Ask Questions

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XG347euXoTM

A Christmas Alleluia ~ Chris Tomlin (feat. Lauren Daigle, Leslie Jordan)

 

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
    will rest in the shadow of Shaddai.

~ Psalm 91:1a NIV

 

We visited my grandpa and his girlfriend this past summer in Waukesha. When we got to her house, the first thing my children asked was if they could explore her house. How simple and natural for a child to want to explore? "Can I look around? Can I see what’s out there? Can I discover what I don’t know?"

 

Years ago, I attended an Excel class. My boss sent me on a mission: to find the answers to five different things. When the instructor asked us what we wanted to learn, a few of us gave our laundry list of things. One woman, however, gave the correct answer. She said, "I want to know what I don't know." 

 

That's the correct answer in studying the Bible, too. "I want to know You more," the song sings. "Let me seek Your face," the verse says. "I want to dwell in Your house, forever, that I may look upon Your glory and seek Your face." We're called to dwell, to abide. How can we do that if we're not spending time seeking, searching, and asking questions? 

 

I actually wrote this a few days ago, but hadn’t shared it, yet. This morning, as I tried to sit down and share, my phone was a constant explosion of texts. Our school is on a 2-hour weather delay. But since many of us haven’t experienced that at school, we had questions about when to go where.

 

My prayer for us, both today and during this season, is that we will ask questions: What does it mean to dwell? Who is Shaddai? What do things mean, and why do I need to know them? The Bible says we must enter the Kingdom of Heaven as little children. Little children ask questions, they seek, they want to know, and they want to learn. I pray we’ll enter this season with questions, and with a desire to learn more about the One Who sent His Son.

©Heather Potts 2022

Undeserved

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91hHw1YPqxE

Communion ~ (feat. Steffany Gretzinger & Brandon Lake) Maverick City

 

For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, ~ 1 Corinthians 11:23 NIV

 

As I stood before the Table, this was the first time I’d had a hard time approaching and partaking. As I stood there, staring at the Elements, I heard Holy Spirit say, “You are under the impression that you’ve ever deserved this. It’s always been undeserved.” The word undeserved hung in the air. It wrapped all around me and sat on me. But it wasn’t heavy. Quite the contrary, it was entirely freeing.

 

un·de·served. Un- meaning, “not,” and -ed indicating past tense, left only deserve. What I discovered helped me understand why it was so freeing. De- is a preposition, meaning, “from…out of,” and finally, serve comes from Middle English, Old French, and Latin, all words being equivalent to “slave,” (dictionary.com). Undeserved, therefore, is not-from-slavery. It can’t be earned. That’s what makes it grace.

 

Though I was welcome at the Lord’s Table, as His Bride, from the first time I put my faith and trust in Him, it was 15 years ago that I heard Him call me there. In 2007, I was suffering from pain, and it wasn’t getting better. One morning at church, I received prayer for healing. During the prayer, Holy Spirit spoke to me about receiving healing from the Lord’s Table. He said, “When you take the Bread, see My flesh bonding with your flesh, healing your flesh. When you take the Cup, see My blood flowing through your blood, washing away every sickness and disease.” It’s been 15 years, and His words have never left me. Though I am not always good at utilizing this beautiful and precious gift, I’ve never, before, hesitated to eat at His Table.

 

Prior to now, any pain or sickness I’d experienced was something that happened to me, not due to my own stupidity. And that’s how the devil got me. It was easier to believe the lie that previous times of healing were “deserved” because they weren’t my own fault. This time, however, I didn’t deserve healing, nor to even ask for it, because I’d made a dumb choice. That’s when the Lord stepped in and called me back to His Table. Standing there, staring at the Elements, a few words from the Lord, and everything changed.

 

It's not deserved. It can’t be earned. And that is what makes it grace.

©Heather Potts 2022

What's Worth $200 Million?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ykr17QALNY

All He Says I Am ~ Cody Carnes

 

A capable, intelligent, and virtuous woman—who is he who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels and her value is far above rubies or pearls. ~ Proverbs 31:10 AMPC

 

What could you get with roughly $200 million?

 

Here are some options:

·         25,000 sq. ft. mansion ($100 million)

·         "Portrait of the Artist Without Beard" by Vincent Van Gogh ($98.5 million)

·         High-tech 3D roller coaster ($105 million)

·         28 commercial wind turbines ($98 million)

·         13 miles of interstate highway in Florida ($100 million)

·         Hire Tom Cruise for a movie – or for the same amount, hire Chris Hemsworth, Ryan Reynolds, Dwayne Johnson, and Brad Pitt ($100 million)

 

What did Jesus purchase? My Savannah. Except He paid much more and said she was worth every bit!

