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

Beauty, pt. 1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9moCqVAF2ak

Ghost ~ Crowder

 

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
    because the Lord has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted,
    to proclaim freedom for the captives
    and release from darkness for the prisoners,

~ Isaiah 61:1 NIVUK

 

The saying, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” is an opinion, implying that value, (beauty), is generated by a person's opinion. People’s good opinions can be useful and appreciated. However, allowing them any higher value can be extremely dangerous.

 

I know.

 

In my younger years, I was a people-pleaser. I wore myself out trying to gain the good opinions of others: my teachers, peers, and family. Sadly, I equated others’ opinions with the level of my worth. One careless word and I was shattered. Fortunately, in my early twenties, God put women in my path who were very strong in their faith-walk, and they taught me how to cultivate my relationship with Jesus.

 

As I read my Bible, took notes, asked questions, and learned to listen for and recognize God’s voice, I was given the greatest gift: realizing my true value and worth begin and end in God. In God’s unchanging opinion, I am loved, cherished, beautiful, and worth more than rubies. He knows my future and my past, and still, I am precious in His sight! That revelation really rocked my world, in a desperately needed way!

 

In his song, “Ghost,” David Crowder tells us to “Get ready.” As we invest in our relationship with God, reading, listening, and asking questions, we need to “get ready,” because He wants to change our lives! He loves to rip off the lies and lavish us with so much love that we won’t have room to doubt our value or worth in Him.

 

Knowing how this revelation healed my heart and my mind, it deeply saddens me when I see others—both adults and kids—trapped by the lies that their value is determined by the opinions, and sometimes careless words, of others. But God’s got a plan! He wants those who’ve received this great revelation to share it with others, so they, too, will know that their value and worth lie in Him, alone.

 

Thank you, Father, for giving us the gift of this revelation. Help us to share it, binding up the broken-hearted, proclaiming freedom for the captives, and releasing the prisoners from darkness. In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen.

©Heather Potts 2022

In the Trenches

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9moCqVAF2ak

Ghost ~ Crowder

Have you ever been in the valleys of life? 

What about in the trenches?

Life seemed to be going along like normal, maybe you sensed things were slightly off, but before you had a chance to react, the earth started to tremble and down you went from the hillside and into the valley. But your quick shot down didn’t end there. Before you could even get your bearings, the valley floor opened and you fell through a crack. When you carefully, cautiously stood, you looked around and found yourself in the trenches in the middle of a war zone. You weren’t sure who was flinging bombs at you, but you knew enough to duck. In your crouched position, fear began to waft into the trench with you, like the smell of death. It was death to the life you thought you knew, felt that you’d had, giving way to this new reality in an ugly, scary battle scene where hope has faded to gray and you feel all alone.

Sadly, this is reality for some of the people I care about deeply. Without much warning, life shattered and they awoke to this new, hurtful reality. First it only breaks the heart. But then, it messes with the mind. Hurt and fear set in when the mind asks if the life and relationships you thought you had were all just a lie. Hurt and fear give way to anger when you believe the question as truth: it was all a lie!

Though the trenches look bleak and gray, hope begins to grow when Light is spotted. It may look like it’s coming from an encouraging post on social media, or a card from a friend. And though He’ll use resources like your therapist, your pastor, and even prayer warrior friends, there’s only one Light Source. His Name is Jesus.

If you are on the outside, watching a loved one struggle through trench warfare, commit to standing with them in prayer. This is likely to not be a short season, but God allowed you this unique position in their life to partner with them in prayer and, at times, to cover over them in a blanket of prayer-protection. This may not be trench warfare like your great-grandfather faced, but it’s spiritual warfare, which means the stakes are higher and the injuries more costly.

If you’re in the trenches, then suit up! This is likely to be the greatest battle you’ve ever fought. The devil fights to the death and he’s out for blood! But you are not without protection and you’re not without hope. Get your spiritual armor on; hold up your shield and swing your sword. Pull God’s Word close to you and dig into His promises like your life depends on it. His Word will become your greatest weapon and resource till this battle is won, and then will be the launch pad from which your new season will begin.

Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ~ Ephesians 6:11-13 NIV

©Heather Potts 2021

Upheld by Promise

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9s7GogPKCg

He Is ~ Crowder

Uphold me according to Your word [of promise], so that I may live;

And do not let me be ashamed of my hope [in Your great goodness]. ~ Psalm 119:116 AMP

We are fortunate enough to live near a pool, especially since this summer has been so hot. One day when we were at the pool, one of the girls noticed that the previous night’s storm had knocked over the foam life preserver ring. She effortlessly put it back on its hook and asked how it could possibly save someone’s life. 

