Other Side

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.  

Ready to go fishing?  Cast away!

Gain the World?

I read of a man in England who spent seven years on a 5000 piece jigsaw puzzle.  Eighty-six year old retiree Jack Harris started the five foot tall puzzle just after Christmas of 2002 and for many years meticulously worked at putting it together.  Sadly, at the end of his journey... after 4999 pieces were placed in their exact spots... the puzzle could not be completed.  The tiny hole in the middle of the puzzle revealed that a piece was missing.

This brought a powerful scripture to mind... Mark 8:36 “And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?”  So many people live their whole life building wealth... putting together success... acquiring possessions... and come to the end of it without the most important piece:  a relationship with Jesus Christ.  Their picture is incomplete... and as a result they spend eternity separated from Him.   Maybe you know someone who’s working on their puzzle and needs that missing part... be bold!  Share the amazing news of salvation with them... and turn what could be tragic into something triumphant.  

Be Bold

A student studies hard...gets her degree... graduates at the top of her class...and people call her a genius.  An athlete trains every morning without fail... climbs to the top of his game... and people call him a champion.  A person accepts Christ, studies their Bible, shares their testimony,  stands boldly for Christ, cries for the hurting, gives to the poor, and regularly attends church, they are called... religious fanatics or Jesus freaks.   

Something’s not right.  

If you’ve ever stood up for Christ and were ridiculed... you are in good company...  Matthew 5:11-12 says "God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way"   

Be bold... stand up for Christ... don’t allow people with labels to stick one on you... you may not hear much applause for your efforts down here... but I can assure you, Heaven celebrates your boldness and God will reward and bless you for your commitment to Him!

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.

LOGIN

"And then he told them, 'Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.'"  Mark 16:15


Millions around the world connect online every single day...

The majority of the 1st time guests at Potential Church come as a result of first seeing us on television....

The line between Facebook friends and physical friends is blurring...

Why a television ministry?  Why the iCampus?  Because people matter.  And those people that matter... they are the same ones that Jesus tells us to reach with the Gospel.

...And some of them don't live near one of our physical campuses and still want to attend Potential Church.

...And some have crowd phobias and aren't able to enter a building filled with people quite yet.

...And some have been burned by a past church and are just now ready to give a church another try

...And some are traveling... and some are sick... and some are incarcerated... and some don't have transportation...

Whatever the reason... we believe that these people... people like you and I... should not be forgotten or left out.  Why not develop a ministry to meet them right where they login or live?   Why not pour into a ministry where people can study the Bible together no matter which flag they find themselves under?  Why not have a tablet-friendly church... ready to stay connected with while travelling?  Why not have Potential Church services on TV networks around the world?

Is it a gimmick?  Is it a passing trend?  No.  Technology is here to stay and many of us depend on it.  And some day, when God reminds us that He gave us airwaves, and broadband internet, and the like....  He's going to ask us one question...

What did you do with it?

Run from it or embrace it?  Use it for the Kingdom or refuse to innovate?  Bury the talents or invest them (see Matt. 25:14-30)?

Potential Church is committed to using any and every means to help fulfill the Great Commission (see Matthew 28:18-20) and see everyone come to know Christ.

Are you with us?

The Net

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?  Why have a dedicated Campus Pastor for those that join us online?  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?

Will you join Potential Church as we cast our nets into the worlds of television and internet campus?  If you’d like more information… check out this link:  http://potentialchurch.com/new2014/?page_id=13317

See you this weekend for our Family Dedication service and Mother’s Day celebration!

In Good Company

A student studies hard...gets her degree... graduates at the top of her class...and people call her a genius.  An athlete trains every morning without fail... climbs to the top of his game... and people call him a champion.  A person accepts Christ, studies their Bible, shares their testimony,  stands boldly for Christ, cries for the hurting, gives to the poor, and regularly attends church, they are called... religious fanatics or Jesus freaks.   

Something’s not right.  

If you’ve ever stood up for Christ and were ridiculed... you are in good company...  Matthew 5:11-12 says "God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way"   

Be bold... stand up for Christ... don’t allow people with labels to stick one on you... you may not hear much applause for your efforts down here... but I can assure you, Heaven celebrates your boldness and God will reward and bless you for your commitment to Him!