It's a New Year

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

Because He Lives ~ David Crowder Band

 

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! ~ Romans 11:33 NIV

 

It’s New Year’s Day, and many will pause to reflect on all that the Lord has done for them in the past year, receiving encouragement for the future. When the girls and I reviewed all our prayer cards, we were encouraged at how many prayers the Lord had answered. We saw the faithfulness of the Lord in all He’d done. How much more will we fall in love with Him as we review the wonder of the Lord?

 

I love that the Lord is both unsearchable and can be found by those who seek Him, (Romans 11:33; Jeremiah 29:13). I am surprised by the voice of His thunder in the whirlwind and His choosing to speak to us in a still, small voice, (Psalm 77:18; 1 Kings 19:12). I have found that there are seasons the Lord calls us to be strong and courageous, promising to walk with us—to be with us wherever we go. And then there are seasons the Lord says to stand firm and see how He will deliver us, (Joshua 1:9; Exodus 14:13). Of the many aspects of the Lord, I think Paul nailed it in Romans 11:33, “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!” Isaiah 55:8-9 agrees, “’For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts,’” (NIV). 

 

Before we venture too far into this new year, take a moment to pause, reflecting on all the Lord has done and the prayers He’s answered. Then, as you move forward, dig into His Word, and uncover the mystery of His ways. I pray that as you seek after the Lord this year, you’ll stand in awe of Him, falling in love with the Lord, as He reveals the richness and fullness of His love for you.

©Heather Potts 2023

The Gift 2

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6xSOMdt_2g

Only You ~ David Crowder Band

 

“Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown...” ~ Luke 7:47 NIV

 

I remember seeing the picture someone had taken of my friend during worship, with the caption: If you understood my past, you’d understand my praise. Knowing part of her story, I could better appreciate her freedom in worship. Her story, like so many others, was one of awe and gratitude for the One who rescued and restored her life from the pit.

 

A story similar to King David’s of dancing before the Lord, was the woman who wept and poured perfume on Jesus’ feet, as they both longed to praise the One who is worthy of all praise! After entering the house of the pharisee, the woman sought out Jesus to worship Him both kissing and anointing His feet with her expensive perfume. Obviously uncomfortable by her display, onlookers scoffed at her. But her focus was solely on Jesus, as her overwhelming desire was to share her gift of worship with her Lord.

 

She was the first of many who would come to Jesus, aware of their brokenness, longing to worship Him in freedom. Carrying a heavy, emotional load, I slipped into a pit class on campus during a Campus Crusade for Christ worship service. Though I don’t remember their names or faces, I’ll always remember that night. I was struck by the passion the worship team had as they sang to the Lord. Then, as if in response to my thoughts, the worship leader said, “We’re no different than you. We’re just worshipping God in the front.” His words were just the invitation I needed, and I told God, “I want what he has—I want that passion in my heart.”

 

Like the woman kissing Jesus’ feet, my friend in the picture, and King David, we all have the opportunity to worship God with our whole being. When we remember our own testimony, the story of how God—in His infinite love for us—found us in the muck and mire and rescued us from it, pulling us out, cleaning us off, and causing us to shine in the radiance of His presence, we can't help but worship. Just like the woman who worshipped at Jesus’ feet, fully unhindered worship is our response to His overwhelming love.

 

The next time you enter His presence, ask God to show you—and to remove—anything that’s holding you back from unashamedly worshiping Him with your whole life.

©Heather Potts 2021