Weaving

Praying Woman ~ Anne Wilson ft. Lainey Wilson

 

For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus ~ Ephesians 2:10 AMP

 

When we were little, our choices for day-time TV were game shows, soap operas, or something on PBS. Once, we watched a woman weaving on a large loom. She was in the middle of her project when we started watching. As a child, I didn’t enjoy watching it. But now, knowing how God works in our lives, it’s interesting to think about it.

 

Last Sunday, I had the honor of being on the prayer team at church. Somebody mentioned to us that prayer, while very important, was a thankless job. His word “thankless” immediately surprised me. The worship team, the pastors, and those in kids’ ministry are all seen, so it’s possible they are “thanked” often. But praying is an honor. It’s empowering and encouraging, especially when I get to pray with others.

 

1 Corinthians 12 refers to the Church as a body. Just as one body part (eye, ear, pinky toe) can’t run the whole show, neither can one person or just one ministry. It takes all of us to make the Body work. It’s in the whole Body that God is weaving His beauty. Each strand in His tapestry may not see how it affects the rest, even when they are smooshed up against each other. It’s not until the weaver steps back to admire His work that the completed work and beauty are seen.

 

I didn’t see it last Thursday, when I was having a pity-party. I complained to God. I complained to a friend. It was bad! Fortunately, God loved me enough to kick me in the pants and call me out of it. Then, He called me to pray. Prayer between me and God is still sometimes just between us, even if it’s for other people. But sometimes, He calls me to share what’s been prayed. God gave me a list of people and I prayed whatever He gave me. By the time I was done, I felt so empowered! I texted the friend I’d been complaining to and told her how empowered I felt!

 

But the Weaver wasn’t done. Some of the women I’d prayed for needed hope! This was the reminder that their Heavenly Father sees, hears, and knows them, and He’s still with them. I didn’t know that. I was just praying because He said to do it.

 

As a thread in the Weaver’s tapestry, you may not see how you’re adding to the beauty of His masterpiece. Just know, in the hands of the Weaver, as He threads your story through valleys and mountain peaks, each part is part of His plan, His masterpiece.

©Heather Potts 2024

Keep Standing pt. 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Gs3fg_WsEg&list=RD_Gs3fg_WsEg&start_radio=1

Dancing in the Minefields ~ Andrew Peterson

 

Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, help me!” ~ Matthew 15:25 NKJV

 

I am equally blessed and amazed that God has walked us through 18 years of marriage. I remember when I wasn’t sure that we’d survive the first 5 years. Neither the world nor our church set us up for success. Though our church wasn’t purposefully setting us up for failure, our premarital counseling went something like this, “You want to get married? Great!” There was no talk about covenant or roles or anything. We were left to figure it out on our own, which caused us both to fail, a lot! Thankfully, God walked us through many seasons—both painful valleys and refreshing mountain-top victories. It’s been in the hard seasons, especially, that we’ve had to rely on Jesus and the covenant promise we made with Him.

 

We really struggled in the infant/toddler years of our marriage. One day, as I was walking and praying, I literally cried out to God, “I will have nothing less than Your very best for me and this marriage!” Was I bold in saying it? Yes! Was I off-base in expecting it from God? No!

 

Matthew 15:22-28 tells the story of a woman who did the same thing. At first, Jesus didn’t respond to the woman’s request to heal her daughter. He even called the woman a dog, (v.26). But even that didn’t cause her to quit. In fact, it was her faith and perseverance that caused Jesus to respond to her. The woman refused to quit! She refused to accept anything less than healing for her daughter and she knew that Jesus could do it. Because of her perseverance Jesus said, “’Woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you wish.’ And her daughter was cured from that moment,” (v.28). Even now, I am encouraged and humbled to pray with the woman’s boldness.

 

Sadly, over the past 15 years, the divorce rate has remained at about 50%, with most divorces happening either within the first 10 years, or years later, when the adults become empty-nesters. Remember, it’s not the length of our marriage or having children living at home that determines the success of our marriage. It’s our determination to stand, and keep standing, on our vows.

