Jump In

“Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. 3 Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven.”  Matthew 18:2-3

    When Tyler (my oldest son) was young and just learning how to swim, he scared me.  Not just me... but my wife Stephanie as well.  While other children put on inflatable water wings and “floaties” and such, Tyler dove right into the deep end of the pool to practice.  Time and time again we told him to stay toward the steps.  It didn’t work.  Before we knew it he was back down to the 7 foot end trying his luck with the stronger swimmers.  As I think back, I realize now why Tyler must have been confident enough to jump into water that was twice as deep as he was tall... he had faith.  He knew that if he got into trouble, dad would be right there to get him out of it.  I wouldn’t stand on the pool edge and point my finger and tell him “I told you so!”  No, he trusted me and he felt safe...just because I was there. 

    Today’s verse talks about that type of trust.  Jesus says in Matthew 18 that we are to “turn from your sins and become like little children” if we are to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.  What did He mean?  Isn’t being childlike something that we are trying to avoid in our maturing process?   

     What Jesus meant wasn’t regressing back to our former ways.   He meant simply that our faith needs to be complete.  Our Heavenly Father sits poolside while we stand at the edge of the water.  Do we jump in?  Can we trust Him?  We can’t stop worrying over bills and car problems and aging and productivity numbers and everything else that makes us need a massage.  What if we jump in and He’s not enough?  What if we swallow too much water and start to sink?  What if our feet can’t touch the bottom?  Where is the bottom?  If I can’t see the bottom, how do I know it’s safe?  Is God enough?  Will He protect me?

     A child doesn’t think of these things.  They see water.  They glance over to see if their parents are watching... and they jump.  Two seconds of silence until they break the surface and sink below the waterline.  Blissfully trusting that if anything were to happen...they were protected.   They don’t ignore the dangers, they just don’t focus on them.  They see dad.  They know he’s there.  They enjoy the journey without worrying about the possibilities of failure.  When Jesus tells us to become like little children, He’s not telling us to stay oblivious to what the world throws at us.   He’s telling us to look to Him, trust Him completely, and jump.  Dive into what God has for you!  It’s THAT kind of faith that not only gets us to Heaven, but allows us to enjoy the swim of life along the way!

What Tempts You?

“If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. 13 The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.”   1 Cor. 10:12-13

“The biggest human temptation is to settle for too little.”   -  Thomas Merton

     Congratulations!  You’ve done what many know they need but not everybody does... you’ve made time for God today.  Each time you feel the nudge to check out the devotional page here on Facebook... I’m sure you think of many other things you could be doing.  We all know it’s good for us, but sometimes we forget or get sidetracked.  It’s a commitment.  A sacrifice of time and energy.... and you’re worth it.  But all is not easy.  When we dive in to growing in Christ, the enemy ups his attempts to make us quit.  

     That’s where you will face perhaps the biggest foe that has ever challenged you: temptation.  There will be many many things in the coming months and years that will do their best to throw you off your commitment to study God’s word and grow.  In today’s verse, the Apostle Paul writes about those very things.  He says that the temptations we face, while common to everyone, are not unbeatable.  In fact, he says that God will “not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand.”  I love that!  No matter what temptation the enemy throws our way to stop.. God will give us “a way out so that [we] can endure”  The devil puts up stop signs, detours, and red lights... and Jesus reminds us that we have His GPS.  He simply re-routes us around the obstacles and keeps us on the road to our God-potential.  

      So the question is... what tempts you to quit?  Does it seem like there’s no hope?  Are you struggling to think you’re worthy enough for God to use you?  Have you tried this type of thing before but think there’s no way you’ll stay with it?  I have some encouragement for you.  We’ve all felt that way from time to time.  Today’s verse tells us that when we have these feelings, God will give us the wisdom, the strength, and the nudge to keep going and escape the temptation.  He wants us to persevere because He loves us so very much.  I’ll be praying that when you feel tempted to stop...or believe what others say about you... or doubt that you can do it... or hear the limiting lies of the devil... that you would remember that you aren’t alone.  God is with you and your Potential Church family is on the journey alongside you.  Let’s go after this together! 

