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

In the Trenches

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9moCqVAF2ak

Ghost ~ Crowder

Have you ever been in the valleys of life? 

What about in the trenches?

Life seemed to be going along like normal, maybe you sensed things were slightly off, but before you had a chance to react, the earth started to tremble and down you went from the hillside and into the valley. But your quick shot down didn’t end there. Before you could even get your bearings, the valley floor opened and you fell through a crack. When you carefully, cautiously stood, you looked around and found yourself in the trenches in the middle of a war zone. You weren’t sure who was flinging bombs at you, but you knew enough to duck. In your crouched position, fear began to waft into the trench with you, like the smell of death. It was death to the life you thought you knew, felt that you’d had, giving way to this new reality in an ugly, scary battle scene where hope has faded to gray and you feel all alone.

Sadly, this is reality for some of the people I care about deeply. Without much warning, life shattered and they awoke to this new, hurtful reality. First it only breaks the heart. But then, it messes with the mind. Hurt and fear set in when the mind asks if the life and relationships you thought you had were all just a lie. Hurt and fear give way to anger when you believe the question as truth: it was all a lie!

Though the trenches look bleak and gray, hope begins to grow when Light is spotted. It may look like it’s coming from an encouraging post on social media, or a card from a friend. And though He’ll use resources like your therapist, your pastor, and even prayer warrior friends, there’s only one Light Source. His Name is Jesus.

If you are on the outside, watching a loved one struggle through trench warfare, commit to standing with them in prayer. This is likely to not be a short season, but God allowed you this unique position in their life to partner with them in prayer and, at times, to cover over them in a blanket of prayer-protection. This may not be trench warfare like your great-grandfather faced, but it’s spiritual warfare, which means the stakes are higher and the injuries more costly.

If you’re in the trenches, then suit up! This is likely to be the greatest battle you’ve ever fought. The devil fights to the death and he’s out for blood! But you are not without protection and you’re not without hope. Get your spiritual armor on; hold up your shield and swing your sword. Pull God’s Word close to you and dig into His promises like your life depends on it. His Word will become your greatest weapon and resource till this battle is won, and then will be the launch pad from which your new season will begin.

Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ~ Ephesians 6:11-13 NIV

©Heather Potts 2021

I Know

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVVlMQved8k&list=RDcVVlMQved8k&start_radio=1&t=3

You Know Me ~ Steffany Frizzell

You have searched me, LORD, and you know me. ~ Psalm 139:1 NIV

This morning, Brad told me that his grandma had 6 months left, and when she passes, his mom wants to fly us to Florida for the funeral. Immediately, I began to plan: Will we bring the kids, who will watch them, etc. I even reached out to one of our closest friends and asked if they’d consider watching the girls, if we decided to bring them. And then I went to work.

The day progressed, as normal. Toward the end of the day, I received a text from my friend about watching our girls. She said they’d do whatever they could because, “you guys will always be family.” Her text totally wrecked me. I thought I was OK…but I wasn’t. I managed to hold it together till I got off work. But when I got in my car, God whispered, I know, and I just cried!

I know.

I’ve been told that I’m quick to show compassion to others, but slow to give it to the family.

I know.

I realized it’s because I can’t control others. I can’t do much to help them fix the situation. But at home, I can do something. I can plan and make it work, because I know how. I, Heather Potts, I know. I know!

I know. I know you. I know you’ve tried to control things, too many things. But I also know you need to let go and trust that I KNOW. I know the plans that I have for you.

God said it was time for me to trust Him and that He knows how to make things work out for my good. If you’ve felt like me, like you had to know how it would all work out or needed something to control because your life has felt out of control, maybe it’s time for you, too, to let go, and trust that He knows. Not just the situation and outcome, but He knows you: the one He knit together in your mother’s womb; the one whose thoughts He’s tested and heart He’s searched; the one He’s inscribed in the palms of His hands.

He’s asking us to let go and trust that He knows.

©Heather Potts 2018

Everlasting

https://youtu.be/LqBpifDpNKc

Oh Praise the Name ~ Hillsong 

The Lord appeared from of old to me [Israel], saying, Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn you and continued My faithfulness to you. [Deut. 7:8.] ~ Jeremiah 31:3 AMPC

What a great image for today. It perfectly wraps up the journey we’ve been on, the decisions being made, and our focus on God’s promises for the future. This scripture is another promise from God, much needed today, that He WILL CONTINUE His faithfulness. It doesn't stop just because there is loss and pain. And the loss isn't a sign of anything other than we live in a fallen world.