 

Whether your marriage is in a good, solid season, or has hit some dips and valleys, I encourage you to pray for your marriage and refuse to quit until Jesus answers you. Lord, protect our marriages. Keep us bold in praying for our marriages and families. In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen.

©Heather Potts 2022

Where Were You?

 

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

Too Good to Not Believe ~ Cody Carnes

‘Lord,’ Martha said to Jesus, ‘if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.’ ~ John 11:21-22 NIVUK

Recently, my prayers felt dry, empty. One morning, I asked Holy Spirit to help me to pray, again. Then, in the way that only He can, Holy Spirit led me to my answer.

John 11 opens with the news that Lazarus is ill. Instead of going to Lazarus immediately, Jesus doesn't begin the journey to His friend’s home till after Lazarus died. Before He’d even arrived, Martha ran out to meet Jesus and said, “Lord...if you had been here, my brother would not have died,” (v.21). In essence, “Where were You?” 

Have you ever asked that of someone? Have you ever asked that of God? Where were You in my need? Where were You in my suffering? Where were You when we were praying for healing? Martha’s attack, though out of pain and anger, was not unleashed upon a stranger, but on a very close friend. That realization answered my questions about my prayers. Because I know that God is with me and He hears my prayers, I expected Him to answer when we prayed fervently for Brad’s sick friend, and again when we prayed for another friend’s mom, and again when we prayed for someone else. But when each person either passed away or kept getting worse, it became harder and harder to pray and believe that my prayers were being heard.

Jesus was not troubled by Martha’s attack, nor is He by ours. Only someone who cares about the relationship cares enough to ask, “Where were you” in their pain. Instead of rebuking Martha, He redirected her focus to the truth: “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?’” (vv.25-26). The most important answer is not Jesus’ reasoning for how He answered our prayers, but our answer to His question: Do you believe? Do you trust Me? 

The Lord has done His job, and He continues to remain faithful and trustworthy. Our job is to pray fervently, walk purely, and believe wholly. If you’ve been feeling dry in your prayer life, it’s time to ask yourself, “Do I trust Jesus? Do I believe?”

©Heather Potts 2021

Lifted Hands

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8uKldEUrPE

House of the Lord ~ Phil Wickham

Because Your loving-kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You... I will lift up my hands in Your name. ~ Psalm 63:3-4 AMPC

In his book, “Give It All to Him,” Max Lucado shares the story of a group of people whose bodies ached and were bowed under the weight of the baggage they carried. Each carried his own - not wanting it, but unable to get rid of it. Then one day, they saw someone they knew, except he no longer had his bags. He stood upright and looked...free! He told them, “The Trashman took my bags -  all of them! And he’ll take yours, too, if you’ll give them to him.” Curious, the group followed the crowd toward the trash heap, where the Trashman stood atop, accepting each person’s bags. They saw the agony in His face and the toll it took on His body, and still He asked for each bag. When it was the next person’s turn, she struggled. She wanted to be free, but not cause agony to an innocent man. Then, the Trashman looked at her with love in his eyes and asked, “Will you give it to Me?”

Jesus asks the same of us. Not just once, but each time we pick up the bags. And when the enemy uses people to hurt us, and heaps bags of pain and shame upon our shoulders, Jesus loves us and says, “That’s not yours. Will you give it to Me?” That’s what He said to me. And, just like the man in the story, when you drop the bags and cast off the shame, you can feel the difference! The joy bubbles inside, bursting to break free and worship the Lord!

Father, I pray for those who are carrying bags, today, who are weighed down by things they were never meant to carry. Whether they have never known You or have walked with You for many years, Jesus, I pray that today they’d accept freedom. In the Name of Jesus Christ, I command that the voice of the enemy be silenced! No more will he convince people that they must carry these bags, believing they’re stuck with them because of what they did, or because they picked them up, again. Jesus, shut down and silence every lying tongue! Let only Your voice be heard, Lord. Let only Your offer be received. Let today be the day people would drop their bags, and lift their hands and lives in freedom and praise! In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen!

