Kill Shot

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ~ 1 Peter 5:8 NIV

Romans 8:35-39 describe the many things that cannot separate us from the love of God. But if the enemy can get us to believe otherwise, then he can own us. If, for example, he can get you to constantly compare yourself to others by asking, “What’s wrong with me?” or “Why do I always have to be the one to ____ (fill in the blank)?” or “When is it my turn to be taken care of?” Devour means “Destroy; be consumed with grief.” When we listen to and begin to ask questions like these, that’s when we’re in danger of being devoured.

I used to wonder how anyone could find themselves in the position to be devoured. But then after walking through a season in which I was asking one or more of those questions, I realized standing or falling is all about focus. Because I was focusing on those lies, those questions, and then the false answers the enemy was spinning my way, it caused me to question the Truth. When we focus on God’s unconditional love for us, we begin to see ourselves as He sees us and can’t help but fall madly in love with Him, needing Him more than life and breath. But when we entertain the enemy’s questions, we begin to question God’s love and faithfulness and we begin to fall.

In 1 Peter 5:6-9, God gives us specific steps to keep us from harm, keeping our focus on Him:

·         Humble yourself under God (v 6)

·         Cast your anxiety on God (v 7)

·         Be alert and of sober mind (v 8)

·         Resist the enemy and stand firm (v 9)

I encourage and challenge you: if you’ve been entertaining those questions, it’s time to change your mind! You were not called to anyone else’s life or race—quit comparing yourself to others! Father God loves you unconditionally and He has given you the mind of Christ so that you’ll be able to focus on the truth and not the liar. Now stand firm and defeat the devourer!

©Heather Potts 2016 

Wounded

Oh, sing to the LORD a new song!
For He has done marvelous things;
His right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory. ~ Psalm 98:1 NKJV

Just as we know that God has a plan for us (Jeremiah 29:11), we must also remember that our enemy, the devil, has a plan for us, (John 10:10). First he hunts us looking for ways to steal our identity, then he attacks us trying to kill our will to fight, and finally he wounds us in order to destroy God’s plan for our lives. When a person is wounded, it’s rarely the initial wound that destroys. Rather, it’s the way they isolate themselves, trying to cover up and hide their wound, but never really getting it treated so that it could heal properly.

Destroy means, “Render useless, cause its emptiness to be perceived.” The enemy uses people and circumstances to sentence us to punishment for life. He sentences us with depression, addiction, disease, shame, and fear, just to name a few. Hourly, he condemns us. Daily, he fights against us. And eternally, he means to destroy us.

But God has plans for us, too!

God sent Jesus to give us the victory! Victory is “Deliverance from dangers and distresses; to be set free.” There was a time, not too long ago, that I lived under the enemy’s sentences, not because I didn’t know Jesus, but because I did not stand firm in victory—the victory that was rightfully mine because I am a daughter of the King. But God called to me and reminded me that I was made to stand in victory and not cower as a victim.

Jesus gives us the position of victory. Now is the time for us to stand up in it, claim it, and declare it over our lives! If you’ve been going to God and still can’t seem to break free from the chains binding you, I encourage you to do two additional things: 1) ask a few others to stand with and pray for you and 2) seek Godly counsel through a Christian therapist, pastor, or even lay-pastor. It’s vitally important that you don’t isolate yourself. Instead, be vulnerable and allow others to walk alongside you to your victory! Overcoming life-sentences are often not easy. But by grace, we are overcomers and more than conquerors, (1 John 5:4, Romans 8:37)!

©Heather Potts 2016

Attacked

If he gets the upper hand and kills me, the Philistines will all become your slaves. But if I get the upper hand and kill him, you’ll all become our slaves and serve us. ~ 1 Samuel 17:9 MSG

At 17, I was diagnosed with endometriosis, which isn’t deadly, but painful and incurable. In 8 years, I had 4 surgeries and several different medications, the side-effects of which wreaked havoc on my body. But in 2006, I was told I was healed and had to walk it out. I believed, but walking was harder than believing.  I remember standing in the bathroom almost hourly, rebuking the enemy and claiming my healing. But after several months, I realized I didn’t notice the pain anymore. I walked in power and healing for 9 years, quickly rebuking the enemy if he tried to steal my healing through his lies.

