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

Just Trust Me

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bqGQfk79A0&list=RD2bqGQfk79A0&start_radio=1

How Deep ~ Rock City Worship

 

Do not [earnestly] remember the former things; neither consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs forth; do you not perceive and know it and will you not give heed to it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. ~ Isaiah 43:18-19 AMPC

 

On Monday night, when the Rams played the Buccs, Brad asked if I’d like to watch the game and “relive” our 3^rd date. Twenty years and a lot of changes separate us from our third date. Thinking about all the changes over the years, I realized that—while some changes have been scary and downright disappointing—many turned out to be huge blessings. Whether God was calling us to help launch a satellite church campus, have kids, move our family 1500 miles, or just walk with Him in the everyday changes and challenges, God was always holding out His hand, saying, “Just trust Me.”

 

Just trust Me is the same message God spoke through Isaiah. The Amplified version says we’re to “earnestly” not remember the past. In other words, don’t cling to the “good ol’ days.” There’s nothing wrong with telling a tale from them every now and then. Unfortunately, though, the “good ol’ days” have a way of grossly distorting the truth until you’re so desperate to hang on to what you had that you stand still when Jesus beckons you to walk further.

 

Trust can be hard when you consider empty stadiums, hybrid schooling, fearful, older relatives, and virtual holidays. But the same promise God made then, He’s making now: Just trust Me, because I’m doing something new. Not different, new – unheard of and unthinkable! Don’t worry about the details; I’ve got them covered. I’m making a path where there isn’t one, on which I’ll feed and nurture you. And I’m bringing refreshing rivers in the otherwise dreary seasons. But you need to stop clinging to the past and trust that I’ll do what I say.

 

Regardless of the circumstances, Jesus calls us to walk with and trust Him. What will you do?

©Heather Potts 2020