The ring looked like it had baked out at that pool for many years. But nevertheless, understanding the science behind it, or not, foam floats in water. Will the ring, itself, get the person out of the water? Will it reverse time, eliminating the event that caused the person the need of the life preserver in the first place? Will it erase all of life’s stresses? The answer, of course, is no. But what it will do is keep the person’s head above water till he/she can regain enough strength to get to safety, or until the person throwing the ring can pull the other to safety.

How interesting that we often cry out to God, saying, “Save me!” To which He says, “I have.” We mean: get me out of this mess, out of these waves, out of the water. Put my feet on solid, secure ground, so that I would never again feel pain. God means, “Listen to My Words.”

Are you tired? Worn out? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me...watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly. ~ Matthew 11:28-30 MSG

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you...Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. ~ James 4:8, 10 NKJV

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted. He saves those whose spirits have been crushed. ~ Psalm 34:18 ICB

Sometimes, we think of God’s “nearness” as the opposite of far from us. But “nearness” is about perspective. When we see God as being near or close by, He becomes someone who is approachable; someone we can confide in and lean on, like a best friend. The closer we draw to God and the more we lean on Him, the more His promises become like a life preserver. He doesn’t promise to lift us out of our circumstances. But His promises will keep us from drowning, as we lean into them. When we rest upon God’s promises for us, we’ll regain our strength, till we’re able to fight again.

Whatever you’re facing today, stop thrashing in the water, mad at God for allowing these circumstances to be thrust upon you. Instead, draw near to your Friend. Lean on His promises till you regain strength. Then, stand on them, equipped to face the giants and battles that come your way!

©Heather Potts 2021

Greatest Story

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QFibRYApr8

Child of Love ~ We the Kingdom

 For I the Lord your God hold your right hand; I am the Lord, Who says to you, Fear not; I will help you! ~ Isaiah 41:13 AMPC

For Savannah’s birthday, we’d planned to surprise her with tickets to Saturday’s Lifest event, so she could see Crowder, her favorite band. When I told a friend our plans, she said she had some extra FREE tickets for the FULL event, if I wanted them. I was over-the-moon excited and thankful - both to God and to her!

The other day, when I asked a friend what his family’s plans were for the weekend, I also asked if they were going to Lifest - a 4-day concert with numerous Christian bands and speakers. His response made me sad. He said, “All concerts are the same. If you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all.” For many things I would likely agree. But just like each time you read God’s Word He touches your heart in a different way, when you’re singing His praises, His Spirit speaks to your heart differently each time.

Let me assure you, God’s presence was there and He was moving in people’s hearts and lives. I saw it in the way two teenagers worshiped God with their whole hearts. I saw it in the way people were moved to tears, to their feet, and to shouts of joy. I also saw it in the way Elizabeth and Savannah danced and lifted their hands to Jesus - which has to be the best gift God could give a parent. God was in that place! But He’s not just in our town for this concert. He is everywhere you are, when you are worshipping Him. 

Psalm 22:3 says God inhabits the praises of His people. He abides, sits, dwells, lives, and remains with you, as you worship Him. What are you walking through today? Yesterday and last night, we heard from several artists who said they came from a place of pain, shame, and brokenness. If God will do it for them, when they were nobody anybody knew, don’t you think He’ll do it for you, or your loved ones? The very same God, Who creates worlds with a single word, Whose Spirit brings dead bones to life, is the same ALMIGHTY GOD Who is able to make a broken life, broken marriage, and broken heart into the greatest story ever told! Don’t let today be just another song, another concert, another day. Let today be the beginning of the greatest story God ever told with your life!

©Heather Potts 2021

Send Him Running!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=US1-R-R9lYQ&list=RDUS1-R-R9lYQ&start_radio=1

Run Devil Run ~ Crowder

 

So submit to [the authority of] God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him] and he will flee from you. ~ James 4:7 AMP

 

I love the scene in War Room where Elizabeth, Priscilla Shirer's character, finally "gets it" and starts telling the devil she's not going to allow him to run all over her or her family, anymore. We laugh and cheer at that scene, but do we make a point to put the devil in his place in our own lives?

 

David Crowder sings "Run Devil Run". One of the lines says, "I got something make the devil gonna run. I got something make the devil be gone." James 4:7 gives us a three-step recipe to make that happen.