But things that come easily when you’re well-rested take a lot of extra effort when you’re exhausted. And that’s when the enemy ramps up his attacks. First he steals your power and authority by attacking your identity. And then he kills your will to fight by attacking your strength. If your body is weak but your mind is strong because your thoughts are held captive and made obedient to Christ, your response to the enemy’s attacks is to defend and fight back. But if both your body and mind are weak, there aren’t automatic responses to the enemy’s attacks.

Last May, I started experiencing pains similar to endometriosis. By July, I started believing that maybe it had come back. From May to August, I remembered how hard I had to fight to gain the victory the first time around and I wasn’t sure I had strength enough to do it again. But then Holy Spirit said it was time to decide: was I going to pick up my weapons and fight or was I going to allow the enemy to win.

God has given us the weapons of His Word, prayer, and praise. When we pray God’s Word and then praise Him in advance for the victory, God’s empowering presence falls upon us. First you’re encouraged to pick up your shield of faith and block the enemy’s attacks. As you continue to press in, you pick up your sword of the Spirit and defend yourself from the enemy’s advance. And before you know it, you’ve begun wielding your sword, defeating the enemy in your life and in the lives of others.

1 John 5:4 says God’s children overcome the world, gaining victory through our faith. We are His sons and daughters and it is time for us to decide: will we pick up our weapons and fight?

©Heather Potts 2016

Hunted

The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. ~ John 10:10 NLT

Most of us are familiar with John 10:10, but have we really let it sink in that we are being hunted?

This hunter is unlike any other. He is wise, cunning, crafty, and has been doing it since Adam and Eve walked in the Garden with the Lord. He has nothing but time on his hands to study his prey, and he’s got you in his sites. The enemy’s not here just to steal your material possessions. He’s here to steal your victory by stealing your identity.  Jesus has gifted to us both power and authority, both of which are rooted in our identity, (Luke 9:1; Romans 8:17).  When you’ve lost your identity, you become incapacitated—completely unable to recognize, let alone exercise, your power and authority.

I recently walked through a form of identity theft. The enemy waited until I had gone without sleep for a very long time and then he started “testing the fences,” looking for weaknesses. When he found one, he continued to press on it to see if it would break.  But Father God called to His daughter and drew her away to Himself. He reaffirmed my identity and ensured that I was rooted in Him. Now, I’m constantly on guard, watching my fences to ensure there aren’t areas of weakness, or repairing and applying extra support when weaknesses are found.

The enemy means to destroy us, but Jesus came to give us the victory. If you’re struggling to understand or even stand in your true identity—found only in Him—ask Holy Spirit to reveal it to you in a tangible, experiential way, that you may exercise both your power and authority over the enemy!

©Heather Potts 2016

I Will Yet Praise Him

Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him
For the help of His countenance. ~ Psalm 42:5 NKJV

Have you ever reached the point that you didn’t know if you should laugh or cry? I have the nervous habit of laughing in insanely intense situations (as a side note: if I’m helping you carry something heavy and I begin to laugh, put your end down quickly because I’m about to drop mine).  The enemy has been coming hard against us for a while and though we’ve been doing our best to put our trust in God and not worry, sometimes worry still gets the better of us. While cooking dinner last night, the can opener broke and I had to work very hard to not laugh.  That was the laugh or cry point.

Last night when I was trying to sleep, Holy Spirit reminded me we have another option: praise.  What made the walls of Jericho fall? Faith, worship and praise. In Jeremiah 15:19, God offers us the chance to be His spokesman—to tell of His faithfulness—but we must “give up this mistaken attitude of despair and self-pity” and cleanse our hearts “from unwarranted doubt concerning My faithfulness.”

Maybe you’ve reached the end of what you think you can take before you break. When you reach that point, stand up and praise Him, kneel down and praise Him, get on your face and praise Him. Praising God, especially in your most desperate hour, removes the shackles from you and binds up your enemy, (Psalm 149:6-9).

©Heather Potts 2016

Just As I Am

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. ~ Ephesians 3:17-19 NIV

When we are filled with experiential wisdom—the knowing that surpasses knowledge—nothing can take that away from us. When what we experience is unconditional love, it sets us free. And not just free for the sake of freedom, but free to be ourselves—to be comfortable with our individual uniqueness, just as God designed.

I don't wear make-up.

I don't buy "trendy" clothes.

I don't own a closet-full of shoes.

I cannot take a selfie that’s not up my nose.

