The Victory-Giver

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkRiYsTN7KY&list=RDFkRiYsTN7KY&start_radio=1

Is He Worthy ~ Chris Tomlin

Many, O LORD my God, are Your wonderful works
Which You have done;
And Your thoughts toward us
Cannot be recounted to You in order;
If I would declare and speak of them,
They are more than can be numbered. ~ Psalm 40:5 NKJV

I subscribe to a handful of devotionals. The premise of one, is getting to know Jesus on a first-name basis, exploring the different names of God. Today's name is "The Lord God Omnipotent." The devotional asked: if God is All-Powerful (Omnipotent), what power do you need in your life, today? (Prime Time with God Devotionals: www.churchgrowth.org, https://confirmsubscription.com/h/t/AFD515F44C43B7F8)

We all face hardships, whether relationships, finances, health, etc. At times, our hardships are numerous, but we don't have to face them alone. When David faced Goliath, Moses faced Pharaoh, Gideon faced the Midianites, and when Nehemiah faced Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabians, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, they weren't alone. When you face your worst fears, your fiercest enemies, or any kind of trial or hardship, you won't be alone, either. But like David, Moses, Gideon, Nehemiah, and many others, your story isn't about facing opposition; it's about God.

Psalm 44:1-3 says we're to share the victories God has done in our lives, so that others—especially the next and future generations—will know it wasn't by our might, knowledge, or finances that brought us the victory. Rather it was His right hand, His arm, and the light of His face, because He loves us.

What opposition are you facing? Turn your eyes from it and gaze on the One who is the Victory-Giver. Be encouraged by the wonders He's already done in your life, the thoughts He has toward you, and the victories that are still ahead. Then, turning back to the opposition, declare: My God is Worthy of Praise! By His strength, He will bring this victory!

©Heather Potts 2019

Run w Perseverance

You shall be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD will name. ~ Isaiah 62:2 NKJV

I’ve always hated running.

Last September, however, a friend suggested running as a great way to improve my overall mental, emotional, and physical health.  Though I protested, she told me to do it anyway.  A few days later, after running 2 blocks, I felt like I was going to die! 

On October 10, while attending the Daughters of the King conference, Jennifer Nock, referencing Isaiah 62:2, shared how God changed Sarai and Abram to Sarah and Abraham in order to replace the works of their hands with His power to fulfill His promised purpose. That night, God promised to call me by my new name.

By late October, I was running ¾ mile and got talked into running in the Jingle 5K, beginning my official training on October 24.  But on the 26^th, everything was working against me: both girls were throwing tantrums, I couldn’t find clean running clothes, and I felt like I had a UTI.  Finally, I said, “I’m going anyway!” I found clothes that would do, put the girls in the double stroller, drank plenty of water and away I went.  Near the end of my run, I heard Holy Spirit say I am “one who perseveres.”  He called me by my new name! He called me by His promised purpose for me!  But I wanted to know more, so I asked Him to reveal scripture that went with my new name. He led me to Hebrews 12:1-2, “Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus.”

God has a promised purpose for each of us. In this new year, let's be determined to never stop running after God and He’ll never stop amazing us!

©Heather Potts 2016

When Do We Need Perseverance?

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. ~ James 1:12

When do we need perseverance?

 When there’s opposition.

When is there opposition?

Whenever God is about to do something great.

Perseverance is “the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings,” (blueletterbible.com).  That means when God has made us a promise to do something great in our lives, we must stand firm on His Truth, press deeper into His Word, and put on the full armor of God as never before.  When God makes a promise to us the enemy is also aware of it and he will stop at nothing to ensure God’s promises are not fulfilled in our lives.

What does opposition look like?  It’s anything from people’s words and attitudes to mountains of bills to attacks on your home and your health.  Opposition is tailored specifically for you by an enemy who has studied you a long time.  He knows what things still make you tick and what things you’ve already overcome.  Any area you’ve already overcome, he won’t bother you with because the enemy’s purpose is to defeat you as quickly and as thoroughly as possible.

But do not lose heart, because God says, “My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please…What I have said, that I will bring about; what I have planned, that I will do,” (Isaiah 46:10-11).  God is on your side and wants nothing more than for you to succeed and have victory over the opposition you are facing.  And God knows we do and we will face opposition, which is why he prepares us in advance by sending us His Word and surrounding us with believers who will pray us through.  God knows that when we have victory over the opposition, when we persevere and do not give up, the praise and glory He receives is great.

Father God, many of us are facing great opposition today.  But as great as the opposition is, You are greater.  As strong and as hard as the battle, You are mightier.  Lord, Your Word promises that You will not allow the righteous—that’s us—to fall, but You will restore us.  Lord, as we press into You today, reveal to us the Truth or the promise that we need to succeed and overcome the opposition we face today.  Lord, as we read your promises, our faith and excitement grow as we move toward the great victory we will have over this opposition.  Lord, be with us today and reveal at least one new truth to us.  In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.