Your Words

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiuvKo-7Me4

Prophesy Your Promise ~ Bryan & Katie Torwalt

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words. ~ Proverbs 18:21 AMP

Have you ever thought about the words you use?

Yesterday, I told someone, “I did a Mommy fail.” Shortly after I said it, Holy Spirit asked why I used that phrase. The phrase “Mom-Fail” gets tossed around, indicating a mistake, whether large or small. But failure isn’t the same as a mistake. A mistake is an error, while failure carries with it a greater weight. Truly, we will all mess up, but we only fail when we refuse to try again.

We read Proverbs 18:21, that death and life are in the power of the tongue, often forgetting it applies to our own lives. Every day, we can listen to—and speak—the lies Satan has concocted for us, including that we’re failures. Or we can speak God’s promises over ourselves:

I am the daughter of the King and the Bride of Christ, (Psalm 45:9). I will not suffer shame; I will not be humiliated. My victory is in the Lord! My Maker is my Husband—the Lord Almighty is His Name, the Holy One of Israel is my Redeemer, (Isaiah 54:4-5). God did not give me a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given me a spirit] of power and of love and of a sound mind, (2 Timothy 1:7). I am a good mom, raising children who are wise beyond their years, beautiful inside and out, and have a heart that is strong after Father God. I thank you, Lord Jesus, that our children will be an example and set a pattern for the believers in speech, conduct, love, faith and moral purity, (1 Timothy 4:12). As we teach our children about Father God and His Word, it will stimulate, penetrate, teach and be impressed diligently upon their hearts and minds, (Deuteronomy 6:7). Therefore this is what the Lord says: "If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve Me; if you utter worthy, not worthless, words, you will be My spokesman,” (Jeremiah 15:19).

God has given us the power to choose life or death for our lives—to speak worthy, not worthless, words. It’s a great responsibility; one which He will help us carry out, for our good and His glory, when we turn to Him and His Word as our guide.

©Heather Potts 2021

Ready for a Change?

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwX1f2gYKZ4&list=RDKwX1f2gYKZ4&start_radio=1

Graves into Gardens ~ Elevation Worship ft. Brandon Lake

 

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgement and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control]. ~ 2 Timothy 1:7 AMP

 

Recently, I’ve been trying to push myself to form some new habits. Mainly, I’ve been trying to be as brave as my friends and relatives who walk (and run) during winter…outside… I’ve always hated being cold, but I also hate feeling trapped inside my house all winter. I conferred with the winter-runners and asked how to do this outside-cold-thing. After getting some tips, I realized the only other thing holding me back was…me. So last Thursday, I took myself for a 5-mile walk in the beautiful winter wonderland that God has given us.

 

One of the many promises from God is that He’s given us a spirit of sound judgement and personal discipline. The precursor to any action is a thought. If I continue to tell myself that I hate winter and the cold, then my only option is being stuck inside for 3 to 5 months each year. That doesn’t sound fun or healthy. On the other hand, as I choose better thoughts, I will choose better actions, which will become healthier and more beneficial habits.

 

At this time of year, most people are making New Year’s resolutions. What change do you want to see happen in your life? What goal do you want to achieve this year? It all starts with our thoughts. Let’s make 2021 the year that we exercise the spirit of sound judgement and personal discipline and watch as our lives are transformed through the renewing of our minds.

 

And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you]. ~ Romans 12:2 AMP

©Heather Potts 2021

What You've Been Given

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEwDx8YJndU

What a Beautiful Name / Break Every Chain ~ Hillsong Worship

But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life. ~ Psalms 42:8 NLT

I wasn't looking for scripture for myself, this morning, but for Savannah. Since having a nightmare, she's been very afraid and extremely clingy, and no amount of reassurance has helped. She's afraid, as happened in her dream, that, when I need to go someplace without her, I will leave and never come back. 

Brad and I have talked a lot about it and can't figure out what precipitated it. One thing's certain, she's been filled with fear, and it's not let her go. So, I went to the One who has both the answers and the power to heal: my God.

Holy Spirit reminded me of scriptures to pray over her. He told me to get my armor on, because we are battling on her behalf. She doesn't have to, nor should she be left to, live in fear. 2 Timothy 1:7 is a promise about the things we—as children of the Lord—have been given.

If someone you love is facing a battle for the condition of his or her mind, get your armor on and declare war on the things that are not of God! Child of God, you have NOT been given a spirit of fear, worry, anxiety, depression, or anything else the enemy offers. Dearly loved child of the living God, you HAVE been given a Spirit of Power, of Love, and of a Sound Mind. My God has given me the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven and whatever is loosed on earth is loosed in heaven and whatever is bound on earth is bound in Heaven. In Jesus' Name, we bind a spirit of fear, depression, anxiety, and worry and loose a Spirit of Power, Love, a Sound Mind, and a restored and refreshed soul. In Jesus' Name I pray Amen.

