Out of the Pits

 

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

Feels Good (Upbeat Song) ~ Rend Co. Kids

 

Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits ~ Psalm 103:2 NIV

 

I recently heard someone say that Thursday is the “armpit of the week.” It’s not time to celebrate – like Friday – and it’s getting harder to keep going, because you’ve been working so hard. But like with any goal, it can be easy to quit when the end seems out of reach and the days seem to drag on forever. Don’t quit now! You’re so close! Pull this day—week and goal—back out of the pits and place it where it belongs: in the hands of a God who will do something amazing with it!

 

Psalm 103:2-5 says to bless the Lord and His holy name and to forget not all His benefits. Our holy God, whose Name is above every name wouldn’t dish out an “armpit” day. Look what He offers us:

1.       He forgives all your sins

2.       He heals all your diseases

3.       He redeems your life from the pit – from destruction and traps laid for you

4.       He crowns you with love and compassion

5.       He satisfies your desires with good things, so that your youth is renewed – you can run and not grow weary and soar on wings like eagles

 

With the news constantly telling us we ought to be afraid and depressed, it’s easy to fall into the trap and feel alone, stressed, and afraid. But we serve and love a God who promises to pull our lives out of the pit – out of an armpit day – to renew our strength, so that we may love and encourage one another.

 

Now get out there and enjoy your Thursday!

©Heather Potts 2020

Just Trust Me

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bqGQfk79A0&list=RD2bqGQfk79A0&start_radio=1

How Deep ~ Rock City Worship

 

Do not [earnestly] remember the former things; neither consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs forth; do you not perceive and know it and will you not give heed to it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. ~ Isaiah 43:18-19 AMPC

 

On Monday night, when the Rams played the Buccs, Brad asked if I’d like to watch the game and “relive” our 3^rd date. Twenty years and a lot of changes separate us from our third date. Thinking about all the changes over the years, I realized that—while some changes have been scary and downright disappointing—many turned out to be huge blessings. Whether God was calling us to help launch a satellite church campus, have kids, move our family 1500 miles, or just walk with Him in the everyday changes and challenges, God was always holding out His hand, saying, “Just trust Me.”

 

Just trust Me is the same message God spoke through Isaiah. The Amplified version says we’re to “earnestly” not remember the past. In other words, don’t cling to the “good ol’ days.” There’s nothing wrong with telling a tale from them every now and then. Unfortunately, though, the “good ol’ days” have a way of grossly distorting the truth until you’re so desperate to hang on to what you had that you stand still when Jesus beckons you to walk further.

 

Trust can be hard when you consider empty stadiums, hybrid schooling, fearful, older relatives, and virtual holidays. But the same promise God made then, He’s making now: Just trust Me, because I’m doing something new. Not different, new – unheard of and unthinkable! Don’t worry about the details; I’ve got them covered. I’m making a path where there isn’t one, on which I’ll feed and nurture you. And I’m bringing refreshing rivers in the otherwise dreary seasons. But you need to stop clinging to the past and trust that I’ll do what I say.

 

Regardless of the circumstances, Jesus calls us to walk with and trust Him. What will you do?

©Heather Potts 2020

C.H.A.N.G.E.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBg8qXkkOxE

God with Us ~ Jesus Culture

 

But God hasn’t moved to the mountains;
    his holy address hasn’t changed.
He’s in charge, as always, his eyes
    taking everything in ~ Psalm 11:4 MSG

 

Honestly, I’ve never liked change. It feels like we’ve all had so many drastic changes lately that even little changes are intimidating. Not wanting to be overwhelmed by the unknown in the changes, I took my struggles to God and this is what He said:

 

The problem isn’t the change, but in how you view it. This is how you see change:

Can’t

Handle

All things

Not

Going

Exactly the same

But that’s not how you should view it. Think of change like this:

Challenges to overcome

Hold tightly to Me

Anything goes, but keep your peace

Nothing stays the same

God knows

Everything changes

With any change, there will be challenges to overcome, but you can do all things through Christ, (Philippians 4:13); in this world you will have trouble, but take heart! For I [Jesus] have overcome the world, (John 16:33); for everyone born of God overcomes the world, (1 John 5:4). Remember to keep your peace, even during chaos. Nothing stays the same. But God knows—both good and bad—and He’s always by your side, even when everything else changes.

 

It’s true that everything changes. We change socks, houses, schedules, jobs, toothbrushes, hair styles, grades, diets, presidents, calendars, cars, etc. Sometimes change is good (like changing socks). Sometimes it’s harder (like how we do school and interacting with one another). But in the end, God said that change will become less of a monster in my life when I focus more on Him and less on the unknown facets of the change.

 

Lord, help us to allow You to embrace us during seasons of change. Help us to extend grace to ourselves and those around us as we walk—and even stumble—through this time. Help us to remember that You are always with us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

©Heather Potts 2020