If It Walks Like a Duck

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgw1hIcW34k

Surviving the Game ~ Skillet

 

Put on God’s whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil. ~ Ephesians 6:11 AMPC

 

You’ve heard the saying, “If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, then it’s probably a duck.” That’s what was going on in our house last night—except the duck was a spiritual attack. Disguised as multiple physical ailments, our family was under spiritual attack. Like any good attack, a strategic plan was set into motion, but small at first, to slip in under the radar.

 

Over the weekend, Savannah and I felt some discomfort, which slowly got worse as the days progressed. By Wednesday evening, the four of us were having moderate to severe pain. However, like a good deception, we all had completely different issues, and didn’t immediately recognize what was happening.

 

Though I was overwhelmed, after taking a spiritual step back, I saw that we were under attack. Not only did I call doctors and treat physical symptoms, but I also prepared for war. When things feel like a spiritual attack and act like a spiritual attack, then it’s best to don your spiritual armor and prepare for battle.

 

Ephesians 1:3 says that we—believers—have been blessed “with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,” (NKJV). This includes our redemption, forgiveness, and our being lavished in every kind of wisdom and understanding in Christ, (vv. 7-8). Paul prayed that God would “make [us] intelligent and discerning in knowing [Him] personally,” (Ephesians 1:18 MSG). Intelligence is needed for the physical realm, discernment for the spiritual. We need both because, in Christ, we are spirit beings. “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, … raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,” (Ephesians 2:4,6 NIVUK). Because of His great love for us, God placed us in the heavenly places, blessing us with the victory that is in Christ Jesus, so that by faith, we can overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil, (1 John 5:4).

 

With wisdom, discernment, and your spiritual armor on, the next time that duck walks and quacks into your life, you can say, “I recognize you. Though dressed like a duck, you are defeated, and I have overcome!”

©Heather Potts 2022

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

How Did God Surprise You?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_2aX_i4qpM

All Things New ~ Big Daddy Weave

Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the Lord, saying, 

“I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; … “

~ Exodus 15:1 ESV

As a family, we usually share the best part of our day, but because another close friend’s loved one went to be with Jesus yesterday, we were having a hard time thinking of the “best thing.” Instead, it was, “How did God surprise you, today?” Savannah said she had many friends to play with at recess. Elizabeth said her friend told her lots of jokes. That began lots of laughter, with each of us sharing our corniest jokes. I might have won, because Brad just shook his head when I began my joke...

While I shared many of the cool things God did for me, yesterday, I kept the biggest close to my heart, in that moment. In the middle of the day, a friend found me to see how I was doing, in light of the sad news. She said to take a little break in her office and just hug her Bible. I found her Bible, but instead of hugging it, I opened it, feeling that God had something to say to me. Her Bible was bookmarked in Exodus. Chapter 15, verses 1-2 about leapt off the page.

Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the Lord, saying, 

“I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously;

                              . . . 

The Lord is my strength and my song, 

    and he has become my salvation; 

this is my God, and I will praise him, 

    my father's God, and I will exalt him.

While this passage was not written from similar circumstances to mine, the message is still the same: God’s people know His great Name and sing of His triumph and victory! Because we have been crucified with Christ, we also share in His victory over death and the promise that we WILL see our friend, again, when we, also, go to be with Jesus. 

If you are hurting today, whether due to the loss of a loved one, or another burden, let your gaze settle on the Lord. Take in the fullness of who He is and His faithfulness. Then, let your praise rise to meet the Lord who is your strength and song. 

©Heather Potts 2021

Don't Quit

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIGV3ms_9eM

Worthy of It All ~ Bethany Wohrle

...let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus… ~ Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV

When you’re running your race but cannot see the ending, you’re in danger of quitting too soon.

For the past two weeks, Brad has been battling a double ear and sinus infection. He has been in horrible pain. He felt like his left eye was being pushed out of his head, causing darkness on one side of his eye’s peripheral vision, and double vision on the other side. To help him, we’ve been praying; he's seen his doctor, and he’s taken essential oils and antibiotics. 

Last night, as we were drifting off to sleep, I prayed for him, again, outloud. Then, in my spirit, I asked God if it was handled. I know I heard God say, “Yes.” My night’s sleep was rather bumpy, but each time I would awaken, I would pray and praise, as “Worthy of It All” played in my spirit. Then this morning, Brad burst through the bedroom door. I jolted out of bed when he said his eye popped! I am relieved to say his eye is fine. He meant the tear duct in his left eye, which had been plugged, popped. He could see perfectly and ALL the pressure was GONE! PRAISE JESUS!

