Known

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BhTAJ49MQ0&list=RDdH0PmaKxOtA&index=4

Nothing Else ~ Cody Carnes

The Lord is good, A strength and stronghold in the day of trouble; He knows [He recognizes, cares for, and understands fully] those who take refuge and trust in Him.

Nahum 1:7 AMP

Three days ago, we learned that our downstairs neighbor, who’d lived alone the full 3 ½ years we’ve known him, chose to live and die alone. I use the term “known” loosely, because there was very little we knew about him, including that he had family nearby, who clearly loved him.

What is a life that’s known? What does it take to love and be loved by others? I think it starts with courage and choice. Jesus demonstrated that for us by His sacrifice. His desire to know and be known by us, that not one of us would be lost to Him, compelled Christ to the Cross. Knowing that He desired to know and be known by you, when did you choose Him? When did you ask Jesus to be your Savior, that you’d get to know Him?

Like everyone our age, I remember where I was and what I was doing 20 years ago, today. Today was life-changing for so many. While there are hundreds of thousands of stories, I pray that this one touches your heart:

He got up, got dressed for work, kissed his girlfriend good-bye and headed out the door.  Today was the day it would all change for him.  He was starting a new job, a new way of life.  After orientation, his boss showed him to an office and asked him to file while she was in a meeting.  A while later, he began to hear a commotion.  People were yelling and running.  He stuck his head out of the office and saw the burning twin towers on TV and the reporter talking about the concerns for the President.  Then someone in the office shouted, “Air Force One is across the street!  Should we evacuate the building?” No one answered. All eyes were locked on the TV in horror. He moved back into the office and closed the door, his mind whirling.

 

Standing in that office, leaning against the door, he was afraid.  “What if I die today?  What if they take out the President’s plane and this office with it?  What if my girlfriend was right about Jesus and I miss it?”  He began to remember what his friends had said one night after work, so many years ago.  They had talked about a Savior. Not a mean God, but One who loved him and who would accept him.  Sliding down to the floor, he said, “God I give you my heart.  From this day forward, I’m Yours.”

 

In Psalm 23, David called the Lord his “Shepherd”, someone who knew David: his needs, desires, wounds, and even joys. David has been called a man after God’s heart, not because he lived a perfect life, but because he chose to live a known life--known to and by his Savior, the way we all long to be known.

I don’t know your story, or how you were affected by that terrible, dark day.  I do know that while so many lives were lost that day, at least one soul was saved, because he chose to be known by his Savior. Tuesday, September 11, 2001 was the day my husband gave his life to Christ! 

Friends, my prayer is that you will choose to not live this life alone, but will be courageous enough to choose a known life--both by your Savior and by those around you.

©Heather Potts 2021

Of His Pasture

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHq3trv0cdI

My God ~ (feat. Amanda Cook) Caves

Oh come, let us worship and bow down;
Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.
For He is our God,
And we are the people of His pasture,
And the sheep of His hand…

~ Psalm 95:6-7 NKJV

Has it been a long, full, and/or crazy week? It has been for us. Not bad, just long, full, and a bit crazy. Today felt a little overwhelming. Again, not bad, but cumulatively, it left me feeling heavy. Many afternoons, I find things to "do." But today, I purposed to "do" nothing, except be in my Father's presence. Why is it that purposing to spend time with Him changes everything?

The Psalms have the answer. Psalm 23 says, "Jehovah is my shepherd, I shall not want." Psalms 95 says we are His people and under His care. Psalm 100 says He made us, and we are His. Like an author knows her book and an artist knows his design, the Lord designed and created us, and therefore, knows exactly what we need.

Dear child of God, if you are in need, run to your Father; He is all you need. Jehovah-Jireh is your provider. Jehovah-Rophe is the God who heals you. Jehovah-Shalom is your peace. Jehovah-Rohi is your shepherd, tending to your needs. There is not a circumstance or problem He did not foresee or that took Him by surprise. If you are in need, run to the One who holds you in the palms of His hands. There, will He care for and cover you.

Even to your old age, I am He,
And even to gray hairs I will carry you!
I have made, and I will bear;
Even I will carry, and will deliver you.

