Wednesday, September 25, 2019

What You've Been Given


What a Beautiful Name / Break Every Chain ~ Hillsong Worship

But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life. ~ Psalms 42:8 NLT

I wasn't looking for scripture for myself, this morning, but for Savannah. Since having a nightmare, she's been very afraid and extremely clingy, and no amount of reassurance has helped. She's afraid, as happened in her dream, that, when I need to go someplace without her, I will leave and never come back. 

Brad and I have talked a lot about it and can't figure out what precipitated it. One thing's certain, she's been filled with fear, and it's not let her go. So, I went to the One who has both the answers and the power to heal: my God.

Holy Spirit reminded me of scriptures to pray over her. He told me to get my armor on, because we are battling on her behalf. She doesn't have to, nor should she be left to, live in fear. 2 Timothy 1:7 is a promise about the things we—as children of the Lord—have been given.

If someone you love is facing a battle for the condition of his or her mind, get your armor on and declare war on the things that are not of God! Child of God, you have NOT been given a spirit of fear, worry, anxiety, depression, or anything else the enemy offers. Dearly loved child of the living God, you HAVE been given a Spirit of Power, of Love, and of a Sound Mind. My God has given me the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven and whatever is loosed on earth is loosed in heaven and whatever is bound on earth is bound in Heaven. In Jesus' Name, we bind a spirit of fear, depression, anxiety, and worry and loose a Spirit of Power, Love, a Sound Mind, and a restored and refreshed soul. In Jesus' Name I pray Amen.
©Heather Potts 2019 

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

On that Dark Day


Goodness of God ~ Bethel Music

God ’s name is a place of protection— good people can run there and be safe. ~ Proverbs 18:10 MSG

Today is a hard day for so many, as they remember the events of this day eighteen years ago. The stories surrounding that day are too numerous to count. I pray that this story gives you hope, even as we remember that dark day.

He got up, got dressed for work, kissed his girlfriend good-bye and headed out the door.  Today was the day it would all change for him.  He was starting a new job, a new way of life.  After orientation, his boss showed him to an office and asked him to file while she was in a meeting.  A while later, he began to hear a commotion.  People were yelling and running.  He stuck his head out of the office and saw the burning twin towers on TV and the reporter talking about the concerns for the President.  Then someone in the office said, “Air Force One is across the street!  Should we evacuate the building?” No one gave an answer, for they were all staring at the TV in horror. He moved back into the office and closed the door, his mind whirling.

In John 14:27, Jesus said He came to give us peace, but He wasn’t talking about a world without war. Jesus' peace is a feeling of quiet confidence and complete trust. That's easy to say when there's no conflict. But what about days of tragedy? And how do those who don't know Him find peace on dark days?

Standing in that office, leaning up against the door, he was afraid.  “What if I die today?  What if they take out the President’s plane and this office with it?  What if my girlfriend was right and I miss it?”  He began to remember what his friends had said one night after work, so many years ago.  They had talked about a Savior. Not a mean God, but One who wanted to love him and who would accept him.  Sliding down to the floor, he said, “God I give you my heart.  From this day forward, I’m Yours.”

The TV stations all reported the number of lives lost that day. It's gut-wrenching to recall and reread the stories. My heart is broken for the families who all lost someone on that dark day.

But there is hope! In John 17:15, 18, Jesus prayed that God would not take His disciples out of the world but would protect them from the evil one while they were in it. He said, "As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world." He knew the risk of losing even one soul to hell for eternity was far greater if messengers weren't sent to share His story and His Name.

On that dark day, when so many lives were lost, at least one soul was saved. On Tuesday, September 11, 2001 my husband gave his life to Christ! 

Lord, thank you for his friends who told him about You long before I ever knew him. I pray that for those who don’t know Peace—who don’t know You—that they would turn to You. Send someone into their lives and to tell them about You. Thank you for wanting us to be Yours. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

And I will give them a heart to know (recognize, understand, and be acquainted with) Me, that I am the Lord; and they will be My people, and I will be their God, for they will return to Me with their whole heart. ~ Jeremiah 24:7 AMP
©Heather Potts 2014, edited 2019

Monday, September 9, 2019

The Lord Almighty


Won't Stop Now ~ Elevation Worship

Here Again ~ Elevation Worship

God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah ~ Psalms 46:1-3, 7 NKJV

I had a very different plan about how tonight would go. But God knew I needed to get into His presence, so He "cleared my schedule," and He met me here.

The enemy has declared war. Fires are burning hot all over the place. The liar has risen against us. The thief is waiting, watching for a sign of weakness so that he can come in and steal all our peace, our joy, and all that is ours.

But the Lord has spoken!
He is the Lord Almighty, the Lord of hosts.

He is head of the angel armies.
He holds sway over all things - the sun, moon, stars, and the universe.
He is the ruler of all things.
And He is with us.

He is our refuge and our strength. 
He is our ever-present help in times of trouble. 
He is our fortress. 
He is the Beginning and the Ending. 
He is who is, who was, and who is to come.
He is the Almighty. 

When we face sickness or injury,
when there are changes at work or pay is cut,
when there is family discord or broken relationships,
when hurricanes come and earthquakes shake the ground,
when tornadoes strike and fires burn,
when nothing makes sense and we need a warrior, a hero, and a place to hide,
Remember…

He is the Lord Almighty, the Lord of Hosts.
And because He is for us, we will not fear!
©Heather Potts 2019