Freedom in Truth

 

The picture in my photo memories shot me back to that day. Though three generations separated them, Savannah had no qualms about peppering Great-Grandpa Hayes with her questions about the items in his house, including the model plane, medals, and pictures in his memorial box. He said the plane was a model of the one he’d fought on during World War II. He proudly told her the first picture was of himself when he’d been in the service as bombardier. But he grew quiet when he explained that the other picture was of his younger brother, Clayton, who never came home.  

My grandpa died without knowing the truth about his brother’s untimely death. Shortly after my grandfather’s passing, we found an article about Pfc. Clayton Hayes. It said that Clayton and his troop helped families carry their belongings back to their war-ravaged homes in Normandy. The article was written in June 1944, just three months before Clayton died as a war-hero.

He never came home. 

More than seven decades separated the event from Savannah’s question, but in a heartbeat, my grandpa was transported back to that moment in time. I think it was the lack of knowing that hurt him more than the actual loss. In John 8, Jesus said it’s knowing the truth that sets us free, (v32). Though Jesus was referring to the truth found only by abiding in His Word, I believe that not knowing physical truths can also hurt us, as our minds work overtime, trying desperately to fill in the gaps. 

Truth. Such a small word, worth so great a weight. 

As you reflect on why we celebrate Memorial Day, remember these two truths: 1) As an American, you have many freedoms, which weren’t free. Many brave soldiers fought for them. All gave some; some gave all. 2) In Christ, alone, we have freedom over sin and death, which is available to all. Though Adam’s sin cost him and us everything, Christ’s act of righteousness cost Him as much as it gave us: everything. Jesus paid the ultimate price so that we could enjoy life everlasting, never again to be under the curse of the Law of sin and death, (Romans 5:15-20).

Reflecting on and remembering the truth keeps it fresh in your mind. Today, please do 3 things. 1) Remember the fallen soldiers, whose sacrifices supplied your American freedoms. 2) Thank Jesus for setting you spiritually and eternally free. 3) Ask God to send you someone with whom you can share the truth about freedom. Don’t keep it to yourself. So much healing occurs when truth is shared!

Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” ~ John 8:31-32 NLT

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEtWnF-KR2k

Mercy’s Tree ~ Firma Collective

©Heather Potts 2021

No Bows Necessary

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8AB0vUU038

Overcome ~ Jeremy Camp

"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony…” ~ Revelations 12:11 NKJV

Is Testimony 1) a story I tell about the challenges I have overcome in my life; or 2) the action of giving an eye witness? Unfortunately, the first definition has been more accurate of my view. Don’t misunderstand; I knew that Jesus was the only reason for victory in my life, but I failed to understand that the point of a testimony is to point to Jesus.

After her baptism, Savannah was given “The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name,” with the underlying purpose of showing that a Savior was needed since the beginning. Only through Him do we have our victory. Sadly, many Christians believe that once they know Jesus, and have witnessed victory in their lives, that will be the end of their trials and victories. Many also feel--and I have fallen into this trap--that we have to see the victory in order for it to be part of our testimony; that, somehow, Christ isn’t enough if there isn’t a happy-ending-bow to tie off that part of the story. Please know that Jesus doesn’t need us to add anything to Him or His story. Rather, Jesus invites us to be part of His story as He uses our lives to demonstrate His power and glory. 

If you feel your story isn’t worth telling, let me assure you that knowing Jesus is something that others need to hear. Revelations 12:11 says, “They overcame [the Accuser] by the Blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony.” The Liar, the Accuser, is working hard to convince you that you’re the only one feeling this pain or enduring this struggle. Sharing our stories with others--even in the midst of a trial, with lack of a happy-ending-bow--helps them realize they aren’t alone. Remember, your story isn’t about you. Your story is being written to point others to Jesus.

©Heather Potts 2021

It's Not About Meatballs

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAIdo707Sac&list=RDHAIdo707Sac&start_radio=1&t=0

Freedom Reigns ~ Jesus Culture

 For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. ~ 2 Corinthians 3:17 NLT

 Have you ever fought about something as ridiculous as meatballs? If you’ve been married for any length of time (or have a sibling), there’s a good chance you’ve fought over something rather ridiculous. Last night, it was about meatballs. Long story short, there was the possibility (though it was slight) that glass got in the meatballs. I decided the risk outweighed the benefit of keeping them and threw them in the garbage.

