Victory

https://youtu.be/yhyVW6sbZeA

Breakthrough ~ Red Rocks Worship 

But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. ~ 1 Corinthians 15:57 NIV

Your victory is dependent upon your struggle or need. If the need is freedom from some type of slavery, then victory means liberation, being rescued. If your struggle is using overeating or overspending to compensate for your brokenness, using them as coping mechanisms, then your victory might look like healthy spending and eating habits. If your bondage is medical, then your victory might look like a clear scan or good doctor's report.

We all have battles and struggles. Jesus told us that we would have trouble: pressure, oppression, affliction, tribulation, and distress. But He gave us hope, saying, "Take heart! I have overcome the world! For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God, (John 16:33; 1 John 5:4-5 NLT).

Perhaps it feels strange to talk about battles so closely to Christmas. The truth is, the enemy is relentless in his attacks, stopping at and for nothing to destroy your life. He will use everything to his advantage, especially the celebration of Christ's birth. Unfortunately, many people fall into despair during the holidays, believing the lie that they are alone, or worthless, having failed to achieve some goal.

God is mightier than any lie. YOU ARE WORTHY because He made you worthy. You are His and He paid the ultimate price for you, His beloved.

Today, believe that you have the victory in Christ Jesus! He gave you the victory--over sin, over sickness, over addiction, over bondage and brokenness, over depression and anxiety, and over every single lie the enemy has poured on you. It's time to stand up in victory! Let today be the day you begin claiming the victory that is yours in Christ Jesus, our Lord. 

©Heather Potts 2019

Defend the Goal

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJB64RmJEDE

Rise Up ~ Skillet

Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour. ~ 1 Peter 5:8 AMP

For fall sports, Savannah played soccer. Though she didn't steal the ball or score any goals, she absolutely loved it! As defender of the goal, however, she excelled! Her mantra as goalie: "Nothing's gonna get past me!" And it didn't!

That should be more than a mantra for us, when it comes to standing firm against the enemy. But if we're honest, we can get distracted and that's when the enemy sends his attacks firing at us. Fortunately, Holy Spirit reminds us to be the defender of our lives and families.

The devil, because he studies us, knows our weaknesses. When he strikes with fear, he goes straight for the jugular. Thankfully, Holy Spirit is always watching out for us and brings stories, friends, and scripture to increase our faith, enabling us to stand up to and stare down the enemy, till he flees.

During the holidays, our routines can change, and we can be off our guard, perhaps complacent with our prayer and Bible study time. We need to remember that the devil doesn't take a holiday, but relishes the fact that we might. For him, that's the perfect opportunity to pounce, creating all sorts of mischief, doubt, fear, and panic in our lives. Matthew 6:33 and James 4:7 say to first seek God's Kingdom and His righteousness, and to submit ourselves to God's authority, because doing so gives us the ability to stand firm against the devil's attacks.

As Christmas draws nearer and you're enjoying many fun activities, be sure to not get distracted. Through prayer and Bible study, keep up the defense and tell the devil, "Nothing's gonna to get past me!"

©Heather Potts 2019

My Expectation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45XfhE5DI_k&list=RD45XfhE5DI_k&start_radio=1&t=0

The Prayer ~ Danny Gokey & Natalie Grant

Truly my soul silently waits for God; From Him comes my salvation…My soul, wait silently for God alone, For my expectation is from Him. ~ Psalms 62:1, 5 NKJV

It wasn't on the bookshelf or on the dresser. Disappointment set in when I couldn't find my camera, which I wanted for the girls' Christmas concert. Our phones, for all their "smartness," can't see anything but the glare of stage lights.

"Skating with Santa" had been on the calendar for weeks. Hours before, however, I realized Brad wasn't coming with us. Though it wasn't his fault, I was disappointed when, due to an allergic reaction, Brad needed to stay home.

Have you ever felt disappointed? Sure, you have; it's part of human nature. Disappointment occurs when expectations aren't met. I expected to find my camera and for the four of us to go skating, together. When those things didn't happen, I had unmet expectations. In the grand scheme, these are little things, but, when not addressed, they can become huge problems.

Psalm 62:1 shares the trusting and restful condition of my soul, while Psalm 62:5 is a statement to my soul, to rest and wait on the Lord. With the Christmas season in full swing, what is the condition of your soul? Are you full of trust, rest, and peace, or are you in need of a good measure? If you're in need, you're not alone. Many of us get caught up in expectations, typically regarding others, and are disappointed because we looked to the wrong things.

It's time to shift our focus. We can't expect people and things to fill us. Instead, we must place our expectations on Jesus and focus on the wonderful, beautiful miracle we celebrate this time, each year. When our expectations are in and from Him, they'll never be unmet.

©Heather Potts 2019

Believe Only

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVN-E1DLIoo

This is a Move ~ Brandon Lake and Tasha Cobbs

But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole. ~ Luke 8:50 KJV

Do you believe in miracles?

Around the end of August, God laid a friend on my heart, so I reached out to her. Two weeks later, after no reply, I reached out again, because she was still heavy on my heart. After two more attempts, I called someone who lived nearby. Though 1500 miles separated us, I knew I needed to reach her. When I finally heard back from her, I discovered why. My friend was battling stage 4 cancer – her 5th bout with cancer – alone.