 

Proverbs 31:10 says, “A…virtuous woman…is far more precious than jewels and her value is far above rubies or pearls,” (AMPC). The going rate for 1 pure carat of rubies is at least $1,000. If I had the same weight in rubies as Savannah weighs in pounds, they would be worth about $200 million. But Proverbs 31:10 emphasizes that we far more valuable than rubies or pearls. Not only are we far more valuable, but God has been thinking about us…since forever!

 

Seriously!

 

2 Timothy 1:9 says, “[For it is He] Who delivered and saved us and called us… [He did it] not because of anything of merit that we have done, but because of… His own purpose and grace… which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began [eternal ages ago],” (AMPC). Ephesians 1:4 further emphasizes this, “Even as [in His love] He chose us [actually picked us out for Himself as His own] in Christ before the foundation of the world…” (AMPC). Did you catch that? God was thinking about you eternal ages ago! I can’t fathom that and Google can’t explain it.

 

Knowing this, why do we—my girls and I included—still doubt our worth? Why do words, spoken by someone other than God still sting? Because we’ve believed lies.

 

It’s time to tell the lies, “No!” It’s time for them to go!

 

When we know—fully believe in our core-being—who you are in Christ, then the words of co-workers, family members, kids on the playground, or lies from your enemy won’t sting. Then, you can boldly say, I am: A Child of the King, Loved, Beautiful, Victorious, Joyful, Transformed, Favored, More than a Conqueror, More Valuable than Rubies, and so much more!

©Heather Potts 2022

For You

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAIdo707Sac&list=RDHAIdo707Sac&start_radio=1

Freedom Reigns ~ Jesus Culture

 

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

2 Corinthians 3:17 ESV

 

What did Jesus die for, for you?

 

You may say, "My salvation, of course." And that's true, He did, but He came for so much more. He came that you might have life and have it to the fullest. He came to break chains. He came to set captive free. He came to give sight to the blind. He came to overcome the world.

 

My mom and I attended women's event on Friday night. The keynote speaker was discussing the woman at the well and the shame she cared about her. Now, not everyone has known shame the way the woman did. My story certainly isn't hers. But that doesn't mean that the devil hasn't worked hard to put his shame on me. Just as I'm certain he has worked hard to put his shame on you. Perhaps you're still walking around wearing shame like a cloak.

 

The thing about wearing a cloak is that it feels so heavy when you're wearing it. It might be easily put on, but it's not easy to wear, nor does it feel easy to remove. Shame isn't meant to define your actions, but rather your identity. It says, "Who you are it's bad."

 

I think I will always ruin for the day that Jesus spoke to me about the cloak of shame I had to allow the devil to put on me. Gently, He approached me, and softly He whispered, "But I died for that, so you don't have to wear a shame like a cloak, anymore."

 

There's freedom in Jesus. He came to give us freedom! From our sins, from our past, from our future, from shame, from addictions, from defeat, from death, from spiritual blindness, and from the devil's hold on us. He came to give us freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17 says, "Now the Lord is the spirit, and where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." Make the choice, today, and cast off that cloak of shame. Walk boldly in the freedom that the Lord has given to you!

 

What did Jesus die for, for you?

©Heather Potts 2022

Keep Standing pt. 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Gs3fg_WsEg&list=RD_Gs3fg_WsEg&start_radio=1

Dancing in the Minefields ~ Andrew Peterson

 

Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, help me!” ~ Matthew 15:25 NKJV

 

I am equally blessed and amazed that God has walked us through 18 years of marriage. I remember when I wasn’t sure that we’d survive the first 5 years. Neither the world nor our church set us up for success. Though our church wasn’t purposefully setting us up for failure, our premarital counseling went something like this, “You want to get married? Great!” There was no talk about covenant or roles or anything. We were left to figure it out on our own, which caused us both to fail, a lot! Thankfully, God walked us through many seasons—both painful valleys and refreshing mountain-top victories. It’s been in the hard seasons, especially, that we’ve had to rely on Jesus and the covenant promise we made with Him.

 

We really struggled in the infant/toddler years of our marriage. One day, as I was walking and praying, I literally cried out to God, “I will have nothing less than Your very best for me and this marriage!” Was I bold in saying it? Yes! Was I off-base in expecting it from God? No!

 

Matthew 15:22-28 tells the story of a woman who did the same thing. At first, Jesus didn’t respond to the woman’s request to heal her daughter. He even called the woman a dog, (v.26). But even that didn’t cause her to quit. In fact, it was her faith and perseverance that caused Jesus to respond to her. The woman refused to quit! She refused to accept anything less than healing for her daughter and she knew that Jesus could do it. Because of her perseverance Jesus said, “’Woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you wish.’ And her daughter was cured from that moment,” (v.28). Even now, I am encouraged and humbled to pray with the woman’s boldness.

