With You

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91KliTa1ksY

Through All of It ~ Colton Dixon

But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you. ~ John 14:26 AMPC

I want to tell you about my dream. I was playing on the playground and Jesus was there. He caught me at the bottom of the slide, and even when I jumped off the monkey bars. He smiled at me and said He loved me and even that He liked me. ~ Elizabeth, age 5

Doesn't it give you peace to know you're not in it, alone?

Shortly after we moved to Wisconsin, I took a survey which listed a series of events that could happen in life. Each event was given a value. The events included changes in job, health, family size, where you lived, etc. The total values of events within a year affected your mental, emotional, and physical health. Because of all the major changes at that time, I scored pretty high. While it was good to see how the changes were affecting my life, they didn’t have the final say.

There have been many changes and challenges throughout my life. But in each season, I had the opportunity to realize that I’m not in this alone. Just as God gave Elizabeth a gift by sending Jesus to play with her and reassure her of His love, He sends the Helper—Holy Spirit—to walk daily with us. Today’s verse describes Holy Spirit as our Comforter, Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, and Strengthener.

What challenges, changes, or other life events—either good or bad—are you facing, today? God wants to walk closely with you and have you walk closely with Him. Regardless of what you’re facing, ask God how He wants to step into your circumstances and what He wants to be for you in your current life events. Remember, it was God’s design to send you Holy Spirit: your Comforter, Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, and Strengthener.

©Heather Potts 2019

Not Alone

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3tmfTQ1Zz0&start_radio=1&list=RDz3tmfTQ1Zz0

You’re Not Alone ~ Meredith Andrews

Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid… for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you ~ Deuteronomy 31:6 NKJV

For the past 5 years, one of our Christmas traditions is to make a DVD of our girls for our relatives who don’t live nearby. I remember my Grandpa Hayes telling me, every year, that he had to take it to my Uncle Ron’s house, because Ron had a DVD player. After Brad’s dad passed away, Brad and his sister were cleaning out his apartment. They found many things, including all the DVDs we made for him. It’s Christmas time, again, and I’m getting the DVD’s ready this year… But there are two I won’t be sending. And the realization made me cry, as if those two men had died just yesterday.

Maybe, like our family, you’ll be celebrating with one less loved one this year. Or maybe your family has all grown and moved away. Or perhaps you’re surrounded by others, but you just feel alone. God promised to never leave you – never let you fall, never fail you, never release you from His protecting hands – and to never forsake you – never leave, desert, or abandon you. Pain is such a strong emotion. It can cloud your thinking, causing you to feel things that aren’t real. Pain says, “You’re all alone. No one understands. You’ll never get through this.” God says, “I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand,” (Isaiah 41: 9-10 NIV).

Whether you’re surrounded by many or no one this Christmas, remember that the God who created the world, as well as your innermost being, will always be with you. You’re never alone.

©Heather Potts 2018