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