Let Your Gentleness Shine

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDNA2O7eNhM

Waves ~ Worship Central

 

Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ~ Philippians 4:5 NIV

 

“Let your gentleness be evident to all” seems an odd statement. But it makes sense in reference to Paul’s earlier letter to the Philippians. Paul said if they’d received anything from their relationship with Christ or His Spirit—encouragement, comfort, fellowship with Holy Spirit, tenderness, or compassion—they needed to share it. Shine it. They were to be an example of what they had experienced or seen, (Philippians 2:1-4). Paul called on them—as we are also called—to have the same mindset, love, nature, and purpose as Christ.

 

Paul was bold in his speaking because “The Lord is near.” “Nearness” is not about distance, but about time. The return of Christ is soon. However, knowing that God doesn’t view time like we do, Jesus said, But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father… Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come,” (Matthew 24:36,42 NIV). Because the time of Christ is near, Paul implores believers to let our gentleness shine. In a world that’s harsh, full of so much anger and hate, Paul knew it would be our gentleness that would draw people to us, allowing us to point them to Jesus.

 

Some days and seasons will be easier, while others will be a struggle. Regardless of the events or emotions of the day or season, remember:

1.       Rejoice always – it produces joy

2.       Let your gentleness shine – it points others to Jesus

©Heather Potts 2023

He Came

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xU771D5AYWE

Holy Ground ~ Passion, ft. Melanie Malone

 

I waited patiently and expectantly for the Lord; And He inclined to me and heard my cry. ~ Psalms 40:1 AMP

 

Have you ever noticed that sometimes when you read scripture it can change from words on a page to a truth you know from experience or revelation? A pastor once said it’s harder for people, circumstances, and the devil to get you to doubt Truth once you’ve experienced it for yourself. Experience sums up Psalm 34:8, “Taste and see that the Lord is good…” Once you’ve experienced God’s faithfulness, His forgiveness, or one of His many other promises and attributes, someone would be hard-pressed to convince you that it was a lie.

 

Psalm 40:1 paints a beautiful picture of how we can experience God amid our circumstances. The word inclined means to lean down, step down, or pitch a tent. When you’re going through difficult, new, or painful situations, wouldn’t it bring you peace knowing Jesus was in your camp? Think about it, you’re going through some rough circumstances, maybe causing many restless nights, but in walks Jesus with His own sleeping bag and pillow—not because He sleepy—to stay with you for the duration of the journey. Just like my children come into my bed, seeking protection and comfort after nightmares or during violent thunderstorms, God comes to you, to comfort and protect you, during your painful and scary storms.

 

If you are struggling with something, don’t try to take on this season alone. God is waiting for you to invite Him into your situation, to help, heal, comfort, encourage, and journey with you.

©Heather Potts 2021

Comfortable

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BhTAJ49MQ0

Nothing Else ~ Cody Carnes

Comfortable has two sides. The first is a Valley of Struggle, where you wait for God to move a mountain. But after months and years of waiting, you get comfortable in your pain or mess, assuming God won’t change it. The second is a Land of Enjoyment, where you give and serve a little, but not inconveniently. You’ve heard of the Valley of Struggle, but don’t want to give up your comfortable lifestyle, so you try to drown out the feeling that it’s not all about your comfort. You argue your case: Why do I have to be the one who’s uncomfortable? What about my comfort? Though you feel justified, you don’t have peace.

I was at a Bible Study when God first challenged my comfort, asking me to give away a railroad nail I carried. I got it five years earlier, during a sermon on forgiveness. God wanted another girl to have it, so she’d feel the same freedom I’d received. I argued my case, asking God why it had to be my nail. I was 23 when God asked me to give away that nail. Today, God continues to draw me out of my comfort-zone. Most recently when I asked God, “why,” He whispered, “As soon as you get too comfortable, you stop growing.”

Jesus said that He didn’t come to be served – to be comfortable – but to serve, setting aside His comfort to reach a world that needed the comfort of the Father, (Matthew 20:28). Uncomfortable could mean taking your elderly neighbor to get his hair cut, serving food to the homeless, praying with your co-worker, reaching out to an estranged loved one, or giving away your nail so another can feel the freedom of forgiveness. Giving up a little comfort looks like being the hands and feet of Jesus. Maybe God will take the little comfort you gave up and give a whole lot of comfort to someone in a Valley of Struggle.

‘for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; ‘I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ … ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ ~ Matthew 25:35-36, 40 NKJV

©Heather Potts 2020

Are You Tired?

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” ~ Matthew 11:28 MSG

I heard a couple of my co-workers talking yesterday about how they hate Christians, because they are so fake and, “Have you been to their churches?  It’s so dull and boring and they look miserable.”  I was going to turn around and say something, but then they parted ways and I didn’t get a chance to speak up, but thought about their comments a long time. 

Today’s scripture reminded me of their conversation.  As a church, what are we saying to a hurting and worn out world when we, too, are hurting and worn out all the time?  How do we get refreshed?  From what Jesus is saying, it’s by keeping company with Him and through those times, we’ll learn how to live freely and lightly and well-rested.

Maybe the holidays, with all the hustle and bustle, have left you feeling worn out and tired.  How do you reenergize?  Where do you get the motivation to keep going?  Some will exercise and other will drink coffee or one of those energy drinks.  God wants us to turn to Him as our source of refreshing.  When we walk closely with Him, His energy seems to flow off of Him and cover over us.  If you are tired and weary today, I encourage you to spend intimate time with the Father and let His Words encourage and refresh you.

Father, thank you that you are always available to us when we need you.  Thank you that you don’t get burned out and you’ve never turned us away.  I pray that we would remember to stay close to your side, always abiding in the shelter of your wings, drawing from Your strength to carry us through.  Be with us today and always.  In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.

Need You

And my God will supply all of your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 4:19

Last night when we were changing Savannah and comforting her, the thought of thank you popped into my head.  It wasn’t sarcastic, though it was the middle of the night.  It was a thank you to the Father for these precious times of being able to completely comfort my daughter.  She’s at an age and stage where she’s on the move constantly, so I really and truly cherish those snuggle moments when I get them.  As I continued to rock her, the song I Need You, by Sonicflood, began to play in my head.  The lyrics are: You can tell when I need love / You know I’m in need / Love, I need love / You are love / I need You.

The above scripture says that my God will supply all of your need.  Sometimes all we need is the comfort of our Father.  Sometimes, it’s just a chance to stop the activity of the world and climb on up into His lap and be completely comforted.  During the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, amongst the shopping, decorating, partying, and Christmas light hunting, don’t forget the One who should be the center of attention during this time: Jesus.

If your life seems a little chaotic and out of sorts, or if you are fighting with your spouse about colored vs. white lights, perhaps it’s time for a break.  Perhaps it’s you need some downtime, some snuggle time with the Father.  He wants to bring you complete comfort.  Take some time and crawl up into His lap; He’s always available to you.

Father, thank you for special moments with our family, the kind you can’t capture with a camera.  But even more than that, Father, thank you for special moments with You.  Father, thank you for the intimacy and closeness we are able to have with you.  I pray that during this season, we would remember you and look to you for our comfort and a breath of fresh air.  Thank you for being with us today and always.  In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.