Ordinary

We’re just getting home from an amazing weekend.  We just experienced nearly ten hours of amazing Christian concert worship and a historic Potential Church service at the BB&T Center.  Plus we had lives changed at all of our other campuses outside of the South Florida area during their services!

As I sat and thought about what we were all just a part of… it hit me.  It was something that Hillsong United said in between songs yesterday at the show.  The singer told the audience that the night wasn’t about performing or entertaining… it was about pleasing the only One who matters… God.  He said that ordinary people can do extraordinary things when their only intention is making their Creator happy.

Do you feel ordinary today?   Plain?   

Good.  

You are exactly the type of person God uses to change the world.  Joseph was a prisoner... Gideon was a farmer... David was a shepherd... Mary was a teenager... Luke was a doctor... Matthew collected taxes... and Peter caught fish long before he was called a “fisher of men”.   

When we read that list, we think “God’s all-stars”  But they didn’t think of themselves that way.  In their minds, they were just regular people doing what God had asked them to do... and changing the world in the process.  

Fact is, every person He creates is knitted together with a purpose.  A destiny.   That includes you.  You may have opened your eyes this morning feeling plain but you aren’t.  God had a plan for those He used in the Bible... and He has one for you.  He specializes in doing extraordinary things through ordinary people who are committed to fulfilling His purpose in their lives.  There’s nothing common about that!

Every Moment

Christian writer Philip Yancey once wrote ““If you can live through a moment, you can live through a day, and how you live a day is eventually how you live your life.“  Quite a true statement.  Life is made up of little decisions... roads not taken and paths that are... choices, challenges, and chances... all leading us somewhere.

Today, you’ll have hundreds of opportunities.  What will you fill them with?  In the book of Ephesians, Paul tells us to “make the most of every opportunity” ...  some philosophers tell us to “seize the day”... why?  Because we aren’t guaranteed tomorrow.  God has kept our heart beating and our lungs taking in air for a reason... to bring Him glory... to serve others... and be the best that we can be.  

This Sunday will be one of those opportunities to seize.  A chance to be a part of something that will strengthen your walk with Christ… This Sunday, all of Potential Church’s South Florida campuses will come together as one.  Worshiping, praying, learning, growing, and connecting… one time in one place.  If you are in the area and can make it… we’d love to see you there.  10AM - BB&T Center - Sunrise, Florida.

Want another chance to seize the day?  Why not seize two?  Join thousands of people this weekend at the Xtreme Music Conference… worshiping with such bands as Switchfoot and Hillsong United.  This Saturday and Sunday evening… BB&T Center in Sunrise.

I am excited to see what God is going to do through both the concerts and our church services.  Not only the service at the BB&T, but in those all over the world at our other campuses.  The team and I have been praying for breakthrough… for life-change… for strength for each and every person that steps through the doors.  It’s our prayer that people would come to know Christ as their Savior… that what held them down up till now would be left behind…and they would live free for the first time in Christ.  Will you join us in this prayer?  Will you pray with us that thousands would come…and experience much more than they ever expected?   

I can’t wait to experience this with you.  Let’s make the most of every moment and give God the glory for what He does in and through those that come. 

The Weight of Stress

A psychologist walked around a room while teaching stress management to an audience. As she raised a glass of water, everyone expected they'd be asked the "half empty or half full" question. Instead, with a smile on her face, she asked: "How heavy is this glass of water?"  Some guessed 8 ounces... others 20 ounces... She replied, "The weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute, it's not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my arm. If I hold it for a day, my arm will feel numb and paralyzed. In each case, the weight of the glass doesn't change, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes."

Stress is the same way.  Hold it for a little while...no problem.  A little while longer...a little more weight.  All day?  A week?  It quickly becomes unbearable.  So how can we control the pressure on our lives?  Take Jesus up on what He offers in 1 Peter chapter 5  verse 7:  “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”  God wants us to turn to Him when times get tough... We weren’t created to carry the weight of the world... so today, let’s choose to trust in His strength and not our own.  

Here’s the link for more information about our amazing and historic weekend at the BB&T Center:  www.potentialchurch.com/xtreme/    Hope to see you there!

Impossible?

Before we start today,  I want to remind you… this weekend is historic at Potential Church.  For the first time in our history, our South Florida campuses will be meeting at one time in one place… the BB&T Center in Sunrise!  One free service… 10AM Sunday morning… I hope to see you there!  For more details about the service and the extreme music conference concerts, check out our website here:  http://potentialchurch.com/xtreme/

I was thinking about Pr. James’ teaching last weekend at our Cooper City campus and I kept coming back to the word he focused on… “impossible”.   Nothing is impossible through Christ.  Nothing.  That marriage that seems like there’s no hope.  Recovery is possible.  The low bank balance.  Replenishment is possible.  An uncontrollable teenager… a demanding boss… a medical setback?   All solvable.  All doable.  All possible through the One who promises that He will never leave nor forsake us.  (Deut. 31:8)

When we have no more stamina… He carries us.

When we are out of answers… He assures us that He has all that we’ll need. 

When the world tells us we’re nothing… He reminds us that we are more than just something.   We’re a masterpiece.   

His arms are strong enough for our heaviest burdens.

In 1 Peter 5, we read about God’s “mighty” hand!    No matter where we find ourselves today... God’s hand will be big enough.  He’ll cradle us with it when it hurts. He’ll provide for our needs with it.  We can grab it when we’re nervous and it will be there to protect us.  

Today, don’t live limited by what you can carry in your own hand... give it to Him... He is more than strong enough. 

Lose Everything

John 15:12-13 says, “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”

Liza was suffering from a rare and serious disease. Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her five-year-old brother. The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister. He hesitated for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, ‘Yes, I’ll do it if it will save Liza.’  As the transfusion progressed, he lay in a bed next to his sister and smiled, seeing the color returning to her cheeks. Then his face grew pale and his smile faded. He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, ‘Will I start to die right away?’  Being young, the boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to have to give her all of his blood.  He was willing to lose everything to save the one he loved.

Sacrifice, selfless generosity, full commitment... these are the things of love.  Real love.  The love that Christ showed on the cross for mankind... and the type of love He asks us to demonstrate to those we call family or friend.   Are you willing to lose everything for the sake of another?  You may never be called to... but it’s this kind of dedication and devotion that changes the world.



Tuesday Reminder…  Don’t forget… this weekend is historic for Potential Church.  Our south Florida campuses are coming together for one free worship experience at the BB&T center!  Hope to see you there this Sunday at 10AM!  For more details about this special service and the amazing weekend concert, check out this link:  http://potentialchurch.com/xtreme/