Maintain or Create?

Ephesians 4:22-24 (NLT) “Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him,  throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.”

Both the artist and the gardener start their work by thinking... they look at what they have and decide how to proceed.  The gardner looks carefully at the landscape; the existing plants, both flowers and weeds; the way the sun falls, and so on. The artist sees their subject, the canvas, the paint that they have at their disposal, and the brushes or chisel that sit idly by.. After they’re done thinking, the artist and the gardener begin their work... they both bring their creativity and effort to their respective projects.  The gardener tends what has gone before, making the most of what is beautiful and weeding out what is distracting or useless. The artist can be more daring... they start with a blank canvas or a solid piece of stone and gradually... ever so carefully, they take the paint to the canvas or the chisel to the stone and make something out of it that wasn’t there before.

Maintain what was there before... or create something that’s never been.

Which does God want us to do in our lives?  Pull weeds or blaze trails?   Tidy up what’s already in place or make moves to create new?  The short answer?  both.

Gardener, think back to yesterday.. what worked?  What didn’t?  Keep the good thoughts and actions and ask God how you can sift out the bad.  What needs to be replanted or moved around in your life?  What needed to take priority that didn’t?   What (or who) could use a little more TLC?  What was neglected and is withering away?  If it honored God...if it helped you move forward in your walk with Christ...if it reflected God’s character... water it.  If not, it needs to be uprooted and eliminated from your precious daily minutes.

Artist... today is a blank canvas ready to create something brand new...  What are you planning?  What is something you've been putting off that you've never done before but want to or should?  How about one full day of fasting and prayer about that challenge in your life?  Maybe a phone call to the person you struggled to forgive and tell them you're moving past it?  Perhaps your blank canvas could be filled with giving your troubles to God...and not taking them back.   Something new...something you've never done before during a day.  Be creative! 

God wants us to maximize our lives... both by weeding out and beautifying what has been and looking for brand new things to do that help us become the person we were created to be.  Keep what honors God and moves us to be more like Him, dig out and throw away what's getting in our way from doing so.  Be bold enough to take new ground. To create a new masterpiece... to fill the empty canvas of today with brand-new, beautiful and God-honoring thoughts and actions. 

You are both caretaker and world-changer... manager and pioneer... gardener and artist.

Two roles.  One day.  One you.  Are you ready?

Let’s go.   

Through New Eyes

“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”  John 15:13

There was a teenager who didn’t want to be seen in public with her mother, because her mother’s arms were terribly disfigured. One day when her mother took her shopping and reached out her hand, a clerk looked horrified. Later, crying, the girl told her how embarrassed she was.

Understandably hurt, the mother waited an hour before going to her daughter’s room to tell her, for the first time, what happened.

"When you were a baby, I woke up to a burning house. Your room was an inferno. Flames were everywhere. I could have gotten out the front door, but I decided I’d rather die with you than leave you to die alone. I ran through the fire and wrapped my arms around you. Then I went back through the flames, my arms on fire. When I got outside on the lawn, the pain was agonizing but when I looked at you, all I could do was rejoice that the flames hadn’t touched you."  Stunned, the girl looked at her mother through new eyes. Weeping in shame and gratitude, she kissed her mother’s marred hands and arms.

Over two thousand years ago, a baby was born.  A baby destined to sacrifice Himself to save the people He passionately loved.  He lived 33 years... never sinned... and came face to face with a betrayer from His own inner circle.  He gave himself up in a garden, was led to a mock trial, and sentenced to death by the same hands He had once knitted together.  Mercilessly, He was whipped and beaten within an inch of his life.  The wounds left behind by the instruments of torture left indelible marks in His flesh.

Scars that were hard to look at...

Eyes that dripped tears of love

As they put Him in the tomb, His journey was just beginning.   Jesus ran through the flames of death... guarding humanity from it’s searing heat.  He took the pain and punishment... the scars... the wounds... all to protect you and I, His masterpiece, from ever having to endure permanent separation from Him.

He emerged three days later... victorious.  Stepping boldly into the warmth of the sun a new and resurrected victor.  Scars intact.  Holes still there.  Clear indices that His pain had a purpose... His suffering and sacrifice had a reason...

I can imagine that when He looked down and saw those reminders on His skin, He smiled.   He had won.  He had protected us.  And in His beautiful and perfect heart, He rejoiced that the flames never touched us.  We emerged unhurt and He was the One who took the wounds.

Yet many today act embarrassed to be seen with Him.

-  They’d rather blend in than stand up for Christ.
-  They appreciate the scars but don’t share their meaning with those that seek.
-  They live defeated and powerless lives because they try to do it under their own power.
-  They avoid discussing their faith because they might be seen as odd or fear rejection.
-  They know how to get to Heaven but won’t share the map with those that are still lost.

And many are lost.

They come seeking.  They look for meaning.  For hope. They search for the One who fills the hole in their heart... the One who made them a masterpiece... the One who heals, restores, and embraces.

They are looking for Christ.

