He's Your Guard

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZNDD2qxJYo

Peace ~ Hillsong Young & Free

 

and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 4:7 NKJV

 

“My Father in Heaven disciplines me by teaching me His Word. This gives me the power to keep myself calm in the face of temptation and of adversity.”

 

These words, based on Psalm 94:12-13, are from a list of confessions that a friend shared with Brad and I around 2007. After diving deeper into Philippians 4, I have a better appreciation of the truth found in those words: He disciplines me by teaching me His Word…

 

A month ago, I told God that I was tired, emotional, and in need of peace. That’s when Holy Spirit reminded me of Philippians 4:4-7. In the past month, He’s told me to:

1.       Rejoice always – it produces joy.

2.       Let your gentleness shine – it draws others to Jesus.

3.       Be anxious for nothing – leave room for God to move.

And finally: Walk in God’s peace – He’s your guard.

 

Philippians 4:7 states that God’s peace guards our hearts and minds. Our hearts and minds are the seat (core or center) of our will, emotions, thoughts, and actions. We’re told to guard our thoughts and hearts throughout the Bible, because “… as he thinks in his heart, so is he…,” and “… out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks,” (Proverbs 23:7; Luke 6:45 NKJV). However, we are not expected to guard them in our own strength, but by the Lord’s peace.

 

We can trust God’s peace—which goes beyond all understanding in degree, capacity, and amount—because of Who gives it. He is not a lifeless, nameless God. God’s name, here, is Theos, which means “the guardian God of anyone, blessing and protecting him,” (blueletterbible.org).

 

Does it change your view of God to know that He is your guard? I was immediately encouraged and in awe. That revelation was like another stroke on the canvas, like another detail of my picture of God was filled in with color.

 

The promise in Philippians 4:7 helps us to walk in God’s peace, because He’s our guard. In a world where chaos abounds for all, peace does much more abound for those who are in Christ Jesus.

©Heather Potts 2023

Who? No One!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rwfowzoGvA

Water is Wild ~ (feat. Chris Brown & Brandon Lake) Elevation Worship

 

While studying Romans 8:38-39, in preparation for writing the devotional that was churning in my mind, I spent a lot of time studying “who” in Romans 8:

If God is for us, who can be against us? (v.31)

Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? (v.33)

Who then is the one who condemns? (v.34)

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? (v.35)

Perhaps, like me, you assumed the devil. Afterall, he is “the accuser of the brothers,” (Revelation 12:10).

 

Hebrews 2 tells us Jesus declared us to be His brothers, and that because we are flesh and blood, He chose to, “share in [our] humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— and free [us]…” (vv. 12,14-15). Because the devil held the power of death, the assumption—by many—is that he still holds it. But the truth is Jesus took the power through His atonement for us, (Hebrews 2:17). In Revelation 1:18, Jesus declared, “I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.” Holding the keys gives Jesus the power and authority to open and shut doors that no one can shut or open, (Revelation 3:7).

 

Therefore, the answer to the Romans 8 questions is no one, not even the devil. Though he will try to convince you otherwise, we are assured, “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death,” (Romans 8:1-2). The devil is a liar, tempter, and an accuser, but he no longer has authority over you and his power pales in comparison with God’s. As one Bible commentator said, “Satan is a finite, created being. He may be opposite to Gabriel or Michael, but never to God. And thus, though the forces of hell be gathered against you, they are nothing compared with the power that is available to you because God is for you,” (Chuck Smith, blueletterbible.org).

 

When the devil comes in to attack and tempts your mind with questions of who is against you, hoping you will start a list, you can counter his attack by boldly and confidently declaring, “No one!”

 

no weapon forged against you will prevail,
    and you will refute every tongue that accuses you.
This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,
    and this is their vindication from me,”
declares the Lord.