So I have looked upon You in the sanctuary to see Your power and Your glory. Because Your loving-kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You. So will I bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. My whole being shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips ~ Psalm 63:2‭-‬5 AMPC

©Heather Potts 2021

In the Trenches

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9moCqVAF2ak

Ghost ~ Crowder

Have you ever been in the valleys of life? 

What about in the trenches?

Life seemed to be going along like normal, maybe you sensed things were slightly off, but before you had a chance to react, the earth started to tremble and down you went from the hillside and into the valley. But your quick shot down didn’t end there. Before you could even get your bearings, the valley floor opened and you fell through a crack. When you carefully, cautiously stood, you looked around and found yourself in the trenches in the middle of a war zone. You weren’t sure who was flinging bombs at you, but you knew enough to duck. In your crouched position, fear began to waft into the trench with you, like the smell of death. It was death to the life you thought you knew, felt that you’d had, giving way to this new reality in an ugly, scary battle scene where hope has faded to gray and you feel all alone.

Sadly, this is reality for some of the people I care about deeply. Without much warning, life shattered and they awoke to this new, hurtful reality. First it only breaks the heart. But then, it messes with the mind. Hurt and fear set in when the mind asks if the life and relationships you thought you had were all just a lie. Hurt and fear give way to anger when you believe the question as truth: it was all a lie!

Though the trenches look bleak and gray, hope begins to grow when Light is spotted. It may look like it’s coming from an encouraging post on social media, or a card from a friend. And though He’ll use resources like your therapist, your pastor, and even prayer warrior friends, there’s only one Light Source. His Name is Jesus.

If you are on the outside, watching a loved one struggle through trench warfare, commit to standing with them in prayer. This is likely to not be a short season, but God allowed you this unique position in their life to partner with them in prayer and, at times, to cover over them in a blanket of prayer-protection. This may not be trench warfare like your great-grandfather faced, but it’s spiritual warfare, which means the stakes are higher and the injuries more costly.

If you’re in the trenches, then suit up! This is likely to be the greatest battle you’ve ever fought. The devil fights to the death and he’s out for blood! But you are not without protection and you’re not without hope. Get your spiritual armor on; hold up your shield and swing your sword. Pull God’s Word close to you and dig into His promises like your life depends on it. His Word will become your greatest weapon and resource till this battle is won, and then will be the launch pad from which your new season will begin.

Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ~ Ephesians 6:11-13 NIV

©Heather Potts 2021

By Faith in the Name

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjPKfQ7fMoM

I Choose to Worship ~ Rend Collective

By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see. ~ Acts 3:16 NIV

Cancer. Yesterday, a relative received the news that this evil word has infected his body.

Cancer. 1a. A malignant and invasive growth or tumor… 2. Any evil condition or thing that spreads destructively; blight, (dictionary.com). 

How does anyone overcome this evil word? The same way we overcome every other sickness and disease: Pray. Seek wisdom and guidance. Walk in faith. Worship and praise God. Possibly make some lifestyle changes. Then wait with expectation.

But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] will gain new strength and renew their power… They will run and not become weary, They will walk and not grow tired. ~ Isaiah 40:31 AMP

Expectation. Something you look forward to and assume will happen. When you’re waiting on the Lord, you’re looking to Him with great expectation, as you believe He will move! I love Jesus’ words to Father God when He was standing outside of Lazarus’ tomb. “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me…” (John 11:41-42 NIV). If we are co-heirs with Christ, can’t we also know that Father God will hear our prayers?

There’s a story that Graham Cooke tells about a woman with an inoperable tumor who wants a word from the Lord. Knowing that Graham has the gift of prophecy, she sought him for an answer. Graham said that God didn’t give him anything for her, but said she should seek God in this matter, then worship until she hears from God. He said that the responsibility is on God to speak, not on her to hear, but to keep worshipping until God speaks. Peter and John also said the responsibility is on God and no one else. 

A man, whom scriptures say was crippled from birth, was begging from those entering the temple each day. When he saw Peter and John, he asked them for money. They said, “Look at us!” The man looked with expectation. “Then Peter said, ‘Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk,’” (Acts 3:1-6 NIV). It wasn’t money, luck, or even Peter or John who healed the man. We’re all healed the same way: “By faith in the name of Jesus...It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed [us].”

