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Potential
Everyone one has potential, you included. You were created in the image of God. When you were born God didn’t scratch His head and say, “now what am I going to do with this one?” He had a plan in mind before you were born. Listen to what the Lord told Jeremiah: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” This means before the bubble gum cigars were passed out and Jeremiah cried his first cry the Lord knew him, set him apart, and had plans for him. Just like Jeremiah you were created with a purpose in mind; but your potential has to be developed in the process of discovering your purpose. The Bible tells us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. It goes on to say that we were known by God before we were born and that He knit us together while we were in our mother’s womb. Therefore, you came from the seed of a man, through the womb of a woman, but, you came from the heart of God. The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead lives on the inside of you and that alone has enough potential to change your life, and the lives of everyone else you come in contact with!
Your purpose is unique and your potential is powerful. Your potential is the existing ability you have to develop the future you desire. Your potential already exists, it just has to be realized, released, and refined before it is ever expressed by you, or experienced by others. #believeit
I want use these 3 words and 3 familiar Bible stories to prove the power of potential:
- Gideon had to realize his potential before it was ever exhibited. The Lord sent an Angel to tell Gideon he was a mighty man of valor and was going to be used by God to lead a mighty army that would win the victory over their enemies. When the angel called Gideon a “mighty man of valor” Gideon looked around to see who the angel was talking to. You see many times your potential is seen by others before it is ever realized by you. Your potential may be recognized on the outside by others before it is ever realized on the inside by you. However, you have to believe it before it will expressed by you or experienced by others. I can tell you all day, everyday that you can do it, but if you don’t believe you can, chances are you won’t. Your limitations; don’t limit God. The only thing that limits God is your doubt and most of the time you probably don’t doubt God, you doubt yourself! You don’t have to be the greatest, you just have to be willing. You do your part and God will do His part. Like Gideon, not everyone will go with you into battle. God knows who needs to “walk it out” with you. Surround yourself with people who will speak to your potential. God believed in Gideon way before Gideon believed in himself. When you realize God lives in you and He believes you can do it, you will discover, develop, and do what God is asking you to do. You have the potential, it just has to be realized so it can be expressed by you, and experienced by others. #believeit
- David had to release his faith by slinging the stone or the giant coming down would have never came to fruition. David could have had all of the ability in the natural realm to use a slingshot. He could have had all the faith it took to release the stone in the spiritual realm. However, he had to release the stone before it could ever kill the giant. I believe David had faith. He had seen God deliver the lion and bear into his hands. David had been faithful in the small areas of life. Areas like tending to his father’s sheep on the backside of a mountain in obscurity, while Saul and his brothers were on the front lines of the biggest battle in the region. David practiced in private what gave him skills in public. Don’t waste those times of obscurity when no one is watching; instead use it to develop your potential. Don’t value peoples opinions over God’s promises or you will never see your full potential manifest. Saul, and David’s brothers had their opinions about David, but remember this: What people say; doesn’t trump what God can do. What other people say about you can’t override or overrule what God can do through you! You have the potential to see giants fall. Just like David, you have the potential to release your faith; you just have to believe you belong! #believeit
- Daniel, Shadrach, Mischach, and Abednego had great potential but that potential became even greater when it was refined. Sometimes your potential grows when you are pressed, tried, or tested. Daniel, Shadrach, Mischach, and Abednego determined to do the right thing and that determination became their distinguishing difference. Your potential will be accentuated as you discipline yourself to what’s right and focus on what matters. The book of Daniel chapter 1 tells us that Daniel, Shadrach, Mischach, and Abednego were skilled, good looking, smart, capable of learning and able to be taught. The king understood that these men had potential. The potential to become leaders and teachers in his kingdom. However, the king didn’t say, “we will now serve the God of Daniel” because Daniel was smart and good looking. The king made this statement because Daniel put his faith in God and God was faithful towards Daniel. The 3 Hebrew children (Shadrach, Mishach, and Abednego) were walking in the fire when the king said, “didn’t we throw 3 men into the fire?” And the man said, “as matter a fact we did.” Then the kings said, “there is a fourth man in the fire and it appears to be the Son of God!” God didn’t walk through the fire with the 3 Hebrew children because they were smart and good looking. He walked through the fire with them because He is faithful. God sees the potential for all of us to become more and be better. But sometimes he uses trials of fire to burn up what binds us and to do away with those things that hinder our potential. The 3 Hebrew children came out of the fire and the only thing that had burned up is that which they had been bound by. Sometimes the refining of your potential is brought about by being loosed from those things which bind you. Daniel, was thrown into the lion’s den and Shadrach, Mishach, and Abednego were thrown into the fire by the hands of men. But they were delivered out by the hand of God. Just like Daniel and the 3 Hebrew children people will use your potential to resolve their problems; but God will use your problems to refine your potential. You have potential, but you haven’t seen anything until it has been refined! #believeit
Fascinated With the Familiar
“Fascinated With The Familiar”
Some Things 2 Consider:
Vision- “What you see will determine what you experience!”