~Isaiah 54:17 NIV

©Heather Potts 2022

Foxholes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lR1Hk0FVi_k

Together ~ for KING & COUNTRY (feat. Kirk Franklin & Tori Kelly)

 

Two are better than one … ~ Ecclesiastes 4:9 NIVUK

 

When it comes to someone else’s foxhole, we tend to fall into three different categories. The first thinks, “How awful!” They may even yell down, “Praying for you!” But then they keep going. The second stops, calls down a prayer for the person in the foxhole, but then also moves on, praying again when they think about it. The third climbs down into the foxhole and remains till the “owner” vacates. I will confess, I have been all three types, and sadly, the second more often than the third. Climbing into someone else’s foxhole is hard, costly, and inconvenient.

 

When my first stepmom’s cancer got worse, my dad said people stopped “comin’ around.” He said it was if they thought it was “catchy.” He said the same was true after he and my mom divorced. As the kid, I can attest to that; I never saw some of my childhood friends, again. The adults didn’t want to “take sides,” and like I said, climbing into someone’s foxhole is hard, costly, and inconvenient.

 

Over the years, it’s cost others to step into our foxholes. It cost my aunt her time. It cost others their time, money, and even food, as one friend fasted for us—even during her vacation! In my post-COVID season, several people have jumped into my foxhole to pray for and encourage us. And thank God for them because I have been healing!

 

Maybe you’re in your own foxhole and it’s about all you can do to pray for God to help someone else. That’s OK. But if you’re able, and as Holy Spirit leads, consider climbing into someone else’s foxhole. Yes, it will cost you, but the return on your investment is exponential, both for the other person and for you.

 

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10,12 reminds us why we need each other:

Two are better than one …

if either of them falls down,
    one can help the other up. …

Though one may be overpowered,
    two can defend themselves.

We need each other! The cunning devil knows when we’re alone he can defeat us and God’s plans for our lives. But a friend and fellow believer will remind us that Christ is in our midst. “A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

 

If you have a need, I’d love to pray for and walk with you! And if you have been praying for me, thank you so much! Remember, we weren’t meant to walk alone. That’s why God gave us each other.

©Heather Potts 2022

Strength in the Shaking

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhapFtXv62o

Another in the Fire ~ Bethel

When I called, you answered me; you made me bold and stouthearted. ~ Psalm 138:3 NIV

Over the weekend, the girls and I discussed Hebrews 12:26-29, which says that God is going to shake our world, revealing the things from which we try to draw our strength, comfort, and security. According to the girls, their world consists of: Jesus, Mom & Dad, Christmas Tree, Zoe, Lambie, Princess (our hamster), school, food, water, health, house, family, cars, money, camping, books, furniture, and more. In our current season, my health has been shaken, causing me to rely on the help of others, and to rest more. I’ve had to rest both physically and spiritually.

Rest is sitting at Jesus’ feet, pushing aside the to-do list and drinking up the comfort, wisdom, and peace found only in a close relationship with Him. Rest is saying “no” to some things and creating a margin in your schedule, in order to recharge and refresh your mind and body so you’ll be able to take on the tasks ahead. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life… (Psalm 138:7). Over 100 times, the Bible tells us we’ll face trials. However, when we learn to rest in Jesus, we’ll not just survive, but grow stronger because of them.

Psalm 138:3 says God made me bold (confident and courageous) and stouthearted (determined; unwaveringly fearless). We need God to make us confident, courageous, and unwaveringly fearless when we’re being shaken. On Savannah and Elizabeth’s list, I had them circle Jesus and cross out everything else. Hebrews 12:27-29 says the Lord will shake our lives, removing everything created–which can be shaken– ”so that what cannot be shaken may remain,” (v.27).

I just finished reading the devotional, “From Chronic Pain to Constant Praise,” by Tara Bradham. In it, she shared insights from when life didn’t go as desired or planned. “Our trials serve to shake up our lives… Hard times show us what is unshakable, that we may choose to build the foundations of our lives upon the unshakable foundation of Christ rather than our own ambition, health, relationships, or prosperity.” 

What’s being shaken in your world today? Don’t look at shaking as a failure. Remember, your diagnosis, failure, or insecurities don’t lessen your testimony. Remind yourself, “I [am] the person qualified to tell a story in which Jesus is the hero, not me” (Bradham). When trials shake up your life, ask God for the strength and courage to let go of whatever He’s trying to remove, in order that you’d walk more closely to Jesus.

