Today's Bread

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xvCY0_vaDA

When I Lock Eyes with You ~ UPPERROOM and Maverick City Music

 

Jesus replied to them, “I am the Bread of Life. The one who comes to Me will never be hungry, and the one who believes in Me [as Savior] will never be thirsty [for that one will be sustained spiritually]. ~ John 6:35 AMP

 

If you’ve ever fasted, then you know how something as simple as bread can look like a gourmet meal. About 12 years ago, I asked God for something big, so He asked me to give up something big: not eat after 5pm for the next 21 days. The first week, I was SO hungry! By the second week, however, I realized that to “make it through the night,” I needed to eat my carbs by lunch and only eat protein in the afternoon. By the third week, the only thing I was “worried” about was keeping up the intense feasting on God’s Word, when I returned to eating dinners. Unfortunately, by week 2 post fast, my routine returned to “normal,” as did my studies.

 

This year has been a lot like that fast. When we heard the news that we weren’t going back to life and school “as normal,” it was hard on all of us. That’s when I started digging deeper into God’s Word. But when our schedules relaxed for the summer, so did my studies. It was sometime later that Holy Spirit grabbed my attention, saying, “You can’t live on yesterday’s Bread.” Just as yesterday’s or last week’s physical food won’t sustain you very long, neither will yesterday’s or last week’s spiritual food.

 

Everyday, the devil is watching and waiting for us to be weak enough to use for his advantages. When he sees we’re physically—and especially spiritually—weaker, he’ll pounce and try to devour us. As children of the living God, we’re called to be alert and withstand the devil’s schemes. That’s much easier to do when we’re physically and spiritually strong.

 

As we exit 2020, let’s take with us the truths we’ve received and leave the rest behind. For the new year, plan, each day, to feast on the Bread that gives and sustains life, to help us face whatever challenges may lie ahead.

©Heather Potts 2020

Treasured Moments

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWeXVnRm6R8

Light of the World ~ We the Kingdom

 

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ~ Luke 2:19 NIV

 

When Savannah was an infant – and our only child – we took tons of pictures, not wanting to miss a single moment. At her first Easter egg hunt, she did something cute – as all little kids do – and I missed getting a picture of it. That’s when her godfather said that I won’t be able to get a picture of everything and that somethings I’d just have to treasure.

 

In our morning devotion time, the girls and I talked about Luke 2:19 and why Mary treasured and pondered the events in her heart. Though we’re excited to celebrate Christmas with family and food, on December 26, Christmas will be over. Then what? Savannah said, “That’s when we play with our presents!” 😊 True, but presents get used up and worn out, and then what? Because Christmas is about more than just presents, there’s more to enjoy than just toys.

 

This year let’s be like Mary and not let the season fly by in a flash and then be gone. Instead, let’s store up special moments with friends and family and ponder the miracle of Jesus in our hearts.

©Heather Potts 2020

My Strength & Song

 

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

Strength ~ Melissa Helser & Cageless Birds | 18 Inch Journey Live Worship Moment

 

Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; For the Lord God is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation. ~ Isaiah 12:2 NASB1995

 

On Thursday evening, I received word that my dear friend, Andrea, who’s been battling cancer off and on for over a decade, had seizures again last week. The doctors said they’ve done everything they can for her and feel her body is just tired of fighting, so hospice has been called. I will not lie; the news came as a blow and shock. Regardless of how bad things have looked, God’s always stepped in, in mighty ways. But hearing that they were giving up left me struggling for words. Nevertheless, I went to God and He reminded me to trust and not be afraid, because He is my strength and song.

 

Why am I telling you this and sharing her story? Because we’re all battling something, and we need the reminder that there is hope and help. Regardless of the battle, the solution is the same: Jesus!

 

Isaiah 12:2 says the Lord is our strength, which reminds me of a young child dancing on her daddy’s feet. You are that young child, invited to stand on your Daddy’s feet. We are called, not to stand in our own strength, but to take each step in His! The verse also says that He is our song. There are numerous scriptures of singing praises to God. The one that stands out the most to me is Psalm 149:6-9, which says that praising God takes the chains off you and puts them around the enemy. The imagery reminds me of a story Joyce Meyer told, in Battlefield of the Mind, of a man who’d been sick for many years. He’d been praying to God for healing, but was about to give up, because he was still sick. Then God gave him a vision, showing that a messenger of Satan was sent to speak lies to the man. But when the man spoke the Word of God, a sword and a flame came out of the man’s mouth to attack the messenger.

 

There is power in our praising and strength in our God! Father, I ask that You would continue to strengthen us. Lord, I pray for healing for Andrea and all of us. Lord, as Jesus sent out all doubters from the house before he healed the girl who was thought to be dead, we banish all doubt from our minds and our homes! Let only praise be heard in our houses and on our lips. Father, I thank you that You are our strength and our song, and we will win our battles in You! In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen!

©Heather Potts 2020