Victory

https://youtu.be/yhyVW6sbZeA

Breakthrough ~ Red Rocks Worship 

But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. ~ 1 Corinthians 15:57 NIV

Your victory is dependent upon your struggle or need. If the need is freedom from some type of slavery, then victory means liberation, being rescued. If your struggle is using overeating or overspending to compensate for your brokenness, using them as coping mechanisms, then your victory might look like healthy spending and eating habits. If your bondage is medical, then your victory might look like a clear scan or good doctor's report.

We all have battles and struggles. Jesus told us that we would have trouble: pressure, oppression, affliction, tribulation, and distress. But He gave us hope, saying, "Take heart! I have overcome the world! For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God, (John 16:33; 1 John 5:4-5 NLT).

Perhaps it feels strange to talk about battles so closely to Christmas. The truth is, the enemy is relentless in his attacks, stopping at and for nothing to destroy your life. He will use everything to his advantage, especially the celebration of Christ's birth. Unfortunately, many people fall into despair during the holidays, believing the lie that they are alone, or worthless, having failed to achieve some goal.

God is mightier than any lie. YOU ARE WORTHY because He made you worthy. You are His and He paid the ultimate price for you, His beloved.

Today, believe that you have the victory in Christ Jesus! He gave you the victory--over sin, over sickness, over addiction, over bondage and brokenness, over depression and anxiety, and over every single lie the enemy has poured on you. It's time to stand up in victory! Let today be the day you begin claiming the victory that is yours in Christ Jesus, our Lord. 

©Heather Potts 2019

Redeemed

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=It1XzDf-pFo

Thankful for the Scars ~ I Am They

Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, ~ Psalm 103:2, 4 NIV

Confession: I get nervous speaking in front of people, even though I’ve taught classes, led small groups, etc. I’m sure it’s rooted in a fear of rejection: what if I say the wrong thing and sound like an idiot. Ironically, the smaller the group, the more intimidated I am to speak.

This past week, our life group was discussing Romans 8:17, listing the benefits of being an heir of God and co-heir with Christ. The word “benefits” reminded me of Psalm 103:2-5. Our group leader asked which benefits stood out to me. Typically, this would be a nerve-wracking, hands-shaking, face-reddening moment. But Holy Spirit was with me; and, in peaceful ease, I was able to share what God has done for me. I used to suffer from Endometriosis, a disease doctors say is incurable, but God healed me, (v.3). And in the past, I struggled with depression, but God redeemed me and pulled me out of that pit, out of the darkness, and into His light, (v.4).

This morning, I heard the song, “Thankful for the Scars,” and it reminded me of a post I saw, the gist of which is, if you understood my story—the pit from which He redeemed me—you’d understand my worship. The woman who anointed Jesus with the expensive bottle of perfume is a great example of this: she’d been forgiven much, so she loved much, (Luke 7:36-47). David, dancing before the Lord, is another great example: He “danced before the Lord with all of his might,” and said, “I will celebrate before the Lord. I will become even more undignified than this,” (2 Samuel 6:12-22).

We all have insecurities and things that make us afraid. But when the Spirit of the Lord is on us, it’s amazing how His peace overrides them. The best part is that He often uses our lives and testimonies to bring glory to His own Name. What are the scars and victories in your life? Ask God to give you the opportunity to share them, to dance mightily, and to love much in response to all that He’s done in your life.

©Heather Potts 2019

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