Not Alone

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3tmfTQ1Zz0&start_radio=1&list=RDz3tmfTQ1Zz0

You’re Not Alone ~ Meredith Andrews

Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid… for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you ~ Deuteronomy 31:6 NKJV

For the past 5 years, one of our Christmas traditions is to make a DVD of our girls for our relatives who don’t live nearby. I remember my Grandpa Hayes telling me, every year, that he had to take it to my Uncle Ron’s house, because Ron had a DVD player. After Brad’s dad passed away, Brad and his sister were cleaning out his apartment. They found many things, including all the DVDs we made for him. It’s Christmas time, again, and I’m getting the DVD’s ready this year… But there are two I won’t be sending. And the realization made me cry, as if those two men had died just yesterday.

Maybe, like our family, you’ll be celebrating with one less loved one this year. Or maybe your family has all grown and moved away. Or perhaps you’re surrounded by others, but you just feel alone. God promised to never leave you – never let you fall, never fail you, never release you from His protecting hands – and to never forsake you – never leave, desert, or abandon you. Pain is such a strong emotion. It can cloud your thinking, causing you to feel things that aren’t real. Pain says, “You’re all alone. No one understands. You’ll never get through this.” God says, “I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand,” (Isaiah 41: 9-10 NIV).

Whether you’re surrounded by many or no one this Christmas, remember that the God who created the world, as well as your innermost being, will always be with you. You’re never alone.

©Heather Potts 2018     

Change

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqa8O1ktxk8&list=RDcqa8O1ktxk8&start_radio=1

Hidden ~ United Pursuit ft. Will Reagan

Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. ~ Psalm 37:4 NKJV

Have you ever tried to make a change in your life, but couldn’t, though you tried again and again? Whether it’s overeating, overspending, yelling at your kids, overwhelming schedules, substance abuse, addiction to pornography, or something else, Paul said it best: I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do, (Romans 7:15). Have you ever considered that the issue isn’t your issue?

In Soaking in Expectation, Graham Cooke encourages us to shift our focus from discipline to delight, saying that we can’t force change, but when we delight ourselves in the Lord, His desires become our desires. The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you … (Zephaniah 3:17 NIV). God delights in you, even with all your faults. But He wants the best for you, so He’s changing you from your old self into His masterpiece.

In the medical field, change is written as a triangle. The triangle represents your life: God is the top point, while you and the issue are the bottom points. The more you focus on the issue, the closer you will get to it and the further away you’ll be from God. But the more you focus on God, delighting yourself in worship, reading His Word, and spending time with Him, the closer you will draw to Him, growing further from the issues, until eventually, they aren’t issues any longer.

God doesn’t want us stressing over issues or wearing ourselves out trying to get rid of them. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still, (Exodus 14:14 NIV). He’s asking us to trust that as we draw closer to Him, His love will overshadow everything else. After all, true and lasting change comes as Father God changes us from the inside out.

©Heather Potts 2018

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

From the Inside Out and With Everything ~ Hillsong United

I Know

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVVlMQved8k&list=RDcVVlMQved8k&start_radio=1&t=3

You Know Me ~ Steffany Frizzell

You have searched me, LORD, and you know me. ~ Psalm 139:1 NIV

This morning, Brad told me that his grandma had 6 months left, and when she passes, his mom wants to fly us to Florida for the funeral. Immediately, I began to plan: Will we bring the kids, who will watch them, etc. I even reached out to one of our closest friends and asked if they’d consider watching the girls, if we decided to bring them. And then I went to work.

The day progressed, as normal. Toward the end of the day, I received a text from my friend about watching our girls. She said they’d do whatever they could because, “you guys will always be family.” Her text totally wrecked me. I thought I was OK…but I wasn’t. I managed to hold it together till I got off work. But when I got in my car, God whispered, I know, and I just cried!

I know.

I’ve been told that I’m quick to show compassion to others, but slow to give it to the family.

I know.

I realized it’s because I can’t control others. I can’t do much to help them fix the situation. But at home, I can do something. I can plan and make it work, because I know how. I, Heather Potts, I know. I know!

I know. I know you. I know you’ve tried to control things, too many things. But I also know you need to let go and trust that I KNOW. I know the plans that I have for you.

God said it was time for me to trust Him and that He knows how to make things work out for my good. If you’ve felt like me, like you had to know how it would all work out or needed something to control because your life has felt out of control, maybe it’s time for you, too, to let go, and trust that He knows. Not just the situation and outcome, but He knows you: the one He knit together in your mother’s womb; the one whose thoughts He’s tested and heart He’s searched; the one He’s inscribed in the palms of His hands.

He’s asking us to let go and trust that He knows.

©Heather Potts 2018

Are You Buckled?

https://youtu.be/clztZEE0kKU

What If His People Prayed ~ Casting Crowns

if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/2ch.7.14.NIV

Confession: Parking in the garage makes me nervous. I love having my car in the garage, but not having to park it in there. It’s because of the angle from which I have to approach our garage in a full parking lot. Each time, I make sure my seatbelt is buckled. You may laugh, but it's true! I feel safer and more confident with my seatbelt on, than without it. And as I laughed at myself, I heard Holy Spirit whisper, "Just like prayer."

As I thought about today’s song, the verse from 2 Chronicles, and even my quirky need to buckle up when parking my car, I am surprised at myself for the days I’m scrambling to get us "ready" and out the door on time, but don't make time to pray, listen, and learn. Have you ever done that? Have you been rushing to get everything done or out of the house on time, and didn't carve out time to put on the armor of God, ask Him to order your steps, or pray for His protection over your family? 