I felt scared for my friend and knew we needed reinforcements. After praying, I reached out to those who know her…and many who don't. As brothers and sisters in Christ, we prayed for and encouraged my friend. And God did what only God can do: a miracle!

Three months after God first pressed me for my friend, she told me the doctors can't find any cancer anywhere in her body and chemo has been suspended indefinitely!

In Luke 8:41, Jairus, a synagogue ruler whose daughter was dying, fell at Jesus' feet to plead for his daughter's healing. When Jairus and Jesus arrived at the house, many said it's hopeless, as she'd already died. But Jesus pushed aside their doubt and, to Jairus, said, "Fear not. Believe only." Are you in need of a healing touch, a life revived, a relationship made whole, a miracle? Jesus says to you, "Fear not. I AM here. It may not look the way or in the timing you think. But only believe that I will make it whole."

©Heather Potts 2019

His Name Is

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXAzt4pUr3Y

O Holy Night ~ Carrie Underwood

For unto us a Child is born …
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

~ Isaiah 9:6 NKJV

Today was… different for each person I encountered. In a way, it reminded me of September 11, 2001, when everyone felt scattered, out of sorts, beside themselves, and gripped with fear.

The city where we live in Wisconsin is considerably smaller than where we used to live. In Florida, most places were typically a 30-45-minute drive… out of "season." Here, everything is "smaller." There's much more of a community feel, that stretches beyond the walls of your church. And I think that's why today was so… hard.

Word began to spread, about mid-morning, of a stabbing and shooting at one of the local high schools. The incident ended quickly, and students were evacuated off-site to be reunited with their families. But hours later, the fear – fear for friends and family members who attend and/or work at that school, fear of the unknown, and fear of could "our school" be next – was still overwhelmingly high.

On my way home from life group, I remembered a teaching about fear. My friend, Pastor Kim Anderson, wrote the book Live Not Die, in which she says that regardless of the battle before us, we must deal with the fear, first. What is the opposite of fear? Faith. And the opposite of anxiety? Peace.

Whether you are feeling shaken from a high school trauma, or the stress of bills, or any number of other anxieties the enemy would love to pour on you, it's time to stop the cycle of anxiety and tell the fear it must flee! Call upon the Name that is above all names, especially fear. His Name is, "Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace," and He's waiting to comfort and to walk with you.

©Heather Potts 2019

What You've Been Given

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEwDx8YJndU

What a Beautiful Name / Break Every Chain ~ Hillsong Worship

But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life. ~ Psalms 42:8 NLT

I wasn't looking for scripture for myself, this morning, but for Savannah. Since having a nightmare, she's been very afraid and extremely clingy, and no amount of reassurance has helped. She's afraid, as happened in her dream, that, when I need to go someplace without her, I will leave and never come back. 

Brad and I have talked a lot about it and can't figure out what precipitated it. One thing's certain, she's been filled with fear, and it's not let her go. So, I went to the One who has both the answers and the power to heal: my God.

Holy Spirit reminded me of scriptures to pray over her. He told me to get my armor on, because we are battling on her behalf. She doesn't have to, nor should she be left to, live in fear. 2 Timothy 1:7 is a promise about the things we—as children of the Lord—have been given.

If someone you love is facing a battle for the condition of his or her mind, get your armor on and declare war on the things that are not of God! Child of God, you have NOT been given a spirit of fear, worry, anxiety, depression, or anything else the enemy offers. Dearly loved child of the living God, you HAVE been given a Spirit of Power, of Love, and of a Sound Mind. My God has given me the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven and whatever is loosed on earth is loosed in heaven and whatever is bound on earth is bound in Heaven. In Jesus' Name, we bind a spirit of fear, depression, anxiety, and worry and loose a Spirit of Power, Love, a Sound Mind, and a restored and refreshed soul. In Jesus' Name I pray Amen.

©Heather Potts 2019 

On that Dark Day

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0FBb6hnwTo&list=RDn0FBb6hnwTo&start_radio=1

Goodness of God ~ Bethel Music

God ’s name is a place of protection— good people can run there and be safe. ~ Proverbs 18:10 MSG

Today is a hard day for so many, as they remember the events of this day eighteen years ago. The stories surrounding that day are too numerous to count. I pray that this story gives you hope, even as we remember that dark day.

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.

In John 14:27, Jesus said He came to give us peace, but He wasn’t talking about a world without war. Jesus' peace is a feeling of quiet confidence and complete trust. That's easy to say when there's no conflict. But what about days of tragedy? And how do those who don't know Him find peace on dark days?

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. It's gut-wrenching to recall and reread the stories. My heart is broken for the families who all lost someone on that dark day.

But there is hope! In John 17:15, 18, Jesus prayed that God would not take His disciples out of the world but would protect them from the evil one while they were in it. He said, "As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world." He knew the risk of losing even one soul to hell for eternity was far greater if messengers weren't sent to share His story and His Name.

On that dark day, when so many lives were lost, at least one soul was saved. On Tuesday, September 11, 2001 my husband gave his life to Christ! 

Lord, thank you for his friends who told him about You long before I ever knew him. I pray that for those who don’t know Peace—who don’t know You—that they would turn to You. Send someone into their lives and to tell them about You. Thank you for wanting us to be Yours. 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, edited 2019