Redeemed

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=It1XzDf-pFo

Thankful for the Scars ~ I Am They

Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, ~ Psalm 103:2, 4 NIV

Confession: I get nervous speaking in front of people, even though I’ve taught classes, led small groups, etc. I’m sure it’s rooted in a fear of rejection: what if I say the wrong thing and sound like an idiot. Ironically, the smaller the group, the more intimidated I am to speak.

This past week, our life group was discussing Romans 8:17, listing the benefits of being an heir of God and co-heir with Christ. The word “benefits” reminded me of Psalm 103:2-5. Our group leader asked which benefits stood out to me. Typically, this would be a nerve-wracking, hands-shaking, face-reddening moment. But Holy Spirit was with me; and, in peaceful ease, I was able to share what God has done for me. I used to suffer from Endometriosis, a disease doctors say is incurable, but God healed me, (v.3). And in the past, I struggled with depression, but God redeemed me and pulled me out of that pit, out of the darkness, and into His light, (v.4).

This morning, I heard the song, “Thankful for the Scars,” and it reminded me of a post I saw, the gist of which is, if you understood my story—the pit from which He redeemed me—you’d understand my worship. The woman who anointed Jesus with the expensive bottle of perfume is a great example of this: she’d been forgiven much, so she loved much, (Luke 7:36-47). David, dancing before the Lord, is another great example: He “danced before the Lord with all of his might,” and said, “I will celebrate before the Lord. I will become even more undignified than this,” (2 Samuel 6:12-22).

We all have insecurities and things that make us afraid. But when the Spirit of the Lord is on us, it’s amazing how His peace overrides them. The best part is that He often uses our lives and testimonies to bring glory to His own Name. What are the scars and victories in your life? Ask God to give you the opportunity to share them, to dance mightily, and to love much in response to all that He’s done in your life.

©Heather Potts 2019

NEW

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yb1h4nxyVtU&list=RDYb1h4nxyVtU&start_radio=1&t=2

Making All Things New ~ Elevation Worship 

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. ~ Isaiah 43:19 NIV

When Savannah was little, everything prior to now was yesterday. For Elizabeth, it’s last year. It sometimes caused people to give us funny looks, depending upon what else came out of their mouths. But what if we all spoke that way? What if we held the concept of time like a child: that our focus is now, and the past is an oblivious point in time?

Isaiah 43:19 is an amazing promise from God! It refreshes and revives. It restores and bolsters new hope.

The enemy is not creative. He reweaves old lies and brings to mind past failures and hurts. But because of Jesus, you can boldly, proudly, and gladly say, "That was yesterday. Today, God promises to do something new in my life! He's already begun. Praise God that, because of the Blood of Jesus, I am new, washed clean, and don't have to live in yesterday, anymore!"

Thank you, Father, for doing something new in our lives. I know the devil likes for us to fear the new change, but You use it as a means to propel us into Your purpose for our lives. Thank you for refreshing and restoring hope to us, today. In Jesus’ Name I pray Amen.

©Heather Potts 2019

Even an Ugly Light

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoWocSWM2aI&start_radio=1&list=RDXoWocSWM2aI&t=9

Grace So Glorious ~ Elevation Worship

being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ ~ Philippians 1:6 NKJV

Insecurities.

We all have them. I find it ironic that when I’m walking closer with God and gaining victory in one area, the devil always shines a light on an area that needs work. And I feel overwhelmed and defeated.

But then I remember my promises: “Blessed is the [one] who trusts God, whose trust is in the Lord. Love…always trusts,” (Jeremiah 17:7 ESV; 1 Corinthians 13:7 NIV). The devil’s ugly light shining on my insecurities is part of trust. Intimacy, the result of trust, means I don’t have any secrets or any areas I withhold. This is especially true of intimacy with my Father God. Romans 8:28 says God uses all things for the good of those who love Him. The devil’s ugly light is part of “all things.” But God doesn’t use it to shame me. Instead, He holds out His hand and says, “Dearest one, don’t be afraid. I’m going to walk you through this. The closer you walk with Me, the less this will affect you. Allow My majesty to fill in those empty places, until you aren’t bothered by them anymore. Then you will stand empowered, defeating the enemy where he stands.”

Don’t let insecurities claim you any longer. Start, right now, by opening your hand and giving the pain, hurt, and lies to Father God. Watch as your trust in Father God blesses your life with victory, freedom, and intimacy with Him.

©Heather Potts 2019

Cowboy Up

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MfBQ30Ta9w&list=RD8MfBQ30Ta9w&start_radio=1&t=3

Take Heart ~ Hillsong

Therefore strengthen your tired hands and weakened knees, ~ Hebrews 12:12 HCSB

Before it ran out of seasons, we watched Heartland, which is about a family who owns and runs a horse ranch in Canada. Often, when someone wasn’t giving it “their all,” the ranchers would say, “Cowboy up,” which calls for an attitude shift from “can’t” to “can do.” Sometimes I have to say that to myself, especially when my physical therapist wants me to give more than I think I’ve got.

