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

His Songs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awkO61T6i0k

Raise a Hallelujah ~ Bethel Music

The voice of the LORD is powerful; The voice of the LORD is full of majesty. ~ Psalm 29:4 NKJV

The devil uses fear and doubt as he seeks to steal, kill, and destroy. Fear and doubt are huge roadblocks for all who want to move forward into God's calling, as well as for everyone standing and believing in the promises and miracles God has for us.

As we keep seeking God, the enemy keeps sending spiritual giants, each one larger than the last. But in studying these past few days, I've noticed a recurrent theme: God sings over me. It's not just to refresh my soul, though there are those times, too, but to protect, strengthen, and deliver me.

Behold, God, my salvation! I will trust and not be afraid, For the Lord God is my strength and song; Yes, He has become my salvation. ~ Isaiah 12:2 AMP

You are my hiding place; You, Lord, protect me from trouble; You surround me with songs and shouts of deliverance.  ~ Psalm 32:7 AMP

The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” ~ Zephaniah 3:17 NIV

The voice of the Lord is powerful! Psalm 29 says the Lord's voice "strikes with flashes of lightning…shakes the desert…twists the oaks and strips the forest bare…" (vv. 4-9). The same God who spoke the world into existence is singing, shouting, and rejoicing over our trials and circumstances.

Whatever you are facing today – whatever giants are staring you down – join the Lord as He sings, today. Worship Him. Praise Him. Join Him in shouts of deliverance over those giants!

©Heather Potts 2019

Impossible: Nothing

https://youtu.be/k4qdVECadAE

Nothing is Impossible ~ Planet Shakers

Jesus looked at them and said, "With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God." ~ Mark 10:27 ESV

What is it that you want?  What desires has God placed on your heart for your marriage, your family, your kids, others in the community, and/or those across the world? 

Maybe it's seeing an end to all human trafficking. Maybe it's strengthening marriages, or the emotional and spiritual healing for your close, or extended, family. Maybe it's having your child or spouse come to or come back to Christ.

Whatever the passion or desire, it's not there by accident, but because God laid it on your heart. Whether or not your part will be kicking down physical doors, your part will be tearing down spiritual strongholds. Not in your own strength or power, but through Jesus'.

Right now, we're facing spiritual battles, too. When we declared what we desire to see happen, someone doubted and asked if we knew what would happen if we challenged the status quo. Truthfully, no, we don't know what will happen. But we know what will happen if we don't pray and seek God: nothing.

My abilities, talents, and strength apart from God are worthless. But through Him...the possibilities are endless. 

What are you facing, today? What are you desiring and daring to do? On your own, the outcome is iffy, at best. But through God, what's impossible: Nothing! 

©Heather Potts 2019

I Cried in Church

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxhY9-oMVRc

Here in the Presence ~ Elevation Worship

Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. ~ John 4:23 NIV

Crying is an act of vulnerability; it opens your heart to love and intimacy.

Last Sunday was like many others: I expected God to speak to me, but I didn't expect Him to touch my heart. Pastor Dave's sermon, though always good, was bolder and more urgent than usual. He spoke about how the Pharisees knew Jesus was giving them a warning, but still they hardened their hearts and turned from Him. Pastor Dave prayed that God would show us where we'd begun hardening our hearts and that we'd allow God to soften them, again.

After prayer, the worship team played, "Here in the Presence." I don't know at what point God touched my heart—the spot of pain that I'd tried to cover up—but a tear trickled down. It was followed by another and another until all I could do was cry. I realized that I'd tried to swallow some pain and disappointment. I hadn't shared it with anyone, not even Jesus. He didn't want that area of my heart to grow hard, so Jesus touched me. Through my tears, I apologized for not sharing my pain with Him, for trying to handle it on my own. He forgave me and healed my heart. In place of the pain was relief, because I didn't have to carry it and I wasn't alone.

If there's pain or disappointment—past or present—that you've been carrying, or trying to hide, it's time to give it to Jesus.  Allow Him to touch your heart and heal you. And remember, it's OK to cry, even—or especially—in church.

When was the last time God touched your heart?