And what will you tell them?  Will His scars cause you to be embarrassed of Him... or tell others about Him?  Will His nail-marred hands dissuade you from sharing His sacrifice and subsequent victory over death?  Or will they inspire you to share your faith like never before?  What is stopping you from giving someone the greatest gift they could ever receive:  An opportunity to secure eternity by following the One who protected them with His loving arms?

Those beautiful nail-scarred arms.  Scarred for us.

Choose

At Potential Church, we talk to so many people who are suffering.  Maybe they experience a dating breakup, a failed marital relationship, or just an overwhelming sense of failure or loss.  I turn to this scripture as I provide counsel...

Psalm 34:18 “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”

I love this verse.  Simply put, it says that when we hurt... God is there.  But lets look at it a little closer.   More specifically...the word “brokenhearted”.  Ever felt that way?   Have you ever had your heart broken?  Maybe she said I do... but really didn’t.  Maybe you risked it all... and lost it.  Perhaps you were abused, misused, or accused and it hurt.  You’ve cried all you can cry and now look skyward... desperately hoping for a sign from God that everything will be ok.  

Today’s verse is for you... the brokenhearted and crushed.  God is near.. He saves you from the pain.  This scripture doesn’t say that He’ll get to you... or that He’s thinking about you... it says He’s NEAR you.  Next to you.  With you.  His loving arm over your shoulder and His eyes filled with empathy and concern.  

But God is there for a reason... not just to comfort... but to strengthen you.  God wants to remind you that you weren’t created to suffer.   You weren’t knit together to be a victim.  You weren’t designed to be in pain forever.   So what can you do to feel better?  

Choose.

Walter Anderson writes, "I am responsible. Although I may not be able to prevent the worst from happening, I am responsible for my attitude toward the inevitable misfortunes that darken life. Bad things do happen; how I respond to them defines my character and the quality of my life. I can choose to sit in perpetual sadness, immobilized by the gravity of my loss, or I can choose to rise from the pain and treasure the most precious gift I have -- life itself."

Every day that our lungs take in air is a blessing.  Every new set of 24 hours is a fresh opportunity to begin the journey back.  If your heart hurts today... choose to give it to God.  Decide on joy over sadness.  Focus on counting blessings not burdens.  God will be there.  Always.  When you are wounded... He heals.  Remember, you are far too valuable to this world... don’t let your pain define, restrict, or outright stop you from accomplishing the destiny for which you were created.   

Find yourself in an emotional pit today? Allow God to strengthen and heal you... and then choose to begin the walk out of it.  You can do it.  I’ll be praying for you as you do.   

Card First

Do you like to get gifts?  I remember opening birthday presents when I was a kid.  This was before gift bags were popular so everybody wrapped their gifts no matter what odd size they were.  Before I could even begin to tear the tape from the side of the package, my mom would stop me and make me do something that no kid ever likes to do.

Open the card first.  

I could see myself playing with the toy in my mind... but mom wanted me to stop... read the entire card out loud... and thank the generous relative or friend.  I’d half-heartedly tear open the envelope, rip out the contents, and begin to read the words printed there.  The Hallmark-created words were easy to read and understand... but the others were scribbled below by a relative’s elderly hand or drawn on with crayon by somebody’s little brother.  

Now as an adult, I love reading cards.   Once in awhile I’ll be cleaning out a drawer and find a few from birthdays and Christmases past.  The sentiment is usually the same... wishing me a Merry this or a Happy that.  What warms my heart now is what I read below the professional font... Some scribble from my daughter when she was too young to write legibly...  A beautiful declaration of love from my wife Stephanie... A happy father’s day message from my boys...  I treasure them all.  What they write from their hearts means so much more to me than anything that any store bought card could ever say.  It is genuine…heartfelt…It may not be perfect grammar or fancy words... or properly punctuated... but it’s real.

And I love them for that. 

The other day I was thinking about prayer... and it’s the same way.  God isn’t looking for us to have the perfect words to say to Him.  He’s not looking for lengthy prose or lofty vocabulary-heavy preaching.  God isn’t worried about how long we’ve been praying... or how often we use His name in the communication.  God is looking for heart.  

Like the words written below what’s printed on a greeting card... God wants genuine conversation.  Your words may seem common...you may repeat the same word over and over... or maybe you don’t really know how to put it into words.

Say it anyway.  It’s ok.  Paul says “Pray without ceasing.”  in 1 Thessalonians 5:17.   

God isn’t grading your composition, He’s looking for two things:

Is it genuine?  

Do you have faith in His ability to answer it in His own way and time.

That’s it.   Pray with everything you’ve got... in whatever way you can... to God who still does what seems impossible.  

I want to challenge you today...

It doesn’t matter how eloquently you pray... what matters is that it you mean it.  That it’s real.  That you expect big things to happen... 

Prayer changes things.

We may pray in crayon sometimes... but God can read it just fine.  In fact, I think He likes it that way.  