©Heather Potts 2021

In the Trenches

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9moCqVAF2ak

Ghost ~ Crowder

Have you ever been in the valleys of life? 

What about in the trenches?

Life seemed to be going along like normal, maybe you sensed things were slightly off, but before you had a chance to react, the earth started to tremble and down you went from the hillside and into the valley. But your quick shot down didn’t end there. Before you could even get your bearings, the valley floor opened and you fell through a crack. When you carefully, cautiously stood, you looked around and found yourself in the trenches in the middle of a war zone. You weren’t sure who was flinging bombs at you, but you knew enough to duck. In your crouched position, fear began to waft into the trench with you, like the smell of death. It was death to the life you thought you knew, felt that you’d had, giving way to this new reality in an ugly, scary battle scene where hope has faded to gray and you feel all alone.

Sadly, this is reality for some of the people I care about deeply. Without much warning, life shattered and they awoke to this new, hurtful reality. First it only breaks the heart. But then, it messes with the mind. Hurt and fear set in when the mind asks if the life and relationships you thought you had were all just a lie. Hurt and fear give way to anger when you believe the question as truth: it was all a lie!

Though the trenches look bleak and gray, hope begins to grow when Light is spotted. It may look like it’s coming from an encouraging post on social media, or a card from a friend. And though He’ll use resources like your therapist, your pastor, and even prayer warrior friends, there’s only one Light Source. His Name is Jesus.

If you are on the outside, watching a loved one struggle through trench warfare, commit to standing with them in prayer. This is likely to not be a short season, but God allowed you this unique position in their life to partner with them in prayer and, at times, to cover over them in a blanket of prayer-protection. This may not be trench warfare like your great-grandfather faced, but it’s spiritual warfare, which means the stakes are higher and the injuries more costly.

If you’re in the trenches, then suit up! This is likely to be the greatest battle you’ve ever fought. The devil fights to the death and he’s out for blood! But you are not without protection and you’re not without hope. Get your spiritual armor on; hold up your shield and swing your sword. Pull God’s Word close to you and dig into His promises like your life depends on it. His Word will become your greatest weapon and resource till this battle is won, and then will be the launch pad from which your new season will begin.

Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ~ Ephesians 6:11-13 NIV

©Heather Potts 2021

Quickened by Jesus

What am I supposed to do once she’s gone?

It hurt my heart when Savannah asked that of her friend whose family is moving away next week. This will be the second significant loss of a friend within her lifetime. Four years ago, at the end of this month, we moved from Florida to Wisconsin, leaving many friends behind. Now, one of Savannah’s closest friends is moving away. What do you say?

I’m grateful Savannah easily accepted my help last night, because it was only two days ago that she was sobbing. Just like Savannah, I believe we’ve all asked the question, “What am I supposed to do now?” as our lives change. Change is hard enough when it’s something we want or choose, but when it’s happening to us, not of our choosing… It can be so hard.

If I had not found encouragement in your law, I would have died in my sorrow. ~ Psalm 119:92 NET

Psalm 119:92 is an expression of deep gratitude, the kind that is born out of a trial and a close-knit relationship with Jesus. Based on the surrounding text, the author wrote it while still in the midst of a trial, and not after it. Have you ever felt pain so piercing, you truly believed your heart would shatter if one more thing bumped into it? How do you survive that? Not by isolating or trying to fix it on your own, but by running to the One who can heal and help you. 

I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me. ~ Psalm 119:93 KJV

“Thou hast quickened me.” Though written in Early Modern English,  it captures the beauty and sentiment expressed by the psalmist. Just as a broken heart is not given a bandaid, a life in distress needs a quickening spirit, found only in Jesus, (1 Corinthians 15:45). The quickening, referred to in Psalm 119, is a reviving “from discouragement of the spirit; from faintness; from death,” (blueletterbible.org). In the middle of a trial, life can feel like it’s getting harder before it gets better. Part of that may be the dross dripping off as Jesus watches closeby, waiting for the precise moment that He’ll pull you out, as pure gold.

