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

We Want to Belong

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Li40gJTeBts

God So Loved ~ We the Kingdom

 

Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. ~ 1 Peter 2:10 NIV

 

I feel like each time I go to the store, I see more people with dyed hair. Some with salon-quality, but others look like they grabbed a can of spray paint on their way to the store. It’s as an interesting trend, the next wave of people trying to “fit in”.

 

Someone I know is making some unhealthy choices, looking to be accepted. When I asked God how to pray for her, He said to pray for her identity. Holy Spirit gave me several verses:

She is a child of God ~ John 1:12

Her old self was crucified with Christ; she is no longer a slave to sin ~ Romans 6:6

She was created in the image of God ~ Genesis 1:27

She is a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, called out of darkness and into His wonderful light ~ 1 Peter 2:9

She now belongs to God ~ 1 Peter 2:10

 

The last verse, declaring that she now belongs to God, is something we all want. One of my jobs at school is to help in the lunchroom. Stand in there just once and you will see it: all the kids stand around and wait for their friends to join them. No one wants to be left out; everyone wants to belong.

 

Rainbow-colored hair will eventually fade, just as every other fad has over the years, but the longing to belong will remain. God created us for a relationship with Him, but our sin kept us separated, so He sent Jesus to provide the way. Once, you were not a people—you couldn’t come close to God. But now you are the people of God—part of the fold, brought close, adopted, accepted, loved, a child of God. Now you belong; you belong to God.

©Heather Potts 2022

Not Your Circumstances

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKw6uqtGFfo&list=RDlKw6uqtGFfo&start_radio=1

Who You Say I Am ~ Hillsong Worship

 

“Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood.  For your Maker is your husband— the Lord Almighty is his name— the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth.” ~ Isaiah 54:4-5 NIV

 

Lately, the topic of identity seems to be everywhere. Somehow, we’ve confused our circumstances with our identities. When Brad and I were first married, he was addicted to pornography. Even though it was a hard season, his addiction didn’t make me Mrs. Porn Addict, just like it didn’t make his parents Mr. and Mrs. Failure. Praise God those chains were broken, and my husband was set free!

 

While our choices and circumstances affect us, they don’t define us. The moment we put our trust in Christ and made Him Lord of our lives, we no longer belonged to the world. We became God’s. His Name and identity became ours: “My old identity has been co-crucified with Messiah and no longer lives; for the nails of his cross crucified me with him. And now…this new life is no longer mine, for the Anointed One lives his life through me… My new life is empowered by the faith of the Son of God who loves me so much that he gave himself for me, and dispenses his life into mine!” (Galatians 2:20 TPT).

 

When you are in Christ Jesus, the labels of this world—whether from friends, family, teachers, bosses, or the enemy—no longer identify you. You are now and forevermore: Redeemed, More than a Conqueror, Victorious, Overcomer, Son or Daughter of the King, Beloved, Bride of Christ, HIS.

©Heather Potts 2020

I'm a Runner who Perseveres

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRi_4-Qfq2U&list=RDSRi_4-Qfq2U&start_radio=1

Believer ~ Rhett Walker

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus … ~ Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV

I’m a runner who perseveres.

I’m not a quitter.

It’s not in my blood, because it’s not in HIS!

Everyone has an identity: what they see and believe to be true about themselves. Father God sees your identity as defined by who you are in Him. When God calls you by name, revealing your identity in Him, it changes you. It changes the way you think and act but doesn’t make the road easy. But just as not all roads are smooth, neither are they all bumpy. If you drive through our city streets, you’ll find some newly paved roads, some with patched potholes, and some with potholes big enough to swallow a small child. As you grow in your relationship with God, you’ll begin to see yourself the way He sees you.

Your identity is written throughout scripture, and for everyone who overcomes, God has a new name written on a white stone that is shared between you and He, (Revelation 2:17). Five years ago, when I began seeking the name God had for me, some friends shared their names. Beloved and Victorious were among them, with each name being as unique as the recipient. On October 26, 2015, God called me His “one who perseveres.” Within a few days, He gave me the accompanying scripture, Hebrews 12:1-2.

Your identity – the truth you believe about yourself – helps you push ahead or causes you to fall back, to get up again or stop trying. Your pastor, teachers, parents, and friends will help to shape your identity. However, only Jesus is the source of your strength, courage, and true identity.

I’m a runner who perseveres.

Who are you?

©Heather Potts 2020

Racing Stripes, part 2

But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. ~ Isaiah 40:31 NLT

Racing Stripes not only help the driver, but they also help the fans to identify each race car.  Your identity is everything: “If people can’t see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; but when they attend to what he reveals, they are most blessed,” (Proverbs 29:18 MSG).  When you don’t know your identity—your specific purpose—you may fall into the trap of trying to pursue someone else’s because it looks easier, better, more fun, etc.  But this only leads to frustration, failure, pain, and wasted time and energy.

Having your identity intact—knowing who you are and your purpose—is like having wings which allow you to not just run, but soar over the finish line and beyond!  Knowing what you are running toward, the reasons why you’re enduring the temporary pain pushes you to go the distance when you’ve got burning pain in your legs, helps you to forge ahead when your whole body wants to quit, and encourages you to keep going when everything is fighting against you.

You are adopted as a son or a daughter of the King.  You have been robed in Righteousness.  You are redeemed, called by name, and you are God’s (Rom 8:15; Gal 4:5; Ps 45:9; Isaiah 61:10, 43:1).

Ask your Father to paint you in His racing stripes—His intended purpose for your life.  Soak in His love and enjoy being His: His son, His daughter.

©Heather Potts 2016