©Heather Potts 2019

Pineapple

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rezg4jYFoj0

Fruit of the Spirit

Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.] ~ John 14:27 AMP

I like pineapples. From the hard and prickly outside, you wouldn’t know how tender and juicy they are inside. To save money, I decided to buy whole a pineapple and cut it myself. The first time was a flat-out fail! I didn’t own a sharp enough knife. But then a friend gave me a knife that was supposed to “cut through anything.” And it did, including the pineapple!

Waiting on answers to life’s circumstances can sometimes feel like trying to cut into that pineapple. The tender, juicy fruit feels unreachable without the proper tools. We’ve been waiting on answers to some things going on in our lives. Nothing health-crisis related, but still, things we’d like to get answered, so we know how to proceed. When I read today’s scripture, I realized I’ve been missing peace. When I’ve got peace, everything else works itself out, including waiting for answers.

I’ve been trying to crack open these problems to get to the desired results, but I forgot to strap on my peace. The best part about having the fruit of the Spirit is not that there are multiple to choose from for each situation. Scripture says the fruit of the Spirit is…  We get them all for every circumstance we face. Are you facing some circumstances where the answers feel far away? Take a moment and review the fruit of the Spirit. Which attributes haven’t you been operating out of, but really need to bring along? God has given them all to us, shouldn’t we honor Him and utilize them all?

©Heather Potts 2019

With You

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91KliTa1ksY

Through All of It ~ Colton Dixon

But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you. ~ John 14:26 AMPC

I want to tell you about my dream. I was playing on the playground and Jesus was there. He caught me at the bottom of the slide, and even when I jumped off the monkey bars. He smiled at me and said He loved me and even that He liked me. ~ Elizabeth, age 5

Doesn't it give you peace to know you're not in it, alone?

Shortly after we moved to Wisconsin, I took a survey which listed a series of events that could happen in life. Each event was given a value. The events included changes in job, health, family size, where you lived, etc. The total values of events within a year affected your mental, emotional, and physical health. Because of all the major changes at that time, I scored pretty high. While it was good to see how the changes were affecting my life, they didn’t have the final say.

There have been many changes and challenges throughout my life. But in each season, I had the opportunity to realize that I’m not in this alone. Just as God gave Elizabeth a gift by sending Jesus to play with her and reassure her of His love, He sends the Helper—Holy Spirit—to walk daily with us. Today’s verse describes Holy Spirit as our Comforter, Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, and Strengthener.

What challenges, changes, or other life events—either good or bad—are you facing, today? God wants to walk closely with you and have you walk closely with Him. Regardless of what you’re facing, ask God how He wants to step into your circumstances and what He wants to be for you in your current life events. Remember, it was God’s design to send you Holy Spirit: your Comforter, Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, and Strengthener.

©Heather Potts 2019

Worthy Life

https://youtu.be/FYMjO9mL0Tw

Build My Life ~ House Fires

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. ~ Ephesians 4:1 NIV

Last year, on Memorial Day, I took Savannah over to see my grandpa, Lyle Hayes. She was old enough to grasp some of what Memorial Day is and why we celebrate it. While we were visiting, she asked to explore his house. My grandpa had an older home with many rooms. In the office was a war memorial display case, which housed a model plane, the same kind of bomber on which my grandpa fought. It also housed many medals and other memorial items that belonged to both my grandpa, as well as his brother, Clayton. 

Just about every time I went to visit Grandpa Hayes, he'd tell me stories of his time in the service, especially his training in Florida, but rarely did he talk about Clayton. Shortly after my grandpa died last summer, we found a newspaper article about my great-uncle, Pfc. Clayton Hayes, and how he helped a mom and her son carry belongings back to their war-ravaged home in Normandy. The article was from June 3, 1944. At the end of the war, many men came home as war heroes. Unfortunately, Clayton Hayes, died as one, in September 1944, during Operation Market Garden in Holland.

This Memorial Day, please take a moment to remember the fallen heroes and pray for their families. Please also pray for those who are currently serving in the military. Before the day is out, take a moment and thank those you know who have served and fought to keep us safe and free. And finally, ask God to give you the strength and courage to live a life worthy of both their sacrifice, and of the Lord's calling on your life. 

Who do you know and want to thank on this Memorial Day? 

http://normandie44.canalblog.com/archives/2012/01/14/23241133.html

Article on Pfc. Clayton Hayes, and the others in his troop.

©Heather Potts 2019