Not Your Circumstances

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKw6uqtGFfo&list=RDlKw6uqtGFfo&start_radio=1

Who You Say I Am ~ Hillsong Worship

 

“Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood.  For your Maker is your husband— the Lord Almighty is his name— the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth.” ~ Isaiah 54:4-5 NIV

 

Lately, the topic of identity seems to be everywhere. Somehow, we’ve confused our circumstances with our identities. When Brad and I were first married, he was addicted to pornography. Even though it was a hard season, his addiction didn’t make me Mrs. Porn Addict, just like it didn’t make his parents Mr. and Mrs. Failure. Praise God those chains were broken, and my husband was set free!

 

While our choices and circumstances affect us, they don’t define us. The moment we put our trust in Christ and made Him Lord of our lives, we no longer belonged to the world. We became God’s. His Name and identity became ours: “My old identity has been co-crucified with Messiah and no longer lives; for the nails of his cross crucified me with him. And now…this new life is no longer mine, for the Anointed One lives his life through me… My new life is empowered by the faith of the Son of God who loves me so much that he gave himself for me, and dispenses his life into mine!” (Galatians 2:20 TPT).

 

When you are in Christ Jesus, the labels of this world—whether from friends, family, teachers, bosses, or the enemy—no longer identify you. You are now and forevermore: Redeemed, More than a Conqueror, Victorious, Overcomer, Son or Daughter of the King, Beloved, Bride of Christ, HIS.

©Heather Potts 2020

Called to be Warriors

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Egw65U99qjU

Revival Anthem ~ Rend Collective

 

Benaiah… went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion. And he struck down a huge Egyptian… And David put him in charge of his bodyguard. ~ 2 Samuel 23:20-21, 23 NIV

 

Mark Batterson's In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day tells the story of a man who saw possibilities—not problems—when faced with challenges. Instead of running from (and likely being eaten by) a lion, Benaiah chased it into a pit and killed it! Rather than cowering when facing a huge Egyptian, Benaiah fought and killed the Egyptian with his own spear. Those are two instances where "normal" people would have run away or cowered. We weren't called to be normal. We're called to be Christ-like: MORE THAN CONQUERORS, OVERCOMERS, VICTORS, and HIS!

 

In this season of many unknowns, don't forget who you are and to Whom you belong. Bought, but not a slave. Chosen to be a child of inheritance. As a co-heir with Christ, we have access to His power and authority. With His power and authority, God calls things that are not as though they were and calls dry bones to live. Through Jesus, He enables us to share in His power, so that we will shine His light into the lives of many and bring Him glory.

 

But the devil doesn't want God getting glory, which is why he's working overtime to keep you defeated, full of fear, and down for the count! But like Benaiah, we're called for greater things. We've not been given a spirit of a coward, but of a warrior! We don't seek a fight, but we won’t back down when the lion roars or the giants threaten. As Priscilla Shirer says in Fervent,

Aren’t you in the least bit curious what the devil is trying to keep you from experiencing? In Exodus 14, when Moses and the Israelites were hemmed in by the Red Sea and the Egyptians, God said, “Do not fear!” In other words, don’t wallow in it. Don’t choose it. Don’t make friends with it. Don’t entertain it or engage it. If they did, they’d risk not sticking around long enough to experience God’s miracle.

 

Don't ever give up - but be encouraged. When the challenges arise, know that you've been strengthened to stand your ground, and to chase and kill the lions in your path. Remember, oh child of the Most High God, you are a warrior!

©Heather Potts 2020