 Let’s be real: the fight was never about meatballs. Our fight was about working through our fears. Because of a very old lie from the enemy, I believed that I had to hold everything together. The weight of the household—budget, meal planning, everything—fell on me. No human ever said this to me. In fact, both my mom and my husband have said quite the contrary, but the lie was embedded early and was hard to “unbelieve.” Praise God Jesus has given me freedom from these lies, and I am now able to (more quickly) identify them and command that they be burned back to their sources in Jesus’ Name! Sadly, my husband came with his own set of lies he’d believed. Praise God he, too, has received freedom in Christ and is also (more quickly) able to identify and command these lies be burned in Jesus’ Name!

 After being married almost 16 years, one might think we’d no longer fight about meatballs. But the truth is, we are all in a war and the devil aims to win. Thankfully, he’s not very creative and will keep using what’s worked in the past. But we have been given weapons to defeat our enemy! As we continue to walk in freedom, daily applying our spiritual armor and weapons of warfare, we’ll be enabled to walk in the victory and freedom Christ died and rose to give us.

 It’s time to break free from the bondage of old lies. Jesus came that all would know Him, walk with Him, and have freedom in His Name. Pray today that Holy Spirit would reveal the lies under which you’ve been operating and help you use your armor and weapons of warfare to defeat them, so that you can walk daily in the freedom and victory you’ve been given in Christ Jesus.

©Heather Potts 2021

Be Still pt.2

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1EwKwayzLM

Hold on to Me ~ Lauren Diagle

 Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!

~ Psalm 46:10 NKJV

God’s been showing me that He wants to grow some things in my life, but first, we need to remove anything from the soil of my heart that might choke out the blessings: thorns, grubs, weeds. In her book, Without Rival, Lisa Bevere recounts a conversation she had with God when He told her something similar. He showed her that grubs in her heart had “nibbled at the roots of [her] marriage and diminished the growth of the flowers of [her] friendships.” God told Lisa that she could choose to cover over them or renounce them in word and deed and give God permission to remove them. She chose God’s way. Then God told her it was also time to pluck out all the weeds. At that point, Lisa struggled, not wanting her soil to look “naked and barren.”  

Growing up in Wisconsin, I had no context for this. Our yard had the occasional prickly weed or dandelion, but pulling them wouldn’t make the yard naked. But after living in Florida, I understood. Our yard in Ellenton was sand, covered by a thin layer of dirt, and tons of weeds. Our landlords tried several times to plant grass, but there were so many weeds, they choked out the grass seedlings.  That’s what God was trying to convey to Lisa (and me). He doesn’t just want us to look fruitful. He wants our lives to be fruitful. The weeds gave the appearance of a full yard, but a bit of mowing or kicking around the dirt revealed the emptiness. As long as our hearts are full of weeds, we can’t bear the fruit God wants to grow in our lives, because there’s no room for healthy roots.

If, like me, God’s been calling you to pull the weeds from your heart so that the rich and juicy fruit He wants to bring forth will grow and flourish, it’s time to do it. Remember God—your Creator, Friend, and Defender—will cover over you. This isn’t a trick to shame you, but to heal and strengthen you. It’s time to give up your ways, allowing God to produce the fruit of the promises He’s buried deep within your heart.  

©Heather Potts 2021

Be Still

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HznXBBCdBE

Into the Sea (It’s Gonna be OK) ~ Tasha Layton

Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!

~ Psalm 46:10 NKJV

I got halfway through writing this piece, as prompted by Holy Spirit, and realized I hadn’t yet laid the groundwork for the most important part of this verse. “Be still” is the command given by God to “leave off” or “desert” our plans. We are to do so in light who He is because He is God. But what does that mean?

I did a devotional time with my girls, yesterday, and asked them that question: Who is God? Here’s the list they came up with:

·         Our Creator

·         Our Friend

·         Our Powerful Defender

·         Our Love

·         Our Daddy (I smiled at this one)

·         Our Shield and Very Great Reward

·         Our Wise God

·         All Knowing

·         All Powerful

It’s hard to walk away from something, especially when we think we’re right in our decision or when it’s something we really want. But when we know and trust the One who’s asked us to go another route, is there really any other choice?

Lord, when what I think and what I want don’t go with what You ask of me, help me to be still and know that You are God.

©Heather Potts 2021