 

Sadly, over the past 15 years, the divorce rate has remained at about 50%, with most divorces happening either within the first 10 years, or years later, when the adults become empty-nesters. Remember, it’s not the length of our marriage or having children living at home that determines the success of our marriage. It’s our determination to stand, and keep standing, on our vows.

 

Whether your marriage is in a good, solid season, or has hit some dips and valleys, I encourage you to pray for your marriage and refuse to quit until Jesus answers you. Lord, protect our marriages. Keep us bold in praying for our marriages and families. In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen.

©Heather Potts 2022

Keep Standing pt.1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXbRa5Nm6mM

I Speak Jesus ~ Passion

 

When the sun had gone down and a [thick] darkness had come on, behold, a smoking oven and a flaming torch passed between those pieces. ~ Genesis 15:17 AMPC

 

My dad’s parents were married for over 60 years and my mom’s parents were married for over 50 years before either of the grandmothers passed away. Not many marriages last that long. Why? Did “their generation” do it better? No. It’s not about their age, as people from their generation have also gotten divorced. The difference-maker is God.

 

Alistair Begg, pastor and voice behind the Truth for Life radio program, taught in his sermon series, “I Take You,” that taking seriously your covenant promise is the platform upon which your marriage will stand, because it’s a promise with God. He briefly shared the purpose and weight of the covenant, as described in Genesis 15:9-19. He said the purpose behind cutting the animals in half, setting them apart, and having all parties walk between the pieces is to show what will happen if you break the vows:

“May I be torn in half if I don’t fulfill my covenantal obligation to you. That’s why the Hebrew doesn’t speak about making a covenant. It speaks about cutting a covenant,” (https://www.truthforlife.org/broadcasts/2022/07/01/i-take-you-part-2-of-2--/).

In Genesis 15, we see that God made this vow with Abram. God put His own reputation on the line knowing that He would never—could never—break this covenant.

 

Cutting a covenant sounds bleak and dark, not light and happy. But cutting a covenant—standing on your vows, fulfilling your promises—is serious business. While some seasons in life and marriage are easier and more joyful, others are hard and painful. When push comes to shove and life is hard and harder still, on what will your marriage stand? It won’t be the 200+ likes of your wedding pictures, or the memories of the honeymoon. It’ll stand on the covenant promise and the vows you made.

 

If your marriage is in a light and happy season, I am glad for you! But if you find yourself in a battle for your marriage, just remember to keep standing. God never promised that life would be easy, but He promised to be with us.

 

When the day is long and the battle is hard,

                Keep standing.

When the fight is painful and your energy’s depleted,

                Keep standing.

When you’ve spent everything and there’s nothing left,

                Keep standing.

Keep standing!

Keep standing!

Keep standing!

 

I don’t know how things will look when the dust settles, but I do know the God who promised to be faithful. Keep standing on God’s promises, on the covenant, and on the vows you made and see how God will move.

Keep standing.

©Heather Potts 2022

Unworthiness, Pride, and Reputation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeL9mKnd38g

Worthy of My Song (Worthy of It All) ~ Phil Wickham & Chandler Moore

 

When God wanted to guarantee his promises, he gave his word, a rock-solid guarantee—God can’t break his word. And because his word cannot change, the promise is likewise unchangeable. ~ Hebrew 6:17-18 MSG

 

Recently, I realized I’ve been battling the lie of unworthiness. Though I know my promises, (I am a child of God, forgiven, called by name, etc.), I sometimes struggle to walk in the empowerment of them. On most days, I am fine. But when the enemy challenges my worthiness in my calling—like now, when I’ve been called to lead a women’s Bible study—I more easily question, “Who am I?” Ironically, the other side of that coin is pride. Because if I am worthy and I can do it, then the common denominator is I, which is a very dangerous place. And though I am realizing this, it’s not a new battle; not even for me.

 

I have always loved writing, even when I was younger—before we had a home computer. As I grew older and as my relationship with God grew, I wanted Him to use my writing. Then, one day, God said He would, and He called me to start writing for Him. Suddenly, I was afraid and felt unworthy of the calling. “Who am I to share with others? They won’t want to read what I write. I am nobody important. Who am I?” Then God shared His most profound promise with me, one that has shaped how I write, lead small groups, and even pray. He said, “It’s not about you. It’s not your reputation on the line; it’s Mine!”

 

Sometime after that, Lisa Bevere was a guest speaker at our church. I didn’t know who she was at the time. I’d never heard of her. If I remember correctly, her message was on our calling in Christ. I realized God was speaking to me when she read this portion of scripture, “When God made his promise to Abraham, he backed it all the way, putting his own reputation on the line,” (Hebrews 6:13 MSG). In that moment, in that auditorium, God confirmed His promise to me, that it's not about me. It’s wonderful, because if it’s not about me, then it can be all about Him, which should be the point and focus of all that we do.