Pour It Out

I once heard a story of a man who got lost in the desert. After wandering around for a long time his throat became very dry, about that time he saw a little shack in the distance.  He made his way over to the shack and found a water pump with a small jug of water and a note.

The note read: "pour all the water into the top of the pump to prime it, if you do this you will get all the water you need". Now the man had a choice to make, if he trusted the note and poured the water in and it worked he would have all the water he needed. If it didn’t work he would still be thirsty and he might die. Or he could choose to drink the water in the jug and get immediate satisfaction, but it might not be enough and he still might die. After thinking about it the man decided to risk it. He poured the entire jug into the pump and began to work the handle, at first nothing happened and he got a little scared but he kept going and water started coming out. So much water came out he drank all he wanted, took a shower, and filled all the containers he could find. Because he was willing to give up momentary satisfaction, he got all the water he needed. Now the note also said: after you have finished, please refill the jug for the next traveller.” The man refilled the jug and added to the note: “ Please prime the pump, believe me it works”! 

We face the same choice everyday.  Hold on to what we have in case we need it... or give it all up to God so that He can come through on His promises.  Drink all the water we see or pour it in and trust?  Temporary satisfaction or long-term provision?  Here and now or now and later?  

What are you afraid to give up?  Are you holding on to the water you have or taking a “risk” that God will come through?

-  Do you want to run your own life for fear that God can’t or won’t?

-  Are you holding on to 100% of your income because tithing makes you nervous?

 What are you doing with your talents and abilities?  Pouring them out for others?

When was the last time you asked yourself... “Do I really trust God?”

We claim to.... we tell others we do... we want to... but isn’t it risky?

Trusting God is not a risk.  

“Those who know your name trust in you,

    for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.”  Psalm 9:10

“O Lord, I give my life to you.

   I trust in you, my God!

Do not let me be disgraced,

    or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat.

No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced,

    but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others.”  Psalm 25:1-3

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart;

    do not depend on your own understanding.

Seek his will in all you do,

    and he will show you which path to take.”  Proverbs 3:5-6

“See, God has come to save me.

    I will trust in him and not be afraid.

The Lord God is my strength and my song;

    he has given me victory.”  Isaiah 12:2

Verse after verse we are reminded that trusting God is important.  But how?

Pour out what you see in front of you... give Him what you have and all of who you are.  Not only will He come through... scripture tells us that He will provide more than you could ever produce on your own.  

Give up trying to be God.  Instead, allow yourself to trust.  I know people around you can (and have) let your down.  But God is not like that.  He is trustworthy, proven, and bigger than the situation you face.  He is worthy of our praise, King of all Kings, and takes great joy in watching His children succeed.  He makes streams in the desert and mends the hearts of the hurting.  

You can trust Him.

See what you have now?  That little jug of water?  Give it up to Him completely and watch Him flood your life with blessings.  

When I See My Image In It

The story is told of a group of women that met for Bible study.  While studying in the book of Malachi, chapter three, they came across verse three which says:

“He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver;”  Malachi 3:3a

This verse puzzled the women and they wondered how this statement applied to the character and nature of God.  One of the women offered to find out more about the process of refining silver, and to get back to the group at their next Bible

study.  The following week, the woman called up a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him while at work.  She didn’t mention anything about the reason for her interest, beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver. 

As she watched the silversmith work, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire, where the flames were the hottest as to burn away all the impurities. 

The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot, then she thought again about the verse, that "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver." She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the entire time the silver was being refined.  The man answered yes, that not only did he have to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on it the entire time it was in the fire. 

If the silver was left even a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed. 

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the

silversmith, "But how do you know when the silver is fully refined?" 

He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that’s easy - when I see my image in it."

Trials bring pain.  No news there...   When things are challenging...when they take us to the breaking point... we hurt.   Many of us wonder if the pain will ever stop.  And when it does, some just sit and wait for it to start again.  

Trial by fire.  Refining fire.  

Why me Lord? It’s easy to ask that when troubles come. We turn our eyes to Heaven and wonder what we’ve done to deserve what we’re going through.  Did we make God angry?  Is our Heavenly Father getting even with us?  Are we so bad that we’re being punished?  No.  Whether we are dealing with consequences from our own poor decisions... or life’s circumstances... or the choices made by someone else... we hurt.     We might not have created the pain... but it’s there and we have to deal with it.

Life gets heated.  Sometimes unbearably so.  

But it’s in that time of intense fire that things are burned away that never belonged.  New discoveries are made.  Our way of thinking changes...

We realize how deep our faith goes.

We see how big our God is.

We conclude that life is meant to be lived with others.

We understand that those other people care...and they’ll walk with us.

We learn what to do next time.

We reset our priorities.

We learn that God’s timing is always perfect.

We discover who runs the universe (and it isn’t us).

We develop patience.

We get stronger.

We have the chance to grow closer to Christ.

We appreciate times of peace in our lives more.

We get mad and shake our fists at the universe.  

But God... our loving God waits patiently with His arms outstretched.  

He understand heartache firsthand.  Intense heartache.  But God allows us to experience pain so that we can accomplish our purpose.  