Though those days were long, it was only 12 days. Some of my friends have been waiting on God’s answers for years. Sometimes, when we’ve been in the trenches for so long, we can lose sight of what we’re fighting for and tend to focus only on what’s right before us. That’s why we’re told to fix our eyes on Jesus. Not only is Jesus our Finish Line, but He’s also our Victory, our Hope, and our Help. With Jesus before us, and Holy Spirit constantly by our side, we cannot fail if we don’t quit. Our job is just to take one more step, and then another. Then, before we know it, with our eyes fixed on Christ, we’ll be running towards Victory, empowered by His strength.

If you’ve been waiting on an answer from God, whether it’s been days or years, don’t quit! Just take another step, keeping your eyes fixed on Christ.

©Heather Potts 2021

No Bows Necessary

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8AB0vUU038

Overcome ~ Jeremy Camp

"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony…” ~ Revelations 12:11 NKJV

Is Testimony 1) a story I tell about the challenges I have overcome in my life; or 2) the action of giving an eye witness? Unfortunately, the first definition has been more accurate of my view. Don’t misunderstand; I knew that Jesus was the only reason for victory in my life, but I failed to understand that the point of a testimony is to point to Jesus.

After her baptism, Savannah was given “The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name,” with the underlying purpose of showing that a Savior was needed since the beginning. Only through Him do we have our victory. Sadly, many Christians believe that once they know Jesus, and have witnessed victory in their lives, that will be the end of their trials and victories. Many also feel--and I have fallen into this trap--that we have to see the victory in order for it to be part of our testimony; that, somehow, Christ isn’t enough if there isn’t a happy-ending-bow to tie off that part of the story. Please know that Jesus doesn’t need us to add anything to Him or His story. Rather, Jesus invites us to be part of His story as He uses our lives to demonstrate His power and glory. 

If you feel your story isn’t worth telling, let me assure you that knowing Jesus is something that others need to hear. Revelations 12:11 says, “They overcame [the Accuser] by the Blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony.” The Liar, the Accuser, is working hard to convince you that you’re the only one feeling this pain or enduring this struggle. Sharing our stories with others--even in the midst of a trial, with lack of a happy-ending-bow--helps them realize they aren’t alone. Remember, your story isn’t about you. Your story is being written to point others to Jesus.

©Heather Potts 2021

It's Not About Meatballs

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAIdo707Sac&list=RDHAIdo707Sac&start_radio=1&t=0

Freedom Reigns ~ Jesus Culture

 For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. ~ 2 Corinthians 3:17 NLT

 Have you ever fought about something as ridiculous as meatballs? If you’ve been married for any length of time (or have a sibling), there’s a good chance you’ve fought over something rather ridiculous. Last night, it was about meatballs. Long story short, there was the possibility (though it was slight) that glass got in the meatballs. I decided the risk outweighed the benefit of keeping them and threw them in the garbage.

 Let’s be real: the fight was never about meatballs. Our fight was about working through our fears. Because of a very old lie from the enemy, I believed that I had to hold everything together. The weight of the household—budget, meal planning, everything—fell on me. No human ever said this to me. In fact, both my mom and my husband have said quite the contrary, but the lie was embedded early and was hard to “unbelieve.” Praise God Jesus has given me freedom from these lies, and I am now able to (more quickly) identify them and command that they be burned back to their sources in Jesus’ Name! Sadly, my husband came with his own set of lies he’d believed. Praise God he, too, has received freedom in Christ and is also (more quickly) able to identify and command these lies be burned in Jesus’ Name!

 After being married almost 16 years, one might think we’d no longer fight about meatballs. But the truth is, we are all in a war and the devil aims to win. Thankfully, he’s not very creative and will keep using what’s worked in the past. But we have been given weapons to defeat our enemy! As we continue to walk in freedom, daily applying our spiritual armor and weapons of warfare, we’ll be enabled to walk in the victory and freedom Christ died and rose to give us.

 It’s time to break free from the bondage of old lies. Jesus came that all would know Him, walk with Him, and have freedom in His Name. Pray today that Holy Spirit would reveal the lies under which you’ve been operating and help you use your armor and weapons of warfare to defeat them, so that you can walk daily in the freedom and victory you’ve been given in Christ Jesus.

©Heather Potts 2021