 

The Bible says that God has a purpose and plan for each of our lives. Don’t let the devil intimidate you with fear and get you to back down from your calling. For one, you’ll miss out on the blessings God has for you in obedience. And for two, not following through makes it all about you and no longer about God.

 

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord… It is the Lord Christ you are serving. ~ Colossians 3:23-24 NIV

©Heather Potts 2022

At Your Word I Will

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yG-Y9bWlCw8

God Really Loves Us ~ Crowder, Dante Bowe

 

And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” ~ Luke 5:4-5 ESV

 

As I was reading this morning, I realized how much these verses are like prayer: we pray and pray and pray, oftentimes without evidence that it's helping. Then the Lord says, "Keep on praying and believing." At that point we come to a crossroads: Do we explain that we HAVE done it all and nothing has changed? Or do we consider the source and say, "Lord, I have, and I am tired! But because You say so, I will."

 

When I am weary and don’t feel I have strength enough…

When I am tired and see no change…

When I am tempted to quit, throw in the towel, and raise the flag of defeat…

 

You tell me to get up and try again, to pray again, to believe again…

 

Tears streaming.

Heart crying.

 

Though I don’t know how…or why…I sigh, “Because You say so…I will.”

 

Often, our ability to try again is not about our effort—or exhaustion—but about the One asking.

 

Dear friend, I know you are weary. I know you have prayed… and prayed some more. But until the Father says to stop, trust in the One who called you to pray, and then pray, again.

 

Praying with you. 

~Heather

The Battle

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtvQNzPHn-w

Battle Belongs ~ Phil Wickham

 

For our struggle is… against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ~ Ephesians 6:12 NIVUK

 

Are you battling something? I feel like so many people I know are either battling something physical—colds that hang on for weeks, heart conditions, cancer, neuropathy, stomach issues, etc.—or something emotional/mental—depression, fear, anxiety, loss, addictions, and more. I was whining to God the other day about a cold because it had lasted longer than I thought it should. But God reminded me that all battles need to be fought spiritually, and many both physically and spiritually. He also said that while symptoms indicate an issue, they don’t mean that my body is failing the fight. And while feelings tell us something is up, they don’t mean that God isn’t moving.

 

What should you do when your symptoms are yucky, and your emotions are running amuck? Remember two key things: there’s victory in your words and we’re fighting a spiritual battle.

 

There’s victory in your words.

In her book, Battlefield of the Mind, Joyce Meyer tells the story of a man who was battling a major illness. One day, well into the fight, the man told God that he felt he was losing the battle. God sent the man a vision and allowed him to see that a demon was next to him, telling him lies. However, when the man spoke the word of God, a flaming sword came out of his mouth, and caused the demon to cower. For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword… Hebrews 4:12 AMPC

 

We are fighting a spiritual battle.

There are many examples of this in the Bible. One is when Joshua was battling physically, and Moses was battling spiritually. Moses went up to pray for the Israelites’ victory. When Moses’ hands were raised, Joshua and the Israelite army were winning. However, when Moses’ hands started to drop, the Israelite army began to lose, (Exodus 17:8-13). Nehemiah faced the same thing when he was trying to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem. As the enemies came against them, Nehemiah knew, “They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, ‘Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed,’” (Nehemiah 6:9).

 

Regardless of your feelings, symptoms, or the battles you’ve been fighting, know that God is moving. Keep praying for your marriage, your kids, and your healing. Keep praying for those battling cancer, neuropathy, and cardiac issues. Keep praying for healing and restoration in families. Why keep praying? Nehemiah said it best: the enemy is trying to get you to think that it’s not working. He’s trying to get you to quit so he can win. We must pray like Nehemiah: Lord, strengthen my hands. Let us not get too worn out and quit. Help us to keep praying, believing, and watching, expecting to see God move!

©Heather Potts 2022

Don't Get Caught Sleeping

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ndb7kein1Es

God, Turn it Around ~ feat. Jon Reddick | Church of the City

 

If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. ~ Mark 13:36 NIVUK

 

Lately, I’ve been feeling an urgency, a pressing, from Holy Spirit for God’s people. This urgency includes sharing Jesus with those who don’t yet know Him, covering our kids—those in our sphere of influence—and praying for the protection of their identity in Christ, and more recently, it also includes waking up the sleeping church.

 

While researching, I was led to Mark 13:33-37, in which Jesus tells His to keep watch, because no one knows the day or hours of the return of the Son of Man. Jesus said, “It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch,” (v. 34 NKJV). Bible commentator David Guzik said Jesus left us three things: (1) His house—His Church; (2) His authority; (3) His work—work assigned to each servant to complete, not doing the work of others, but each completing his own task.

 

A sleeping servant, therefore, has not been caring for or protecting his Master’s house from thieves or looters. He’s failed to act in the authority left to him, and he hasn’t completed his assigned tasks. Not only does a sleeping servant miss out on the promotions and blessings of a watchful servant, but he’s left knowing he failed his Master.

