You're Wonderful!

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

Communion ~ Maverick City, feat. Steffany Gretzinger and Brandon Lake

 

And we all, with unveiled face, continually seeing as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are progressively being transformed into His image from [one degree of] glory to [even more] glory, which comes from the Lord, [who is] the Spirit. ~ 2 Corinthians 3:18 AMP

 

You’re wonderful! It’s true! I’m not making it up, putting you on, or stretching the truth. You’re also strong, bold, courageous, fierce, and victorious. Have I mentioned that you’re gentle, kind, loving, compassionate, patient, and generous? If that’s not enough, you’re also full of wisdom and knowledge, as well as very creative.

 

It’s all true, regardless of how you act, feel, or look. Perhaps the mirror shows some gray hairs, wrinkles, or extra weight. Though you may feel stressed, overwhelmed, and extremely exhausted, your worst action on your worst day can’t negate this truth.

 

Check it out:

Then God said, “Let Us (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) make man in Our image, according to Our likeness [not physical, but a spiritual personality and moral likeness]; … So God created man in His own image, in the image and likeness of God He created him; male and female He created them, (Genesis 1:26-27 AMP).

If you’re thinking that was before sin, let me assure you God had a plan! He buried and then raised us to life with Christ:

In Him you were also circumcised…by the [spiritual] circumcision of Christ…having been buried with Him in baptism and raised with Him [to a new life] through [your] faith in the working of God, [as displayed] when He raised Christ from the dead, (Colossians 2:11-12 AMP).

When you are in Christ and a child of God, you “have put on the new [spiritual] self who is being continually renewed in true knowledge in the image of Him who created the new self,” (Colossians 3:10 AMP).

 

2 Corinthians 3:18 says we are continually and progressively being transformed into God’s image, from glory to glory. You don’t have to believe me or take my word for it. But I hope you’ll believe what God says about you because it’s true.

 

By the way, I’m fabulous! And so are you!

©Heather Potts 2021

Just Wait

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r49V9QcYheQ&list=RDr49V9QcYheQ&start_radio=1&t=0

Take Courage ~ Kristene DiMarco

Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD! ~ Psalm 27:14 ESV

Shortly after Savannah was born, I was miserable at work. Looking back, it wasn’t because of the work, but because I felt robbed of being a stay-at-home mom. When an opportunity presented itself at another organization, I jumped at it, thinking it would fill the hole created by disappointment. I was upset when I didn’t get it, causing me to keep waiting for God to move.

Right now, many families are awaiting final news of what schooling will look like in the fall. Waiting has caused anxiety to rise in kids, parents, and teachers. The longer we must wait, the more ammunition the enemy has to fire at our thoughts, using our own minds against us as we think up more worst-case scenarios.

Perhaps waiting is the point of this season. Every time an unexpected change occurs, we can choose to stand firm on God’s promises, remembering His faithfulness in the past. Or we can try to make things happen in our timing, by our strength and power. The latter happens out of a lack of trust that God will – or is able to – come through for us this time. As the Bible exemplifies for us, when others have tried the second option, it never turned out well.

Maybe plans for the next school year aren’t why you’re waiting. Regardless of the reason, waiting is still an important season, as it shapes and expands our field of vision. It’s an opportunity for God to separate the dross from the gold, purifying our hearts, so we’ll more and more reflect His glory, (2 Corinthians 3:18). In this season of waiting, instead of allowing fear and frustration to build, allow anticipation to turn into hope, joy, and excitement. While we didn’t choose to wait, we get to choose how we wait.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxbfyt8Rraw

Hurry Up and Wait ~ Mercy Me

©Heather Potts 2020

Reflect

Be strong and courageous…for the LORD your God goes with you… ~ Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV

If you write Christmas cards or letters, then it’s likely you spend some time during this season reflecting on the past year. Perhaps you write to your friends and family about all your achievements. Maybe, like us, you find all the funny moments and quotes, the most recent of which was Elizabeth (age 3) who, upon spotting Mr. & Mrs. Claus shouted, “Look! It’s Santa and his momma!”

Reflect. It’s both a mirror and meditation. When we spend time in the Lord’s presence, we reflect His glory, (2 Corinthians 3:18). And we’re promised that we’ll be prosperous and successful when we meditate on His Word day and night, (Joshua 1:8). As this year draws to a close, I’ve been reflecting on the words and promises He’s given me, most especially what He said in January: Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you, (Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV). At the time, I thought “God goes” meant “God was and would remain” with me. I didn’t really think we’d be “going” anywhere. But we did. And He did. Every step. Every mile. Every minute. Every day.

What about you? What has God said and promised to you? Was He as literal with you as He was with me? I encourage you to end this year meditating on His Word, on the words He’s spoken into your heart, the ones you’ve written in your journal, and see what He still reveals about them.

Father, as the world turns their eyes in the direction of the brilliant lights of Christmas, let them see Your light reflected in us. Thank you, that as we meditate on Your Word, we are transformed in Your likeness and image. In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen.

©Heather Potts 2017