I do my hair to match my day or my mood.

I scream louder than the boys for my favorite football team.

I’m highly competitive and love to play card and board games.

If I can’t see it, I can’t write it.

I love to dance and sing and laugh in my Father’s house!

This is just me.

And that’s the way my husband says he loves me:

Just as I am.

When we experience the unconditional love of our Father, then we are free to share it with others, through marriage and through relationships with our brothers and sisters in Christ. If you don’t feel free to be you, ask God to allow you to experience His unconditional love for you.

©Heather Potts 2016

I Hate Pantyhose

None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I’m absolutely convinced that nothing…absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us. ~ Romans 8:38-39 MSG

I hate pantyhose—and tights too! 

Early in my pregnancy with Savannah, I wanted everything to be perfect, so I got pregnancy tights… And then I cried! I cried because I couldn’t get them on comfortably. Later I cried because once I did, I had to go to the bathroom, and then I cried because I had to start all over! I was so afraid that I’d failed my whole pregnancy because I couldn’t make the tights work. But then a dear friend reminded me that my husband would love me whether I wore the tights or not. She even told me that she hated tights and refused to wear them herself.  It’s so freeing when you know you are loved! When I realized that my husband would love me even if I didn’t do everything the pregnancy books suggested, it freed me from a lot of stress!

My husband’s love for me gave me freedom. It freed me from pain, frustrations and a lot of wasted of energy—energy needed for developing a baby. But my husband first had to experience this kind of love. He experienced it through Christ, through unconditional love. He learned that nothing—not his past or his present, nothing within or outside of his control—absolutely nothing would separate him from God’s love. And once he had that revelation, he was free to not only love God, but to love me, too.

If you’re still fighting with the pantyhose—the things that cause you undue stress—in your life, just remember things will go wrong, circumstances will go awry, plans will fail, but nothing will ever change how much God loves you!

©Heather Potts 2016

Follow in Your Footsteps

God’s answer: “Because they abandoned my plain teaching. They wouldn’t listen to anything I said, refused to live the way I told them to. Instead they lived any way they wanted and took up with the Baal gods, who they thought would give them what they wanted—following the example of their parents.”  ~ Jeremiah 9:13-14 MSG

Just before Elizabeth was born, Savannah was obsessed with puppies, to the point that if she found a show with puppies, we would watch it over and over and over and over and over and over and over until we begged her to watch something else.  Beethoven became one of her favorites.  We didn’t mind her watching it until we heard her using the word “stupid.”  After realizing it came from the show, not only did we find something better for her to watch, we also had to go through the work of correcting her language.

Today’s scripture says it’s the parents’ example that caused the children’s hearts to be turned from listening to God’s Word and following in His ways.  Parents can’t be held liable for all of a child’s choices and mistakes.  But as parents, we must choose a life that exemplifies Christ, which is a product of an ever deepening relationship with Him. Children watch, listen and then do, not necessarily as they’re told, but what they’ve observed.

Joshua 24:15 says to choose for yourselves whom you will serve. Serving results from relationship, out of really knowing and understanding someone. When you have a relationship Father God, His Son Jesus, and Holy Spirit, you will want to know all you can about them, including how to serve them.

Father, help us not to just tell our children about You and Your love for them. Help us to demonstrate it through our relationship with You, reflected in our relationship with them. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

©Heather Potts 2016

Just Like You

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” ~ Matthew 19:14 NIV

Our Elizabeth wants to do everything her big sister does, so she’s already started potty-training.  Because she’s watched her sister do the routine enough times, Elizabeth knows every step. She loves to wear “love socks” just like her big sister, as well as her sister’s shoes.

Our Savannah is much more of a processer than her sister—very much like her daddy. When she enters a new situation, Savannah concentrates on it a long time, often watching others to learn how to do it. But sometimes, she comes up with her own creative solution, like when she was learning to stand, she would often use her mouth as a “third hand.”  

One day, Savannah said to me, “I want to be like you.” That’s both mind-blowing and attention-grabbing. What does she see when she sees me? What am I demonstrating? Who am I exemplifying for her?

Jesus said to let the little children come to Him. Just as our children want to be like us, we are to be like little children, observing and then replicating what Jesus does, in our thoughts, words, and actions.