 

The image of the sleeping servant vs. the watchful servant reminded me of something I heard our leadership say at our previous church. It was classified as a “mega church” and when it was quickly growing, someone said that though the front door was wide-open, the back door was also cracked. This “watchful servant” didn’t want others to “fall asleep,” thinking that just because their numbers were growing each week that their work was done. He noted that there was a disconnect in their mission if people were sneaking out the back door.

 

The same is true regarding our marriages, children, and families. We can’t afford to assume that once they are saved, or once they are strong, that our work is done. We can’t get lazy and fall asleep. There’s too much at stake! The enemy is patient and he’s watching, waiting for you to nod off so that he can slip in and steal your treasures. Because he’s cunning and deceptive, he’ll slowly pull them from you. Maybe he’ll start with stealing their respect for you, destroying a bit of your authority. As you continue to drift off to sleep, He’ll weasel into their thoughts and get them to question their identity, value, and worth. A few more naps are all it’ll take for him to steal all your treasure—the people you love—and get you to wonder, “How did that happen?"

 

Church, friends, don’t get caught sleeping. Jesus said, “What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’” (Mark 13:37 NIVUK).

©Heather Potts 2022

It's Not Over

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

God’s Not Done With You ~ Tauren Wells

 

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places. ~ Ephesians 6:12 AMP

 

Have you ever been so focused on all the chaos right in front of you that you forgot about the bigger picture? That was what was going on with me this morning. I was so caught up in the craziness of things going on with some friends, that I was crying—truly grieving for them. But God, in His graciousness, spoke to me. Amid tears, Holy Spirit reminded me that God’s not done writing their story. Holy Spirit took it a step further and reminded me that this is a battle for souls and lives, and the devil is out for blood!

 

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy… ~ John 10:10 NKJV

 

The devil is out to destroy my friends’ lives and their walk with God. And he’ll gladly steal my joy and peace if I’ll let him. If I’ll let him. If I let the devil… If I choose to hand over my peace and joy, trading for his despair and hopelessness, then I will certainly be too weak for battle. That’s the devil’s goal: to make God’s warriors too weak for battle. His plan is to distract us from our true purpose. He’ll use whatever he can: money, fame, pleasure, pain, grief, anger, whatever it takes to turn your head. Like a scary movie, he’s hoping you’ll turn your eyes away from the scene, so he can take control, leaving you powerless to stop him.

 

But God’s got a battle plan, and He’s including you!

 

In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides]. ~ Ephesians 6:10 AMPC

 

Your part is to (1) Put on your spiritual armor. (2) Remember who you’re fighting against. (3) Stand firm. It sounds simple until the fierce winds blow, the enemy roars, and his weapons are drawn. That’s about the time most people turn tail and run. In general, people don’t like messy. We don’t like things that take great effort for long periods of time. We like short and sweet, preferably with a bow.

 

But you are not a coward. You are God’s warrior who has been given strength from God to stand firm. God’s charge to us is to stand firm in His strength and power. It might be a long battle. It might get uglier before it gets better. It will likely cost you time and effort. But you’re not alone, and you’re not expected to fight in your own strength. Today, don’t give up hope! Lean in to God, draw your strength from Him, and stand firm against the devil!

©Heather Potts 2022

Legacy of Love

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5U6OcIaa5jo

Your Nature ~ The Belonging Co. Featuring Kari Jobe

 

Then he said to them, “… Stay here and keep watch with me.” ~ Matthew 26:38 NIV

 

I have been thinking a lot, lately, about the legacy of my grandfather, Lyle Hayes. Most people wouldn’t recognize his name. While most of his grandchildren—and possibly even great-grandchildren—remember him as a quiet, gentle man who loved to sneak his sweets, (and then share them with us), I also know another side of him.

 

As an adult, my grandpa told me that he prayed for me every day, just as he prayed for all his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Most of the time I thanked him but didn’t really think about it. But in later years, after seeing some of the fruit of his labor—at least 3 relationships restored, physical health restored, mental and emotional health restored, strong marriages, jobs found, etc.—I was in awe of his labor of love.

 

I don’t know when he started praying for his family. I never thought to ask. Regardless, the power that one man’s prayers had in so many lives was more than he could imagine. Whether he prayed at church or home, I know he knew that Jesus was praying with him.

 

In Matthew 26:36-46, Jesus takes the disciples with Him to Gethsemane and asks them to keep watch with Him, (v. 38). Later, Jesus told them to, “Watch and pray,” (v. 41). According to Bible commentator David Guzik, Jesus told them to watch and pray, because they needed to combine spiritual power with their physical action to be effective, (Blueletterbible.org). Guzik also suggested that many spiritual battles are fought and won long before we see the crisis.

