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

I Failed

How often have you felt that you failed within the past month, week, day, hour?

There was one day a few months ago that I felt like a failure. I was so low that I was buying into all the lies and condemnation the enemy threw my way.  But the next day, Holy Spirit said to me, “Put off this mistaken identity of shame. It is not yours!”

If you’ve failed, it’s ok. God’s grace is bigger than our mistakes—even the ones we deem as failures.  It’s ok to fail.  Failing is not the same as being a failure.  You are not a failure, because you refuse to quit.

Now stand up, dust yourself off, and declare this over yourself:

I refuse to quit or get discouraged (Galatians 6:9)!  I will continue to persevere and receive what God has promised me (Hebrews 10:36). I will run with perseverance, throwing off everything that tries to stop me (Hebrews 12:1)!  I refuse to take on a spirit of despair or self-pity.  I refuse to be discouraged!  I refuse to be condemned!  There is now no condemnation for me (Romans 8:1)!  Today will be a great day and Holy Spirit will remind me to choose right thoughts.  I am regaining territory the enemy has stolen from me.  I am a warrior princess! I will be patient with myself and remember that it is God who is doing a good work in me and HE will bring it to full completion (Philippians 2:13, 1:6).

In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen!

©Heather Potts 2016

Not for the Fainthearted

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. ~ John 10:10 NASB

War is not for the faint of heart but for the armed.  With great intensity and mighty power this war will be won—this trial overcome—through worship, prayer, faith and courage to believe as we keep moving forward.

God spoke this truth to me over a year ago, when we were standing face-to-face with the possibility of Brad’s second open-heart surgery.  It turned out to be a “reading” error, in that someone hadn’t properly read the notes of his first heart surgery when comparing them to his most recent tests.  We were beyond relieved that he didn’t need surgery!

As I have prepared for today—for this C-Section and the birth of our daughter—I’m reminded that “War is not for the faint of heart but for the armed.”  Am I at war?  According to John 10:10, the enemy is always plotting against us, looking for ways to steal from us, and ever at work trying to destroy us.  But we have the Lord on our side and He has prepared us!  He has given us the tools that we need, surrounded us with friends who lift us up in prayer, and given us His Comforter and Counselor.

Brad & I have packed, but more than that, we have prayed and have taken communion, standing firm in our faith knowing that our God is Mighty and Powerful and has never let us down.  We trust that He has gone before us and prepared the hands of the surgeon, as well as the hearts and minds of all those who will come in contact and care for us during our stay.  He has given us restful sleep before our “big day,” and has given us peace in our hearts and minds.  He even arranged for the perfect care for Savannah so that we could concentrate on the immediate needs of Elizabeth before we all come home to be together. 

I’m betting today you are not preparing to give birth to a child, but maybe to a dream.  Or maybe today, you are squashing fears that the enemy has used time and time again to try to stop you from living out the dream that the Lord has placed in you.  Whatever it is, God always goes before His people so that they may have life abundantly.  Trust in your God today.  Cry out to Him and ask for His provision and protection as you continue to make your way forward, remembering that war is not for the faint of heart but the armed.

Father, thank you that we never have to walk alone.  Thank you for sending Your Comforter and Counselor.  Thank you that you always go before us, preparing the way for us.  We love and trust you, Lord.  In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen.

©Heather Potts 2014

The Warrior’s Heart

Thus says the Lord, “Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind and makes flesh his strength, and whose heart turns away from the Lord…Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and whose trust in is in the Lord.” ~ Jeremiah 17:5, 7 NASB

Have you ever considered how our viewpoint changes the way we act or react in situations?  In studying Jeremiah 17, I found that the word “man” means “strong man, warrior (emphasizing strength or ability to fight).”  In realizing that “man” means “warrior” I read these verses in a completely different light:

 “Cursed is the warrior who makes mankind or flesh the source of his security and strength, whose mind, will, and heart turn away or depart from the Lord…Blessed is the warrior who makes the Lord the source of his security and strength, whose refuge, object of confidence, and security are in the Lord.”

If you think of yourself as a warrior, where do you get your strength?  Is it from money, power, eating a good breakfast, or having your ego stroked by others?  Sure, those things may help, but in the long run, those things will fail and fold and you’ll be left with nothing.  But when we make the Lord the source of our strength and security, as well as the place of our refuge and object of our confidence, how can we lose?

What things are you facing today?  What issues or worries do you have?  Are you facing them as a mere man whose strength wanes with the wind or are you standing as a confident warrior with the Lord as your strength and your shield?  If it’s the former, it doesn’t have to stay that way.  The Lord is always available to us and refreshes and strengthens us when we turn to Him and make Him our source of security and strength.

Lord, I pray that regardless of the issues facing us, that we would remember that we can rely upon You and run to You as our refuge and our source of strength.  Lord, I pray that we would remember that You have called us warriors and You desire to equip us in Your strength and Your power to achieve Your victory for Your glory.  Father, please forgive us for turning to other things, even people, to build us up.  Help us to remember that You are the source of everything we need.  In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen.

©Heather Potts 2014