Father, help me to keep my eyes fixed on Jesus, so that not only I, but my girls also, will become more and more like Him. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

©Heather Potts 2016

Whatever is True

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. ~ 1 Peter 5:8 NLT

After the Daughters of the King conference, a woman said that today we feel strong, but not too far off, the enemy will try to steal and negate all the truths we’d learned over the weekend.  She said to memorize Philippians 4:8 and to think on the things that we know to be true.  Holy Spirit encouraged me to write down how I would refute lies with Philippians 4:8.

TRUE

·         I am a Daughter of the King; my dress is dazzling, lined and woven with gold (Psalm 45:9-15)

·         I can do All Things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13)

HONORABLE & WORTHY OF RESPECT

·         Brad is my spiritual covering as the prophet (diligently seeking to hear God’s voice and the truth, washing his bride pure in the water of the Word), priest (intercessor, connecting God and man, sacrificially sensitive to my needs—if I’m not well, then he’s not well and everything matters), and king (appointed and servant ruler of the home, initiator of decisions).

RIGHT & CONFIRMED BY GOD’S WORD

·         Now I am dressed in purity. Now I am robed in Righteousness. I will not suffer shame; I will not be humiliated. My victory is in the Lord! My Maker is my Husband—the Lord Almighty is His Name, the Holy One of Israel is my Redeemer, (Isaiah 54:4-5).

PURE & WHOLESOME

·         Let my adornment be [the inner beauty of] the hidden person of the heart, the imperishable quality and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit, [one that is calm and self-controlled, not overanxious, but serene and spiritually mature] which is very precious in the sight of God, (1 Peter 3:4)

LOVELY & BRINGS PEACE

·         Like a shepherd He will tend His flock, In His arm He will gather the lambs and carry them in His bosom, (Isaiah 40:11). I am embraced by my Father who loves me.

ADMIRABLE & GOOD REPUTE

·         Brad is the glory of God and I am the glory of Brad, (Hebrews 1:3, 1 Corinthians 11:7)

EXCELLENCE

·         If you repent [and give up this mistaken attitude of despair and self-pity], then I will restore you [to a state of inner peace] So that you may stand before Me [as My obedient representative];
And if you separate the precious from the worthless [examining yourself and cleansing your heart from unwarranted doubt concerning My faithfulness], You will become My spokesman, (Jeremiah 15:19).

WORTHY OF PRAISE

·         Delight yourself in the Lord, And He will give you the desires and petitions of your heart, (Psalm 37:4)

The enemy won’t attack us when we are strong and emboldened by the Lord. He will wait till the shine wears off and we are easier prey. Ask God to give you truths to refute the enemy’s lies and stay alert!

©Heather Potts 2016

If I'm Not Well

For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. ~ Ephesians 5:31 NKJV

Jimmy Evans’ series, Every Great Marriage, discusses the attributes and roles of the husband and wife. The husband is the prophet, priest, and king of the home. As priest, he’s an intercessor, connecting God and man. He is also sacrificially sensitive to his wife’s needs; if she’s not well, then he’s not well and everything matters. Because they are one flesh, what affects her affects him and vice versa.

If the husband’s right arm began to hurt, he would cover, secure and protect it from further injury while it healed. If it didn’t get better, he would seek medical help. If he tried to ignore his arm, the pain would eventually demand his attention and cause him to take action. But even with all the things he could do, one thing he wouldn’t do is cut off his arm and walk around as if everything was better because he’d removed “the problem.” 

If we wouldn’t do that to our own arm, why do we treat our spouse—our own flesh—as something easily ignored or removed?  We might not like or agree with the choices our spouse is making, but just as we would seek God, stand on His promises, and get medical help as needed for a bodily injury, we need to do the same for our treasured husband and our beloved wife.

Father, forgive us for the ways we’ve treated our spouse with contempt, as if they were a pair of smelly socks instead of an incredible gift from You. Help us to always see our spouse as we did on our wedding day: the one we love and want always by our side. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

©Heather Potts 2016

Stand, part 2

Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. ~ Ephesians 6:14 NLT

After God told me to stand, I had to remember What, Where, and How to stand.

What: We stand on God’s Word.