 

Looking back at his life, my grandpa was always a fighter. Physically, he fought as a bombardier in World War II, serving and protecting his country and family. Through his prayers—a soldier for Christ—he has fought and won many spiritual battles on behalf of his loved ones. I’m proud of his service in the military. I am forever thankful for the decades he fought as a soldier for Christ.

 

Jesus calls us all to keep watch with Him, to watch and pray. Though we don’t know the battles up ahead, we’d like to have the victory even before the crisis arrives. Today, I implore you, do not leave to chance the protection of your family. Keep watch with Jesus, watch and pray!

©Heather Potts 2022

Known and Loved

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVVlMQved8k

You Know Me ~ Steffany Gretzinger

 

You have searched me, Lord,
    and you know me.

~ Psalm 139:1 NIVUK

 

What do athletic socks, a fake plant, and a watermelon have in common? They were all birthday gifts given by women who know me. They know what I need, can handle, and enjoy. Gifts are fun to receive. Some gifts will make you laugh, some will bring you delight, and some will touch a tender spot in your heart, as you realize how well you are known and loved.

 

David, the youngest and smallest son of Jesse, expressed his awe of God in the Psalms. Though David may have been overlooked by his earthly family, his heavenly Father knew and loved him completely:

You know when I sit and when I rise;
    you perceive my thoughts from afar.
 You discern my going out and my lying down;
    you are familiar with all my ways.
 Before a word is on my tongue
    you, Lord, know it completely, (Psalm 139:2-4)

You are familiar—intimately acquainted—with all my ways… David felt safe in the hands of his God who knew him: his praise and doubts, his rejoicing and rejections, his good deeds and mistakes, his wins and his faults. The Lord knew all these things, and still loved him.

 

We all long to be known, and loved, like that. The same Lord who knew and loved David, knows and loves you. Our Father knows, loves, honors, cares for, created, designed, corrects, disciplines, and teaches us in a personal way. He knows your past and is fully aware of the things you’ve endured and had to overcome; He’s seen your future and knows the preparation you still require to be victorious; He was with you yesterday, He’s journeying with you now, and still, He loves you. You, dear child, are fully known and fully loved.

©Heather Potts 2022

Feeling Dry

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjNZf878ISQ

Oh My Soul ~ Casting Crowns

 

Why, my soul, are you downcast?
    Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
    for I will yet praise him,
    my Saviour and my God.

~ Psalm 43:5 NIV

 

Have you ever had a good day, but then suddenly, for no apparent reason, you felt sad, like to the point of tears? We’d had a good day, but suddenly, I felt like crying and couldn’t explain why. I did try to explain it: maybe I’m overtired; maybe it’s because I’m a girl; perhaps it’s hormones. Who knows? I certainly didn’t.

 

After everyone had gone to bed, I sat down with my Bible and journal and flipped to Psalm 43:5 and began writing the verse. As I began to write, God did a beautiful thing for me; two things, actually. The first, was that He washed His peace over me, and I no longer felt anxious or sad. The second, was that He allowed my eyes to drift into the next column and see where I had previously underlined Psalm 42:2:

My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
    When can I go and meet with God?

That was the answer to my emotional tizzy: my soul was needing to meet with God.

 

Due to several things, I had an immensely hard time waking up this morning, which left my quiet-time choppy (at best), as I juggled the girls' needs, instead of keeping my “date” with Jesus. And I (clearly) needed that time. I needed to allow God time to hold me, Holy Spirit to speak to me, and Jesus to lead me. But because I didn’t take the time at the start, something in my day left me feeling dry…until I sat and met with God. It’s an amazing and beautiful thing what entering His presence does for you.

 

If, throughout the course of your day, you find yourself feeling dry, take the advice given in Psalm 42:5-8, (MSG):

Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul?
    Why are you crying the blues?
Fix my eyes on God—
    soon I’ll be praising again.
He puts a smile on my face.
    He’s my God.

When my soul is in the dumps, I rehearse
    everything I know of you,

. . .
Then God promises to love me all day,
    sing songs all through the night!
    My life is God’s prayer.

©Heather Potts 2022

We Want to Belong

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Li40gJTeBts

God So Loved ~ We the Kingdom

 

Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. ~ 1 Peter 2:10 NIV

 

I feel like each time I go to the store, I see more people with dyed hair. Some with salon-quality, but others look like they grabbed a can of spray paint on their way to the store. It’s as an interesting trend, the next wave of people trying to “fit in”.

