Full

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qzw6A2WC5Qo

Feel Invincible ~ Skillet

 

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. ~ John 10:10 NIV

 

Two weeks ago, the school gym was very full! The gymnasium/school lunchroom was full of people, full of noise, full of decorations and chairs for the upcoming musical. It was full! But it wasn’t just full for fullness’ sake. It was teeming with life and laughter. There was happiness and joy. The sound was the endless chatter of classmates and friends. The space and sound were full.

 

That’s the kind of life Jesus said He came to give us: a life filled with His Word, nature, and character. Jesus’ kind of full is not just filled to the top. Just as the noise in the gym didn’t stay contained there, but rather spread out beyond the walls, Jesus gives us life that is full to overflowing. Full is defined as, “exceeding abundantly,” (G4053 - Perissos - Strong’s Greek Lexicon (KJV), n.d.). An abundance is, to be, “²well supplied with something; ³richly supplied, as with resources,” (“Definition of Abundant,” n.d.-b). An abundance is like Scrooge McDuck, from Disney’s Ducktales, swimming in his warehouse of money. Exceeding abundance is like 1 million warehouses of money.

 

God’s not talking about money in John 10:10. This is Christ’s life—the Spirit filling you up, full to overflowing in all the fruit of the Spirit, the promises of God, and in all the blessings, grace, and favor of the Lord. The zŏē life of God is real and genuine. It’s active and vigorous. It’s from God and is devoted to God. It’s the promised portion in this world and is “to be consummated by new accessions (among them a more perfect body) and to last forever,” (G2222 - Zōē - Strong’s Greek Lexicon (KJV), n.d.).

 

Every May, my calendar gets really full, just like that gymnasium. Between the kids’ end-of-the-year projects, field trips, and concerts, in addition to Mother’s Day celebrations, birthdays, and miscellaneous end-of-school playdates, I’m not sure if we could pack much more into the month. Every year, I can look at it as overwhelming and dread it or remember the zŏē life of God that’s been given to me and enjoy it.

 

Whether it’s your family’s calendar or a hard season of life, as Christ followers, we have been given the zŏē life of God, not just to carry us through our lives, but to greatly impact the lives of others. Let’s challenge ourselves to walk in the fullness of the life that Christ came to give us.

©Heather Potts 2023

It's Not Over

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

God’s Not Done With You ~ Tauren Wells

 

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places. ~ Ephesians 6:12 AMP

 

Have you ever been so focused on all the chaos right in front of you that you forgot about the bigger picture? That was what was going on with me this morning. I was so caught up in the craziness of things going on with some friends, that I was crying—truly grieving for them. But God, in His graciousness, spoke to me. Amid tears, Holy Spirit reminded me that God’s not done writing their story. Holy Spirit took it a step further and reminded me that this is a battle for souls and lives, and the devil is out for blood!

 

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy… ~ John 10:10 NKJV

 

The devil is out to destroy my friends’ lives and their walk with God. And he’ll gladly steal my joy and peace if I’ll let him. If I’ll let him. If I let the devil… If I choose to hand over my peace and joy, trading for his despair and hopelessness, then I will certainly be too weak for battle. That’s the devil’s goal: to make God’s warriors too weak for battle. His plan is to distract us from our true purpose. He’ll use whatever he can: money, fame, pleasure, pain, grief, anger, whatever it takes to turn your head. Like a scary movie, he’s hoping you’ll turn your eyes away from the scene, so he can take control, leaving you powerless to stop him.

 

But God’s got a battle plan, and He’s including you!

 

In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides]. ~ Ephesians 6:10 AMPC

 

Your part is to (1) Put on your spiritual armor. (2) Remember who you’re fighting against. (3) Stand firm. It sounds simple until the fierce winds blow, the enemy roars, and his weapons are drawn. That’s about the time most people turn tail and run. In general, people don’t like messy. We don’t like things that take great effort for long periods of time. We like short and sweet, preferably with a bow.

 

But you are not a coward. You are God’s warrior who has been given strength from God to stand firm. God’s charge to us is to stand firm in His strength and power. It might be a long battle. It might get uglier before it gets better. It will likely cost you time and effort. But you’re not alone, and you’re not expected to fight in your own strength. Today, don’t give up hope! Lean in to God, draw your strength from Him, and stand firm against the devil!