Resolution

Last weekend during the teaching, I shared that my brothers and I liked to play “King of the Hill”.  We’d find the highest dirt hill we could and one of us would head to the top.  The goal?  Keep the others climbing.  Don’t let them push you off the peak by any means necessary.  I was the oldest and tallest so I had no problem keeping my younger siblings at bay for a few minutes.  Inevitably, one of my brothers would grab something from the yard to help their cause.  My middle brother chose a 2X4… the youngest, usually a rock.  The game always ended poorly.  Someone got hurt…we all got filthy… and we’d fight and argue until mom or dad stepped in and ended our scuffle once and for all.

I always wondered how my parents did that.  How were they able to settle things so quickly and without (much) argument?  How were they able to get three brothers who were at “war” on a hill just a few minutes earlier to make nice and move on?  It was an art and just watching them do it has helped me as I parent my own children so many years later.  

Conflict resolution was a regular lesson taught at our house.  I was thinking about that when I ran into someone from Potential Church who shared this story…. She told me how she settles the arguments in her house.  When her children do something bad to each other, she makes them hug and apologize. She told me that her kids do it with clenched teeth...and the hug only lasts less about two seconds... but they do it.  She wonders how much they mean it... but feels good that at least they go through the motions.

This isn’t what God intended apology and forgiveness to look like.  In James 5 verse 16a it says this:  “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” 

How often do we do something to someone, mutter that we’re sorry, but really don’t mean it?  We give them a quick hug or a pat on the back and pretend everything is better.  This isn’t what God had in mind.  If we hurt someone in some way, we need to make it right.  Today’s verse says to confess what we’ve done wrong and pray for the person we’ve hurt.  When we’re praying for them... God works in us... and we both heal.   Do they have to forgive us?  No... but when we ask for it, we’ve done our part in obedience to scripture.     

If there’s someone in your life today that needs your heart-felt apology... be bold enough to make it right.  Confess your wrongdoing to God, admit it to the person that’s been hurt... and once you’ve asked for forgiveness... pray for them.   

Don’t let the enemy steal future happiness because of past hurt.  It may not be the easiest conversation you’ve ever had... but you’ll never regret the effort in making things right.

Others

Yesterday I shared a little about obedience. It’s not a word we necessary love or find easy to put into practice… but it’s critical if we are to become the person God created us to be. When I was younger, I generally obeyed my parents and teachers but still found myself once in a while pushing the limits… finding weaknesses in the rules to see how close I could get to the line without becoming disobedient. If a sign said “Do Not Touch” I would see how near to the object I could get before my finger made contact. I wouldn’t classify myself as rebellious back then… but I suppose (like many people) I found following all the rules challenging at best. As I got older, I came to realize the importance of obedience. Not just to rules and signs, but to the most important One of all: God. I found this story to help illustrate yet another way to help us all be more obedient to God’s direction for our lives.

Leonardo Da Vinci, just before he started work on his "Last Supper" had a violent argument with a fellow painter. Leonardo was so bitter that he determined to paint the face of his enemy, the other artist, into the face of Judas, and thus take his revenge by handing the man down in infamy and scorn to succeeding generations. The face of Judas was, therefore, one of the first he finished. And everyone could easily recognize it as the face of the painter with whom he had fought with.

But when he came to paint the face of Christ, he could make no progress. Something seemed to be baffling him, holding him back, frustrating his best efforts. Finally he came to the conclusion that the thing that was frustrating him was that he had painted the face of his enemy onto the face of Judas. He painted out the face of Judas and was then able to resume his work on the face of Jesus and this time did it with the success that the ages have acclaimed.

Sometimes negative feelings can hold us back from where we desire to be in life. Like Leonardo, maybe it’s the spirit of revenge... or perhaps it’s anger, jealousy, or spitefulness. God’s plan for our lives doesn’t revolve around any of these. In fact, those reactions that we feel entitled to actually get in the way of our obedience toward Him... and His blessing on our lives. God has a much better idea...

Love others

“‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.’” Matthew 22:36-40

The second part of the verse we looked at yesterday unlocks another clue as to how to be obedient. Loving others. This is not a suggestion or an option. If we are Christ-followers we are told to love those that He has placed around us. Friends... enemies... those that encourage AND those that tear us down. Not an easy task... but one that we must figure out to be obedient. How do we do that? How can we love those that we don’t even like?