Those fires in your life...those trials... are making you stronger.  And make no mistake...just like the silversmith...when the heat comes your way, God doesn’t move.   He is there with you while you endure under it.  

Because He knows...

when it seems like you can’t take another minute under the intense flames...

when you feel like throwing in the towel...

It WILL come to an end.  You won’t be under that pain forever.  You will be victorious.  Stronger.   You will have new skills, a deeper faith, and a compelling testimony to help others through the same thing.  I wish there was some other way to grab these skills... but it seems that pain provides the deepest and most lasting lessons.

And when the fire dies out,  Christ will look down on you... with those impurities driven away... and see a pure reflection of Himself in your life.  

The Extra Mile

“As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good.”  2 Thessalonians 3:13

In the book, Becoming a Contagious Christian, author and Pastor Bill Hybels talks about a letter he read.  It was written by a relatively new Christian to a person who had influenced her life.  Here’s the letter:

'You know when we met; I began to discover a new vulnerability, a warmth, and a lack of pretense that impressed me. I saw in you a thriving spirit--no signs of internal stagnation anywhere. I could tell you were a growing person and I liked that. I saw you had strong self-esteem, not based on the fluff of self-help books, but on something a whole lot deeper. I saw that you lived by convictions and priorities and not just by convenience, selfish pleasure, and financial gain. And I had never met anyone like that before. I felt a depth of love and concern as you listened to me and didn’t judge me. You tried to understand me, you sympathized and you celebrated with me, you demonstrated kindness and generosity--and not just to me, but to other people, as well. And you stood for something. You were willing to go against the grain of society and follow what you believed to be true, no matter what people said, and no matter how much it cost you. And for those reasons and a whole host of others, I found myself really wanting what you had. Now that I’ve become a Christian, I wanted to write to tell you I’m grateful beyond words for how you lived out your Christian life in front of me.'"

Wouldn’t you like to receive a letter like that?  So encouraging, honest, and specific... what a way to honor someone’s influence!  In the note, she mentioned kindness... certainly a trait that many desire both in their friends and in their own life.  

You would imagine that the relationship that started in that letter began with a kind act... a smile, maybe a handshake or hug...  Over time, the conversations got deeper and the recipient of that letter was given the opportunity to share Christ with its writer. As a result, the author of this note will spend eternity in Heaven!

All because of an initial act of kindness followed up with a multiple public examples of selflessness and generosity.  

People are watching... but what are we demonstrating with our own lives?

Being kind goes a long way.  It mends fences...starts lifelong friendships...changes the tones of a conversations...and can affect someone’s eternity forever.   So often, many spend their time trying to blend in and stay out of things.  Jesus teaches us to do the complete opposite... The Bible tells us to

Go the extra mile  (Matthew 5:41-42)

Give water to the thirsty (Mark 9:41)

Love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:31)

Take care of widows and orphans (James 1:27)

Each of these altruistic acts (and so many more) have their roots in simply acting like Christ.  When we remind ourselves that, like Him, we are servants... kindness becomes second nature.  

I want to challenge you today... stand out!  Be benevolent in unexpected circumstances!  Extend grace to the undeserving... allow yourself to be used by God to change the world one act of kindness at a time.  God will bless you for it!

Throwing Darts

A young lady named Sally relates an experience she had in a seminary class given by her teacher, Dr. Smith. She says Dr. Smith was known for his elaborate object lessons. One particular day, Sally walked into the seminary and knew they were in for a fun day. On the wall was a big target and on a nearby table were many darts. Dr. Smith told the students to draw a picture of someone that they disliked or someone who had made them angry, and he would allow them to throw darts at the person’s picture. Sally’s girlfriend drew a picture of a girl who had stolen her boyfriend at the person’s picture.  Sally’s girlfriend drew a picture of a girl who had stolen her boyfriend. Another friend drew a picture of his little brother. Sally drew a picture of a former friend, putting a great deal of detail into her drawing, even drawing pimples on the face. She was pleased with the overall effect she had achieved. The class lined up and began throwing darts. Some of the students threw their darts with such force that their targets were ripping apart. Sally looked forward to her turn, and was filled with disappointment when Dr. Smith, because of the time limits, asked the students to return to their seats. As Sally sat thinking about how angry she was because she didn’t have a chance to throw any darts at her target, Dr. Smith began removing the target from the wall. Underneath the target was a picture of Jesus. A hush fell over the room as each student viewed the mangled picture of Jesus; holes and jagged marks covered His face and His eyes were pierced. Dr. Smith quoted this scripture…

 “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’”  Matthew 25:40

No other words were necessary; the tear-filled eyes of the students focused only on the picture of Christ.

Revenge.  Anger.  Bitterness.  Unforgiveness.  Hatred.  

We all think these emotions can be controlled...directed toward someone who has done us wrong.  Today’s scripture reminds us that as we treat others... we are treating the One who started our heart beating. 

When we serve the needy... we are serving Christ.