There are well over 3,000 promises in God’s Word.  When problems arise and the enemy attacks, we must find the promises upon which to stand. But the LORD’s plans stand firm forever; his intentions can never be shaken. ~ Psalm 33:11 NLT

Where: We stand on the Rock

God is our rock, protection, fortress, refuge, stronghold against trouble.  Where else would we turn or stand? He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved. ~ Psalm 62:6 NKJV

How: We stand in our Full Armor

The armor of God enables us to not only stand, but to defeat our enemy, disabling his attacks and enabling our advance. So stand firm and hold your ground, having tightened the wide band of truth (personal integrity, moral courage) around your waist and having put on the breastplate of righteousness (an upright heart), and having strapped on your feet the gospel of peace in preparation [to face the enemy with firm-footed stability and the readiness produced by the good news].  Above all, lift up the [protective] shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. ~ Ephesians 6:14-17 AMP

Whether you’re facing unemployment, pain or sickness in your body, struggles with your children or other family members, an overwhelming mountain of debt, or any number of issues, find your promises from God and remember to STAND!

©Heather Potts 2016

Stand

Therefore, put on the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to [successfully] resist and stand your ground in the evil day [of danger], and having done everything [that the crisis demands], to stand firm [in your place, fully prepared, immovable, victorious]. So stand firm and hold your ground… ~ Ephesians 6:13-14 AMP (emphasis added)

For a long time, I was lackadaisical in taking my thoughts captive. Though I heard God speaking to me regularly, I wasn’t standing firm against the enemy. In my laziness, I began to listen to the enemy’s voice, too. The more I listened, the more the enemy’s lies became my thoughts and before too long, I found myself too weak to stand. But God wasn’t giving up on me. At the October Worship Wednesday, Pastor Bryan Meadows challenged us to get real, really real, with ourselves and with God. It wasn’t easy, but when I did, my Father told me I was ready and He challenged me to STAND!

The armor of God is for standing. We are able to stand because Christ holds the victory. Because He is in us, we hold the position—the proper and appropriate place—of victory. If you’ve been lackadaisical in taking your thoughts captive, if you’ve been entertaining the lies of the enemy—as true as they may sound—I challenge you to get really real with God and then stand your ground. When you do, the enemy will flee from you.

And the Master, God, stays right there and helps me, so I’m not disgraced. Therefore I set my face like flint, confident that I’ll never regret this. ~ Isaiah 50:7 MSG

©Heather Potts 2016

I Failed

How often have you felt that you failed within the past month, week, day, hour?

There was one day a few months ago that I felt like a failure. I was so low that I was buying into all the lies and condemnation the enemy threw my way.  But the next day, Holy Spirit said to me, “Put off this mistaken identity of shame. It is not yours!”

If you’ve failed, it’s ok. God’s grace is bigger than our mistakes—even the ones we deem as failures.  It’s ok to fail.  Failing is not the same as being a failure.  You are not a failure, because you refuse to quit.

Now stand up, dust yourself off, and declare this over yourself:

I refuse to quit or get discouraged (Galatians 6:9)!  I will continue to persevere and receive what God has promised me (Hebrews 10:36). I will run with perseverance, throwing off everything that tries to stop me (Hebrews 12:1)!  I refuse to take on a spirit of despair or self-pity.  I refuse to be discouraged!  I refuse to be condemned!  There is now no condemnation for me (Romans 8:1)!  Today will be a great day and Holy Spirit will remind me to choose right thoughts.  I am regaining territory the enemy has stolen from me.  I am a warrior princess! I will be patient with myself and remember that it is God who is doing a good work in me and HE will bring it to full completion (Philippians 2:13, 1:6).

In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen!

©Heather Potts 2016

Obvious

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened… ~ Ephesians 1:17-18 NIV

Likely you’ve seen the “memories” feature on Facebook of posts and pictures from years past.  On January 6, 2014 I’d made the comment that we were about to see our first pictures of baby Caleb… For years, I didn’t want kids because I didn’t want my kids to relive my childhood.  But then in 2010, God spoke to Brad and said we were going to have a son and we were to name him Caleb.  After we had Savannah, we naturally assumed the next pregnancy meant Caleb was “on the way.” But when we were in the ultrasound, something was missing…and the ultrasound tech had to point out the obvious three times to assure me it was, in fact, a girl.

I was distraught.  I had been so certain we were having Caleb…

We drove to our girls’ godparents’ house, as they were eagerly awaiting the pictures and the report. Nichole gave me a hug and said, “She’s beautiful.” Sean, seeing that I was upset, said, “It was always a girl. God didn’t just change the baby to a girl today.” And there it was. It was so obvious but I’d missed it. But I wouldn’t miss it again! When we got home that night, I prayed and asked God to tell me all about my little girl, her name and who He had called her to be. My faithful Father said her name is Elizabeth, which means “fullness or abundance of God.” And our lives have been forever blessed by our Elizabeth Joy!

