Weaving

Praying Woman ~ Anne Wilson ft. Lainey Wilson

 

For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus ~ Ephesians 2:10 AMP

 

When we were little, our choices for day-time TV were game shows, soap operas, or something on PBS. Once, we watched a woman weaving on a large loom. She was in the middle of her project when we started watching. As a child, I didn’t enjoy watching it. But now, knowing how God works in our lives, it’s interesting to think about it.

 

Last Sunday, I had the honor of being on the prayer team at church. Somebody mentioned to us that prayer, while very important, was a thankless job. His word “thankless” immediately surprised me. The worship team, the pastors, and those in kids’ ministry are all seen, so it’s possible they are “thanked” often. But praying is an honor. It’s empowering and encouraging, especially when I get to pray with others.

 

1 Corinthians 12 refers to the Church as a body. Just as one body part (eye, ear, pinky toe) can’t run the whole show, neither can one person or just one ministry. It takes all of us to make the Body work. It’s in the whole Body that God is weaving His beauty. Each strand in His tapestry may not see how it affects the rest, even when they are smooshed up against each other. It’s not until the weaver steps back to admire His work that the completed work and beauty are seen.

 

I didn’t see it last Thursday, when I was having a pity-party. I complained to God. I complained to a friend. It was bad! Fortunately, God loved me enough to kick me in the pants and call me out of it. Then, He called me to pray. Prayer between me and God is still sometimes just between us, even if it’s for other people. But sometimes, He calls me to share what’s been prayed. God gave me a list of people and I prayed whatever He gave me. By the time I was done, I felt so empowered! I texted the friend I’d been complaining to and told her how empowered I felt!

 

But the Weaver wasn’t done. Some of the women I’d prayed for needed hope! This was the reminder that their Heavenly Father sees, hears, and knows them, and He’s still with them. I didn’t know that. I was just praying because He said to do it.

 

As a thread in the Weaver’s tapestry, you may not see how you’re adding to the beauty of His masterpiece. Just know, in the hands of the Weaver, as He threads your story through valleys and mountain peaks, each part is part of His plan, His masterpiece.

©Heather Potts 2024

The Window

One day, in heaven, an angel spotted God and Jesus looking through an open window. On the other side of the window was a girl. The angel paused for a moment and saw the girl pass by the window several times, only glancing at it, but never stopping. Curious, the angel approached God. God, calling the angel by name, invited him over to join them. God explained that this was a window they’d opened for the girl and had invited her to climb through to experience the joy and blessings on the other side. Before the angel could ask why she hadn’t climbed through, Jesus explained the situation:

    “She’s afraid. As you know, Satan taunts humans, speaking lies to them all day and all night. This girl has been lied to for so long in her life about what she can’t do, will never amount to, and would fail if she ever tried, that she’s become quite cautious.”

The angel asked if the girl was a Child, if her name was in the Book of Life.

Proudly, Jesus said, “Yes.”

At his answer, the angel was even more confused and asked why she wouldn’t come through the window. Afterall, He could see Holy Spirit was with her, on the other side.

    Again, Jesus explained, “Humans have to decide whose voice they will give more credit to, which one they will spend more time hearing. Too often, they shed their spiritual armor at night, sleeping without their helmets. This allows the devil the opportunity to lie to them in their dreams. Then, in the morning, they forget to put back on their armor. Sadly, even if they remember to put it all on, they forget to swing their Swords while bracing against the Shield for protection. Too many humans fight pointless battles with other humans, forgetting they are truly at war with a real, powerful spiritual realm. Because of that, when the enemy lies to them, they don’t know how to wield their weapons to protect themselves and advance the charge that We’ve set forth for them.”

The angel looked back at the girl. “What about her?”

    Again, Jesus smiled at her, then said, “She’s been swinging and standing and fighting.”

    “But then why is she hesitant to climb through Your open window?” the angel asked.

    Jesus looked at her, even as He answered the angel, “Because she’s still in training. She’s still practicing hearing Our voice and shutting out the lies. She’s leaning in; every day she comes closer. Though she’s hesitant, she’s learning to see through the visions Holy Spirit opens to her. She’s beginning to see through the window, even if she hasn’t yet climbed through to the calling that awaits. But don’t give up; just keep watching with us.”

