Over a Salad?

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuS9T3yXPWo

I Will Not Be Moved ~ Natalie Grant

 

When the Philistine rose and came forward to meet David, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine. ~ 1 Samuel 17:48 AMP

 

One of my favorite Christian speakers is Graham Cooke. He told the story of how he and his wife knew God was calling them to move but didn’t know where. They visited several cities, but none was right. Then, when stopping over for lunch in Santa Barbara, California, Graham got a “warfare” headache. Knowing it wasn’t a migraine, he addressed the devil directly: “Seriously? You’re attacking me over a salad on State Street? What are you so afraid of that you’re attacking me over a salad?” As weird as that may sound, has it ever happened to you?

 

Yesterday was a bit rough for me. Not awful, but it definitely caught me off-guard. Toward the end of the day, Brad texted and asked if we were going to life group, as there were complications with going. At first, I said we would stay home, but as soon as I said it, I felt a difference in my spirit and knew it was the wrong call. So, I decided we’d go, because I could tell the enemy didn’t want me to and I was curious as to why.

 

1 Samuel 17 tells the story of David and Goliath. The Israelites, upon seeing Goliath and hearing his threats, were terrified and lost all hope. But God sent a warrior who would rise up against this against this enemy and defeat him. Though Saul and the rest of the Israelite soldiers doubted, David said he wasn’t afraid. Then, after declaring the promise of the Lord’s deliverance over the Philistines, Goliath advanced toward David to strike him down. But David did the unexpected: He ran out to meet him.

 

I don’t know what struggles you are facing or what things are trying to hold you back, but instead of giving up, let’s run out to meet them and find out why the devil is working so hard to get us to quit. My guess is, it has little to do with you, personally, and much more to do with those God wants to reach through you.

©Heather Potts 2021

The Victory-Giver

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkRiYsTN7KY&list=RDFkRiYsTN7KY&start_radio=1

Is He Worthy ~ Chris Tomlin

Many, O LORD my God, are Your wonderful works
Which You have done;
And Your thoughts toward us
Cannot be recounted to You in order;
If I would declare and speak of them,
They are more than can be numbered. ~ Psalm 40:5 NKJV

I subscribe to a handful of devotionals. The premise of one, is getting to know Jesus on a first-name basis, exploring the different names of God. Today's name is "The Lord God Omnipotent." The devotional asked: if God is All-Powerful (Omnipotent), what power do you need in your life, today? (Prime Time with God Devotionals: www.churchgrowth.org, https://confirmsubscription.com/h/t/AFD515F44C43B7F8)

We all face hardships, whether relationships, finances, health, etc. At times, our hardships are numerous, but we don't have to face them alone. When David faced Goliath, Moses faced Pharaoh, Gideon faced the Midianites, and when Nehemiah faced Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabians, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, they weren't alone. When you face your worst fears, your fiercest enemies, or any kind of trial or hardship, you won't be alone, either. But like David, Moses, Gideon, Nehemiah, and many others, your story isn't about facing opposition; it's about God.

Psalm 44:1-3 says we're to share the victories God has done in our lives, so that others—especially the next and future generations—will know it wasn't by our might, knowledge, or finances that brought us the victory. Rather it was His right hand, His arm, and the light of His face, because He loves us.

What opposition are you facing? Turn your eyes from it and gaze on the One who is the Victory-Giver. Be encouraged by the wonders He's already done in your life, the thoughts He has toward you, and the victories that are still ahead. Then, turning back to the opposition, declare: My God is Worthy of Praise! By His strength, He will bring this victory!

©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