Recognize that our lack of love for them is sin. Confess it... and ask for God to remind us of how He loves us (even in our broken and sinful condition). We tend to expect God’s love but struggle to pass it along to others.

Choose not to be controlled by feelings. You can’t force yourself to feel love... but you can CHOOSE to love in spite of the negative feelings. It’s will over want. (Matt. 5:43-44)

Trust God to help you love them. What we cannot do ourselves... the Holy Spirit can do within us. God’s word says to do it... so it can’t be impossible. We can count on God to provide the strength and will we’ll need to love even the most unloveable. 


Pray for them... not that they’ll change... but that God would help you see them differently. Pray for their success...that they would grow and thrive... that God would bless them. He may not change them but the exercise will DEFINITELY change you.

Today’s devotional is the type that many will dismiss as impossible. Or unfair. It just doesn’t seem right to have to love someone who treats us poorly or gives us no love in return. But remember, God’s thoughts are not like ours (Isaiah 55:8). He died for the world. Everyone. Not just the nice... or the semi-perfect... or the put together... He sacrificed Himself for everyone. There will be people in this world that you might not like to be around... but they can be loved because they are His creation too. God loves them just as much as He loves you.

Spend a few minutes and take some inventory. Are there people you have labelled as unloveable? Pray for them today. Not that God would change them... but that He would give you some fresh insight... a renewed heart... a different way of seeing the world. Your life will never be the same. When we obediently love God and love His creation... we are blessed... and we take steps toward our God potential.

Nine Letters

Last weekend I talked about perhaps the greatest obstacle to intimacy with God: Pride. It gets in the way of our growth, hinders our prayers, and results in us taking the credit for what God has done in our lives.

But there's another something... or lack of something... that causes us to struggle just as much...

I am often asked...

“Why doesn’t God answer my prayer?”

“What does God want me to do with my life?”

“Why won’t God give me clarity?”

“When are things going to get easier?”

“Why don’t I get the same blessings as my friends?”

My answer is always the same. It’s one little word that, when lived out, changes things. God blesses us... our lives move forward... we gain lucidity... and our life’s purpose and direction come into focus. Nine letters that are easy to say but challenging to commit to. That word:

obedience.

John Newton, the writer of the most popular hymn in history, "Amazing Grace" said:

"… if two angels in heaven were given assignments by God at the same time, one of them to go and rule over the greatest nation on earth and the other to go sweep the streets of the dirtiest village, each angel would be completely indifferent as to which one got which assignment.

It simply wouldn’t matter to them. Why? Because the real joy lies in being obedient to God. For a Christ follower, the important thing isn’t what God has us doing; the important thing is that we’re doing what God wants us to do."

(Lee Strobel, God’s Outrageous Claims, 93)

Regardless of our profession, income, or social status...God wants us to live our lives in a particular way. When we do, He blesses us. When we don’t, we struggle. It’s not God being mean... it’s us missing the mark. It’s not because we don’t know what He wants from our lives... it’s because we decide daily to simply not do them. So what does obedience look like? What does it take to please God. There are several ways... but we’ll start with the most important two...

Love Him

“‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.’” Matthew 22:36-40

Jesus said that the first step of obedience is loving God. Always putting Him first. It means maintaining a growing and thriving relationship with the One who created us. This includes putting His agenda above our own... consulting Him and allowing Him to guide decisions... reading scripture and actually living out the words therein. Loving God means affection for Him... expressing our genuine love with our whole heart. We must be loyal to Him... protect His name and speak it often... spend time with Him... listen for His voice... talk to Him... honor Him... brag about Him... and so much more. Obedience begins a commitment (or re-commitment) to love God first and above all others. If He isn’t our first and most important influence... we have someone (or something) in the wrong place.

Take a few minutes today in prayer and tell God how much you love Him... write it in your journal... tell a close friend... and never forget that as much as you love Him...

He loves you more. And He always will.

Join me tomorrow and we’ll look at the second way we can please God...