I hope that whatever you might be going through or facing today, that God's promises fill you with hope, peace, confidence, and joy.

Thank you, Father, for Your promises. Thank you for being for me, in this moment, exactly what I need! In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.

~Heather Potts~

Not Knowing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxTc98K9OeU&list=RDuxTc98K9OeU&t=4

Here as in Heaven ~ Elevation Worship

And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. ~ Acts 20:22 NIV

One Sunday morning, in January 2006, I was compelled to find my friend Nichole. She went to some church called Bayside. I didn’t know what I would encounter when I arrived at her church, but I went. I found my friend, but also healing, fulfillment, and many friendships that would shape our family.

In 2010, God called us to join a team preparing to launch Bayside’s first satellite campus. At first, I didn’t want to go. I had found my niche and didn’t think I needed anything else. But then God’s Spirit touched our hearts, and we went.

Then in 2015, as Bayside was preparing to launch its fifth satellite campus, Brad asked us to pray about going. I didn’t want to pray, because I didn’t want God to move me. We’d established deep relationships, our girls had the perfect pastor, and I felt like this was where we belonged. But Holy Spirit touched me, and we went.

And in 2017, God told us to pack and prepare. We did, not knowing where we were going, until God spoke to Brad and said we were Wisconsin-bound. I didn’t want to go. This was our home, the one God had established for us. But Holy Spirit touched us, and we went, not knowing what would happen to us there. We rolled into town extremely late on July 24, 2017. The year has been filled with many hardships. But also love. God established and re-established many relationships, people with whom we’d walk through each other’s joyous and hard times. Then exactly one year after we arrived in town, my Grandpa Hayes passed away. But he left behind him a legacy of love, prayer, and faithfulness to God and his family.

I don’t know what the next year or years will hold for us. But compelled by the Spirit, we will go and do as God directs in love, prayer, and faithfulness to God and our family.

©Heather Potts 2018

Nothing Wasted

For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live]. ~ Ephesians 2:10 AMPC

Beautiful Tapestry.

Creatively Crafted Clay.

Fully Molded in Your Hands.

What the enemy meant for harm, You have brought fully around to bring me here, to this place of peace. The enemy used much pain to try to drive a wedge between You and me. You saw it. You caught and held each one of my tears from my childhood tears to those in later years. Though there were times I felt so very alone, You helped me to find You. And not just find You, but experience You. True beauty. Your heart for me—the way it’s always beat for me—so full of passion, concern, comfort, and love—real, true, and unending.

Death. The enemy meant death—physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, and relational. But You. You didn’t allow a single tear to fall in vain. Because You used each tear to water the clay to make me, shape me, mold me, and move me. And each day the pain moves further away and is lost under the sea of Your love for me.

Purifying. You are cleansing, healing, and purifying my heart. The heart that had only known hurt is learning to beat in rhythm with Yours.

Journey. My journey is neither just beginning nor ending. It’s still in the taking and best traversed with You. Father, may I be ever moving closer to Your heart.

©Heather Potts 2017

Prepared pt. 2

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; ~ Psalm 23:5 NKJV

Sitting in an empty parking lot, we reviewed our options: Brad was unable to work, had failed to elect short-term disability, and chose to reject car payment insurance. Due to our two small children and a disabled husband, I was unable to work. We had no local family support and no savings or emergency fund. Unfortunately, that was only the beginning of our painful and long story. The enemy planned and primed the situation, bringing about every ounce of pain, fear, and strain.

But God was prepared.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me… ~ Psalm 23:4 NKJV

IN THE PRESENCE OF MY ENEMIES

Though the devil meant to harm and destroy us, God used it for good, (see Genesis 50:20). That season was devastatingly painful, but God walked with us the whole time. At the very moment when the enemy thought he had won, God brought healing and restoration. But God didn’t stop there! In the presence of the enemy—who was already burning with anger after his loss—God brought about and wrote down a story of healing and beauty and victory.

In the presence of my enemy, God has prepared a table before me.

Whatever you are walking through—even if it’s bad, even if it’s worse—know that God is walking with you. And He’ll bring you through, so that you can sit down at the table that He has prepared for you.

©Heather Potts 2017