It's a Bad Day to Believe a Lie

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjPKfQ7fMoM

I CHOOSE TO WORSHIP ~ Rend Collective

Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice. [Acts 18:10.] ~ Isaiah 41:10 AMPC

Over the past two weeks, the counselor at the girls’ school has been sharing insights with the staff about what’s going on—emotionally—so we’re better equipped to help ourselves and our community. She said, due to the changes that are coming at us so quickly, we’re struggling to adjust, causing anger and anxiety to both be on the rise. But she gave an antidote: “Anxiety loses its footing when certainty, or truth, steps in.”

It might be slow at first, but the more truth you feed your brain, the more you’ll believe it, and it will affect your life. She said to focus on Truths from God’s Word. Below, I’ve listed several. This isn’t a magic trick, but a brain shift. What you feed your brain will affect what it believes and cause your life to shift.

Here are some Truths to help, (from Experiencing Father’s Embrace by Jack Frost):

·         God is not ashamed to be my Father. ~ Hebrews 11:16

·         Father wants me to overflow with His love. ~ Ephesians 3:19

·         Even when I am wounded, Father sees me as beautiful and takes pleasure in me. ~ Psalm 149:4

·         My Father is so pleased with my being His child that He will never leave me.  He wants to meet all my needs. ~ Luke 15:31

·         I have been adopted and placed in my Father’s presence. ~ Ephesians 1:5

·         In God’s love, I am complete. ~ Colossians 2:10

·         In God’s love, I find grace and mercy. ~ Hebrews 4:16

·         Father’s perfect love for me displaces my fears. ~ 1 John 4:18

What lies have you been believing? There’s no good day to believe a lie, but today’s a great day to dispel one with the Truth. If your brain believes—and your life shifts towards—what you tell it, isn’t it better to tell it Truth?

©Heather Potts 2020

Keep Going

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69m3X-DQxOA&list=RD69m3X-DQxOA&start_radio=1

Jesus What a Savior ~ Housefires

When I’m afraid, I put my trust in you. ~ Psalm 56:3 NIRV

Yesterday's whining was about how tired Elizabeth's little legs were as she desperately tried to keep up with her older sister. I took the girls on a bike ride and let Elizabeth set the pace most of the way, so that she could make it home. But once Savannah took the lead, as expected, she left Elizabeth in the dust. There were multiple times that Elizabeth said, "I can't make it. I'm too tired." I felt badly for her, but said, "Unfortunately, the only way to get home is to keep going." She’d say OK, but would tell me, about every half block, how tired she was, and I’d have to tell her that the only way to get there was to keep going.

Isn’t that what Holy Spirit does with us? Whether it’s a season of quarantine, looking for a job, working to restore a broken relationship, or struggling through an illness and treatment, when the finish line feels ever elusive, it can be hard to keep going. But that’s when we’re encouraged and challenged to stay the course.

Fear constantly offers us an “easier” way: “You’re too tired and can’t make it. Stop now to save what little strength you have left.” But Jesus, who overcame fear and death, reminds us that, in Him, we do have what it takes: “You’re more than a conqueror! Through me, you have the victory! Keep going! Be steadfast and immovable from this course,” (Romans 8:37; 1 Corinthians 15:57-58).

Whatever you’re facing today, put your trust in God and keep following Him all the way to the finish line!

©Heather Potts 2020

The Lord is Near

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yk5WkThbl-A

The Nearness of You ~ Loud Harp

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, ~ Isaiah 61:1 NIV

The events over the past six weeks have been, in most cases, stealing people’s peace, joy, and hope. Everyone has been affected in some way. It has been hard watching Brad wonder how much longer his bosses will be able to pay him, even reduced hours, as they struggle to keep their business afloat. It’s been painful to watch as the girls cry, almost daily, about missing their friends and teachers. My low point was last Tuesday. After allowing the sadness and isolation creep into my heart, I told my small group—who was meeting virtually—that I couldn’t handle one more virtual chat with friends or family. It was too hard to “see” people without being able to be with them. One of the ladies prayed for me, asking God to touch my heart. And, of course, He did.

Over the last week, Holy Spirit has been brining my studies back to the “nearness of God.”

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted… (Psalm 34:18 ESV)

We praise you, God, we praise you, for your Name is near… (Psalm 75:1 NIV)

The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. (Psalm 145:18 NIV)

Perhaps these past six weeks have been hard on you and your family, too. Today is a great day to remember that there is hope, because the Lord is near to and is binding up the brokenhearted. Don’t let the enemy win by dragging you into a pit of despair. Instead, stand on His promises and declare, as David did, “He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along,” (Psalm 40:2 NLT).

©Heather Potts 2020