Why?

I read the headlines yesterday from Orlando and it broke my heart. 

Steph and I are praying for the families of those who lost their lives in the attack as well as those still recovering from their injuries. 

It is my prayer that today's devotional brings you hope during this time of uncertainty and worry.

The world we live in is broken. It’s not the one that God originally had in mind when He ordered it in to existence. Adam and Eve chose poorly and sin creeped into a perfect planet that was never meant to harvest it. As a result, the freewill that all of us enjoy allows people to often make decisions outside of God’s will for their lives. There’s disease, crime, senseless acts of violence and hatred running rampant among us. Why does God allow this? Why do bad things happen at all? Why doesn’t God put a stop to the hurt? Why are some people allowed to suffer while others are fed or healed?

There isn’t any one particular answer. It’s the question that’s been asked for eons… why does God allow good people to struggle? And while there isn’t a turnkey answer to all of these questions, there is a way that each of us can see these situations in a different light.

Enter David Ring.

If anyone had the right to ask “Why do bad things happen to good people?” it is David Ring. Technically speaking, David was born dead. Quick acting medical personnel were able to get him breathing, but oxygen deprivation left him with cerebral palsy. He suffered from a speech impediment, hands that don’t cooperate, and a limp. As if that wasn’t enough adversity for one person, both his parents died by the time he was fourteen years old, and his hemophiliac brothers subsequently died of AIDS. 

David’s remaining family members feared that David would never have a normal life, because they assumed he would never marry, have children, drive a car, earn a living or take care of himself. As a young teenager, David came surrender his life to God and came to see his disability as a gift. Once he began to see his circumstances as being chosen for him by God, he began moving forward. 

Today he is married, had four beautiful children, drives a car, and speaks to more than 250 audiences a year. At his speaking engagements he sells T-shirts bearing the slogan “Don’t Whine…SHINE!”

David Ring has taken responsibility for his life—the bad, the difficult and the wonderful. And he continues to celebrate the difference he is able to make in the lives of others. 

When people wrestle with difficult life experiences, the why question often gets in the way. One of David Ring’s axioms is “Don’t ask God why. Ask What. What do you want me to do with this?”

You may not be facing what David did... but whatever stands in your way leaves you with two questions: 

“Why me?” or
“What now?” 

Which one do you find yourself going to more often? Let’s take a look at each response.

Asking “Why Me?” 

How many thousands of times do you think it crossed David Ring’s mind to use Cerebral Palsy as an excuse NOT to do something. He hurt... his tongue couldn’t say what his brain was sending it... his hands and feet crippled and painful. Every person with a beating heart on the planet would have understandingly told him... it’s ok... we know you’re at a disadvantage... you’re off the hook for not reaching the potential God has put into your heart.

That didn’t happen. David didn’t quit. 

It wasn’t a disadvantage.
It was an opportunity.

He didn’t question why it was happening...he just kept pushing forward.

The enemy gave him every reason to wonder but instead...

David worshipped. 

You may be tempted to ask the same thing today. The world would understand wouldn’t it? They’ll tell you that your marriage can’t be fixed.... your condition won’t improve... and other lies. Will you believe them or will you hold on to God’s promise of growing you through your circumstances? Miracles still happen. Sometimes the miracle you are looking for starts with your willingness to believe God can do it. 

Perhaps challenge is exactly what we need to get past our insistence on having all the answers and acting within our own power... 

Which brings us to the next question.... the one we should be asking when we feel knocked down...

2) What Now?

The question isn’t why... it’s what. What do I do with what I am facing? What do I need to do to leverage the calamity to strengthen my character? What does God want me to learn? 

All good questions... healthy questions. And when they are honestly looked at and answered, we move forward with courage rather than shrink in fear. 

When I face challenges, I turn to two verses that bring me comfort. They wholly answer the question of “what now”...

“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.” Romans 8:28

“Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.” Romans 8:18

God assures us of three things when we suffer. There’s a purpose to it, it’s only for a season, and better things are on the other side of the hurt. What challenges you today will be used to strengthen your resolve... build your integrity... sure up your determination... prove to you that you are stronger in God’s power than you are on your own... and ultimately bring God glory for Who He is. 