 

Someone I know is making some unhealthy choices, looking to be accepted. When I asked God how to pray for her, He said to pray for her identity. Holy Spirit gave me several verses:

She is a child of God ~ John 1:12

Her old self was crucified with Christ; she is no longer a slave to sin ~ Romans 6:6

She was created in the image of God ~ Genesis 1:27

She is a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, called out of darkness and into His wonderful light ~ 1 Peter 2:9

She now belongs to God ~ 1 Peter 2:10

 

The last verse, declaring that she now belongs to God, is something we all want. One of my jobs at school is to help in the lunchroom. Stand in there just once and you will see it: all the kids stand around and wait for their friends to join them. No one wants to be left out; everyone wants to belong.

 

Rainbow-colored hair will eventually fade, just as every other fad has over the years, but the longing to belong will remain. God created us for a relationship with Him, but our sin kept us separated, so He sent Jesus to provide the way. Once, you were not a people—you couldn’t come close to God. But now you are the people of God—part of the fold, brought close, adopted, accepted, loved, a child of God. Now you belong; you belong to God.

©Heather Potts 2022

Worthy Life

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

I Choose to Worship ~ Rend Collective

 

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. ~ Ephesians 4:1 NIV

 

I’m so grateful God moved us here when He did. It gave our girls the opportunity to meet my grandpa, Lyle Hayes, before he passed away. When Savannah was in Kindergarten, I took her to visit my grandpa on Memorial Day. She was, then, old enough to grasp some of what Memorial Day is and why we celebrate it. While we were visiting, she asked to explore his house. My grandpa had an older home with many rooms. In the office was a war memorial display case, which housed a model plane, the same kind of bomber on which my grandpa fought. It also housed many medals and other memorial items that belonged to both my grandpa, as well as his brother, Clayton. 

 

Just about every time I went to visit Grandpa Hayes, he'd tell me stories of his time in the service, especially his training in Florida, but rarely did he talk about Clayton. Shortly after my grandpa died, we found a newspaper article about my great-uncle, Pfc. Clayton Hayes, and how he helped a mom and her son carry belongings back to their war-ravaged home in Normandy. The article was from June 3, 1944. At the end of the war, many men came home as war heroes. Unfortunately, Clayton Hayes, died as one, in September 1944, during Operation Market Garden in Holland.

 

This Memorial Day, please take a moment to remember the fallen heroes and pray for their families. Please also pray for those who are currently serving in the military. Before the day is out, take a moment and thank those you know who have served and fought to keep us safe and free. And finally, ask God to give you the strength and courage to live a life worthy of both their sacrifice, and of the Lord's calling on your life. 

 

Who do you know and want to thank on this Memorial Day? 

 

http://normandie44.canalblog.com/archives/2012/01/14/23241133.html

Article on Pfc. Clayton Hayes, and the others in his troop.

©Heather Potts 2022

Who? No One!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rwfowzoGvA

Water is Wild ~ (feat. Chris Brown & Brandon Lake) Elevation Worship

 

While studying Romans 8:38-39, in preparation for writing the devotional that was churning in my mind, I spent a lot of time studying “who” in Romans 8:

If God is for us, who can be against us? (v.31)

Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? (v.33)

Who then is the one who condemns? (v.34)

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? (v.35)

Perhaps, like me, you assumed the devil. Afterall, he is “the accuser of the brothers,” (Revelation 12:10).

 

Hebrews 2 tells us Jesus declared us to be His brothers, and that because we are flesh and blood, He chose to, “share in [our] humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— and free [us]…” (vv. 12,14-15). Because the devil held the power of death, the assumption—by many—is that he still holds it. But the truth is Jesus took the power through His atonement for us, (Hebrews 2:17). In Revelation 1:18, Jesus declared, “I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.” Holding the keys gives Jesus the power and authority to open and shut doors that no one can shut or open, (Revelation 3:7).

 

Therefore, the answer to the Romans 8 questions is no one, not even the devil. Though he will try to convince you otherwise, we are assured, “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death,” (Romans 8:1-2). The devil is a liar, tempter, and an accuser, but he no longer has authority over you and his power pales in comparison with God’s. As one Bible commentator said, “Satan is a finite, created being. He may be opposite to Gabriel or Michael, but never to God. And thus, though the forces of hell be gathered against you, they are nothing compared with the power that is available to you because God is for you,” (Chuck Smith, blueletterbible.org).

 

When the devil comes in to attack and tempts your mind with questions of who is against you, hoping you will start a list, you can counter his attack by boldly and confidently declaring, “No one!”

 

no weapon forged against you will prevail,
    and you will refute every tongue that accuses you.
This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,
    and this is their vindication from me,”
declares the Lord.

~Isaiah 54:17 NIV

©Heather Potts 2022

If It Walks Like a Duck

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgw1hIcW34k

Surviving the Game ~ Skillet

 

Put on God’s whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil. ~ Ephesians 6:11 AMPC

 

You’ve heard the saying, “If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, then it’s probably a duck.” That’s what was going on in our house last night—except the duck was a spiritual attack. Disguised as multiple physical ailments, our family was under spiritual attack. Like any good attack, a strategic plan was set into motion, but small at first, to slip in under the radar.

