Change the Movie; Change the Tape

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIaT8Jl2zpI

You Say ~ Lauren Daigle

 

… and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One), ~ 2 Corinthians 10:5 AMPC

 

If you don’t like where the pattern of your thoughts is taking you, think a different thought. ~ Graham Cooke

 

Have you ever watched a bad movie and realized halfway through you could either keep watching or do something else? Graham Cooke’s quote means as soon as you sense the downward spiral in your thoughts, it’s time to make a choice. Maybe, though, you’ve already fought the battle in your mind and are now feeling frustrated at having to battle for it, again. I felt that, recently. It’s not that I’d lost the ground I’d gained – I certainly wasn’t battling depression as I did in my teenage years – but I had become a bit lazy in taking every thought captive. That, coupled with some pain, I was ripe for attack.

 

Falling under attack isn’t the same as losing ground. As Joyce Meyer says in the opening of Battlefield of the Mind, “No matter how much we know in any area, there are always new things to learn, and things we have previously learned that we need to be refreshed in.” Clearly, I needed refreshing in this area, as God spent a week walking me though 2 Corinthians 10:5.

 

Have you ever struggled to follow verse 5? Years ago, a friend told me there were two parts. First, you need to know God’s truths to discern truth from lies. The second part is to take your thoughts captive. Think of your thoughts in a comic strip bubble. Then, you can easily grab and examine them. If they are truths from God, you can let them go. But if not, you need to throw them down and stomp on them. Luke 10:19 says we have the power and authority to trample on the head of the enemy. With your shoes of peace, trample the lie till it’s dead!

 

If you’ve been struggling with fear or lies, here are some truths to help you overcome. God says you are fearfully and wonderfully made (Ps. 139:14); more than a conqueror (Rom. 8:37); more precious than rubies (Pr. 31:10); and created for a purpose (Jer. 29:11). He also said you are unique, lovely, cherished, forgiven, victorious, chosen, and His (Ps. 139:13; Dan. 12:3; 1 Pet. 2:9; Ps. 103:12; 1 Jn. 5:4; Jn. 15:16; Is. 43:1). Don’t take this battle lying down; conquer it with God’s truth!

©Heather Potts 2022

By Faith in the Name

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjPKfQ7fMoM

I Choose to Worship ~ Rend Collective

By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see. ~ Acts 3:16 NIV

Cancer. Yesterday, a relative received the news that this evil word has infected his body.

Cancer. 1a. A malignant and invasive growth or tumor… 2. Any evil condition or thing that spreads destructively; blight, (dictionary.com). 

How does anyone overcome this evil word? The same way we overcome every other sickness and disease: Pray. Seek wisdom and guidance. Walk in faith. Worship and praise God. Possibly make some lifestyle changes. Then wait with expectation.

But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] will gain new strength and renew their power… They will run and not become weary, They will walk and not grow tired. ~ Isaiah 40:31 AMP

Expectation. Something you look forward to and assume will happen. When you’re waiting on the Lord, you’re looking to Him with great expectation, as you believe He will move! I love Jesus’ words to Father God when He was standing outside of Lazarus’ tomb. “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me…” (John 11:41-42 NIV). If we are co-heirs with Christ, can’t we also know that Father God will hear our prayers?

There’s a story that Graham Cooke tells about a woman with an inoperable tumor who wants a word from the Lord. Knowing that Graham has the gift of prophecy, she sought him for an answer. Graham said that God didn’t give him anything for her, but said she should seek God in this matter, then worship until she hears from God. He said that the responsibility is on God to speak, not on her to hear, but to keep worshipping until God speaks. Peter and John also said the responsibility is on God and no one else. 

A man, whom scriptures say was crippled from birth, was begging from those entering the temple each day. When he saw Peter and John, he asked them for money. They said, “Look at us!” The man looked with expectation. “Then Peter said, ‘Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk,’” (Acts 3:1-6 NIV). It wasn’t money, luck, or even Peter or John who healed the man. We’re all healed the same way: “By faith in the name of Jesus...It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed [us].”

Whatever is coming against you or your family, don’t let it knock you down one more day. Come against it in the Name that is above every name, even cancer: the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth who came in the Flesh.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9plwKOkbf1I

God speaks to the lady with cancer ~ Graham Cooke

©Heather Potts 2021

Over a Salad?

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuS9T3yXPWo

I Will Not Be Moved ~ Natalie Grant

 

When the Philistine rose and came forward to meet David, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine. ~ 1 Samuel 17:48 AMP

 

One of my favorite Christian speakers is Graham Cooke. He told the story of how he and his wife knew God was calling them to move but didn’t know where. They visited several cities, but none was right. Then, when stopping over for lunch in Santa Barbara, California, Graham got a “warfare” headache. Knowing it wasn’t a migraine, he addressed the devil directly: “Seriously? You’re attacking me over a salad on State Street? What are you so afraid of that you’re attacking me over a salad?” As weird as that may sound, has it ever happened to you?