When we are hurting someone with our words, actions, or thoughts... we are hurting the heart of Christ. 

He wants what’s best for us... and His Word tells us time and time again to love Him first and then love everyone else.  Today we will have a chain of decisions to make.  Each one, an opportunity to do the right thing (even when it’s hard).  Which will we choose?  Both reflect what we’re feeling on the inside.  

I pray that each of us would choose to not give others who have hurt us what we think they deserve... but, instead, extend to them the same grace we ourselves receive from Christ each day.  

Choose to forgive.

Choose to leave the past where it belongs.

Choose to make the first move toward reconciliation.

Choose to serve.

Choose to love like Christ.

It’s easier to get even... it’s maturity when we can control those emotions and give our challenges to God.  

Remember, as we treat others, we are treating Jesus.  

Will we throw a dart?

Or will we offer a fresh start?

A New Picture

God isn’t done with you yet. 

Whatever your past... whatever you see in the mirror... whatever the world has defined you to be....

God sees something greater. 
He’s created you for something that only you can do.

Have you forgotten what your smile looks like? What hope feels like? What God’s truth for your life is?

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” 2 Corinthians 5:17

This is reality. 

Take a closer look at yourself. Not broken you. Not addicted you. Not desperate you. Not financially struggling you. 

You. Perfected in the love of Christ. Old life gone... new life begun.

Take today. Choose to start over. Start thinking of yourself differently... you aren’t perfect... you’ve made some mistakes... but you are valuable and important in God’s plan for this planet.

Christ came for you.
Christ died for you.
Christ is here for you today.

And as these truths come into focus... as this new picture develops... crumple up the other one. That was you from yesterday. That was you that struggled. That was you that doubted. That was the old you. 

Today you are new. 
God makes you that way.

And what a beautiful picture you are!

Just in Case You Forgot...

God is there -- “I will never fail you.  I will never abandon you.” (Heb. 13:5)

God will protect you -- [to Abram] "I will protect you, and your reward will be great." (Gen. 15:1)

God walks with you -- "Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.  Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God." (Isa. 41:10)

God is there to help -- "I will strengthen you and help you.  I will hold you up with my victorious right hand." (Isa. 41:10)

God knows the way -- "After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice." (John 10:4) 

God has a purpose for your life -- "For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." (Jer. 29:11) 

God provides rest -- "Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." (Matt. 11:28) 

God forgives -- "But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” (1 John 1:9) 

God gives grace to the undeserving -- "For the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory.  The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right." (Psalm 84:11) 

God is faithful -- "The Lord will not abandon his people, because that would dishonor his great name. For it has pleased the Lord to make you his very own people." (1 Sam. 12:22) 

God’s ways are the right ways -- "He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way." (Psalm 25:9)

God’s has a plan -- "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." (Rom. 8:28) *

When the world is whispering to you... to give up... to quit... 

When they say that you don’t have enough talent.

That you aren’t beautiful.

That you’ll never rise above it.

When they say that winning is an impossibility...

If you ever hear any word that makes you feel like less than the masterpiece that God created you to be.  

Never forget... if you are a Christ-follower... you have God.

And He is enough.

God Jersey?

Author Art Hill shares a story about our second step of obedience from the message last weekend:  baptism.

After church one Sunday afternoon, a four-year-old boy said, very seriously, "Daddy, will you let me baptize you?" The father laughed it off as a joke but then realized that his son was serious, because he kept asking him, "Daddy, will you let me baptize you?" Finally, not knowing if his son even knew what "baptism" meant, the father said, "Okay son. You can baptize me." The son then came very close to his father, looked intently into his eyes, and said, "You're getting sleepy. You're getting sleepy. . . " 

So many are confused by what baptism is.  The boy in our story thought is was a form of hypnosis…  Others see it as a way to wash off a sinful weekend… still others as a method to get to heaven.  So what is it?   None of these.  

Instead, baptism is an outward expression of an inward decision.  It’s what comes after you pray the prayer of salvation that we talked about in yesterday’s post.  I often refer to it as putting on your “God jersey”… showing the world that you are on God’s team.  We do it by immersion (dunking underwater) because that’s what they did in the Bible… and any believer can do it (or do it again).  It doesn’t get you to heaven… it doesn’t wash off a bunch of bad choices… it’s simply a chance to express the decision you’ve already made to follow Christ with your life.  It’s showing the world that you belong to Jesus… in a very public way.

Many ask me if Christening counts….  They want to know if the baptism that happened to them as little babies still holds up.  Yes.  Baptism as an adult by no means negates the Christening that your parents did for you when you were too young to remember.  In fact, it completes it.  When they had you sprinkled as a baby, they were committing to raising you in a way that honored God.  And now, as an adult, you are confirming their intent.   When you enter the waters of baptism by your own decision, you are telling them… yes… you wanted me to follow God in my life… and I have… and now I’m telling the world.  

If you have yet to be baptized, and have already prayed the prayer of salvation…. what are you waiting for?  Jesus Himself did it.  And why?  Because He wanted us to follow in His beautiful footsteps and be baptized as well.  Ready to follow Him in obedience?  Ready to put on your God jersey?  Let me know in the comments below.

