Tonight Our Men’s Group Kicks off at 7 pm Come Join Us!
Fearlessly Courageous
Desk of Dennis Piller
2 5 2024
Potential faith or Spiritual potential – What is it?
Have you ever thought that when God created you and me, it was with the potential to grow? We came into this world as a baby, unable to do anything on our own. Through God’s grace, we could see, hear, and feel but everything needed to be done for us. But he created us with the growth potential. A potential to have faith and believe in our moms and dads. We don’t remember when we took our first steps but we grew stronger and more secure and balanced with each one. Before we knew it we were running across the living room floor and away from our parents.
Our potential was growing by leaps and bounds.
We learn to trust as an infant. Jesus said we must become like a child again or you cannot enter my house. What does it mean to be a newborn or a child again? we depended on mommy and daddy for everything but we never realized we needed them. They were just always there for us, and we clearly took them for granted and, before long, we rejected some of their oversight as too restricting. But Jesus said we must become like this infant because “apart from me you can do nothing”. You can scratch your nose, but he made the nose. Jesus Is teaching another lesson. Remember…I AM. Kids just rely on us and when they need something they cry out. (Some things never change). We start here but God created us with the potential to grow in every area of our lives. Including maturity. We often say, but I love God as it’s some type of banner that makes the rest of what we do alright when it’s clearly self-centered and self-serving. No, it’s not that I love god and so I am good enough. NO the fact is, He first loved us. 1st John 4:19 Our potential is realized when we can live out the truth that God did it all for us
and just receive it as the Grace that it is.
How many times have we shot ourselves in the foot? We are doing so well and pow! We sabotage ourselves by taking the lead away from God. You know, I’ve Got this! Have you ever danced with someone who is not a good follower? The dance is anything but graceful, anything but fun. Heck, they are stepping on your feet…There is no rhythm or fluidness. We just stop asking that person to dance or tell them our dance card is full when they approach us. But Jesus never stops asking the question, Ps 139.7 would you like to dance? he keeps inviting you. daily. monthly and over your lifetime. Will you follow me? Can you see the potential of what I offer you? but you must first relearn by my spirit what it is like to be like a child again and trust me…oh it’s scary… Like jumping off the back of the couch into Daddy’s arms without him even knowing I am coming. Wow…I trusted Dad so much I could do that. Jesus is saying to us, will you trust him as the ultimate leader? After a while, others notice that you are following God and say I want to do that. We grow into our potential, one step at a time, just like that child, and we become this great follower of God and we have this glow about us. Jesus shines through them through the dance of their life. You must know someone like that. The truth be told, you have the potential to be just like them but even more… Just like Christ. I read today that, “We are never alone in the process of growing spiritually, emotionally, physically or mentally. At the moment we become spiritually alive, the Holy Spirit who is dwelling inside of us, is working in us- guiding and helping us turn away from the flesh and sin and toward God”. (Sunshyne Gray)
But as an adult what does that look like now? Sanctification is the action or process of being freed from sin or purified. Jesus paid the price for our sins but the process of sanctification takes deliberate action on our part. We need to take those baby steps and follow the ultimate King and grow into the faith potential he made inside each of us. In essence as a follower of Christ, giving him the lead… we give it all over to him… we surrender. That is how Jesus becomes flesh on the earth even today…through his children.
Reaching our spiritual potential means bearing fruit. That means using those gifts to help others see Jesus. To be there for them when they are languishing in a pool of mistakes and mishaps. We are to be like a tree planted close to a pool of water and the water of God’s spirit blesses the tree in its growth. We raise our limbs in adoration of God’s glory. We are an umbrella of shade and support for those we know so they might see what God has done for you and the potential we all have in faith as we surrender to his leadings. God is our creator and father. He has called each of us by name and sees each one as highly valuable. Is 43:1 He knows the potential of who you are. If you surrender every part of who you are to God and let him lead the dance, you will begin to see all the things he has prepared for you.
You will see your potential in God and walk in the power of this leading you.
Today is the first day of our Men’s Courageous Group at Grace Family Church. Every Monday night at 7pm in Land O Lakes. All First times have Free Barbeque as we celebrate another semester of growing together in the strength and encouragement of Jesus. Us old timers the cost is $10.00
