Fresh Manna
by Pastor Tim Burt

Have you ever heard the expression “human potential?”  It wouldn’t be hard to surmise what is meant by the phrase—the capacity each and every person has to do great things. If we as humans do have such great potential, why do so few people ever really maximize it?

I’m not interested in limiting myself to human potential. Why as a child of God would I be interested in just human potential when the God of this universe through His Son Jesus Christ says that I can be filled, energized, and empowered by His Holy Spirit? If that were the case, wouldn’t that take me beyond human potential? Not only would it, but even more importantly, it would take me beyond human motivation and potential. 

Human motivation for most is about self-preservation, personal benefit, the pride of achievement, and personal glory. Most people are motivated by needs, comfort and security while achieving a few things along the way. Most people desire to have a good life now and a future where they can live comfortably in retirement.

If human potential was about achievement or being the greatest, then Jesus throws us a curve ball.  Jesus said, “But this is not your calling. You will lead by a different model. The greatest one among you will live as one called to serve others without honor. The greatest honor and authority is reserved for the one who has a servant heart.” “Luke 22:26 (PassionNTPsa)

Many people will do some good things but, very few lives are motivated by the thought of living their life for the benefit of others. Yet, that is exactly what Jesus did and is teaching us to do. Let’s not  forget that He laid down His deity to live as a man seeking His Father just like you and I are to. He had no advantage over us. And because of this, His Father empowered Him beyond human potential and human motivation through the Holy Spirit of God. It is through the Holy Spirit that Jesus lived in His supernatural potential and supernatural motivation. One of God’s reasons for putting His Spirit in us is so we can experience this kind of God-given potential and motivation. Those that don’t know Jesus don’t understand “His Spirit” being in us as believers, nor do they understand how His Spirit can influence and impact our lives.

We see this in 1 Corinthians 2:12-15 (NLT) “And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us. When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths. But people who aren’t spiritual (born again) can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means…”

In general, most people are looking out for their own good and that is what is motivating them. But for the Christian, the Holy Spirit is leading you to be a servant, a light, and the love of God to the world around you. He is transforming you and your character so that you may reflect the love of God. He is teaching you that the real way to get ahead is to give your best serving others no matter what it is that you do. This is usually the opposite of how the human race around you thinks and operates.

When a person begins to experience the life-changing power of God through the Holy Spirit within them, they realize they are no longer limited even by their own limitations. They no longer have to let fear of the future and the unknown dominate their lives. Instead they are inspired and empowered to have great faith in the power of the Holy Spirit working in them to transform their life and step over into the supernatural potential that begins with making Jesus your Lord. and Savior. As Ephesians 3:20 NIV says, “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us…” Now that is the potential and capacity that God desires us to meditate on and what will unlock our true potential in Christ!

Ephesians 3:20 “…His power at work within us…”

In His love,
Pastor Tim Burt

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