For You

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAIdo707Sac&list=RDHAIdo707Sac&start_radio=1

Freedom Reigns ~ Jesus Culture

 

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

2 Corinthians 3:17 ESV

 

What did Jesus die for, for you?

 

You may say, "My salvation, of course." And that's true, He did, but He came for so much more. He came that you might have life and have it to the fullest. He came to break chains. He came to set captive free. He came to give sight to the blind. He came to overcome the world.

 

My mom and I attended women's event on Friday night. The keynote speaker was discussing the woman at the well and the shame she cared about her. Now, not everyone has known shame the way the woman did. My story certainly isn't hers. But that doesn't mean that the devil hasn't worked hard to put his shame on me. Just as I'm certain he has worked hard to put his shame on you. Perhaps you're still walking around wearing shame like a cloak.

 

The thing about wearing a cloak is that it feels so heavy when you're wearing it. It might be easily put on, but it's not easy to wear, nor does it feel easy to remove. Shame isn't meant to define your actions, but rather your identity. It says, "Who you are it's bad."

 

I think I will always ruin for the day that Jesus spoke to me about the cloak of shame I had to allow the devil to put on me. Gently, He approached me, and softly He whispered, "But I died for that, so you don't have to wear a shame like a cloak, anymore."

 

There's freedom in Jesus. He came to give us freedom! From our sins, from our past, from our future, from shame, from addictions, from defeat, from death, from spiritual blindness, and from the devil's hold on us. He came to give us freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17 says, "Now the Lord is the spirit, and where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." Make the choice, today, and cast off that cloak of shame. Walk boldly in the freedom that the Lord has given to you!

 

What did Jesus die for, for you?

©Heather Potts 2022

Gateway of Hope

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6xSOMdt_2g&list=RDa6xSOMdt_2g&start_radio=1&t=2

Only You ~ David Crowder Band

But then I will win her back once again. I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her there. I will return her vineyards to her and transform the Valley of Trouble into a gateway of hope. She will give herself to me there, as she did long ago when she was young, when I freed her from her captivity in Egypt. ~ Hosea 2:14-15 NLT

Having lived near the Gulf of Mexico for many years, we were taught that the reason so many people die when caught by a current has nothing to do with the strength of the swimmer and everything to do with strategy. Instead of wasting energy swimming against the current, you should swim parallel to it. Eventually, the current will end. If you haven’t exerted all your energy trying to swim against it, you should be able to swim back to shore.  

The same is true in many of the battles we face. If we try to fight them in our own strength, we’ll lose. But if we prepare for the fight, then, with Christ’s help, we can overcome. Maybe you are battling an addiction (drugs, emotional eating or spending, pornography, etc.). If you try to “not give in,” eventually you will, and suffer physical and emotional consequences. If you, instead, find an accountability partner and the two of you begin to pray and make a plan of victory, when the temptation arises, you’ll know how to overcome.

Perhaps a loved one has walked away from the Lord. Begging won’t cause them to turn. Seeking God, strengthening your own relationship with Him, and praying scripture over them is the best strategy with this current. Then, when they come to you, you will know how to respond to and love them.

The reason the enemy fights to keep you and your loved ones trapped is because he’s afraid of what God will do through you and them. But you have something far greater than an enemy: you have a Husband and His Name is Jesus! Your Husband is the head and is responsible for the direction and welfare of His household. Because we have free will, God allows us to wander into the muck. Sometimes, it takes the muck to hear the Lord call your name and whisper, “Come away with Me, so I may speak tenderly to you and turn your Valley of Trouble into a gateway of hope.” And when we choose to turn, He's right there, welcoming us into intimacy with Him.

Whatever you or your loved ones are battling, I pray you would draw away with your Love, with Jesus. Allow Him to heal your heart, turning your Valley of Trouble into a gateway of hope.

https://youtu.be/lSwCOs-uXzU

Lifehouse Everything drama

©Heather Potts 2019