Remove Our Hands?

It’s a story that has to be true because you couldn’t make it up.  On a dark Friday evening, Prionda Hill made a choice.  She decided that she was going to release the wheel of her car and let God steer.  Literally.  She completely removed her hands from ten and two and told God to guide her vehicle through traffic.  The outcome was less than ideal.   A motorcyclist by the name of Anthony Oliveri was the unfortunate victim of Prionda’s decision.  He later told police that when he saw the car coming directly toward him, the only thing he thought was  “This is the day I die.”   Fortunately, he didn’t.  While his injuries were serious, Anthony survived that crash… and Prionda is now facing several serious charges.  

Is that how God operates?  Does He tell us to completely remove our hands from the wheels of our lives?  Is He apt to recommend that we just “let it go?”  Many would say yes.  We say “Jesus… you do it!”  or “God… he/she’s all yours…”  But is that Biblical?  Does God tell us to release total control and let Him do it?  Is “Let Go and Let God” legit?  

No.  In fact the Bible says just the opposite.   2 Timothy 2:3 tells us to “Endure hardship…”  Ephesians 6:11 tells us to “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand…” Finally, 1 Peter 1:7 says that our trials reveal our level of faith.   

Our challenges strengthen us.  They burn away what doesn’t belong and reveal our toughness.  What we see as pain… God is using for our eventual good.  We read many times in scripture that Jesus promises to never leave us in our struggles… that He wants us to persevere through them… and why?  Because they are the very things that will cause us to build faith muscle that we will need later in life.  So the next time you feel like just letting God do it… don’t. Keep both hands on the wheel… and God will put His nail-scarred hands on top of yours… and help guide you through the traffic to your destination.

Behind Bars

Famed surgeon, Dr. Paul Brand once said, ”In the human body, when an area loses sensory contact with the rest of the body, even when its nourishment system remains intact, that part begins to wither and atrophy. In the vast majority of cases—95 of 100 insensitive [unfeeling] hands I have examined—severe injury or deformation results. The body poorly protects what it does not feel. And in the spiritual Body, also, loss of feeling inevitably leads to atrophy and inner deterioration. So much of the sorrow in the world is due to the selfishness of one living organism that simply does not care when another suffers.”

When a part of the body is neglected… it withers.   That neglect leads to deterioration… collapse… and an utter breakdown in an important part of God’s creation.  

If we’re not careful, we too can become insensitive.  Unfeeling.  Incapable of putting ourselves into the shoes of another.   When we stop feeling the pain of others, our hearts begin to wither.  And that neglect leads to unflinching apathy… and an all out indifference to the plight of those less fortunate.

We can’t forget that Jesus Christ cares about and loves everyone.

Those in your home and those people you don’t think about.  The ones on the streets and the ones in your office.  All matter.  Everyone.  The free man and the prisoner both count under God.

It’s up to us to remember that… and to make sure that no part of the body of Christ falls under neglect.   Why do we conduct services in the prison?  Why do we reach out to those who have made mistakes and are now paying the price behind bars?   Because they matter.  Because their hearts beat and their lungs take in air.  Because in God’s eyes, their sin and our sin is no different.  Because they are a part of the body.

And we won’t let them wither away… 

Hebrews 13:3 says, “Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.”

When one part of the body hurts… we all hurt.  When one is forgotten, it affects us all.  Are you ready to join us as we reach out to those in danger of being neglected?  Will you stand with us as we minister to those in need?  If you are interested in serving on our prison ministry team, let me know in the comments below and we’ll connect you.

The Net Works

John 21:6 “Then he said, ‘Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!’ So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it.”

The disciples had fished all night with no luck.  They’d thrown out their nets and been unsuccessful in catching even the tiniest brim.  But why?  These were some experienced men of the sea… they were used to pulling in thousands.  What could have possibly caused this lack of success?  

It was pretty simple.  The net was on the wrong side.

Sometimes we fish for things with our nets on the wrong side, too.  

Some are fishing for the right mate in a sea filled with wrong people.  Some are seeking God’s blessing in a life filled with disobedience.  Others confess that they want to share their faith, but only hang around other Christians.  

Sometimes it requires moving the boat.   Most of the time, it’s simply a matter of putting your net on the right side… on the side Jesus instructs us to put it on. 

Want a Godly relationship?  Cast your net among those that honor God with their lives.  Christ tells us in His word that bad company corrupts good character (1 Cor. 15:33).  Too many are looking for deep-water fish in canals.  

Want God’s blessings?  Cast your net into the river of generosity and servanthood.  When we give of our time, talent, and resources… God blesses our efforts.  Too many are asking God to give His stamp of approval on life plans He had no part in creating.

Want others to know about Christ?  Cast your net right where you are.  There are plenty excuses to stay silent… dare to be bold… tell others (starting with those that share your last name).  You may not have all the answers… and you may not be a Bible expert… but God has done something big in your life.  Share it.  And if the nets come back empty the first time…don’t quit.  Keep casting them out on the right side… and big things will happen.  

