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

Why Were They Afraid?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1D1A0Kf-cRU

Above All ~ Michael W. Smith

 

Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. ~ John 18:3 NKJV

 

Have you ever been so quick to read, that you missed things, which you later realized made a HUGE difference? After hearing a teacher read to her class the events that led up to Jesus’ crucifixion, Holy Spirit perked my ears at the fact that Judas brought men with weapons to arrest Jesus. If you’ve read any of the stories, Jesus was not a violent man. That begs the question, why did they need weapons. After doing some digging, the bigger question became: why did they need so many men, and weapons?

 

According to the different Bible commentaries, Judas brought with him between 600 and 1,000 men to arrest Jesus. They all agreed that the “detachment” included at least 240 cavalry men and at least 200 infantry. Judas didn’t gather all the drunks in a bar one night to go capture Jesus. No, these were trained, armed military men. Why so many men? Why were Judas and the Pharisees so afraid?

 

David Guzik said, “A sinless Man in an appointed garden was about to do battle with Satan’s representative. The first time this happened, the sinless man failed. The Second Adam would not fail,” (Blueletterbible.com, Study Guide for John 18). Satan knew what was at stake. He also knew the power and authority of Jesus, as did Judas and the Pharisees, and that made them afraid. But they didn’t expect Jesus. Because Satan knew of Jesus’ power and authority, he expected a battle, which was why there were so many men and weapons. What Satan failed to realize was that God’s battle plan included Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion.

 

As you go about your activities today and this weekend, whether your life is filled with family and fun, or loneliness and struggles, take some time to focus on Jesus’ sacrifice and God’s battle plan, remembering they did it for you, because they love you!

©Heather Potts 2022

Battles

for everyone born of God overcomes the world… ~ 1 John 5:4 NIV

Have you ever felt like all you did was battle? Maybe you’ve been fighting with your kids or spouse. Maybe the battle is for your job or just to get a job. Maybe the battle is over health issues—yours or a loved one’s. Or maybe you’re battling for your mind or for your life… In the midst of heavy battles, has the enemy ever whispered, “I just don’t want to battle anymore…”?

We’ve been battling many things, and yesterday, the enemy whispered that to me. But before I could ponder his words, Holy Spirit said, “There is a battle in everything. It’s not about the battle. It’s about whose side you’re on.” As I thought about what Holy Spirit had said, I was reminded of a sermon by Pastor Burnard Scott, in which he taught that through Jesus we have been given both power and authority. He said that Satan has power, but not authority, and preys on those who don’t know their authority, because authority is what causes the enemy to flee, (Luke 4:36).

As we battle, it’s important to remember the words of Ephesians 6:12, that our battle is not with people, but against spiritual forces. In Battlefield of the Mind, Joyce Meyer tells the story of a man battling a terminal illness. The man had been declaring God’s Word over his illness, but after not seeing any results, he grew tired of battling. The Spirit enlightened the man’s eyes, revealing to him what was happening in the spiritual realm. Though the enemy attacked, each time the man spoke the Word of God, a sword of fire came out of the man’s mouth, causing the enemy to cower.

Perhaps, like the man in this story, you feel like you’re losing the battle. Be encouraged! As the Spirit showed the man, each time you speak God’s Word—using your authority—God’s power is displayed in swords of fire, causing the enemy to cower. Remember, victory belongs to the Lord and, through Him, you, too, have victory.

Stand to your feet, Overcomer!

Draw your sword, Mighty Warrior!

And declare your victory cry, Beloved Child of the Most High God!

©Heather Potts 2017

Directionally Challenged

…To give them beauty for ashes,
The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness…
~ Isaiah 61:3 NKJV

I’ve always felt directionally challenged. Please don’t tell me to “head North.” Chances are, I don’t have a clue which way you mean. I am, however, visual. If you tell me to go three stoplights and turn left by the McDonald’s, there’s a better chance I’ll find you. But directions aren’t just for finding your way on a map. Directions are necessary for life, which I realized in greater depth after studying Isaiah 61:3.

Ashes: a symbol of mourning, but also represent falsehood and deception

Beauty: an ornament, like a tiara or a crown covered in jewels, and a marker of authority

The oil of joy: oil of gladness, ointment used at banquets; symbol of fruitfulness

Mourning: walking with your head cast down

Garment of praise: clothed by a song of praise or hymn

Spirit of heaviness: a spirit of failing, weakness, a wick burning with a flame almost gone out, a spirit broken down, depression

This scripture is directional. When looking up to heaven, we’re walking boldly, adorned with a crown of beauty and the oil of gladness. But when we look too much in any other direction, we become directionally challenged. We forget we are King’s kids, made in His likeness and image, able to ask for help and better directions when we don’t know the way.

Maybe, like me, you’ve confused your map challenges with being directionally challenged. Maybe you’ve even believed the lie that you’re lost and you don’t know how to find your way. It’s time to dust off the ashes and break the chains of heaviness. We have been given a covering of praise, a jeweled crown, and a marker of authority. It’s there, even now. We’ve been so consumed with “finding the way,” that we’ve forgotten that we walk with the One who IS the Way, the Truth, and the Life. You’re not directionally challenged. In Him, you are found!

©Heather Potts 2017