Leave Room for God to Move

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryD3D9X2myk

God is in this Story ~ Katy Nichole & Big Daddy Weave

 

Hey, friend. Mind if I sit by you? I see that worried look on your face. I get it; I’ve been worried about some things, too. But Holy Spirit has been talking with me and I wanted to share it with you.

 

The Bible says, “Be anxious for nothing,” – a simple, yet difficult command. After some prayer, I realized that I have “liked” worrying, because it gave me a sense of power and control in circumstances where I had none. What Holy Spirit showed me is that I actually had a lot of power, but I gave it over to the enemy by worrying, instead of praying.

 

The rest of Philippians 4:6 tells us what to do with all of those anxious thoughts: By prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Honestly, I’m pretty good at talking to God—both crying and whining, at times—but I’m usually pretty bad at doing so with thanksgiving. Because I wondered why it was so important to pray with thanksgiving, I looked up the meaning. “With” is a Greek preposition that means, “in the midst of, amid,” (Blueletterbible.org). And “thanksgiving” is giving thanks for God’s blessings. When we’re thanking God, we’re remembering all that He’s already done for us, the crazy and amazing ways He’s come through for us in the past. When we’re focusing on that, all the worries fall by the wayside and the possibilities in God begin to open before us. Those are the things we want power behind and want to give life to by speaking them out of our mouths.

 

Proverbs says we have the power of life and death in our tongues. I know that when I worry, there is nothing fruitful or life-giving coming out of my mouth. But when I’m worshipping, praising, and thanking God, that’s when power is ignited!

 

Father, I pray for my friend. There is so much going on – so many unknowns, and fear is waiting to consume my friend. But Lord, You are the God of angel armies. You are the God of miracles. You heal the broken hearted, break bondages—including all types of addictions—and restore relationships. You heal diseases and breathe Your life into that which was dead. You are the Great I AM and nothing is too hard for the Lord, my God! Father, thank you that You are moving in my friend’s situation. Please bring peace and joy to my friend’s heart and mind. Lord, please give my friend clarity of thought. Thank you that we have the mind of Christ and can operate in His wisdom and ability. Thank you, Father, for working behind the scenes in my friend’s situation—working out every detail for my friend’s good and Your glory. Holy Spirit, please be with my friend. Guide each step in Your wisdom. Bring to mind all promises from God to encourage my friend. Lord, I ask for continued blessings, protection, and provision for my friend—far above all we can think, ask, or imagine. Lord, help my friend to see all that’s possible in You! And Lord, I pray for those who are watching my friend’s life and situation. I pray that they’d be in awe of how You answer our prayers. I pray that many would come to fear and follow the Lord because of the mighty works You have done and are doing in my friend’s life. I pray all these things in the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.

 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ~ Philippians 4:6 NIV

 

©Heather Potts 2023

Be Still pt.2

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1EwKwayzLM

Hold on to Me ~ Lauren Diagle

 Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!

~ Psalm 46:10 NKJV

God’s been showing me that He wants to grow some things in my life, but first, we need to remove anything from the soil of my heart that might choke out the blessings: thorns, grubs, weeds. In her book, Without Rival, Lisa Bevere recounts a conversation she had with God when He told her something similar. He showed her that grubs in her heart had “nibbled at the roots of [her] marriage and diminished the growth of the flowers of [her] friendships.” God told Lisa that she could choose to cover over them or renounce them in word and deed and give God permission to remove them. She chose God’s way. Then God told her it was also time to pluck out all the weeds. At that point, Lisa struggled, not wanting her soil to look “naked and barren.”  

Growing up in Wisconsin, I had no context for this. Our yard had the occasional prickly weed or dandelion, but pulling them wouldn’t make the yard naked. But after living in Florida, I understood. Our yard in Ellenton was sand, covered by a thin layer of dirt, and tons of weeds. Our landlords tried several times to plant grass, but there were so many weeds, they choked out the grass seedlings.  That’s what God was trying to convey to Lisa (and me). He doesn’t just want us to look fruitful. He wants our lives to be fruitful. The weeds gave the appearance of a full yard, but a bit of mowing or kicking around the dirt revealed the emptiness. As long as our hearts are full of weeds, we can’t bear the fruit God wants to grow in our lives, because there’s no room for healthy roots.

If, like me, God’s been calling you to pull the weeds from your heart so that the rich and juicy fruit He wants to bring forth will grow and flourish, it’s time to do it. Remember God—your Creator, Friend, and Defender—will cover over you. This isn’t a trick to shame you, but to heal and strengthen you. It’s time to give up your ways, allowing God to produce the fruit of the promises He’s buried deep within your heart.  

©Heather Potts 2021

Be Still

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HznXBBCdBE

Into the Sea (It’s Gonna be OK) ~ Tasha Layton

Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!

~ Psalm 46:10 NKJV

I got halfway through writing this piece, as prompted by Holy Spirit, and realized I hadn’t yet laid the groundwork for the most important part of this verse. “Be still” is the command given by God to “leave off” or “desert” our plans. We are to do so in light who He is because He is God. But what does that mean?

I did a devotional time with my girls, yesterday, and asked them that question: Who is God? Here’s the list they came up with:

·         Our Creator

·         Our Friend

·         Our Powerful Defender

·         Our Love

·         Our Daddy (I smiled at this one)

·         Our Shield and Very Great Reward

·         Our Wise God

·         All Knowing

·         All Powerful

It’s hard to walk away from something, especially when we think we’re right in our decision or when it’s something we really want. But when we know and trust the One who’s asked us to go another route, is there really any other choice?

Lord, when what I think and what I want don’t go with what You ask of me, help me to be still and know that You are God.

©Heather Potts 2021