What are the obvious things—the blessings—that you’ve been missing and losing sight of because you’ve been consumed by other things? Pray for the Spirit of wisdom and discernment, that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened and you would see all that He wants to show you.

©Heather Potts 2016

Decluttering

Strip yourselves of your former nature…And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude], and put on the new nature… created in God’s image…in true righteousness and holiness…rejecting all falsity ~ Ephesians 4:22-25 AMP

Physics teaches that two objects cannot occupy the same space simultaneously, trying to do so creates clutter.  Within the past few months, I’ve started decluttering both my home and my mind. When I’ve tried in the past, the change never seemed to stick and everything always reverted back to former ways.

Whether it’s our homes or our minds, we can’t have two things occupy the same space at the same time.  BUT we can replace one thing with another. 1 Corinthians 2:16 reminds us that we have the clear, concise, and creative mind of Christ, guided by His thoughts and purposes.  This is not an overnight process.  It’s a daily walk, and some days are harder than others.  It took me 21 days just to reach the point that I was ready to begin.  At 28 days, I finally got butt-naked honest with God.  And His response: Now we can begin.  After 64 days, the change that was taking place in my mind, also began revealing itself in my body and my house.  I was running 3 days a week, building stronger muscles and overall health and fitness.  I’ve cleared out clothes that don’t fit or I haven’t worn in over a year. I’ve also cleared the clutter in “my space,” creating for myself a place to write and have God-time.

After 117 days, I’m still moving forward, as it’s a daily walk taking my thoughts captive and keeping spaces clutter-free. But each day I remember that I have cast off the rags that weighed me down. And every day I praise the Lord, “for He has…covered me with the robe of righteousness, (Isaiah 61:10 AMP). 

Whatever has been taking up space in your life and mind, remember you can’t just “add to” whatever is already there without creating clutter.  Galatians 2:19-20 says we have been crucified with Christ and we no longer live, but Christ lives in us. Allow Christ to replace the old with the new!

©Heather Potts 2016

Embraced

Awake, awake, arm of the Lord, clothe yourself with strength! ~ Isaiah 51:9 NIV

The other morning, I was snuggling with my Elizabeth.  She’d thrown up and wanted to be held, comforted by my embrace. When we’re feeling out of sorts, don’t we just want to be comforted by Him who loves us?  But how does Father God hold us?

His Arms provide strength, might, power, help and aid. The islands look to me and wait in hope for my arm, (Isaiah 51:5 NIV).

His Hands provide power, means, and direction. You shall also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God, (Isaiah 62:3 NKJV).

In His Palm is power and a place one submits himself to seek security and safety. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before Me, (Isaiah 49:16 NKJV).

His Bosom is a place of embrace and of acceptance. He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, (Isaiah 40:11 NKJV).

With His Face, He turns toward us, regarding us, both hearing and answering. And I will never again turn my face from them, for I will pour out my Spirit upon the people of Israel. I, the Sovereign LORD, have spoken! (Ezekiel 39:29 NLT)

Just as parents hold their babies, our Father holds us. Held in His lap, we are accepted just as we are. We are loved and embraced by our Father who will never drop, leave, or forsake us.  He will give us strength and help us; He will hold us steady and keep a firm grip on us, (Isaiah 41:9-10). We are God’s sons and daughters, held in His embrace, carried close to His heart, (Isaiah 40:11). When Father looks at us, He smiles. And sometimes He tickles us, just to enjoy the sound of our laughter. We are safe, secure, and forever held in our Father’s loving embrace.

©Heather Potts 2016

Racing Stripes, part 2

But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. ~ Isaiah 40:31 NLT

Racing Stripes not only help the driver, but they also help the fans to identify each race car.  Your identity is everything: “If people can’t see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; but when they attend to what he reveals, they are most blessed,” (Proverbs 29:18 MSG).  When you don’t know your identity—your specific purpose—you may fall into the trap of trying to pursue someone else’s because it looks easier, better, more fun, etc.  But this only leads to frustration, failure, pain, and wasted time and energy.