A New Thing- If it’s new that means it’s never been done; but, that also means you have to recognize it to receive it!”
Fascinated with the Familiar- “Don’t become so fascinated with the familiar that you become frustrated and forfeit your future!”
Like most of you I like the familiar because it is familiar… and the familiar brings security; because, as good or bad as it is… you know what to expect.
We are all comfortable with the familiar. That’s because it’s familiar. However, If the future is going to be any different than the present; chances are it probably won’t look familiar.
Here are 3 things that the familiar can cause:
1. The familiar will cause you to be comfortable with what is; while keeping you from what could be.
2. The familiar will cause you to become critical of what is currently taking place; without initiating anything that will make it different or better.
3. The familiar will cause you to rely on what you know or see; instead of relying on God to do what only He can do.
Here’s 3 things to remember about the familiar:
1. The familiar is not bad unless it keeps you bound to what is.
2. The familiar is not bad unless it keep you bound to promiscuous patterns.
3. The familiar is not bad unless it keep you bound by hopelessness that hinders.
In John chapter 5 there is a story of a man on a mat by a pool called Bethesda. This man is waiting for the water to be stirred so he can be healed. Through his conversation with Jesus he reveals his frustration with people; this frustration has been been brought about by the all too familiar patterns of life that are taking place by the pool…
The Familiar Will Cause You To:
1. Complain- complaining displeases God and it will keep you stuck where you don’t want be; longer than you want to be.
– don’t complain about what you allow.
– don’t complain about what you have caused.
– don’t complain about what you can change.
2. Compare- comparing will keep you fixated on either your strengths or weaknesses; without changing anything in the process. – comparisons create unhealthy competition.
– comparisons create complacency (well, I’m doing better than______.)
– comparisons create pride or pity.
– comparisons create jealousy, envy, and covetousness.
3. Compromise- compromise is conceived by convincing yourself its ok; it’s forfeiting what’s right; for what’s easy.
– its not hurting anyone.
– you tell yourself: no one will know.
– it’s not as bad as_______.
> “Don’t forfeit your future for immediate gratification.” *(thoughts for study)
– The Ark of the Covenant- comfortable with what they were carrying.
– The Temple of God- Eli’s wicked sons.
– The Birth Right- Jacob and Esau- “what is it to me?”
– Adam and Eve- the tree in the garden.
4. Be Critical- a critical spirit is usually a heart issue that affects your eyes / ears / mind / mouth – if you have a problem with everyone and everything; they or it may not be the problem; you may be the problem.
– a critical spirit is different than being insightful and constructive. *(its negative, hateful, and condescending)
– the Pharisees and Sadducees were critical.
– A critical spirit is seldom happy or satisfied.
5. Become Comfortable- being content with the way things are and don’t care to change. (there is a difference between being content and being satisfied)
– when you are comfortable you desire change without anything being different.
– when you are comfortable you don’t want to move. *(mat)
– “do you want to be made well?” (a question we must all answer) *(see John 5)
6. Be Content – to settle for what’s Common- (almost / good enough)
– everyone else is doing it.
– complacent vs. fulfillment
– I almost ____________.
– that’s good enough.
7. Cooperate with a Debilitating Co-Existence- (people who won’t help you up but put you down) – get some new friends!
– show me your friends today and I will tell you where your life will be in a year.
– don’t be the enabled or the enabler; be the encourager or the empowered.
– “don’t be deceived bad company will corrupt good behavior.”
This man was trying to find his way. However Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life! In John 5 there are two words that bring this reality to life for us… Those words are:
1. Bethesda: “A House of Mercy” or “A House of Flowing Water.” and
2. Sheep Gate: “The Sheep would pass through the gate on the way to being offered up as a sacrifice.”
The man on the mat was familiar with the pool, the people, and the problem. But, he wasn’t familiar with Jesus who was the Lamb of God that had entered through the Sheep Gate and passed by the Pool of Bethesda (a House of Mercy; A Place of Flowing Water). He was so familiar with his circumstances and surroundings that he almost missed Jesus. He was so busy sharing his frustration with the familiar the he almost missed an opportunity for something new and different! A future that would be so different from his current condition. But, thank God he didn’t miss it. He courageously picked up his mat and by faith walked away from the familiar surroundings that kept him bound and frustrated, and you can too! Don’t allow the familiar to cause you to become so frustrated that you forfeit your future… Get up!
A Word. Some Water. And A Walk.
Peter and the disciples had just witnessed another miracle involving a boy who had enough fish and bread to feed himself. However, when the boy gave it away, Jesus blessed it and broke it and fed thousands. The disciples had front row seats to the miracle and were last seen carrying twelve baskets (a basket for each of them) full of leftovers.
