I am Known

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8gKXu6J2wE

Jesus Loves Me ~ Chris Tomlin

 

But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob,
And He who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name;
You are Mine.”

~ Isaiah 43:1 NKJV

 

I sat down, yesterday, to write in my journal, but then began to cry. They weren’t tears of sadness, but of knowing…that I’ve been known, seen, and loved.

 

El Roi is the God who sees you. This isn’t just a quick glance. El Roi knows your deepest, most intimate needs, desires, and even fears. He has dug away the dirt that’s been piled up and packed down and found the tiny seed that was buried deep inside your heart. This seed is almost too afraid to barely whisper, “See me,” because it really wants God to “Love me”.

 

It doesn’t matter how the seed got buried so far beneath the surface. Any number of circumstances, including lies, could have shoved it there. What matters is that you are seen. You are known. And you are loved!

 

Because God knows you, He calls you. But He does more than just call you.

He…:

sees you.                             knows you.                         made you.                          

designed you.                    freed you.                            loves you.                           

covers you.                        carries you.                         trains you.                          

heals you.                          satisfies you.                      blesses you.       

fights for you.                   protects you.                      stretches you.                   

prunes you.                       feeds you.                           teaches you.                      

counsels you.                    instructs you.                     forgives you.                     

prays for you.                   cares for you.                     protects you.

helps you.                         clothes you.                       restores you.                     

refreshes you.                  empowers you.                 replenishes you.               

provides for you.             transforms you.                 walks with you.                

has redeemed you.         is faithful to you.              strengthens you.             

renews your power.        nourishes you.                  invites you to His Table.

And more!

I encourage you to take some time and ask El Roi—the God who sees you—what facet of His love, which part, specifically, He wants you to focus on today and in your current season. Maybe today it’s just remembering that you are known: really, truly, and fully known.

©Heather Potts 2023

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

Peace, Be Still!

And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling…Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. ~ Mark 4:37, 39 NKJV

Peace, be still!

That’s what Jesus said to calm the storm that raged on the sea.

Peace, be still!

And it’s what He says to calm the storms that rage internally.

Peace, be still!

My Savannah really struggles with change and transition. Though it’s gotten better—MUCH better—it’s still hard and has me constantly running to the feet of my Jesus asking, “What should I do? How do I help her when she appears to be angry, anxious, and unsettled?”  He said to combat it with the opposite spirit. The opposite of anger and anxiety is peace. And I smiled.

Savannah means, “Peaceful meadows.” Isaiah 43:1 says, “I have called you by name.” Long before we knew the challenges we would face, God called her, “Peaceful.” Immediately that night, I went into her room, though she was asleep, and prayed peace over her mind and heart, calling her by name, declaring her, “Peaceful!” Since then, some days are good and others are very challenging. But each day and night I pray with and for her, declaring and reminding her that she is Peaceful.

What storm is raging in your life, in your heart? Command, as Jesus did, “Peace, be still!” Then watch how your words, through your God-given authority, affect your heart, mind, and situation. Like with Savannah, it might not produce immediate results, but the peace will come and the storm will calm.

Peace, be still!

©Heather Potts 2017