Having your identity intact—knowing who you are and your purpose—is like having wings which allow you to not just run, but soar over the finish line and beyond!  Knowing what you are running toward, the reasons why you’re enduring the temporary pain pushes you to go the distance when you’ve got burning pain in your legs, helps you to forge ahead when your whole body wants to quit, and encourages you to keep going when everything is fighting against you.

You are adopted as a son or a daughter of the King.  You have been robed in Righteousness.  You are redeemed, called by name, and you are God’s (Rom 8:15; Gal 4:5; Ps 45:9; Isaiah 61:10, 43:1).

Ask your Father to paint you in His racing stripes—His intended purpose for your life.  Soak in His love and enjoy being His: His son, His daughter.

©Heather Potts 2016

Racing Stripes

Growing up on the YMCA swim team meant swim meets every weekend and hundreds of bored kids waiting for their next heat. So we entertained ourselves… We gave ourselves racing stripes, writing “Eat My Wake” and other cheers on our legs with black magic marker.  Racing stripes were originally applied to race cars to help the driver realign his spun-out car.  During my semester of rest, God gave me several scriptures to realign my focus on Him when my mind felt like it was spinning out of control.  But my two main scriptures or racing stripes were Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” and Hebrews 12:1-2, “Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus.”

Running is hard work!  My legs would hurt, my feet would ache, my arms would feel tired because I was often pushing one or both girls in our double stroller.  But through it all, I would strap on my racing stripes, keep my “finish line” fixed ever before me in my mind and push through.  Whether I was physically running a route, or just running to be closer to my God, to know my Father in a deeper, more intimate way, my racing stripes kept me focused, and allowed me to “throw off” everything that tried to stop me.

What are some of the things that are trying to stop you from pursuing your Father and His purposes for your life?  Strap on your racing stripes—your promises from Father God—and run hard, straight into His loving embrace!

© Heather Potts 2016

Changing Your Mind

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. ~ Philippians 4:13 NKJV

Newton’s First Law of Motion states that an object at rest stays at rest and an object in motion stays in motion…unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.  The mind can either be at rest or it can be busy at all times.

My mind was in perpetual motion, constantly worried about something. Although things were being taken care of, I was never able to rest. But a wise friend suggested a semester of rest—to stop working and just rest in my Father’s love for me.  That was hard to do.  I was a “doer” and in the midst of the chaos, my identity got caught up in “doing” instead of being…

When I was first told to run as a way to alleviate stress, I really disliked it, but I quickly discovered that running was the unbalanced force my mind needed to shift from doing to resting.  But the enemy was aware of this and began to flood my mind with constant lies, “You’ll never be able to do this.  You’re too tired. You can’t do this.”  Over and over I heard in my head, “I can’t! I can’t! I can’t!”  But then something amazing happened: I opened my mouth and said, “I can! I can! I can!”  Throughout that whole day, and every time after when I felt something come against me, I would open my mouth and say, “I can!”

What has the enemy been saying you can’t do? Refute his lies by saying out loud, “I can!”

©Heather Potts 2016

Run w Perseverance

You shall be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD will name. ~ Isaiah 62:2 NKJV

I’ve always hated running.

Last September, however, a friend suggested running as a great way to improve my overall mental, emotional, and physical health.  Though I protested, she told me to do it anyway.  A few days later, after running 2 blocks, I felt like I was going to die! 

On October 10, while attending the Daughters of the King conference, Jennifer Nock, referencing Isaiah 62:2, shared how God changed Sarai and Abram to Sarah and Abraham in order to replace the works of their hands with His power to fulfill His promised purpose. That night, God promised to call me by my new name.

By late October, I was running ¾ mile and got talked into running in the Jingle 5K, beginning my official training on October 24.  But on the 26^th, everything was working against me: both girls were throwing tantrums, I couldn’t find clean running clothes, and I felt like I had a UTI.  Finally, I said, “I’m going anyway!” I found clothes that would do, put the girls in the double stroller, drank plenty of water and away I went.  Near the end of my run, I heard Holy Spirit say I am “one who perseveres.”  He called me by my new name! He called me by His promised purpose for me!  But I wanted to know more, so I asked Him to reveal scripture that went with my new name. He led me to Hebrews 12:1-2, “Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus.”

God has a promised purpose for each of us. In this new year, let's be determined to never stop running after God and He’ll never stop amazing us!

©Heather Potts 2016