ALL Y'ALL

 Joy of the Lord ~ Rend Collective

 

Our mouths were filled with laughter,
    our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
    “The Lord has done great things for them.”

~ Psalm 126:2 NIV

 

Do you ever think that sometimes Jesus tickles us, just to enjoy the sound of our laughter?

 

Our family devotional, yesterday, was on James 1:2, to count it all joy when we’re enduring trials. The devotional made the distinction between happiness (based on circumstances), and joy. Because joy is a fruit of the Spirit, it’s a gift from Holy Spirit that’s available to all believers, all the time.

 

Yesterday, I said that our family is walking through fire. Some days haven’t been happy. Several moments have been frustrating and overwhelming. But I asked the Lord to help me keep my eyes on Jesus, so that I can serve my family with love, compassion, and joy. Not only has the Lord been faithful, but there have been times when He tickles me, just to enjoy the sound of my laughter.

 

Yesterday, God had me giggling, and just about out-right laughing! After living in Florida for almost two decades, y’all flows out of my mouth just as easily as bubbler. In our Bible study yesterday, Jen Wilkin shared that when Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth,” He meant a collective you: y’all. That’s when I started giggling. Each time she said, “y’all”, I giggled more. The best part was when she emphasized that “you” meant all believers and was really “all y’all”. I could barely contain myself. It was great!

 

In Matthew 7:9-11, Jesus said that if your son asks for bread, you won’t give him a stone, instead. “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” Regardless of the events that happen today, remember we have a good Father in heaven who loves us, always walks with us, and sometimes tickles us, just so He can enjoy the sound of our laughter.

©Heather Potts 2024

Rejoicing Produces Joy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVIhb-c_4Tw

Joy of the Lord ~ Rend Collective

 

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ~ Philippians 4:4 NIV

 

Did you know that rejoicing produces more joy? It’s been my experience that when I focus on praising God, I experience more peace and joy. I’ve also seen the opposite: griping and complaining lead to more of the same, which produce doubt, worry, and fear.

 

Philippians 4:4 says, “Rejoice in the Lord always.” I’m going to teach you a little bit of Greek. Rejoice means to “rejoice” or “be glad.” Glad, according to the dictionary, is a feeling of joy. And “always” in Greek means, “at all times.” Now you know that we’re told, dare I say commanded, to rejoice—or have joy—at all times. At all times means in all seasons and circumstances because the Lord knows that rejoicing produces joy.

 

Maybe you’re wondering why it matters. Let me ask you: Are you a stronger, mightier warrior of the Lord when you are walking and dancing in joy or when you are bound up in chains of bitterness, doubt, worry, fear, and defeat? God knows that not all seasons will be happy. He knows we live in a fallen world and that we are human, surrounded by humans. God is not calling us to be happy all the time. He’s telling us to choose joy, by practicing rejoicing in Him and all that He’s done for us.

 

Take a moment and check your heart. Check your words. If your heart, words, and thoughts are not a fountain of overflowing joy, then start with a simple change that will create an environment that is rich with rejoicing in the Lord.

 

Take an inventory. What has the Lord done for you, or for those you know, today, yesterday, last week, last month, or last year? Celebrate it. Thank God for it! Let your praise be lifted up to the Lord. And remember, rejoicing produces joy.

©Heather Potts 2023

By Faith in the Name

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

I Choose to Worship ~ Rend Collective

By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see. ~ Acts 3:16 NIV

Cancer. Yesterday, a relative received the news that this evil word has infected his body.

Cancer. 1a. A malignant and invasive growth or tumor… 2. Any evil condition or thing that spreads destructively; blight, (dictionary.com). 

How does anyone overcome this evil word? The same way we overcome every other sickness and disease: Pray. Seek wisdom and guidance. Walk in faith. Worship and praise God. Possibly make some lifestyle changes. Then wait with expectation.

But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] will gain new strength and renew their power… They will run and not become weary, They will walk and not grow tired. ~ Isaiah 40:31 AMP

Expectation. Something you look forward to and assume will happen. When you’re waiting on the Lord, you’re looking to Him with great expectation, as you believe He will move! I love Jesus’ words to Father God when He was standing outside of Lazarus’ tomb. “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me…” (John 11:41-42 NIV). If we are co-heirs with Christ, can’t we also know that Father God will hear our prayers?

There’s a story that Graham Cooke tells about a woman with an inoperable tumor who wants a word from the Lord. Knowing that Graham has the gift of prophecy, she sought him for an answer. Graham said that God didn’t give him anything for her, but said she should seek God in this matter, then worship until she hears from God. He said that the responsibility is on God to speak, not on her to hear, but to keep worshipping until God speaks. Peter and John also said the responsibility is on God and no one else. 

A man, whom scriptures say was crippled from birth, was begging from those entering the temple each day. When he saw Peter and John, he asked them for money. They said, “Look at us!” The man looked with expectation. “Then Peter said, ‘Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk,’” (Acts 3:1-6 NIV). It wasn’t money, luck, or even Peter or John who healed the man. We’re all healed the same way: “By faith in the name of Jesus...It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed [us].”

Whatever is coming against you or your family, don’t let it knock you down one more day. Come against it in the Name that is above every name, even cancer: the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth who came in the Flesh.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9plwKOkbf1I

God speaks to the lady with cancer ~ Graham Cooke

©Heather Potts 2021

Thank You for Freedom

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVvCA8w3Cm0

One and Only ~ Rend Collective

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free…But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. ~ Galatians 5:1, 13 NIV

I was unprepared for the scene as the road to the grocery store took me past two cemeteries, where dozens of flags waved in honor of military heroes. One of my grandpas is among them. As I continued past, I realized that for far too many, this weekend would be a moment in which time would stand still, as memories of their fallen heroes flooded their minds.

It was shortly after my grandpa’s death that we found the article about his younger brother, Pfc. Clayton Hayes. The article told of how Clayton and his troop helped families carry their belongings back to their war-ravaged homes in Normandy. The article was written in June 1944, just three months before Clayton died as a war-hero.

For many of us, it’s been a long couple of months that we’ve felt our freedoms were stripped under orders to stay at home—not work, not see friends or family, not go out unless necessary. While it’s been a trying season and we’re all ready to experience more freedoms, let’s not forget those who died for them.

First and foremost, Jesus died—paying the highest price—so that you could live, not to please yourself, but for Him. Second, remember the men and women who fought and died protecting the freedoms we enjoy in this country. Today, take a moment to pray for the families who’ve lost loved ones in the wars. Pray also for those who are currently serving in the military, as well as their families. Then, as you see those who’ve served, say, “Thank you.” My stepdad, who served in both Vietnam and in Desert Storm, always says, “All anyone has to say is, ‘Thank you.’” Finally, spend time asking God how you can serve others. We’re not all called to the military, but we’re all called to serve one another in love.

http://normandie44.canalblog.com/archives/2012/01/14/23241133.html

Article on Pfc. Clayton Hayes, and the others in his troop.

©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