Whatever is coming against you or your family, don’t let it knock you down one more day. Come against it in the Name that is above every name, even cancer: the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth who came in the Flesh.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9plwKOkbf1I

God speaks to the lady with cancer ~ Graham Cooke

©Heather Potts 2021

We Have Hope

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mn_3b2oJBec&list=RDmn_3b2oJBec&start_radio=1

Hope is Alive ~ Kristene Dimarco

 

Now we do not want you to be uninformed, believers, about those who are asleep [in death], so that you will not grieve [for them] as the others do who have no hope [beyond this present life]. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again [as in fact He did], even so God [in this same way—by raising them from the dead] will bring with Him those [believers] who have fallen asleep in Jesus. ~ 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 AMP

 

Do you remember how you met your friend who’s helped shape your life and walk with Jesus?

I remember going to her house. Andrea had a servant’s and hostess’ heart. She made sure you never left hungry or thirsty—either physically or spiritually. From the multiple desserts on her counter to the numerous scriptures taped to her walls, Andrea was about filling the whole person. If you had a need—and she was able—she covered it, no questions asked. You’d never know she was a single mom on a tight budget by the generous way she gave. She always believed God would take care of her needs.

 

Andrea was a spit-fire warrior! She was constantly in prayer. If she knew you were struggling, she would always lead you back to Jesus, to be encouraged and strengthened. She believed her God was able and knew you should believe it, too. Even towards the end of her battle, when, physically, things kept going from bad to worse, Andrea was a fighter! She believed her God was able and would do as He saw fit in her life.

 

How do you say good-bye to such a strong, bold light?

You send her out in a flood of praises, as you thank God for how He used her to influence your life. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 says we don’t grieve as those who have no hope. Our hope is alive, and His name is Jesus! It hurts to know I can’t call her or go see her. But even if I could, she’d only lead me back to Jesus, and He’s always with me.

 

If you’re mourning the loss of a loved one, don’t pretend it doesn’t hurt. As a good friend reminded me, fighting your emotions will only cause them to come out in an undesirable way or time. I pray God would comfort you and bring you peace. I pray also that you’d find encouragement in Jesus, our hope and anchor of our souls.

 

This hope [this confident assurance] we have as an anchor of the soul [it cannot slip and it cannot break down under whatever pressure bears upon it]—a safe and steadfast hope that enters within the veil [of the heavenly temple, that most Holy Place in which the very presence of God dwells] ~ Hebrews 6:19 AMP

©Heather Potts 2021

Holy Spirit Eyes

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5AkNqLuVgY

Give Me Your Eyes ~ Brandon Heath

 

Love... Always looks for the best... ~ 1 Corinthians 13:4,7 MSG

 

People are messy.

We carry baggage longer than we should, allowing our circumstances to dictate our responses toward others. Weary and wounded, we’re almost daring someone to say something, as if it gives us permission to pounce upon an unsuspecting victim. People are messy.

 

But God is holy. And trustworthy. He is generous and gracious.

 

Some years ago, I started asking God to give me Holy Spirit eyes, so that I could see people and circumstances the way He does. In my early 20’s, as my relationship with Jesus grew, and as I saw other Christians pray boldly—on behalf of myself and others—I believed this was something I could and should ask.

 

Though God honored my request, it didn’t make me perfect. I still get to choose the lens through which I see. When I allow my circumstances to get the better of me, then I will only see people through pain, or frustration and fear. But when I remember that I am a child of God—and not of my circumstances—then I get to see! Having your eyes anointed by Holy Spirit allows you to see the leadership qualities in the boy who’s been fighting with everyone. It allows you to see otherwise hidden beauty. But it also allows you to see pain just below the surface of someone who is hurtful. This gift isn’t for personal gain, but for healing.

 

Being anointed with Holy Spirit eyes, allows you to see truth about others, the way God sees, enabling you to pray or speak life over others, setting them free, (John 8:32). “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news ...” (Isaiah 52:7 NIV). Lord, anoint us with Holy Spirit eyes, that we could speak truth and life over circumstances and others. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

©Heather Potts 2020