One Blessing After Another

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

Jericho Song ~ Rend Co. Kids

For out of His fullness [the superabundance of His grace and truth] we have all received grace upon grace [spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing, favor upon favor, and gift heaped upon gift]. ~ John 1:16 AMP

When I sat down in church, yesterday, I could feel the weight of the burdens I’d been carrying. As worship began, I sank to my knees, feeling too heavy to stand. But as the band sang, everything around me disappeared, and I was in the presence of my Father. As His song ministered to me, the rush of His love dispelled the burdens and replaced them with His joy. Then, not only could I stand, I danced!

After church, I was handed an envelope. I opened it before driving home. I was so excited to see who had left me a card! It was filled with quotes about how God uses lessons and struggles to bless us, but also blesses us because He loves us. It was signed only “from a lady at RVC.”

The card, along with a gift card, also included John 1:16: From the fullness of His grace, we have all received one blessing after another.

Favor upon favor. Spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing. Gift heaped upon gift.

These promises from God aren’t necessarily material. Just as I’d already experienced, out of God’s fullness—full to overflowing—we have all received grace upon grace. As I sat, marveling at this wonderful gift, I wondered who’d left it for me. After thinking of some possibilities, I finally realized it was given, through a woman, from God to me: Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights… (James 1:17 NKJV).

If your life feels heavy, then today’s a good day to hit the floor in worship of your God. And if life is overflowing with His goodness, then today is a great day to dance in worship of your God. Regardless of your circumstances, remember Who is on your side! It’s out of His fullness that we’ve all received one blessing after another.

©Heather Potts 2020

New Year Blessings

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKaXY4IdZ40

When You Believe ~ Whitney Houston ft. Mariah Carey

The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. ~ Proverbs 16:9 ESV

I took some time, yesterday, to review 2018 and realized that as hard as the year was, God's blessings were as numerous, and His promises stronger. I won't take you through our whole year, but I hope this one story touches you.

Sunday, December 30th started out as any other. After the church service, we ran into Elizabeth’s 4K teacher and asked her to keep an eye on Elizabeth. We’ve been concerned that our “new schedule” will take a toll on the girls. Brad’s new job begins at 5am. With having only one car, the girls and I have been getting up at 4:40am to drive him there. For the first few days, the girls went back to sleep for 60-90 minutes before having to get up for school. But the last day, no one went back to sleep. Elizabeth’s teacher promised to let us know.

After getting the girls, we went to get our coats, but Brad stopped to chat with someone. I got the coats and waited as he finished. After a few minutes, Brad and the other man made their way to where I was waiting. Brad looked at the other man and said, “Tell my wife what you just told me.” The man said, “I have a truck and I’ve been praying for God to show me who to give it to. I heard you had a need and wanted to give you my truck.”

Who says that! How did he know?

Brad and I both cried in the church foyer! The man said he and his family are leaving to be missionaries and we could pay him—if we wanted and could afford it—or not. As it turns out, I received a year-end bonus and had been praying about how God wanted us to use it. It certainly wasn’t enough for a new car. But with God, nothing is impossible!

Of all the promises God gave me in 2018, this one stands out: This is God’s year to act! (Luke 4:19 MSG). I pray that your 2019 is filled with blessings more numerous and promises stronger than any challenge you may face.

©Heather Potts 2019

Obvious

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened… ~ Ephesians 1:17-18 NIV

Likely you’ve seen the “memories” feature on Facebook of posts and pictures from years past.  On January 6, 2014 I’d made the comment that we were about to see our first pictures of baby Caleb… For years, I didn’t want kids because I didn’t want my kids to relive my childhood.  But then in 2010, God spoke to Brad and said we were going to have a son and we were to name him Caleb.  After we had Savannah, we naturally assumed the next pregnancy meant Caleb was “on the way.” But when we were in the ultrasound, something was missing…and the ultrasound tech had to point out the obvious three times to assure me it was, in fact, a girl.

I was distraught.  I had been so certain we were having Caleb…

We drove to our girls’ godparents’ house, as they were eagerly awaiting the pictures and the report. Nichole gave me a hug and said, “She’s beautiful.” Sean, seeing that I was upset, said, “It was always a girl. God didn’t just change the baby to a girl today.” And there it was. It was so obvious but I’d missed it. But I wouldn’t miss it again! When we got home that night, I prayed and asked God to tell me all about my little girl, her name and who He had called her to be. My faithful Father said her name is Elizabeth, which means “fullness or abundance of God.” And our lives have been forever blessed by our Elizabeth Joy!

What are the obvious things—the blessings—that you’ve been missing and losing sight of because you’ve been consumed by other things? Pray for the Spirit of wisdom and discernment, that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened and you would see all that He wants to show you.

©Heather Potts 2016