 

Over the weekend, Savannah and I felt some discomfort, which slowly got worse as the days progressed. By Wednesday evening, the four of us were having moderate to severe pain. However, like a good deception, we all had completely different issues, and didn’t immediately recognize what was happening.

 

Though I was overwhelmed, after taking a spiritual step back, I saw that we were under attack. Not only did I call doctors and treat physical symptoms, but I also prepared for war. When things feel like a spiritual attack and act like a spiritual attack, then it’s best to don your spiritual armor and prepare for battle.

 

Ephesians 1:3 says that we—believers—have been blessed “with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,” (NKJV). This includes our redemption, forgiveness, and our being lavished in every kind of wisdom and understanding in Christ, (vv. 7-8). Paul prayed that God would “make [us] intelligent and discerning in knowing [Him] personally,” (Ephesians 1:18 MSG). Intelligence is needed for the physical realm, discernment for the spiritual. We need both because, in Christ, we are spirit beings. “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, … raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,” (Ephesians 2:4,6 NIVUK). Because of His great love for us, God placed us in the heavenly places, blessing us with the victory that is in Christ Jesus, so that by faith, we can overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil, (1 John 5:4).

 

With wisdom, discernment, and your spiritual armor on, the next time that duck walks and quacks into your life, you can say, “I recognize you. Though dressed like a duck, you are defeated, and I have overcome!”

©Heather Potts 2022

Can't Deny Him

This morning, the girls and I studied John 18:1-11 and we discussed any questions they had about verses that stood out to them. Elizabeth asked about verse 6, “Now when He said to them, ‘I am He,’ they drew back and fell to the ground.” Savannah asked about verse 3, “Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons.” In both cases, we discussed what the verses meant and the picture of the magnitude of the situation. This wasn’t a quiet arrest of a lawless man. This was 600+ armed soldiers who showed up in a garden, at night, to arrest one sinless Man.

 

As we saw in verse 6, when Jesus responded to them, “I am He,” the men all fell to the ground. Their falling wasn’t because they tripped, but as a response to the power of the name I AM. No man, nor spirit, can deny the power of the Name. In His power, Jesus could have struck them dead, or escaped. Rather, by His power and of His will, He allowed Himself to be arrested and crucified.

 

It’s interesting that while the soldiers and Pharisees, and many others, refused to accept Jesus, they couldn’t deny Him. They couldn’t deny the miracles or His power—that’s what made them show up in a garden at night with over 600 armed soldiers. They didn’t want to believe, they refused to repent, but they couldn’t deny Him, either.

 

As we closed our study this morning, I asked the girls the same as I will ask you: to pray for those you know who have not, yet, repented and made Jesus their Lord and Savior. “For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life,” (John 3:16 AMPC). On this Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday and weekend, let’s not just celebrate what we have in Jesus, our Lord and Savior, but pray deeply and desperately for those who don’t, yet.

 

After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” … So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. ~ John 19:28-30 NKJV

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LASyD0ASRfI

Scandal of Grace ~ Hillsong United

 

©Heather Potts 2022

Why Were They Afraid?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1D1A0Kf-cRU

Above All ~ Michael W. Smith

 

Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. ~ John 18:3 NKJV

 

Have you ever been so quick to read, that you missed things, which you later realized made a HUGE difference? After hearing a teacher read to her class the events that led up to Jesus’ crucifixion, Holy Spirit perked my ears at the fact that Judas brought men with weapons to arrest Jesus. If you’ve read any of the stories, Jesus was not a violent man. That begs the question, why did they need weapons. After doing some digging, the bigger question became: why did they need so many men, and weapons?

 

According to the different Bible commentaries, Judas brought with him between 600 and 1,000 men to arrest Jesus. They all agreed that the “detachment” included at least 240 cavalry men and at least 200 infantry. Judas didn’t gather all the drunks in a bar one night to go capture Jesus. No, these were trained, armed military men. Why so many men? Why were Judas and the Pharisees so afraid?

 

David Guzik said, “A sinless Man in an appointed garden was about to do battle with Satan’s representative. The first time this happened, the sinless man failed. The Second Adam would not fail,” (Blueletterbible.com, Study Guide for John 18). Satan knew what was at stake. He also knew the power and authority of Jesus, as did Judas and the Pharisees, and that made them afraid. But they didn’t expect Jesus. Because Satan knew of Jesus’ power and authority, he expected a battle, which was why there were so many men and weapons. What Satan failed to realize was that God’s battle plan included Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion.

 

As you go about your activities today and this weekend, whether your life is filled with family and fun, or loneliness and struggles, take some time to focus on Jesus’ sacrifice and God’s battle plan, remembering they did it for you, because they love you!

©Heather Potts 2022