I pray that when life gets hard, we will have the same close-knit relationship with Jesus as this psalmist, whose life and spirit were revived and brought to life out of a pit of deep sorrow.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhoEktYO5w8 ~ Rest, Kari Jobe

©Heather Potts 2021

My Strength & Song

 

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

Strength ~ Melissa Helser & Cageless Birds | 18 Inch Journey Live Worship Moment

 

Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; For the Lord God is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation. ~ Isaiah 12:2 NASB1995

 

On Thursday evening, I received word that my dear friend, Andrea, who’s been battling cancer off and on for over a decade, had seizures again last week. The doctors said they’ve done everything they can for her and feel her body is just tired of fighting, so hospice has been called. I will not lie; the news came as a blow and shock. Regardless of how bad things have looked, God’s always stepped in, in mighty ways. But hearing that they were giving up left me struggling for words. Nevertheless, I went to God and He reminded me to trust and not be afraid, because He is my strength and song.

 

Why am I telling you this and sharing her story? Because we’re all battling something, and we need the reminder that there is hope and help. Regardless of the battle, the solution is the same: Jesus!

 

Isaiah 12:2 says the Lord is our strength, which reminds me of a young child dancing on her daddy’s feet. You are that young child, invited to stand on your Daddy’s feet. We are called, not to stand in our own strength, but to take each step in His! The verse also says that He is our song. There are numerous scriptures of singing praises to God. The one that stands out the most to me is Psalm 149:6-9, which says that praising God takes the chains off you and puts them around the enemy. The imagery reminds me of a story Joyce Meyer told, in Battlefield of the Mind, of a man who’d been sick for many years. He’d been praying to God for healing, but was about to give up, because he was still sick. Then God gave him a vision, showing that a messenger of Satan was sent to speak lies to the man. But when the man spoke the Word of God, a sword and a flame came out of the man’s mouth to attack the messenger.

 

There is power in our praising and strength in our God! Father, I ask that You would continue to strengthen us. Lord, I pray for healing for Andrea and all of us. Lord, as Jesus sent out all doubters from the house before he healed the girl who was thought to be dead, we banish all doubt from our minds and our homes! Let only praise be heard in our houses and on our lips. Father, I thank you that You are our strength and our song, and we will win our battles in You! In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen!

©Heather Potts 2020

Hoisted

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TzB4FaPODc

Anchor ~ Skillet

Swirling, pulling, dragging me down, the waves are churning all around. Fear and anxiety bind my arms and legs, sucking me down and down in a whirlpool of worry. I have taken my eyes off of my Lord—off of my Jesus. I’m so sorry. Sorry I made the fear and circumstances higher than You. Forgive me. Like a flash of light, His anchor of hope is thrust into the water, breaking up the ties that bind me. I am freed and grab hold of Him, my Anchor of Hope. Holding tightly, the Anchor is hoisted from the churning seas. As I cling tightly to my Anchor, I see the storm rage on all around—the clouds black as night, the seas churning and swirling, the waves slapping, the rains driving—but I am kept safe. I cling to my Anchor, my Love, my Hope, my Father, who is strong, firm, and steadfast.

When we take our eyes off of Jesus—even but a moment—we can get caught up in the waves of worry and the riptides of fear and anxiety which eventually suck us into a whirlpool, dragging us down, down until we are lost. But turning our hearts back to Jesus, we can hold to His hope and peace. If you’ve been caught by the whirlpool of worry with fear and anxiety binding you, turn your heart and your eyes back toward your Anchor of Hope, cling to Him, and He will lift you from the sea.

We who have run for our very lives to God have every reason to grab the promised hope with both hands and never let go. It’s an unbreakable spiritual lifeline, reaching past all appearances right to the very presence of God where Jesus, running on ahead of us, has taken up his permanent post as high priest for us ~ Hebrews 6:18-20 MSG

©Heather Potts 2020