I keep coming back to 2 Kings 6:10, when Elisha warned the king of Israel “time and again” about where the enemy was, and because the king listened, he was able to avoid destruction. What if God has an important message for us, but if we don't humble ourselves and pray and seek His face time and again, we might miss it. 

Father forgive me for the times I forget to buckle Your Truth around my waist, when I’m overly task-driven, like Martha, and for letting busyness rule my day. Lord, help me to slow down and make time to get away with You, so You'll have an opportunity to share things with me, time and again. In Jesus Name I pray, amen. 

©Heather Potts 2018

He Goes with Us

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26Mqmc5rWM8

First ~ Lauren Daigle

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. ~ Psalms 118:24 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/psa.118.24.ESV

How’s your Wednesday going?

If you made it to Wednesday, shouldn’t it be all “downhill” and “smooth sailing” from here? That’s what we’re led to believe, but that’s not always the case.

This morning Holy Spirit whispered Psalm 118:24 to me. It was a simple reminder that I can face and tackle whatever may lie ahead, because the Lord's grace & mercy will go with me, (Psalm 23:6). But also, because the Lord made the day. Nothing is unexpected, and nothing is too hard for Him to help me overcome or maneuver. 

So far, I've been hit with some interesting challenges at work, but each time, I remember what He said, "This is the day the Lord had made...His grace and mercy go with me."

Praying this simple promise helps you find peace, as you maneuver through the rest of your week.

©Heather Potts 2018

14-Year Prayer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyqbvaQc7BQ

When You Say Nothing at All ~ Noting Hill Soundtrack

Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. ~ Hebrews 10:23 NLT

Lord, today we’re celebrating 14 years of marriage. That’s 14 years of facing storms, of trials and victories, of missteps and mistakes, of getting back up and trying again, of walking together, of needing You more than before, of learning together, of tears and loss, of fun and lots of laughter, of discovering new favorites and sharing old ones, of making new friends and cherishing long-time friends, of combating fears and overcoming odds, of dreaming, praying, and celebrating, of new adventures and making the journey together.

While we don’t know where the next year or 100 years will take us, I pray that we would keep on walking, dancing, laughing, loving, and going on this journey stronger and closer today than yesterday, and even more so tomorrow. Keep our hearts soft toward each other and humble before You.

Lord, watch over my husband. Bless him beyond his imagining and open his eyes to Your dreams for him. Bless our marriage and move in us, Lord. Embolden and strengthen us to move in Your power and victory. Cover over our family, Lord. Help us to be like You, that we would lead our girls in love, truth, peace, life, and laughter through our words and by our example.

Lord, this is my 14-year prayer for our family. Be ever-present in our lives, Lord. Help us to spread everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of You. Thank you for 14 years of marriage. I pray for 100 more—more blessings, more love, and more of You. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dy9nwe9_xzw&start_radio=1&list=RDdy9nwe9_xzw&t=0

Oceans ~ Hillsong

©Heather Potts 2018

Quiet Confidence

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fx3qvN_j63Q&list=RDfx3qvN_j63Q

I Will Exalt You ~ Hillsong United

If my life is surrendered to God, all is well.  Let me not grab it back as though it were in peril in His hand but would be safer in mine. ~ Elisabeth Elliot

He got up, got dressed for work, kissed his girlfriend good-bye and headed out the door.  Today was the day it would all change for him.  He was starting a new job, a new way of life.  After orientation, his boss showed him to an office and asked him to file while she was in a meeting.  A while later, he began to hear a commotion.  People were yelling and running.  He stuck his head out of the office and saw the burning twin towers on TV and the reporter talking about the concerns for the President.  Then someone in the office said, “Air Force One is across the street!  Should we evacuate the building?” No one gave an answer, for they were all staring at the TV in horror. He moved back into the office and closed the door, his mind whirling.

Most people remember where they were on September 11, 2001.  In John 14:27, Jesus said that He came to give us peace, but He wasn’t talking about a world without war.  Jesus was talking about an inner-peace, a feeling of quiet confidence and complete trust.  That’s easier to say when your world seems at peace, but what about when your world is not at peace.  Or what about those who don’t know Him?  What then?

Standing in that office, leaning up against the door, he was afraid.  “What if I die today?  What if they take out the President’s plane and this office with it?  What if my girlfriend was right and I miss it?”  He began to remember what his friends had said one night after work, so many years ago.  They had talked about a Savior. Not a mean God, but One who wanted to love him and who would accept him.  Sliding down to the floor, he said, “God I give you my heart.  From this day forward, I’m Yours.”

The TV stations all reported the number of lives lost that day.  I’m sad for the families who all lost someone.  But I’m glad for at least the one soul who became a saved soul on that Tuesday.

Father God, thank you that on Tuesday, September 11, 2001 my husband became forever Yours.  Lord, thank you for his friends who told him about You long before I ever knew him.  Lord, I pray that for those who don’t know Peace—who don’t know You—that they would turn to You, that someone would come into their lives and tell them about You.  Father, thank you that You are our God and we are Your people.  In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

And I will give them a heart to know (recognize, understand, and be acquainted with) Me, that I am the Lord; and they will be My people, and I will be their God, for they will return to Me with their whole heart. ~ Jeremiah 24:7 AMP

©Heather Potts 2014, reprint 2018