Tell Me Your Story

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TKAN-nAsu8

My Story ~ Big Daddy Weave

 

 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ~ Matthew 11:28 NKJV

 

After talking with other women, I’ve realized that we’re all struggling to find our “drive” again: to keep our houses in order, exercise, meal plan, get together, and/or study our Bibles. The enemy was cunning and convinced us all it was a “just me” scenario. We each blamed different things, but after learning the truth, it’s obviously a spiritual attack. Fortunately, we have the “recipe” to win: fight this spirit with an opposite spirit.

 

About 6 years ago, I struggled to remain in the sanctuary of our church. Though nothing had changed, everything seemed to scream at me to leave. When I took my struggle to my pastor, he told me to begin worshipping Jesus before I even began my walk toward the sanctuary. He said the only way to fight this kind of attack was with an opposite spirit. After two Sundays of doing it, I never had that issue again.

 

How do we approach this attack? If unrest is the issue, then rest is the answer. Not sleeping but resting in the arms of Jesus. We get back to that place by falling in love, again.

 

Tell me your story. When and how did you fall in love with Jesus? Which verses drew you to His heart? Even if you fell away, what drew to Him, again? Was it a worship song that reminded you of His love and faithfulness? Whatever it was, go back to it. Spend time just enjoying those songs, verses, and time with your Savior, again.

 

You fight hell fire with Holy fire, unrest with rest, dryness with refreshing springs, and anger with love. This is a fight, one that Jesus has equipped you to win. If you don’t know where to start, then tell me your story. When did you fall in love with Jesus?

©Heather Potts 2022

Lifted Hands

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8uKldEUrPE

House of the Lord ~ Phil Wickham

Because Your loving-kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You... I will lift up my hands in Your name. ~ Psalm 63:3-4 AMPC

In his book, “Give It All to Him,” Max Lucado shares the story of a group of people whose bodies ached and were bowed under the weight of the baggage they carried. Each carried his own - not wanting it, but unable to get rid of it. Then one day, they saw someone they knew, except he no longer had his bags. He stood upright and looked...free! He told them, “The Trashman took my bags -  all of them! And he’ll take yours, too, if you’ll give them to him.” Curious, the group followed the crowd toward the trash heap, where the Trashman stood atop, accepting each person’s bags. They saw the agony in His face and the toll it took on His body, and still He asked for each bag. When it was the next person’s turn, she struggled. She wanted to be free, but not cause agony to an innocent man. Then, the Trashman looked at her with love in his eyes and asked, “Will you give it to Me?”

Jesus asks the same of us. Not just once, but each time we pick up the bags. And when the enemy uses people to hurt us, and heaps bags of pain and shame upon our shoulders, Jesus loves us and says, “That’s not yours. Will you give it to Me?” That’s what He said to me. And, just like the man in the story, when you drop the bags and cast off the shame, you can feel the difference! The joy bubbles inside, bursting to break free and worship the Lord!

Father, I pray for those who are carrying bags, today, who are weighed down by things they were never meant to carry. Whether they have never known You or have walked with You for many years, Jesus, I pray that today they’d accept freedom. In the Name of Jesus Christ, I command that the voice of the enemy be silenced! No more will he convince people that they must carry these bags, believing they’re stuck with them because of what they did, or because they picked them up, again. Jesus, shut down and silence every lying tongue! Let only Your voice be heard, Lord. Let only Your offer be received. Let today be the day people would drop their bags, and lift their hands and lives in freedom and praise! In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen!

So I have looked upon You in the sanctuary to see Your power and Your glory. Because Your loving-kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You. So will I bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. My whole being shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips ~ Psalm 63:2‭-‬5 AMPC

©Heather Potts 2021

Greatest Story

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QFibRYApr8

Child of Love ~ We the Kingdom

 For I the Lord your God hold your right hand; I am the Lord, Who says to you, Fear not; I will help you! ~ Isaiah 41:13 AMPC

For Savannah’s birthday, we’d planned to surprise her with tickets to Saturday’s Lifest event, so she could see Crowder, her favorite band. When I told a friend our plans, she said she had some extra FREE tickets for the FULL event, if I wanted them. I was over-the-moon excited and thankful - both to God and to her!

The other day, when I asked a friend what his family’s plans were for the weekend, I also asked if they were going to Lifest - a 4-day concert with numerous Christian bands and speakers. His response made me sad. He said, “All concerts are the same. If you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all.” For many things I would likely agree. But just like each time you read God’s Word He touches your heart in a different way, when you’re singing His praises, His Spirit speaks to your heart differently each time.