The key is to put our efforts where God tells us to.  That’s why we are on television… and have a legitimate campus on the internet…  because that’s where people are… and that’s where God told us cast our nets.  I talk to so many who come to Potential Church as a result of our television ministry… They tell me that their lives are forever changed because they were “flipping through channels” and caught part of one of our programs.  That’s no coincidence.  God told us to put a net out on TV… and because we did so… people’s eternities are changed.   

Why the iCampus?  Because that’s where God directed us to reach out… on the right side of the boat.  And where He points… we cast.  And the result?  Life change.  Family change.  Heart change.  World change.  One login at a time. 

Are you casting your nets on the right side of the boat?  What are you doing to make the changes you need to make?

Details Matter

Exodus 37:1-9 “Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood—two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high. He overlaid it with pure gold, both inside and out, and made a gold molding around it. He cast four gold rings for it and fastened them to its four feet, with two rings on one side and two rings on the other. Then he made poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold. And he inserted the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark to carry it. He made the atonement cover of pure gold—two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide. Then he made two cherubim out of hammered gold at the ends of the cover. He made one cherub on one end and the second cherub on the other; at the two ends he made them of one piece with the cover. The cherubim had their wings spread upward, overshadowing the cover with them. The cherubim faced each other, looking toward the cover.”

Today’s verse might seem a bit odd to see in a devotional… after all… many of you are probably not looking to build your own Ark of the Covenant.  So why would God be so detailed in His description of it’s construction here in Exodus?  Why tells us how many cubits… or what the lid was supposed to look like?  Wouldn’t it have been good enough to just say that Bezalel made the Ark of the Covenant and the Ten Commandments were placed inside. Why the great effort to be exact?

Because details matter to God.

The hairs on your head.  He counts them.  Those prayers you lift up to Him?  He hears them.  Every word you say and even those that remain in your heart.  He knows them.  God is a God of detail.  Everything counts. It all matters.

Knowing that about Him, it’s no wonder that we work so hard at Potential Church to get everything right.  From functional baptisteries, to air conditioning units that cool properly, to changing broken tile to beautiful polished concrete.  Details matter.  And not for the reasons you might think.   The Ark wasn’t built to those specifications because men were trying to show off for God.  It wasn’t about having the most beautiful Ark ever built… it was about doing their very best so that God would be glorified.  

Every improvement that we make at our campuses is for that same reason.  We aren’t making changes to have the most beautiful campuses ever built… but to have the most effective ones.  Cool air leads to comfortable conditions which leads to attentive people which leads to hearing the Word of God which might lead to…

Salvation.  Life change.  And God gets the credit. 

Everything matters.  Details matter.  Improvement matters.

Ready to Go?

As I was reading through God’s word, I came across this important instruction from the Apostle Paul.  

“So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.”  Ephesians 5:15-17

In this passage of scripture, he gives three distinct ways we are all to live our lives. 

1) We are to live wisely… How do we do this?  We should make choices that follow God’s direction instead of our own.   We need to apply past failures to move us forward into future successes.  We are to surround ourselves with friends who help us in our walk rather than pull us backward.   And finally, spend our time serving and giving to others.  Generosity and a servant’s heart are two pieces of evidence that reveal a life moving in the right direction.

2)  We are to make the most of every opportunity… This includes maximizing our lives.  Eat well, sleep enough, save some money, seek joy over happiness, do something that fulfills us, connect with others, grow, read, etc.  And we do these not for their own sake… but so that we can be prepared when God gives us opportunity to move forward.  There is nothing more unfortunate than something we’ve been praying for coming to light… and not being prepared to seize the chance to make it happen. 

3)  We are to understand and act on what the Lord wants us to do.  What is that?  What is it that God wants  ALL of us to do with our lives?  We talked about it a few days ago.. fulfill the Great Commission as explained in Matthew 28:18-20.  To go out and share the Good News with those that have never heard it…. to be the hands and feet of Christ serving others… to be the living church…. active, loving, and providing for others.  

Paul is telling us to live wisely following God’s example, be prepared for and seize opportunity, and fulfill the Great Commission… are you willing and ready?

The Machine

A man named Dan Chen has created a machine.  A device so outlandish that you will struggle to believe it exists.  What is it?  It’s called an “End of Life Care Machine.”  Essentially it is a robotic arm that gently moves back and forth along the forearm of a patient in a hospital who is dying.  As it does so, it says “Hello [name of patient], I am the last moment robot. I am here to help you and guide you through your last moment on earth. I am sorry that (pause) your family and friends can’t be with you right now, but don’t be afraid. I am here to comfort you. (pause) You are not alone, you are with me. (pause) Your family and friends love you very much, they will remember you after you are gone. (pause).”

It’s hard to come up with the right words for this machine… but for the sake of today’s devotional… We’ll use the word: tragic.