Jesus sent the crowd away and told His disciples to get into their boat and cross to the other side. Jesus was on the mountain overlooking the water when a storm arose and He saw the disciples and their boat in distress on the water.
Jesus leaves His praying meeting with the Father and joins His disciples on the water in the midst of the sea. They see His image walking on the water. But, at first glance, they think it might be a ghost. Peter decides to test the water and says, “If it is you master, bid me to come.” And Jesus says, “Come.”
Peter gets out of the boat and starts across the water through the storm to Jesus. For a minute he walks as he looks to Jesus. But, as he takes his eyes off the Master, he sees the winds and the waves and begins to sink in the midst of the storm.
Jesus reaches down and picks Peter up saying, “O you of little faith.” With a Peter in his arms He walks back to the boat through the storm that Peter had just walked through. That’s right! Jesus walked Peter back through the storm that caused him to be distracted and sink. And He wants to do the same for you.
- Peter stepped out in faith.
- Peter walked on the water.
- Peter’s faith was enough to get him out of the boat but was not enough to carry him through the storm.
- Peter walked through the storm and sank. He walked back through the same storm with Jesus and was secure.
- Peter and Jesus got in the boat and the storm ceased.
You have faith. It may be “little faith” that is underdeveloped. Nonetheless, it’s still faith. Peter had faith, it was just underdeveloped and just like Peter, Jesus wants to carry you through what is trying to conquer you. It took faith for Peter to step out of the boat. It also took faith for him to walk back through what had just conquered him, causing him to sink. This time he wasn’t walking towards Jesus. He was walking with Him. Someone has said, “When the waves are over your head; they are under His feet.” This is a great reminder for all of us today. The storm ceased when Jesus and Peter got back into the boat. It could have ceased prior to this. However, I think Jesus was trying to make a point as he walked with Peter on the same water, through the same wind, past the same waves that he had just tried to walk through to get to Jesus. When you are afraid, weary, and discouraged Jesus will reach down and carry you through the storm that is trying to defeat you. He loves you. He is the lifter of your soul. When you fall He will lift you up and carry you. Maybe we could all pray this prayer. The prayer of the boy’s father in the Bible who brought his son to Jesus to be healed: “I believe. But, help my unbelief.” God is faithful. Therefore, we have know reason to fear or doubt.
Under a Tree
What you agree with has a seed (that will produce fruit) “Standing under a tree” *a tree has roots and an Apple has a seeds. Seeds produce roots. Roots produce trees and trees produce fruit. Agreement is a powerful thing. Agree with God and His word and the roots of disobedience will be uprooted and replaced with God’s love.
– Roots of bitterness produces fruit of anger.
– Roots of fear produces fruit of paralysis.
– Roots of failure produces regret.
– Roots of low self esteem produces fruit of unworthiness.
– Roots of doubt produces despair.
– Roots of guilt produces shame.
The Potential of a Promised Prophecy
The Potential of a Promised Prophecy
Luke 19:29-40
Every prophecy has its promise and every promise has its potential…
A prophecy has to be given, received, confirmed and fulfilled. 400 years had come and gone since God had spoken through His prophets then Jesus was born through a virgin named Mary and approximately 33 1/2 years after that Jesus the promised king rode on the donkey colt… Just as the prophet Zechariah had prophesied! A horse was a sign of war, a donkey was a sign of work or peace. The finished work of Christ is what produces peace in the life of those who believe. The donkey’s promised potential wasn’t to stay tied up to a hitching post or plow the mans field,it was to carry the Messiah! You were created to be a carrier of God’s grace and peace.
7 Places Christ Shed His Blood
The precious Lamb of God would shed His blood for all mankind. It would be the final sacrifice for all who believe. We would be set free from sin and every other bondage that holds us captive as we apply the precious blood of Christ to those areas of our life. Christ’s blood is precious. It is all so powerful. There is significance in the shed blood of Christ.
He shed His blood in seven places. There is tremendous significance in those seven times. You see, in the Old Testament, the priest would catch the blood of the sacrifice in a basin and sprinkle that blood on the altar seven times. The children of Israel also sprinkled the blood of the lamb on the doorposts of their homes seven times. And finally we see that Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, shed his precious blood in seven significant places for all mankind. As we apply it to every area of our lives, we will find the power and freedom for those specific areas of our lives.
Christ stood his ground in the earth between what was, and what was to come. He said, “It is I, I am the one whom you seek.” He did so in His body. This is where talk turned into walk. He went forward embracing all the things that He knew would come upon Him. He shed His blood for you, and all mankind.
A Courageous Faith
You can have all the faith in the world but it you don’t have courage you will never act upon what you believe.