Let me assure you, God’s presence was there and He was moving in people’s hearts and lives. I saw it in the way two teenagers worshiped God with their whole hearts. I saw it in the way people were moved to tears, to their feet, and to shouts of joy. I also saw it in the way Elizabeth and Savannah danced and lifted their hands to Jesus - which has to be the best gift God could give a parent. God was in that place! But He’s not just in our town for this concert. He is everywhere you are, when you are worshipping Him. 

Psalm 22:3 says God inhabits the praises of His people. He abides, sits, dwells, lives, and remains with you, as you worship Him. What are you walking through today? Yesterday and last night, we heard from several artists who said they came from a place of pain, shame, and brokenness. If God will do it for them, when they were nobody anybody knew, don’t you think He’ll do it for you, or your loved ones? The very same God, Who creates worlds with a single word, Whose Spirit brings dead bones to life, is the same ALMIGHTY GOD Who is able to make a broken life, broken marriage, and broken heart into the greatest story ever told! Don’t let today be just another song, another concert, another day. Let today be the beginning of the greatest story God ever told with your life!

©Heather Potts 2021

By Faith in the Name

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjPKfQ7fMoM

I Choose to Worship ~ Rend Collective

By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see. ~ Acts 3:16 NIV

Cancer. Yesterday, a relative received the news that this evil word has infected his body.

Cancer. 1a. A malignant and invasive growth or tumor… 2. Any evil condition or thing that spreads destructively; blight, (dictionary.com). 

How does anyone overcome this evil word? The same way we overcome every other sickness and disease: Pray. Seek wisdom and guidance. Walk in faith. Worship and praise God. Possibly make some lifestyle changes. Then wait with expectation.

But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] will gain new strength and renew their power… They will run and not become weary, They will walk and not grow tired. ~ Isaiah 40:31 AMP

Expectation. Something you look forward to and assume will happen. When you’re waiting on the Lord, you’re looking to Him with great expectation, as you believe He will move! I love Jesus’ words to Father God when He was standing outside of Lazarus’ tomb. “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me…” (John 11:41-42 NIV). If we are co-heirs with Christ, can’t we also know that Father God will hear our prayers?

There’s a story that Graham Cooke tells about a woman with an inoperable tumor who wants a word from the Lord. Knowing that Graham has the gift of prophecy, she sought him for an answer. Graham said that God didn’t give him anything for her, but said she should seek God in this matter, then worship until she hears from God. He said that the responsibility is on God to speak, not on her to hear, but to keep worshipping until God speaks. Peter and John also said the responsibility is on God and no one else. 

A man, whom scriptures say was crippled from birth, was begging from those entering the temple each day. When he saw Peter and John, he asked them for money. They said, “Look at us!” The man looked with expectation. “Then Peter said, ‘Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk,’” (Acts 3:1-6 NIV). It wasn’t money, luck, or even Peter or John who healed the man. We’re all healed the same way: “By faith in the name of Jesus...It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed [us].”

Whatever is coming against you or your family, don’t let it knock you down one more day. Come against it in the Name that is above every name, even cancer: the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth who came in the Flesh.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9plwKOkbf1I

God speaks to the lady with cancer ~ Graham Cooke

©Heather Potts 2021

The Gift 2

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6xSOMdt_2g

Only You ~ David Crowder Band

 

“Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown...” ~ Luke 7:47 NIV

 

I remember seeing the picture someone had taken of my friend during worship, with the caption: If you understood my past, you’d understand my praise. Knowing part of her story, I could better appreciate her freedom in worship. Her story, like so many others, was one of awe and gratitude for the One who rescued and restored her life from the pit.

 

A story similar to King David’s of dancing before the Lord, was the woman who wept and poured perfume on Jesus’ feet, as they both longed to praise the One who is worthy of all praise! After entering the house of the pharisee, the woman sought out Jesus to worship Him both kissing and anointing His feet with her expensive perfume. Obviously uncomfortable by her display, onlookers scoffed at her. But her focus was solely on Jesus, as her overwhelming desire was to share her gift of worship with her Lord.

 

She was the first of many who would come to Jesus, aware of their brokenness, longing to worship Him in freedom. Carrying a heavy, emotional load, I slipped into a pit class on campus during a Campus Crusade for Christ worship service. Though I don’t remember their names or faces, I’ll always remember that night. I was struck by the passion the worship team had as they sang to the Lord. Then, as if in response to my thoughts, the worship leader said, “We’re no different than you. We’re just worshipping God in the front.” His words were just the invitation I needed, and I told God, “I want what he has—I want that passion in my heart.”

 

Like the woman kissing Jesus’ feet, my friend in the picture, and King David, we all have the opportunity to worship God with our whole being. When we remember our own testimony, the story of how God—in His infinite love for us—found us in the muck and mire and rescued us from it, pulling us out, cleaning us off, and causing us to shine in the radiance of His presence, we can't help but worship. Just like the woman who worshipped at Jesus’ feet, fully unhindered worship is our response to His overwhelming love.

