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