~ Isaiah 46:4 NKJV

©Heather Potts 2020

I am His Sheep

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUT4trsrBCw&index=15&list=RDN8WK9HmF53w

Different ~ Micah Tyler

The Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, to guide and to shield me], I shall not want. He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still and quiet waters. He refreshes and restores my soul (life); He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. ~ PSALM 23:1-3 AMP

Having been in the valley for over a year, I can attest to how much I have felt like a sheep. There were many times I wanted to go my own way, to stay a “stay-at-home” mom. But my Shepherd helped to steer me on His path. During these last four weeks of watching my grandpa slip away, having more job-doors close on us, and suddenly losing my father-in-law, my Shepherd saw that I was becoming worn down and weary. That’s when He led me along paths that were filled with time to rest and plenty of nourishment. He’s also been bringing refreshment to my soul by bringing family and friends, whom I don’t often see, to town. He does it not only because He can, but because He wants to do it.

For my God—my Shepherd—it wasn’t enough to heal and hold me. His desire is to open my eyes to the beauty He’s making of our lives, encouraging us to keep following Him. It was for His purposes that He brought us 1500 miles away to Wisconsin, where we’d get to meet and reconnect with friends and family who used to be 1500 miles away. Yes, 81 job-doors have been closed on us (on Brad), but we only needed to find the right ONE to open. That one wasn’t at all what we expected, but part of following our Shepherd is experiencing unexpected blessings and changes He uncovers in us along the way.

If you are walking through a valley of your own, I know how overwhelming it can feel. Now’s the time to run to your Shepherd so that He can heal and hold you, but also so that He can open your eyes to the experiences—the blessings and changes—of following Him.

©Heather Potts 2018

Embraced

Awake, awake, arm of the Lord, clothe yourself with strength! ~ Isaiah 51:9 NIV

The other morning, I was snuggling with my Elizabeth.  She’d thrown up and wanted to be held, comforted by my embrace. When we’re feeling out of sorts, don’t we just want to be comforted by Him who loves us?  But how does Father God hold us?

His Arms provide strength, might, power, help and aid. The islands look to me and wait in hope for my arm, (Isaiah 51:5 NIV).

His Hands provide power, means, and direction. You shall also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God, (Isaiah 62:3 NKJV).

In His Palm is power and a place one submits himself to seek security and safety. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before Me, (Isaiah 49:16 NKJV).

His Bosom is a place of embrace and of acceptance. He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, (Isaiah 40:11 NKJV).

With His Face, He turns toward us, regarding us, both hearing and answering. And I will never again turn my face from them, for I will pour out my Spirit upon the people of Israel. I, the Sovereign LORD, have spoken! (Ezekiel 39:29 NLT)

Just as parents hold their babies, our Father holds us. Held in His lap, we are accepted just as we are. We are loved and embraced by our Father who will never drop, leave, or forsake us.  He will give us strength and help us; He will hold us steady and keep a firm grip on us, (Isaiah 41:9-10). We are God’s sons and daughters, held in His embrace, carried close to His heart, (Isaiah 40:11). When Father looks at us, He smiles. And sometimes He tickles us, just to enjoy the sound of our laughter. We are safe, secure, and forever held in our Father’s loving embrace.

©Heather Potts 2016

All Is Yours

My child, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours. ~ Luke 15:31

It’s difficult to understand the depth of this scripture if you don’t understand the depth of the One who said it.  In a world that believes that “change” is the only constant, words like “always” and “never” get cast aside because they can’t be true if change is continuous.

But again, to understand this scripture, we must first understand the One who said it.  It was Father, our heavenly Father and He is:

Elohim-power & might; Jehovah-Nissi-The Lord our banner (who goes before us and lifts us up); Jehovah-Rohi-The Lord is my Shepherd (guide & protector); Jehovah-Rapha-The Lord is my healer; Jehovah-Jireh-The Lord will provide; Jehovah-Shalom-The Lord is peace;  El-Roi-the strong one who sees (who opens our eyes); and more.

When God, our Abba Father (the one who tenderly loves us as His own sons and daughters), tells us that all—everything—that is His is ours it includes all of His love, all of His strength, all of His wisdom, all of His provision, and so on.  I know you ask, “How can this be, when I’ve lost my job, my hope, my income, my car, my friends, my parents, my childhood, my health…?”  The answer lies in Jesus Christ.  Romans 13:14 tells us we are to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ.”  That phrase “put on” means to “clothe” or “sink into” (as you would your favorite sweatshirt or jeans).  When we “put on” our Lord, we put on His character and everything that was available to Him and that is how everything (all) that is God’s is ours.