 

The next time you enter His presence, ask God to show you—and to remove—anything that’s holding you back from unashamedly worshiping Him with your whole life.

©Heather Potts 2021

The Gift

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvafDio5MrM

With Everything ~ Hillsong UNITED

 

David, wearing a linen ephod, danced before the Lord with all his might. ~ 2 Samuel 6:14 NIV

 

I don’t remember how old I was the first time I saw her dancing. In front of the whole church, my mom poured out her heart in dance before the Lord. My grandma also loved Jesus with her whole heart. She would often sit at her piano and praise Him. Joyfully they shared their love of Jesus with everyone. They worshipped Jesus through dance and music as a gift to Him, simply because He was their Lord. 

 

Because of all the Lord had done for him, David danced before the Lord. 2 Samuel 6 says, “David and the whole house of Israel were celebrating with all their might before the Lord, with songs and with harps, lyres, tambourines, sistrums and cymbals… David…danced before the Lord with all his might, while he and the entire house of Israel brought the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets,” (vv.5, 14-15 NIV).

 

Whatever our method, we’re called to worship the Lord with all our might, with our whole lives. But the devil despises our worship of the Lord. He longs to choke it out with the worries and cares of the world, including the disapproving opinions of others—whether real or perceived. Sadly, we often let the fear of man outweigh our fear of the Lord, restraining our worship rather than letting it freely flow. But God tells us to remember that we’re worshipping before an audience of One. That’s exactly what David said to Michal when she scoffed at David’s display in front of others. He said, “It was before the Lord… I will celebrate before the Lord. I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes,” (2 Samuel 6:20-22 NIV).

 

Whether you sing or dance, paint or write, play, pray, or praise, be like David and worship with all your might before the Lord!

©Heather Potts 2021

I Dare You

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0VBFSIK2Cs

Dance ~ PlanetShakers

My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long. ~ Psalm 71:8 NIV

I dare you… to praise the Lord.

I dare you to try it and still stay in a bad mood.

I dare you to try it with your kids.

Go ahead! I dare you.

The past few mornings, Elizabeth's been demanding her way. She wants breakfast right away and doesn't want to follow our morning routine of getting dressed before she is fed. The first day, I tried (unsuccessfully) reasoning with her. But the second day, I let my worship music play and ignored her demands, having already reminded her of our morning routine. Then the unexpected happened: she stopped demanding and, instead, began dancing and singing along with the music. In fact, it became quite comical. Our Elizabeth truly does have the joy of Jesus in her heart and, once sparked, can't help but bubble and flow.

If God's Spirit is in you, you have the same joy of Jesus in your heart, waiting to be ignited and bubble up out of you.

I understand you don't feel like dancing as soon as the alarm buzzes in your ear. I get that you're exhausted, maybe the kids aren't listening, the house is a mess, and you've got work up to your eyeballs. But even amid trials, headaches, and heartaches, God always gives us something to celebrate. The challenge is to find it and praise God for it until we can praise Him from a place of full gratitude.

Today, I dare you to praise the Lord.

I dare you to try it even in your trials.

I dare you to try it with your family.

Go ahead! I dare you!

©Heather Potts 2020

His Songs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awkO61T6i0k

Raise a Hallelujah ~ Bethel Music

The voice of the LORD is powerful; The voice of the LORD is full of majesty. ~ Psalm 29:4 NKJV

The devil uses fear and doubt as he seeks to steal, kill, and destroy. Fear and doubt are huge roadblocks for all who want to move forward into God's calling, as well as for everyone standing and believing in the promises and miracles God has for us.

As we keep seeking God, the enemy keeps sending spiritual giants, each one larger than the last. But in studying these past few days, I've noticed a recurrent theme: God sings over me. It's not just to refresh my soul, though there are those times, too, but to protect, strengthen, and deliver me.

Behold, God, my salvation! I will trust and not be afraid, For the Lord God is my strength and song; Yes, He has become my salvation. ~ Isaiah 12:2 AMP

You are my hiding place; You, Lord, protect me from trouble; You surround me with songs and shouts of deliverance.  ~ Psalm 32:7 AMP

The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” ~ Zephaniah 3:17 NIV

The voice of the Lord is powerful! Psalm 29 says the Lord's voice "strikes with flashes of lightning…shakes the desert…twists the oaks and strips the forest bare…" (vv. 4-9). The same God who spoke the world into existence is singing, shouting, and rejoicing over our trials and circumstances.

Whatever you are facing today – whatever giants are staring you down – join the Lord as He sings, today. Worship Him. Praise Him. Join Him in shouts of deliverance over those giants!

