He Can pt. 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dH0PmaKxOtA

Too Good to Not Believe ~ Cody Carnes

 

“Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” ~ 2 Kings 6:16 NIVUK

 

I love how 2 Kings 6 sets the stage for God to move in your life, as it relays two stories where people faced overwhelming and seemingly impossible scenarios. In the first story, an iron axe-head fell hopelessly to the bottom of the Jordan River, (v.5). And in the second, horses, chariots, and a strong force surrounded the city, (vv.14-15). In both instances, someone panicked. Wouldn’t you?

 

However, panic is just the outward appearance of the underlying doubt that’s crept into our minds. When I was 11, I doubted God answered prayers, because my present circumstance wasn’t turning out the way I prayed it would, tainting my trust in God. At the time, my parents had recently divorced (though I wanted them to remarry), and my young and hurting mind couldn’t accept that the God of the past—who’d performed miracles—was the same in the present and the future.

 

But just as God “showed up” to help an axe-borrower and a panicked servant, He showed up in my life, too. God caused the axe-head to float, allowing the borrower to retrieve it. He opened the servant’s eyes to see the hills full of horses and chariots of fire, all of which were on the servant’s side. And He allowed me, at 19-years-old, to realize that what I’d needed all along was Him.

 

Over the years, I’ve seen God move mightily. I’ve known 3 couples who divorced, surrendered their hearts to Jesus, and then recommitted to, and remarried, their spouses. I’ve experienced my own healings and have known others to be healed. I’ve seen addicts turn from smoking, drugs, and pornography after they prayed, and never turn back. I’ve seen the hopeless find hope, dead marriages thrive, and money literally show up in the mail when it was most needed. In each circumstance, though the miracle sparked the hope, it was the Miracle Worker who walked each person through their hard times to victory.

 

If you’re struggling with doubt because God hasn’t come through how or when you wanted, don’t panic. As the prophet said, “Those who are with us” [God and His angel armies] “are more than those who are with them” [the enemy]. God is with you. And though your miracle might be to change your heart and not your circumstance, He is still the faithful God who can do the impossible and will always be with you.

©Heather Potts 2022

My Strength & Song

 

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

Strength ~ Melissa Helser & Cageless Birds | 18 Inch Journey Live Worship Moment

 

Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; For the Lord God is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation. ~ Isaiah 12:2 NASB1995

 

On Thursday evening, I received word that my dear friend, Andrea, who’s been battling cancer off and on for over a decade, had seizures again last week. The doctors said they’ve done everything they can for her and feel her body is just tired of fighting, so hospice has been called. I will not lie; the news came as a blow and shock. Regardless of how bad things have looked, God’s always stepped in, in mighty ways. But hearing that they were giving up left me struggling for words. Nevertheless, I went to God and He reminded me to trust and not be afraid, because He is my strength and song.

 

Why am I telling you this and sharing her story? Because we’re all battling something, and we need the reminder that there is hope and help. Regardless of the battle, the solution is the same: Jesus!

 

Isaiah 12:2 says the Lord is our strength, which reminds me of a young child dancing on her daddy’s feet. You are that young child, invited to stand on your Daddy’s feet. We are called, not to stand in our own strength, but to take each step in His! The verse also says that He is our song. There are numerous scriptures of singing praises to God. The one that stands out the most to me is Psalm 149:6-9, which says that praising God takes the chains off you and puts them around the enemy. The imagery reminds me of a story Joyce Meyer told, in Battlefield of the Mind, of a man who’d been sick for many years. He’d been praying to God for healing, but was about to give up, because he was still sick. Then God gave him a vision, showing that a messenger of Satan was sent to speak lies to the man. But when the man spoke the Word of God, a sword and a flame came out of the man’s mouth to attack the messenger.

 

There is power in our praising and strength in our God! Father, I ask that You would continue to strengthen us. Lord, I pray for healing for Andrea and all of us. Lord, as Jesus sent out all doubters from the house before he healed the girl who was thought to be dead, we banish all doubt from our minds and our homes! Let only praise be heard in our houses and on our lips. Father, I thank you that You are our strength and our song, and we will win our battles in You! In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen!

©Heather Potts 2020

HIS Side

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wPE7PYdXuc&list=RD6wPE7PYdXuc&start_radio=1&t=75

I Won’t Let You Go ~ Switchfoot featuring Lauren Daigle

The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. ~ Psalm 23:1 NIV

Last night, I dreamt I tried to call some friends, but used a payphone instead of my cell. With each misdial and failed attempt, I grew angrier. When I finally reached them, they asked how I was doing. I said I was overwhelmed but given some time in worship and in God’s presence, I’d have a whole new perspective.

The world is full of distractions and the devil loves to use each one to draw us further away from intimacy with God. Just as he did with Eve in Genesis 3, the devil plants seeds of doubt in our minds telling us that God is holding out on us and He cannot be trusted. Doubting God’s faithfulness is the root of fear and anxiety. The more fearful and anxious we are, the more we find ourselves grasping for facts that aren’t typically Truths.

Fact: Protests and mayhem are happening in several cities across the country.

TRUTH: You have been a shelter for me, a strong tower from the enemy…I will trust in the shelter of Your wings. ~ Psalm 61:3-4 NKJV

Fact: There’s been talk, in some cities, of dismantling local law enforcement.

TRUTH: …Who brings out their host by number; He calls them all by name, by the greatness of His might and the strength of His power; Not one is missing… The everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. ~ Isaiah 40:26-29 NKJV

Regardless of what’s going on in the world, we can get overwhelmed, scared, and anxious if we focus on it too long. But when we draw away with Father God for a while, we get a whole new perspective on things. It doesn’t make the bad things better, but allows us the opportunity to rest in Him, as we allow Him to draw us to His side.

©Heather Potts 2020

He Asked Me Why

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MChgCghLJg

There’s Nothing that Our God Can’t Do ~ Passion ft. Kristian Stanfill

Then the LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh…?” ~ Genesis 18:13 NIV

I know there have been multiple times that I’ve asked God, “Why.” Why did He allow this or that to happen? But this is the first time I remember Him asking me, “Why.” He didn’t ask me because He didn’t know. I believe He asked me because He did.

In Genesis 18, the Lord visited Abraham and Sarah to let them know Sarah, who was very old and had been barren, would have a child in a year’s time. Upon hearing this, Sarah laughed, as likely we all would. Most women aren’t having children after age 50, let alone older. But the Lord surprised them when He questioned Sarah’s laughing at His statement.

Just like Sarah, I questioned God’s ability. It’s been over four years since God gave me vision and direction and then let me wait…and wait… Several months ago, a friend said I should go after this dream. I told her God would make it happen when He was ready. Then, a few weeks ago, another friend said I should go after my dream. I told her that dreaming was easy but making it reality was harder. That’s when God asked, “Why?” Why do you doubt? How can you believe for other things, but this feels impossible to you?

Does this sound like your story? Do you trust God will fulfill certain prayers, but some dreams feel too far out of reach? The good news is that if they’re too big for you, then they are about the right size for God. God wants to fulfill dreams in such a way that there’s no doubt He made it happen. Today, let’s determine to stop doubting and decide to believe God will do as He promised.

©Heather Potts 2020