What do you do now? Praise Him in the rain... turn to Him when it hurts so bad you want to stop... look for His heart when yours is broken. He promises in His word that everything you are facing will come together and ultimately you will win. In His power and by His grace, what looks to be your deepest tragedy will become your moment of triumph. In the meantime... cling to Him in this season. It won’t last forever and neither will the suffering. 

Even the darkest nights relent. Clouds part. And warm sun returns. 

We may not always understand the reason behind a situation… but God never wastes a hurt. If you find yourself struggling today...stop asking “why me” and turn your eyes to Christ. Seek His path through the wilderness… and He will take you all the way to victory.

Taking the Test

Are you a good test taker?  When I was in school I always felt a lot of anxiety before an exam.  Was I ready?  Had I studied the right things?  Was the teacher going to try and trick me with a question?  I’ll never forget my first college exam in Arkansas.  I don’t remember the specific class but I remember the way I felt as the professor slid the test onto my desk.  I did what many college freshmen do.  Instead of giving it a complete once-over, I tore into the questions trying desperately to just get through it.  I figured the faster I took the test the less chance I had of forgetting the precious data that I had been cramming in to my brain.

Ever felt that way?  Work fast and get through it?    

I hadn’t thought about that time in my life until I ran across this article about an exam given to Pastor Charles Stanley…

“One of my more memorable seminary professors had a practical way of illustrating to his students the concept of grace. At the end of his evangelism course he would distribute the exam with the caution to read it all the way through before beginning to answer it. This caution was written on the exam as well. As we read the test, it became unquestionably clear to each of us that we had not studied nearly enough. The further we read, the worse it became. About halfway through, audible groans could be heard through out the lecture hall. On the last page, however, was a note that read, "You have a choice. You can either complete the exam as given or sign your name at the bottom and in so doing receive an A for this assignment."

Charles goes on to describe the many different types of reactions that those instructions received... 

• Some worked through the whole test...never reading the comment at the end. They toiled for nothing... never realizing what could have been.

• Others read the first two pages, got angry because it was so hard, and turned the test in blank...storming out of the room.  

• Still others would read the comment at the end and take the test anyway.  They claimed they didn’t want any “free gifts”.  Most scored around a “C”

These test takers are a great illustration of God’s grace and our sin.  Here’s how the Bible addresses it:

Romans 3:21-24  

“But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.  For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.”

Let’s look at those test groups again...

The first group never bothered to read it...  and so many today miss the message as well.  It doesn’t make them bad people... it just means they miss out on what God wanted for their lives.  They live trapped in their sin... never knowing the freedom that understanding and embracing God’s grace can bring.

The second group...the angry ones... remind me of those that hear about God...learn His expectations... and never feel like they could ever live up to them.  They think:  Why bother?  How can a person be forgiven when they’ve done what I did?   They feel underprepared, unworthy, and disqualify themselves... never stopping to read verses like the one above.  When life gets hard...they quit on themselves before ever realizing that all God is asking for is a repentant heart and a willingness to turn to Him... to ask Him to forgive... to accept His grace...  to find salvation in Him by giving everything they understand about themselves to everything they understand about Him.  

The third group..those that knew of the requirements for the “A” but still took the test...  are those that know that grace is given freely by God... yet still try to earn it.  The professor said to sign your name for an “A”.  No catch.  No condition.  God says the same thing to us... believe in me, call on my name, ask for absolution, and receive it.  No catch.  No condition.  You can’t earn grace.  You can’t earn forgiveness.  You can’t earn righteous status with God.   Why?  Because you don’t have to.  He gives it willingly to those that know Him as Savior.  

Still breathing?  You qualify.  Still feeling guilty about the past?  Accept Him as Lord and bask in His limitless grace.   Wondering how He can forgive you?  He can...and will.  You aren’t irreparably broken.  You aren’t beyond hope.  God’s grace is yours if you want it.... 

Admit that you sin and miss the mark 

Allow Jesus into your heart to be your Lord and Savior.

Ask for His forgiveness. 

Accept His grace.

Ready to sign your name for one of the “A”s on this list?  You’ll never make a more important decision.