Like with push-ups; after a few weeks, I was doing 20 in a row. But my physical therapist soon realized why I could do so many: I was doing the modified-modified version. My arms were too far out from my body, and I wasn’t bringing my body low enough to the ground, so I wasn’t giving my arms the same weight-resistance, as when they are done properly. Part of the reason I’m at physical therapy is to strengthen my neck and upper body, so that I don’t get migraines and vertigo as often, as easily, or at all. But real push-ups are hard! I got through two and flopped on the ground. My physical therapist is a very nice man. He gave me a moment, then said, “go, again.”

There have been many moments in my life where I didn’t want to “go, again” or “Cowboy up.” The times that I did, even if I couldn’t make it as far or as good as I thought I should, were MUCH better than the times that I didn’t even try. Albert Einstein said, “You never fail until you stop trying.” That’s true in everything: communication, relationships, exercise, work, and life goals, everything.

Today’s verse says to strengthen our weakened hands and knees. Weak hands were a sign of someone who’d lost courage, who didn’t have faith enough to try. Whatever you’re facing today, don’t lose heart. Instead, be like Nehemiah, who—though others said his hands would weaken and he wouldn’t complete the work—prayed, Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands, (Nehemiah 6:9 NKJV).

That’s my prayer. And though I may never get to 20 push-ups in a row, I bet next time, I’ll get more than two. What will you ask God to strengthen, so that you’ll have the courage to do?

©Heather Potts 2019

White Release

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNqo4Un2uZI&list=RDJgdnN5fvZfQ&index=3

It is Well ~ Kristene DiMarco

Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows … ~ Isaiah 53: 4 NKJV

Coming back to my hometown, Brad was especially concerned that dark shadows may be lurking around some corners. Fortunately, that hasn’t been the case. But a few days ago, something unexpected happened that dredged up muck from the pit and past. I didn’t realize it was upsetting me till today. I pulled into our parking lot, left a message asking a friend for prayer, and got out of my car.  As I walked toward our apartment in the falling snow, I felt the soft, white release. I felt God’s gentle reminder that He’s already healed me, taking away all the fear and shame.

Walking in the snow, I felt as free as a child, God’s child.

Are there burdens or unexpected old muck weighing on you? You don’t have to let fear, shame, or pain drag you into the pit. You can be free, feeling as light-weight as gently falling snow.

Father, thank you for the reminder that You’ve already paid for and taken it all for me. I pray that anyone who desires the freedom and peace You offer would give You everything, so You can wash them as white as snow. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

… And by His stripes we are healed. ~ Isaiah 53:5 NKJV

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FHwdx5BIvc&start_radio=1&list=RD-FHwdx5BIvc

Jesus Paid It All ~ Kristian Stanfill

©Heather Potts 2019

A Ready Heart

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9UB5U7kSec&start_radio=1&list=RDz9UB5U7kSec

Behold ~ Hillsong

And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” ~ Matthew 14:28 NKJV

We all love inspiring stories. They move us. The Bible is full stories like Ester and David and Goliath. At the base of these stories is a call from God and a ready heart.

Many of my friends are in a time of prayer and fasting. One thing a fast does is make your heart ready. It prepares you to not just hear from God, but to respond. Each fast is for a season and each season prepares you for the calling in the next.

I’ve been thinking a lot about Peter and his eagerness to jump out of the boat and go toward Jesus. Yes, we know when Peter turned his gaze from Jesus, he began to sink. But the initial eagerness came from a prepared heart—one that had been in the presence of his Lord and drank deeply of His teaching.

You’ll never be able to dream up all the possible requests God will make of you. But it’s less about His requests and more about the readiness of your heart. Matthew 12 says, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks,” (v34 NKJV). A ready heart says, “Yes, Lord.”

One day, likely when you least expect it, the Lord will call. Will your heart be ready? How will you respond?

Father, I pray that we would all make being in Your presence our priority. Prepare us. Help us to be made ready to respond when You call. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. ~ Matthew 14:29 NKJV

©Heather Potts 2019

Yes and Amen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZ9yEiZApt0&start_radio=1&list=RDtZ9yEiZApt0&t=0

My Defender ~ Jeremy Camp

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; ~ Psalms 130:5 ESV

Scholars say there are over 6,000 promises in the Bible. That means, regardless of the circumstance, there's more than one promise in there for you! 

What do you need today, this week, month, and year? Ask Holy Spirit for a Promise on which to stand. Ask for a Word from God, so when the devil says, "No way. Na-ah. Never gonna happen for you," you can declare with assurance and authority, "All of God's promises are Yes and Amen!" 

Father, be with my friends today. Pour out Your Spirit upon them. Send them Your promises, upon which they can stand, and declare in Your authority as Yes and Amen! In Jesus Name I pray Amen.  

©Heather Potts 2019