 

Yesterday was a bit rough for me. Not awful, but it definitely caught me off-guard. Toward the end of the day, Brad texted and asked if we were going to life group, as there were complications with going. At first, I said we would stay home, but as soon as I said it, I felt a difference in my spirit and knew it was the wrong call. So, I decided we’d go, because I could tell the enemy didn’t want me to and I was curious as to why.

 

1 Samuel 17 tells the story of David and Goliath. The Israelites, upon seeing Goliath and hearing his threats, were terrified and lost all hope. But God sent a warrior who would rise up against this against this enemy and defeat him. Though Saul and the rest of the Israelite soldiers doubted, David said he wasn’t afraid. Then, after declaring the promise of the Lord’s deliverance over the Philistines, Goliath advanced toward David to strike him down. But David did the unexpected: He ran out to meet him.

 

I don’t know what struggles you are facing or what things are trying to hold you back, but instead of giving up, let’s run out to meet them and find out why the devil is working so hard to get us to quit. My guess is, it has little to do with you, personally, and much more to do with those God wants to reach through you.

©Heather Potts 2021

No Fear in the Flood

https://youtu.be/2uYiHiJTN6Y

My Feet are on the Rock ~ I AM THEY 

...When the enemy comes in like a flood... ~ Isaiah 59:19 NKJV

Has your life been flooded by the enemy, lately? We've had multiple illnesses since Christmas and now the flu. When everyone is sick, or not able to work to care for sick kids, you start to feel alone. The enemy goes to great lengths to isolate, and ultimately destroy, us. When we're too sick to attend church, life groups, and school, we become isolated, which makes us easier prey.

But when you're in Christ Jesus, you're not alone. "The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves…" (Zephaniah 3:17 NIV). Though the enemy floods your life with hardships, remember Who is by your side. "In every circumstance, even when the enemy comes in like a flood, you will know that your best friend is a Lion and you need have no fear," (Cooke, Graham. "The Kind Intentions of God." The Soaking Compendium. 2019).

Isaiah 59:19 doesn't end with the enemy's attack, but with the Lord's victory: "When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will put him to flight." You're not alone in this fight. The Lord is with you: He rejoices over you with singing, quiets you with His love, refreshes your soul, forgives all your sins, heals all your diseases, redeems your life from the pit, crowns you with love and compassion, and satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s, (Zephaniah 3:17; Psalm 23:3; Psalm 103:3-5).

Remember, when the enemy comes in like a flood, Victory is already on your side and His Name is Jesus!

©Heather Potts 2020

More

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfVd5x9W1Xc

So Will I ~ Hillsong

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts. ~ Isaiah 55:7-8 NKJV 

What is it You want to be for me in this situation that You couldn't be at any other time? ~ Graham Cooke

Things have been crazy since moving here. Although we didn't get any of the things we were hoping for and have had to put on hold some of our dreams and desires, God filled in the gaps with friends and family to walk with us.

Still, these last two + months have been particularly hard. The temp job Brad had ended early for reasons outside of our control. As this stretch of unemployment gets longer, the weight feels heavier and hope seems farther away. Additionally, Savannah’s heart popping, though not serious, has increased in intensity, scaring her. And our only car has been acting up, worrying us that it might die or cost more than we have to fix it. Originally we planned on taking care of it with our tax return, but have since had to use our tax return to supplement our income.

But things change when God speaks. On April 24, I was listening to Graham Cooke, while driving to work. He said to ask God that question. Sitting in the parking lot at work, I prayed and asked God the question. I was prepared to wait days or weeks for an answer. I got out of my car, entered the building, turned down the hallway, and God said, "I AM the Lord Who Provides."

That day I had peace. The next day, my boss/team gave me a $50 gift card for Administrative Assistant's day. That evening, after our life group, one of the guys in our group was able to fix our car for FREE! That Friday, Savannah got adjusted at the chiropractor. She went more than a week without complaining of heart popping. And God has moved in many other ways, too.

Even though Brad still hasn’t found a job, what I realized is that God did answer my prayer, just not how I expected. We've been praying for Brad to get a job because it fills our need for provision. But instead of asking God for His desired way to meet my need, I only asked Him for mine. I love how God not only knows more, but can both humble and quiet me in a breath. And though we are still asking God to provide the work that will fulfill Brad and cover our needs, there’s a peace in the waiting when He whispers, “I AM the Lord Who provides.”

Whatever you are going through and facing today, don't forget that God sees and knows more. I both encourage and challenge you to ask God, "What is it You want to be for me in this situation that You couldn't be at any other time".
©Heather Potts 2018