it actually does for the life of all who believe. 
Takeaways
Jesus’ death was the perfect sacrifice that reconciles us to God.
Jesus’ resurrection paves the way for our resurrection from the dead and eternal life with Him forever in heaven.
Jesus rose to validate everything that was said about Him and everything that He said about Himself.
The resurrection sets Christianity apart from all other religions. We worship and serve the only God that is ALIVE.
“We live and die. Christ died and lived!”   —John Stott
 
 
Pioneer Assembly Substack
Pioneer Assembly Book Club
Pioneer Assembly Instagram
Contact Bethany

FIELD NOTES vol. 3 - Why Does the Cross Matter?

Many talk about the cross, but have you stopped to think why it matters? If we really lived like the cross matters, then maybe the world would look different. In this Field Note, Bethany Barr Phillips discusses the profound significance of Jesus's death on the cross.
She outlines three key reasons why the crucifixion matters: (1) It allows for a full relationship with God, (2) highlights our inability to save ourselves, and (3) emphasizes that we cannot pay for our own sins. The discussion also touches on the love of God revealed through the cross and the importance of sharing this message with others.
Takeaways
Without the cross, Christianity lacks its core message.
Believing in Jesus means accepting the full weight of the cross.
"[Christ's] death is the foundation of our hope, the promise of our triumph." - Billy Graham
J.I. Packer: “The cross of Christ is a revelation of the love of God, for it reveals what that love is prepared to suffer for the one loved.”
Pioneer Assembly Substack
Pioneer Assembly Book Club
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Contact Bethany
 
Chapters
00:00 - The Significance of Jesus's Death
02:00 - Understanding Our Relationship with God
04:24 - The Need for Salvation
06:46 - The Power of the Cross

FIELD NOTES vol. 3 - Jesus & Judas: What does the betrayal matter?

When Jesus called Judas as a disciple, he knew this was going to be the road …And He was willing to let him sit at the table anyway. In this field note, Bethany explores the complex relationship between Jesus and Judas, as she invites you to wrestle with the thought of betrayal among fellow believers. Jesus welcomed Judas to the table despite his sin, and He does the same with us. The discussion will encourage you to reflect on your own life and the possibility of redemption, regardless of past mistakes.
Takeaways
Jesus still called Judas knowing he would eventually betray him.
Betrayal can come from those closest to us. 
Judas witnessed miracles yet chose betrayal.
Jesus welcomed Judas to the table despite his sin.
Christ's love is transformative AND redemptive. Our past does not disqualify us from redemption.
Pioneer Assembly Substack 
Pioneer Assembly Book Club
Pioneer Assembly Instagram
Contact Bethany 
 
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction to Judas' Betrayal
02:01 - The Significance of Judas' Role
04:56 - The Table of Grace
07:11 - Redemption and Forgiveness

FIELD NOTES vol. 3 - 10 Bridesmaids: Why does preparation matter?

Why does preparation matter in our faith life? Because what we don't prepare for, we could possibly miss. It's not popular language in today's faith circles, but being prepared for Christ's presence is a responsibility and privilege for every believer.
In this Field Note from the Pioneer Assembly, host Bethany Barr Phillips explores the significance of Tuesday of Holy Week, focusing on the Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids. She emphasizes the importance of being prepared for Jesus' return and invites listeners to reflect on their faith and commitment. The conversation will encourage and challenge you to be willing to prepare even when it's not popular. 
Takeaways
He doesn’t require a resume of service activities, but He does want us to be ready at all times.
There are consequences for being unprepared.
As followers of Jesus, we must be prepared for His return at any time.
“When He returns is not as important as the fact that we are ready for Him when He does return.” A.W. Tozer
Pioneer Assembly Substack
Pioneer Assembly Book Club
Pioneer Assembly Instagram
Contact for Bethany
 
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction to Holy Week and Its Significance
01:47 - The Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids
05:03 - Preparedness for Jesus' Return
07:00 - Invitation to Faith and Commitment