Tragic that whatever person this is used on is left alone in their final moments… and even more tragic that someone thinks a heartless robotic arm can replace the tender touch of another person.  

I was thinking about this device as I read Hebrews 2:17-18 

"For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted" 

Hebrews 2:17-18

The truth is… before Christ came…all of us were dying.  Bound for eternal separation from God because of our sin.   Taking the punishment for missing the mark that we deserve.  And then God sent His Son.  His glorious loving Son to pay the price for what we had done.    God didn’t send a note… or a statue… or a robotic arm to comfort us… Jesus put on our flesh.  He became a human being.   A person who we could recognize and One that could suffer pain.  Today as you spend time praying, thank God that He loved us so much that He sent His only Son… His compassionate and merciful Son… so that we would know how valuable we are to Him during our time here on the Earth.  

Focus

An insurance company studied 65,000 fatal crashes over a two-year period.  The results?  One in ten wrecks were the result of distracted driving.   Before you quickly blame texting or talking on the phone… 62% of those accidents where someone died came as the result of…

Daydreaming.  

Staring blankly into space… letting the mind wander… just letting go and mentally coasting.   It was daydreaming that killed 6 out of 10 in those crashes.   Psychologists tell us that when we are in a daydreaming state… our conscious “wanders off” and we let our sub-conscious take the wheel.  Has that ever happened to you?  Have you ever stopped at an intersection and wondered how you got there?  Asked yourself… “did I stop at that stop sign back there?”  Or the ever-popular “Where am I?”

It happens… but it shouldn’t.  Scripture tells us to be alert at all times.  Not just in traffic… but in other things.  Do we let our mind wander as we stare at a co-worker of the opposite sex?  Do we allow our brains to drift as we spend time in church?  Are we completely focused at our job?  In the classroom?  In conversations with our spouse or kids?  But who cares, right?  After all… daydreaming in those situations won’t cause a fatality…   

Well maybe not a physical death… but not focusing can cause a marriage to crumble…grades to fall… faith to be shaken…job loss…and so much more.  Scripture tells us in 1 Peter 5:8 that we should be “sober-minded” and “watchful.”  Why?  Because the enemy is simply pacing back and forth waiting for us to let our guard down… then he pounces like a roaring lion on our lives.   Take a few minutes today and evaluate your ability to pay attention to what’s important.  Pray that God would remove distractions, remind you of why concentrating is in your best interests, and give you the strength to overcome the pull towards lethargy.   You’ll live a safer life… and you’ll get to enjoy the benefits of being fully engaged in every moment of it.  

Sticker Shock

A Costco store in Simi Valley, California had a display table filled with Bibles for sale.  While looking through them, Pastor Caleb Kaltenbach discovered a bright sticker had been placed on every cover… it contained the price… and the word “Fiction” next to it.

Fiction?  As in “not real”?  

At once, the Pastor brought the mistake to the attention of the management and the stickers were removed at once.  The man in charge chalked it up to “human error” from the warehouse.

This got me to thinking… although our Bibles don’t have “Fiction” stickers on them…do we really believe what they say inside the covers?  Is it possible that what God says inside those words is 100% true?  How can we be a masterpiece when our thought-life is what it is?   How can we be forgiven by the One who created the oceans and calmed the storms?  Is everything REALLY possible through Christ?

Yes.  

What you read in that wonderful love letter from God is absolutely true.  Every syllable of it.  We are sinners.  We are imperfect.  We make mistakes.  But we serve the God who time after time gives chances to return to Him.   We serve the God who hears the cries of the hurting and responds with the love demonstrated by Jesus on the cross.  Be assured… you can count on what you read in the Bible.  It is far from fiction.  It is rock-solid fact that has withstood the test of time and the assault from countless critics.   Hold it boldly and read it with confidence.    It is God’s unshakable word… and it can be trusted wholeheartedly.  

Releasing the Revengeful Heart

2013 marked the final year in the life of one of the world’s most influential leaders:  Nelson Mandela.  Held in prison for 27 years, he bravely stood against the oppressive rule of Apartheid.  The day he was released from jail, Mandela was quoted as saying “As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn’t leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I’d still be in prison.”

Freedom.  Real freedom.  Have you ever experienced it?  Have you ever been imprisoned by those feelings that could have easily trapped Nelson Mandela?

Bitterness.  Hatred.

Feelings that if left unchecked can place a cage over our life… subjecting us to years of cruel imprisonment.  When we let them overwhelm us, we torture ourselves… poisoned by our own unwillingness to move on.  Ephesians 4:31 tells us to “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger…”  How do we do that?  Discover the key to the cell…  Forgiveness.  Not forgetfulness.  Not acting like it didn’t happen.  Not pretending that everything is erased.  Just forgiving those that caused the pain… releasing the revengeful heart so that you can walk into the sunlight of the rest of your life.   Forgiveness isn’t for them.  They may not have asked for it or even deserve it.  It’s for you.  It’s your opportunity to get past your past… to learn from the pain… and experience the freedom that comes from following Christ’s example.