©Heather Potts 2019 

Not One

Blessed be God, who has given peace to his people Israel just as he said he’d do. Not one of all those good and wonderful words that he spoke through Moses has misfired. May God, our very own God, continue to be with us just as he was with our ancestors—may he never give up and walk out on us. May he keep us centered and devoted to him, following the life path he has cleared, watching the signposts, walking at the pace and rhythms he laid down for our ancestors. ~ 1 Kings 8:56-58 MSG

I love that when I’ve come to the end of what I know, there is God, and entering His presence through worship always opens my eyes. Last night, as I was worshiping, I felt Holy Spirit highlight, “I am defined by all His promises / Shaped by every word He says,” from I Am No Victim by Kristene DiMarco. Thinking of God’s promises, I was reminded of a time we sought counsel from some of our leaders who recounted their own story of hardship. The husband said he sat in his chair and confessed God’s promises, to spite the devil, knowing that God would stand by His promises. And had since come through on many of those promises. Then I went to my list of confessions and found the promises God spoke to me:

God did not give me a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given me a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control], (2 Timothy 1:7)

My Father in Heaven disciplines me by teaching me His Word. This gives me the power to keep myself calm in the face of temptation and of adversity, (2 Timothy 3:16)

I am strong in the Lord [and will draw my strength from Him and be empowered through my union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might (Ephesians 6:10)

I hold the 5-fold nature of the Holy Spirit: gentle and quiet, purity, positive attitude, patient, and gracious, (1 Peter 3:2, 4; 1 Tim 4:12)

I am the guardian of our home, creating a safe, healthy, joyful, and creative environment for my family to grow and love and learn (Titus 2:4; Proverbs 31)

As we teach our children about Father God and His Word, it will stimulate, penetrate, teach and be impressed diligently upon their hearts and minds, (Deuteronomy 6:7)

No matter what the circumstance I have the mind of Christ and operate in His wisdom and ability (1 Corinthians 2:16)

Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, (Hebrews 12:1-2)

If you’re struggling with or in need of something today, run to your Father and ask Him what His promises are for you. Rest assured that not one has failed.

©Heather Potts 2017

Scattering the Shadows

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. ~ Isaiah 41:10 AMPC

Last night, I woke up after nightmares feeling nauseous—the 3^rd night in a row. After lying awake for several minutes, I heard Jesus singing over me, “I will cast my cares on You.” In the dark, I moved to my God-chair and half prayed, half cried at the realization of the weight I’d been carrying. But God spoke, scattering the shadows and breaking-up the lie. “It’s not your responsibility,” He said.

Unfortunately, this is not my first rendezvous with lies and shadows. But at the sound of His voice, God brought the light and everything became clear.

Isaiah 41:10 is a promise—a declaration—first revealed to me in 2015, when I was engulfed by darkness and shadows. But God stepped into that pit and pulled me out, holding me in the safety of His embrace. Last night, rereading that promise, He reminded me, “I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you.” The enemy’s going to bring his worst, his A-game, with fear, condemnation, guilt, and shame. But God has promised to hold me up with His victorious right hand.

If someone you know is walking in a realm of shadows and darkness, keep praying for them. James 5:16 declares, “The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available (dynamic in its working),” (AMPC). Let God do the fighting, breaking up the darkness and scattering the shadows.

Father, thank you for Your promise to help and uphold us in Your victory. Thank you for giving us a Spirit of Power, Love, and a Sound Mind. Thank you that we have been given the mind of Christ and are guided by His thoughts and purposes. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

©Heather Potts 2017

Precious Real Estate

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. ~ 2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV

With looming decisions before us, fear whispered, “What if this fails? What if you make the wrong decision?” When I shared my fears with Brad, he said we’d be diligent in seeking God’s direction, but what was I going to do about my fears?

How do I conquer my fears? What am I going to do about it? What’s my part?

Then Holy Spirit whispered, “Renew your mind.” He reminded me that I haven’t been given a spirit of fear, (2 Timothy 1:7). The Greek definition of “given” is “to give something to someone…to his advantage…give to one asking; give as a gift…something to be administered, such as property…to pay, wages or reward.” Are these fears to my advantage? Are they a gift? Are they something I’ve asked for? Are they payment for something I’ve done? Are they things I want to own?

NO!

Then it must be deduced that fear is NOT from God. So why accept fears? Why give them precious real estate in my mind?

“Do not be conformed to this world…but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God…[for you],” (Romans 12:2 AMPC). I need to choose to change, transform and renew, my ENTIRE mind, until it reflects that of Jesus. I have been given the mind of Christ and I am guided by His thoughts and purposes, (1 Corinthians 2:16). Therefore, I can choose to accept what fear says and allow it to consume my mind. Or, I can reject it through the daily renewal of my entire mind.

If, like me, you’ve allowed fear to take up precious real estate in your mind, it’s time to issue the eviction notice and change tenants. Exchange a spirit of fear for a Spirit of Power, Love, and a Sound Mind.

©Heather Potts 2017