They're Just Threats

Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you … ~ Isaiah 41:10 AMPC

I was awakened at 2:22am, at the end of a horrible nightmare. It was then that Holy Spirit reminded me of a truth from a previous Sunday’s sermon: “[Satan] threatens us with things he can’t do.” The pastor’s words are a good reminder that the devil is “a liar and father of lies,” (John 8:44). Satan comes not as a herald of truth. He is only a propagator—a spewer—of lies.

His lies come in the form of words, threats, and even physical attacks on the body. Literally two hours after submitting my book for publication, I was hit with weird physical pain. Though it was only discomfort at first, the pain became very intense. As the pain got serious, so did my stance against the enemy’s attack. You don’t fight a fire by running away, but with Holy Water: The Name of Jesus!

After an overnight battle, which included prayer, worship, and communion, I checked-in with a nurse to ensure I wasn’t ignoring something. I heeded her physical recommendations and continued my prayers. Thankfully, God knew I was going to face this battle, so He prepared me in advance.

In preparation for publishing my first book, I’ve been reviewing a lot of other authors’ books, especially their layout and covers. As I was flipping through the pages of Kim Anderson’s book, Live, Not Die, I reread her battle plan. Though her book is about her battle with and victory over cancer, this is still spiritual warfare. Kim Anderson’s words reminded me to not just speak scripture over my life, but to also speak life and health to all my body parts. By adding her battle plan to mine, and continuing to look to Jesus for my healing, I was feeling 100% by the following evening.

Beloved, I pray that in every way you may succeed and prosper and be in good health [physically], just as [I know] your soul prospers [spiritually]. ~ 3 John 1:2 AMP

Being wise to the devil’s schemes doesn’t keep him from attacking me, (hello, 2:22am!). It also doesn’t mean I am always quick to recognize his attacks. But as the Lord remains faithful to equip me for incoming attacks and to walk with me when they arrive, I know that with Christ I can overcome.

So don’t worry, because I am with you.
    Don’t be afraid, because I am your God.
I will make you strong and will help you.
    I will support you with my right hand that saves you. ~ Isaiah 41:10 ICB

God is Omniscient: ALL Knowing.

God is Omnipotent: ALL Powerful.

God is Omnipresent: Always Everywhere.

There is no time or place to which God’s knowledge, power, and presence do not extend.

When we remember who God is, how can we fear anything the devil might threaten?

©Heather Potts 2023

*Check out my new site and my new book, available to pre-order today!

 

 

Chapters

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUc86gfzToU

All In ~ Matthew West

 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens ~ Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV

 I love a good action novel, but if the plot takes longer than 5 pages to get moving, I may not keep reading. I know I have high demands. A few years ago, I read an intense series, and as each chapter closed and the next began, I didn’t want to put the book down. However, that often led to forcing myself to close the book at midnight, which made for a hard early start the next morning. I’ve enjoyed reading that author’s – and similar authors’ – books. Our lives are crafted by the greatest Author. Why, then, do we fight to change chapters when He’s clearly compelling us forward?

 I’ve been facing a chapter change in my life – no, it’s not turning 40 in a few weeks – and it’s been difficult to let the old chapter close. But it’s necessary, in order to fully embrace the next. I have friends who are facing chapter changes in their lives, some for career changes, others are moving, and still others are considering permanently homeschooling.  I wonder if they are having a hard time changing chapters, too?

 There was a time in my life that I allowed fear to immobilize me, keeping me from the joy and beauty the next chapter held. Though the next chapter is different from the previous – sometimes different feels a bit scary – I don’t want that to stop me. Instead, I want to be “all in,” giving my heart fully to this new adventure. After all, God said, “Fear not, [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you… (Isaiah 41:10 AMPC).

 If you’re facing a chapter change in your life, do not be afraid. If God called you to it, then remember His promises to be with and help you through it. Don’t let fear hold you back. Instead, decide to be “all in”!

©Heather Potts 2020

It's a Bad Day to Believe a Lie

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

I CHOOSE TO WORSHIP ~ Rend Collective

Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice. [Acts 18:10.] ~ Isaiah 41:10 AMPC

Over the past two weeks, the counselor at the girls’ school has been sharing insights with the staff about what’s going on—emotionally—so we’re better equipped to help ourselves and our community. She said, due to the changes that are coming at us so quickly, we’re struggling to adjust, causing anger and anxiety to both be on the rise. But she gave an antidote: “Anxiety loses its footing when certainty, or truth, steps in.”

It might be slow at first, but the more truth you feed your brain, the more you’ll believe it, and it will affect your life. She said to focus on Truths from God’s Word. Below, I’ve listed several. This isn’t a magic trick, but a brain shift. What you feed your brain will affect what it believes and cause your life to shift.

Here are some Truths to help, (from Experiencing Father’s Embrace by Jack Frost):

·         God is not ashamed to be my Father. ~ Hebrews 11:16

·         Father wants me to overflow with His love. ~ Ephesians 3:19

·         Even when I am wounded, Father sees me as beautiful and takes pleasure in me. ~ Psalm 149:4

·         My Father is so pleased with my being His child that He will never leave me.  He wants to meet all my needs. ~ Luke 15:31

·         I have been adopted and placed in my Father’s presence. ~ Ephesians 1:5

·         In God’s love, I am complete. ~ Colossians 2:10

·         In God’s love, I find grace and mercy. ~ Hebrews 4:16

·         Father’s perfect love for me displaces my fears. ~ 1 John 4:18

What lies have you been believing? There’s no good day to believe a lie, but today’s a great day to dispel one with the Truth. If your brain believes—and your life shifts towards—what you tell it, isn’t it better to tell it Truth?

©Heather Potts 2020