But God

  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwijX74r7tk

Do You See What I See ~ Elevation Worship

 

…This is what the Lord says to you: “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.” ~ 2 Chronicles 20:15 NIV

 

What do you see when you look at this picture? Art for a “Handle with Care” or “Fragile” poster. Permission to get new plates. Help with eating smaller portions. Broken relationships. Pain and scars. All of these are valid. I see a tagline and it read: “But God.”

 

I have had friendships and relationships that looked just like that plate: broken, separated, not put back together. Sadly, I allowed too many to stay that way. Some, however, I refused to let go and went back to God again, and again, until He changed the situation, me, or both, and made us stronger than ever.

 

How do we get from shattered to strengthened? Years ago, I read a story about Eastern European vase-makers. They create paper-thin vases and paint each one by hand. When the paint has dried, they pass it off to the next person, who drops the fragile vase into a metal box where it’s shattered into hundreds of pieces.

 

Why do you think they make the vases so fragile, then paint them, only to drop them? Why did Joseph tell his brothers, who intended to harm him, “Do not be afraid,” (Genesis 50:19). Why did Jahaziel say to King Jehoshaphat, “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army,” (2 Chronicles 20:15). Why did Jeremiah say to the people of Israel, “Do not…be terrified by signs in the heavens, though the nations are terrified by them,” (Jeremiah 10:1). Because they knew victory was on the other side.

 

The vase-maker takes the broken pieces of the vase and then, painstakingly, glues the pieces back together. Why? As Paul said, “For when I am weak, then I am strong,” (2 Corinthians 12:10 NLT). When you break your leg or arm, the broken bone heals and is not likely to break again in that same place because it’s stronger after it’s been broken. The same is true with the vase. The vase-maker glued the broken pieces together but didn’t just leave them that way. Like Christ works all things for our good, the vase-maker covers the glue with gold paint to accentuate the strengthened places.

 

All the men who had encouraged others knew something about the situation:

·         Joseph: but God intended it for good, (Genesis 50:20).

·         Jahaziel: the battle is not yours, but God’s, (2 Chronicles 20:15).

·         Jeremiah: But God made the earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding, (Jeremiah 10:12).

As soon as we understand that “but” negates everything prior to that word, then, though our situation looks bleak, with no hope, God comes in to heal, strengthen, and accentuate the strengthened places. Because He’s no respecter of persons, what He’s done for others in the past, He’ll do for you in your present and future.

 

When you’re feeling defeated and think things are hopeless, remember:

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever, (Psalm 73:6 NIV).

©Heather Potts 2023

 

Answered Why

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aiyQsHKnCvc&list=RDaiyQsHKnCvc&start_radio=1

Blessings Everywhere ~ Elevation Worship

 

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good… ~ Genesis 50:20 NIV

 

People are naturally curious. Sometimes our curiosity leads us to seek out the answers. Other times, it leads us to demand them, feeling it is our right to know:

Why? That’s not fair! Why this? Why me? Why now? Why!

I have often heard my children sound just like that, as have I to God.

 

Personally, there have been many times my asking – or demanding – has been met with no specific answer, and definitely not when I felt it was timely. But then other times, God has brought a very fast answer to our questions to show us that He is still God and He is for us. The latter has been our experience in our current situation. Sparing the details, God made it very obvious that His hand was all over this, including bringing much needed peace in the middle of the situation.

 

The next time you are facing something you don’t understand, ask God to send you in the direction of His peace. It may not lead to specific answers to your “why,” but at least you’ll know you’re going on His path.

 

Father, I thank you that sometimes you answer us, immediately and specifically. But Lord, I also thank you for the times You simply hold us close to your heart, so that we can rest in Your peace. Hold us today, Lord. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

 

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ~ Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

©Heather Potts 2023

Who? No One!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rwfowzoGvA

Water is Wild ~ (feat. Chris Brown & Brandon Lake) Elevation Worship

 

While studying Romans 8:38-39, in preparation for writing the devotional that was churning in my mind, I spent a lot of time studying “who” in Romans 8:

If God is for us, who can be against us? (v.31)

Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? (v.33)

Who then is the one who condemns? (v.34)

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? (v.35)

Perhaps, like me, you assumed the devil. Afterall, he is “the accuser of the brothers,” (Revelation 12:10).