©Heather Potts 2019

Just Worship

But you are holy, you who inhabit the praises of Israel. ~ Psalm 22:3 WEB

Is it truly possible to capture the beauty of God’s Spirit that enters the room when you worship?

I don’t really have any words.

Just beauty.

If I were a dance, I’d move gracefully and majestically.

If I were a river, I’d flow swiftly and continuously.

If I were a song, I’d sing sweetly and melodiously.

If I were an artist, I’d paint smoothly and magnificently.

But I’m a writer, a researcher, a prayer partner, and a friend. So instead, I will pray that as you enter His courts with signing, He will pour out His Spirit on you, that you shall go forth with joy and be led out with peace, (Psalm 100:4; Joel 2:28; Isaiah 55:12).

Father, I ask that Your Spirit would envelope them in beauty. And as they worship, opening themselves up to You, I pray that they would find a place of wholeness and complete perfection in You. Not because of anything they have done or will do, but simply because in You, they are whole and complete. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

©Heather Potts 2017

Not One

Blessed be God, who has given peace to his people Israel just as he said he’d do. Not one of all those good and wonderful words that he spoke through Moses has misfired. May God, our very own God, continue to be with us just as he was with our ancestors—may he never give up and walk out on us. May he keep us centered and devoted to him, following the life path he has cleared, watching the signposts, walking at the pace and rhythms he laid down for our ancestors. ~ 1 Kings 8:56-58 MSG

I love that when I’ve come to the end of what I know, there is God, and entering His presence through worship always opens my eyes. Last night, as I was worshiping, I felt Holy Spirit highlight, “I am defined by all His promises / Shaped by every word He says,” from I Am No Victim by Kristene DiMarco. Thinking of God’s promises, I was reminded of a time we sought counsel from some of our leaders who recounted their own story of hardship. The husband said he sat in his chair and confessed God’s promises, to spite the devil, knowing that God would stand by His promises. And had since come through on many of those promises. Then I went to my list of confessions and found the promises God spoke to me:

God did not give me a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given me a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control], (2 Timothy 1:7)

My Father in Heaven disciplines me by teaching me His Word. This gives me the power to keep myself calm in the face of temptation and of adversity, (2 Timothy 3:16)

I am strong in the Lord [and will draw my strength from Him and be empowered through my union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might (Ephesians 6:10)

I hold the 5-fold nature of the Holy Spirit: gentle and quiet, purity, positive attitude, patient, and gracious, (1 Peter 3:2, 4; 1 Tim 4:12)

I am the guardian of our home, creating a safe, healthy, joyful, and creative environment for my family to grow and love and learn (Titus 2:4; Proverbs 31)

As we teach our children about Father God and His Word, it will stimulate, penetrate, teach and be impressed diligently upon their hearts and minds, (Deuteronomy 6:7)

No matter what the circumstance I have the mind of Christ and operate in His wisdom and ability (1 Corinthians 2:16)

Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, (Hebrews 12:1-2)

If you’re struggling with or in need of something today, run to your Father and ask Him what His promises are for you. Rest assured that not one has failed.

©Heather Potts 2017

Yet Examplify

We’re not keeping this to ourselves,
    we’re passing it along to the next generation—
God’s fame and fortune,
    the marvelous things he has done.

~ Psalm 78:4 MSG

“Play my church song.” That’s Savannah’s constant request whenever we’re playing music, even if she’s just heard “Not Ashamed” 5 times in a row. She loves her worship music! And the more “bounce” it has to it, the better. What better way to praise God than in the company of your kids? I can honestly say, it wipes away all the frustrations from the day’s battles when I watch my girls worship God. And it’s not even the high-powered worship sessions, it’s also the tender moments when she asks at dinner or before bed, “Can I pray?” Absolutely! Yes, you can pray! But her next question is always, “How do I pray?” And isn’t that what we’re teaching the next generation: how to walk closely and intimately with Father God in all the ways that we have, and even more?

My girls want to pray, dance before God, sing worship songs, and read the Bible. Why? Because it’s what they see their parents doing. Whether it’s our own kids, kids at church, or those in the neighborhood, the next generation is looking for someone to lead them. Psalm 78:5-7 teaches us what to do and why:

He planted a witness in Jacob,
    set his Word firmly in Israel,
Then commanded our parents
    to teach it to their children
So the next generation would know,
    and all the generations to come—
Know the truth and tell the stories
    so their children can trust in God,
Never forget the works of God
    but keep his commands to the letter.

With our actions, with our words, and by our example, what are we teaching the next generation? We’ve been commanded to teach them the truth about God. Let’s determine we’ll yet exemplify Him.

©Heather Potts 2016