This short story is a reminder that we have been called to a purpose, higher than just making a living on earth before we die. Ephesians 2:10 says God created us in Christ Jesus for the good works He prepared in advance for us to do, laying out the paths and “opening the windows” He would have us go through and take. But we have a real enemy who hates God and all who would be used by Him, (that’s us). Therefore, the devil seeks to steal, kill, and destroy us. He lies to us, hoping we’ll forget we’re in a battle that requires spiritual armor, to not only protect ourselves, but to win and claim territory for God’s Kingdom.

Don’t face this battle lying down. Remember, your enemy lives in the spiritual realm. Though he loves to use your boss, spouse, kids, and neighbors, they aren’t your true enemy. Don’t waste your time fighting them. It’s time to fight to win! Decide today to lean in and listen to the voice of Truth, to take territory for Jesus, and to walk the paths God laid out for us, so we can reach the people who are waiting to hear about and from God.

In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might. Put on the full armor of God [for His precepts are like the splendid armor of a heavily-armed soldier], so that you may be able to [successfully] stand up against all the schemes and the strategies and the deceits of the devil.  ~ Ephesians 6:10-11 AMP

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4KEgwLDLHw

Don’t Tred on Me ~ We the Kingdom

©Heather Potts 2021

Don't Get Derailed

 https://youtu.be/o4KEgwLDLHw

Don't Tread On Me ~ We the Kingdom 

Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour. ~ 1 Peter 5:8 AMP

When we were little, it was common fun to lay coins on the railroad tracks, then see how the train had flattened them. At some point, however, a report came out, saying that coins on the tracks could derail the train, damaging the train, and possibly killing the engineer. Though the report was later debunked, it was reported that snow, ice, and rocks had caused trains to derail.

If a small pile of rocks are enough to derail a train, how much more could the cunning, conniving devil derail us from God’s plans? Think about it: the average train travels about 26 mph and weighs anywhere from 1,500 to 18,000 tons. In comparison, the African elephant, the largest land animal, weighs between 2 and 7 tons, and the Blue whale, the largest of all creatures, weighs about 198 US tons. It’s doubtful that the elephant or the whale would get put off course by a few rocks, and yet a train, which weighs 10 times or more than either animal, is in danger of derailing from what wouldn’t bother them. 

How does that relate to us?

1 Peter 5:8 says the devil prowls around like a lion, looking to devour you. He’s hunting and studying you, waiting till you’re weak and easy prey. Maybe he won’t kill you, but as long as he can derail you from following God’s plans, he’s won. Perhaps as a young child, you felt God’s call on your life, and knew where you were to follow. Then in college, someone you highly respected was harsh towards you. After a few more similar blows, you chose to take another path, turning away from God’s initial calling.

We live in a 3D world with time and space constraints. But God, who is a Spirit being, lives outside of time and space. He, who was before the beginning and will be after the end of time, knows all of time and is not restrained or defined by its rules, (Revelations 1:8). Though the enemy thought he’d won, because at age 20 you followed another path, God used all those years, trials, hurts, and victories to shape you and the calling you would step into much later in life. If God, who is no respecter of persons, will do that for one person’s calling, won’t He also do it for others, including those called to be teachers, parents, astronauts, dancers, painters, writers, pastors, doctors, lawyers, zoologists, park rangers, presidents, actors, and anything else He lays on your heart? The answer is yes, for everyone who turns to and follows Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

Maybe you're realizing that you let hurts and other things derail you from God's calling. Don't despair. Remember God's promise from Ephesians 2:10, that He has a plan for you. Now that you know, do three things: 1) Pray. You’ll never get anywhere without God’s guidance. Ask Holy Spirit to guide you each step of the way. 2) Stay Focused. This world has lots of distractions--many, even good. But the world’s good will never measure up to God’s best for you. Be determined to follow where God leads. 3) Stay Alert. The devil is still trying to thwart God’s plans, and he’ll keep using hurts, lies, and distractions to do it. Fortunately, you're no longer ignorant to his schemes. Now, stay alert and don't get derailed!