©Heather Potts 2022

The Window

One day, in heaven, an angel spotted God and Jesus looking through an open window. On the other side of the window was a girl. The angel paused for a moment and saw the girl pass by the window several times, only glancing at it, but never stopping. Curious, the angel approached God. God, calling the angel by name, invited him over to join them. God explained that this was a window they’d opened for the girl and had invited her to climb through to experience the joy and blessings on the other side. Before the angel could ask why she hadn’t climbed through, Jesus explained the situation:

    “She’s afraid. As you know, Satan taunts humans, speaking lies to them all day and all night. This girl has been lied to for so long in her life about what she can’t do, will never amount to, and would fail if she ever tried, that she’s become quite cautious.”

The angel asked if the girl was a Child, if her name was in the Book of Life.

Proudly, Jesus said, “Yes.”

At his answer, the angel was even more confused and asked why she wouldn’t come through the window. Afterall, He could see Holy Spirit was with her, on the other side.

    Again, Jesus explained, “Humans have to decide whose voice they will give more credit to, which one they will spend more time hearing. Too often, they shed their spiritual armor at night, sleeping without their helmets. This allows the devil the opportunity to lie to them in their dreams. Then, in the morning, they forget to put back on their armor. Sadly, even if they remember to put it all on, they forget to swing their Swords while bracing against the Shield for protection. Too many humans fight pointless battles with other humans, forgetting they are truly at war with a real, powerful spiritual realm. Because of that, when the enemy lies to them, they don’t know how to wield their weapons to protect themselves and advance the charge that We’ve set forth for them.”

The angel looked back at the girl. “What about her?”

    Again, Jesus smiled at her, then said, “She’s been swinging and standing and fighting.”

    “But then why is she hesitant to climb through Your open window?” the angel asked.

    Jesus looked at her, even as He answered the angel, “Because she’s still in training. She’s still practicing hearing Our voice and shutting out the lies. She’s leaning in; every day she comes closer. Though she’s hesitant, she’s learning to see through the visions Holy Spirit opens to her. She’s beginning to see through the window, even if she hasn’t yet climbed through to the calling that awaits. But don’t give up; just keep watching with us.”

This short story is a reminder that we have been called to a purpose, higher than just making a living on earth before we die. Ephesians 2:10 says God created us in Christ Jesus for the good works He prepared in advance for us to do, laying out the paths and “opening the windows” He would have us go through and take. But we have a real enemy who hates God and all who would be used by Him, (that’s us). Therefore, the devil seeks to steal, kill, and destroy us. He lies to us, hoping we’ll forget we’re in a battle that requires spiritual armor, to not only protect ourselves, but to win and claim territory for God’s Kingdom.

Don’t face this battle lying down. Remember, your enemy lives in the spiritual realm. Though he loves to use your boss, spouse, kids, and neighbors, they aren’t your true enemy. Don’t waste your time fighting them. It’s time to fight to win! Decide today to lean in and listen to the voice of Truth, to take territory for Jesus, and to walk the paths God laid out for us, so we can reach the people who are waiting to hear about and from God.

In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might. Put on the full armor of God [for His precepts are like the splendid armor of a heavily-armed soldier], so that you may be able to [successfully] stand up against all the schemes and the strategies and the deceits of the devil.  ~ Ephesians 6:10-11 AMP

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4KEgwLDLHw

Don’t Tred on Me ~ We the Kingdom

©Heather Potts 2021

The Why

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huFra1mnIVE&list=RDhuFra1mnIVE&start_radio=1&t=0

Forever ~ Kari Jobe

The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). ~ John 10:10 AMPC

Have you ever thought about the mission God's given you? Most businesses have a mission statement which serves as the filter behind all their decisions. It's their "why." Your "why" is what keeps you motivated when the odds are stacked against you, helps you filter life's decisions, and enables you to persevere when the lies of the enemy are mounting.

Lately, I've been looking into some resources to help with my calling. One wanted to know my "why." Mine is to empower, encourage, and help others to know their value, worth, and freedom in Christ—freedom from lies, shame, and pain. I can still see the image God painted for me: a beach was lined with towers holding captives in bondage. But through prayer and sharing God's truths, the prisoners were freed, and the towers were torn to rubble, washed away by the waves of the sea, like melted sandcastles. 

We know that the thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy our dreams, visions, and God-given missions, which is what makes your "why" imperative!

I encourage you to pray and journal, asking God your "why." Whom will you to impact on the mission He's given you? Whose lives will you touch and change, (if it's truly God-sized, you won't know the half of it!)? Spend time with your heavenly Father uncovering your "why." Then write it down, so that when the devil lies to you about God's calling for your life, you can look at the devil and say, "This is what I've been called to, and here's why!"

©Heather Potts 2020