 

Hebrews 2 tells us Jesus declared us to be His brothers, and that because we are flesh and blood, He chose to, “share in [our] humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— and free [us]…” (vv. 12,14-15). Because the devil held the power of death, the assumption—by many—is that he still holds it. But the truth is Jesus took the power through His atonement for us, (Hebrews 2:17). In Revelation 1:18, Jesus declared, “I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.” Holding the keys gives Jesus the power and authority to open and shut doors that no one can shut or open, (Revelation 3:7).

 

Therefore, the answer to the Romans 8 questions is no one, not even the devil. Though he will try to convince you otherwise, we are assured, “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death,” (Romans 8:1-2). The devil is a liar, tempter, and an accuser, but he no longer has authority over you and his power pales in comparison with God’s. As one Bible commentator said, “Satan is a finite, created being. He may be opposite to Gabriel or Michael, but never to God. And thus, though the forces of hell be gathered against you, they are nothing compared with the power that is available to you because God is for you,” (Chuck Smith, blueletterbible.org).

 

When the devil comes in to attack and tempts your mind with questions of who is against you, hoping you will start a list, you can counter his attack by boldly and confidently declaring, “No one!”

 

no weapon forged against you will prevail,
    and you will refute every tongue that accuses you.
This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,
    and this is their vindication from me,”
declares the Lord.

~Isaiah 54:17 NIV

©Heather Potts 2022

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

His Faithfulness

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuPP2Kxyo00

There is a King/What Would You Do ~ Elevation Worship

...great is your faithfulness. ~ Lamentations 3:23 NIV

My heart sank when I saw the actual bill total. I knew it was coming, but it was almost double what we expected. Unfortunately, I made the mistake of “making plans” for the difference. Brad tried to remind me of God’s faithfulness in the past, saying our plans were only slightly delayed. I confess that my emotions were so charged that thinking rationally or logically wasn’t going to happen. All I could see was that our plans were ruined, and it hurt.

Sometimes we make the mistake of thinking that the Lord’s faithfulness is a “Get Out of Jail Free” card, so that we won’t have to feel the pain of consequences. But it’s not. Faithful means trustworthy, to make secure. As our Father, God allows us to feel the pain of our choices to help us understand the consequences. But He’s faithful to walk with us through them, as He knows and sees how it hurts us to endure.

Though it hurts to part with such a large amount of money, my mistake wasn’t in underestimating the amount owed. My mistake was in forgetting to Whom this money belonged. But even in my mistake and in getting mad that I had to part with it, the Lord showed His faithfulness, again, by allowing me to see that He provided enough to cover this bill before I knew it was owed.

Perhaps during this COVID-19 season you’ve lost perspective and have forgotten the Lord’s faithfulness. Today is a great day to remind yourself, “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is [His] faithfulness,” (Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV).

©Heather Potts 2020

His Grander View

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrAdbH28gIg

Rattle! ~ Elevation Worship

After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.” ~ Genesis 15:1 NKJV

As a parent, I really dislike it when my kids whine, especially if it’s during or just after I’ve done something special for them. That’s how Genesis 15 opens. In the previous chapters, we read that the Lord promised Abram—and his offspring—large amounts of land, and how God helped Abram rescue Lot from several greedy and powerful kings. It was “After these things” that Abram whined that he still had no heirs and a servant would inherit everything, (Genesis 15:2-3).

But the Lord, who knows Abram is about to start whining at Him, isn’t bothered. In fact, He opens Genesis 15 by giving Abram three promises:

1)      Do not be afraid – I AM with you, I know your desires and needs, and I remember the promises I gave you

2)      I AM your shield – I AM your defense and protection

3)      I AM your exceedingly great reward – I’m able to give you more than you could ever imagine

Throughout this pandemic, God has protected and provided for us. And still, there have been times that I’ve whined to Him…just like Abram did. When Abram whined, God didn’t yell. Instead, He pulled Abram outside—out of his tiny viewpoint—and showed him the much grander picture.

That’s exactly what God does with us. He says, “Don’t worry about the job you want and need, the friends and family you’re missing, or the birthday and graduation celebrations that have been delayed. Step out here with Me and look! Look at what I AM doing and will do in and through you.”

If you’ve been struggling with what you don’t have and are missing, ask the Lord to help you get outside of your tent and look at His bigger picture. Remember, God is your shield, your exceedingly great reward, and you don’t have to be afraid.

©Heather Potts 2020