©Heather Potts 2021

Washed in Love

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1srs1YoTVzs&list=RD1srs1YoTVzs

Fear is a Liar ~ Zach Williams

So no weapon that is used against you will defeat you. You will show that those who speak against you are wrong. These are the good things my servants receive. Their victory comes from me,” says the Lord. ~ Isaiah 54:17 ICB

We've all experienced the hurtful sting of someone speaking ill against or to us. But sometimes we let those hurts define us. When Savannah was one month old, they called her "failure to thrive" because she never regained her birth weight. At All Children's Hospital, they wanted Savannah to eat formula. We offered it to her, but after she threw up the first one, she refused the others. The next morning, the student doctor told me I was a bad mom. The words hit me harder because someone had already commented that "failure to thrive" refers to babies who aren't held enough. Those two comments crippled me, right there. I wanted so desperately to be a good mom, but right out of the gate, I was told that I was a bad one.

Has that ever happened to you? Did you recover? Or are those words, is that lie, still spinning in your brain? 

Savannah's story ends well. The "real" doctor came and gave her Similac Alimentum, which we later discovered is the only gluten free formula. After that, Savannah went from failure to thrive to the 90th percentile, where she still registers. 

Why do we allow hurtful words and lies to define and weigh on us? It's time to cast off those hurtful words and lies! God says you are a beautiful masterpiece that He created, (Ephesians 2:10). Sometimes when we've believed a lie for so long, it's hard to believe something else, even though we want to believe the Truth. That's why Jesus said He's washing His Bride in the water of the Word, (Ephesians 5:26). He's going to continue to speak, sing, minister, and as gentle as water, pour it over you until His Truth replaces old lies.

If there's a lie you've believed, it's time to give it to Jesus and let Him wash you in His love until you believe it's true. 

©Heather Potts 2018

Nothing Wasted

For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live]. ~ Ephesians 2:10 AMPC

Beautiful Tapestry.

Creatively Crafted Clay.

Fully Molded in Your Hands.

What the enemy meant for harm, You have brought fully around to bring me here, to this place of peace. The enemy used much pain to try to drive a wedge between You and me. You saw it. You caught and held each one of my tears from my childhood tears to those in later years. Though there were times I felt so very alone, You helped me to find You. And not just find You, but experience You. True beauty. Your heart for me—the way it’s always beat for me—so full of passion, concern, comfort, and love—real, true, and unending.

Death. The enemy meant death—physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, and relational. But You. You didn’t allow a single tear to fall in vain. Because You used each tear to water the clay to make me, shape me, mold me, and move me. And each day the pain moves further away and is lost under the sea of Your love for me.

Purifying. You are cleansing, healing, and purifying my heart. The heart that had only known hurt is learning to beat in rhythm with Yours.

Journey. My journey is neither just beginning nor ending. It’s still in the taking and best traversed with You. Father, may I be ever moving closer to Your heart.

©Heather Potts 2017

Nothing Wasted

God doesn’t waste your pain. ~ Tim Tebow

Ephesians 2:10 says we’ve been called for God’s good works and we are His poem. As a writer, I love that last part. But the enemy comes and spews his lies over me, saying, “Who are you?! They will see right through you, will see that you’re nothing! You’re not a Beth Moore or a Christine Caine. Who are you to tell your story?”

Jeremiah 15:19 has always resonated with me, “if you extract the precious from the worthless, You will become My spokesman.” In Romans 8:28, we’re assured that God causes all things to work together for our good. Not everything in our lives will be good—I have seen my share of pain and deep sorrows—but God is calling us to something greater. First, we must separate out the precious things from the worthless. In one hand we hold the lessons, blessings, times of growth, times of victory, times of walking closer with God and of being completely humble before Him. And in the other hand is everything else—this is the stuff we are to discard, never considering again. We are to give over to God the precious things and allow Him to finish working us into His masterpiece.

When the enemy lays out before me all the pain, hurt, suffering, failure, trials, mistakes, and heartbreaks and demands I give an explanation of who I think I am to dare share my story, it’s my turn to speak up:  I was created to be God’s love story, His poem. I choose to separate the precious from the worthless, casting off the spirit of fear and walking in the Spirit of life, power, love, and self-control, recognizing and fully receiving the truth that I have been adopted as His precious daughter. It’s true I’m not the women and authors I look up to, and that’s ok. I am a daughter of the King, which makes me a princess. I am God’s Princess! I am valued, treasured, loved, and precious in His sight. I don’t know who the world will say that I am and I refuse to listen to what the enemy says about me. Because my God, my Abba Father, says that I am His!

©Heather Potts 2016