 

1. Get an adjustment. The chiropractor adjusts my spine, correctly aligning it, so messages can accurately travel from my brain to the rest of my body. When we're out of alignment with God, His messages get skewed, or missed entirely. But when we adjust ourselves into correct alignment under God, through submission, we’re able to correctly receive His messages.

2. Stand up to the devil. 1 John 4:4 says, “Greater is He [God] who is in us than he [Satan] who is in the world.” When we believe this, we’ll never need to cower, remembering we have the victory.

3. Send him running! 1 Peter 5:8 says the devil is looking for someone to devour. On Animal Planet, the lions go after the young or weaker animals in the herd, because they’re easier prey. The same is true with us. While the devil is patient and smart, he's also limited in his resources and would rather overcome easier prey than continue to battle those who are strong in their position in the Lord, (Colossians 1:16; Ephesians 6:10-13).

 

For each of our lives, the devil has the same plan: steal, kill, and destroy. But God has given us the victory and tools to overcome when we (1) submit to God's authority and (2) resist the devil. With Palm Sunday and Easter approaching, take time to thank God for giving you the victory, and then be determined to stand strong in it!

©Heather Potts 2021

Always Be Joyful

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=US1-R-R9lYQ&list=RDUS1-R-R9lYQ&start_radio=1

Run Devil Run ~ CROWDER

Always be joyful because you belong to the Lord. I will say it again. Be joyful! ~ Philippians 4:4 NIRV

I was so delighted to see the photo of Savannah's baptism pop up in my Google memories from last year. It was a good day. Savannah had been asking to be baptized for a while. When the opportunity presented itself, Savannah met with church leadership and they agreed she was ready. For her baptism, Savannah could have a family member help to baptize her. She picked me. I was so honored to be part of her special moment!

These days feel so far from that moment in time, where everything seemed perfect. Now, when the world is in constant chaos, it can seem hard to find reasons to celebrate. But as Philippians 4:4 reminds us, because we belong to the Lord, we can always be full of joy.

Often times, people—myself included—confuse joy with happiness. Happiness is based on happenings: external events that happen to us. Whereas joy is something that happens within us, because of our relationship with Jesus. Pastor and author Rick Warren said joy is "the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be alright, and the determined choice to praise God in every situation."

Every day, we can choose peace and joy. Or we can join the world's chaos and agree with everything that's wrong. Today, take a moment to practice joy. Spend some time praising God for what He has done, is doing, and will do in and through your life. Make the decision to be joyful, always.

©Heather Potts 2020

Bumper Cars

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qUPAI-VVhY&list=RD6qUPAI-VVhY&start_radio=1

Crushing Snakes ~ Passion (ft. Crowder, TAYA)

For the Lord God is brighter than the brilliance of a sunrise! Wrapping himself around me like a shield, he is so generous with his gifts of grace and glory. Those who walk along his paths with integrity will never lack one thing they need, for he provides it all! ~ Psalms 84:11 TPT

In Bumper Cars, drivers try to crash into each other, but the bumpers cause everything to bounce off, allowing everyone to enjoy the ride. When I was younger, I’d hear people pray, “a hedge of protection,” and think, “What is a bush going to do for me?!” Because I didn’t realize they were praying scripture, I’d pray for “bumper cars of protection,” because nothing got past those bumpers. In the end, we were praying the same thing; I just didn’t realize it.

I often think that’s what’s happening in the world, today. We all want to keep our loved ones safe, but instead of listening through love, we listen through fear, and end up lashing out at each other, sometimes violently. Instead of processing our thoughts and the root of our fears, we end up looking like children throwing a tantrum, because we’re simply reacting. However, if we can reach honesty in our communication—with ourselves, each other, and most importantly, with God—we’ll not only realize our needs, but we’ll be in a better position to hear and respond to the true needs of others. Unfortunately, fear is a powerful force and when we don’t stand up to it, it can overwhelm and consume us. That’s why we think God’s not hearing us, and why we often take matters into our own hands. Thankfully, God is patient, and waits for us to come to Him, so He can walk us to and through the Truth.

If you’ve been anxious about the endless unknowns, don’t let anxiety get the better of you. Instead, ask God to anoint your ears to listen to 1) only His voice and not the voice of fear, (John 10:4-5), and 2) others through love, because “Love never gives up…Doesn’t force itself on others…Doesn’t fly off the handle… Trusts God always, Always looks for the best…Keeps going to the end,” (1 Corinthian 13:4-8, MSG).

©Heather Potts 2020