Kim Potter: "In the Days of Promise, Beware of the Ishmaels"

From the Desks of Steve Shultz and Julie A. Smith:

Kim Potter writes a most excellent and much needed word in this hour...

Do you have promises of God waiting to be fulfilled?

This is a NOW word for you as Kim shares here:

In my decades of serving God, I have noticed this one thing: When I am believing for a promise, an Ishmael often comes just before the promise manifests. It has happened to me more times than I can count. In the past, I embraced the Ishmael, and it only led to disappointment. This is one of the enemy's tactics – avoid it. He is trying to get you out of the perfect will of God. Refuse to go there. Instead, stand firm until you see the manifestation of the promise of God.

Isn't God good...that He would prepare us and warn us BEFORE His promises arrive? Kim shares an amazing testimony from her own experience, with practical instructions for you to grab hold of today.

We encourage you to read through this word very carefully... God wants to warn you concerning any Ishmaels, as your ultimate promises and blessings are on the way. (To Subscribe to the Elijah List subscribe here.)

In Christ,

Steve Shultz and Julie A. Smith, Co-Editors
Elijah List Publications

Thank you for making the always-free Elijah List Ministries possible. To partner with us, click here.

Your donations truly help us keep these emails free for you. Donate at:

Give a Monthly Gift

Could This Be?

Hearing the ding of my phone, I picked it up to see who was texting me at such a late hour. Consequently, it was my sister, and she shared about a property with me that had just come on the market. While pulling up the information, I was shocked. This beautiful church, built in 1887, had always been my favorite church building in our town. It was stunningly beautiful.

My first question was, "Could this be?"

For several years, I had been praying diligently for property for A New Thing Ministries. Considering the recent outpourings of the Spirit of God, I thought, Could this be a place to gather and worship? Could this be the next step for this ministry? I thought back to the day before when my daughter Breanne and I were driving through town. I said to her, "If I could have any church in this city, it would be that one." Hours later, it was on the market. How could that be? And how could it not be God?

I sat down and penned a letter to our prayer partners asking them pray with me to see if this was indeed the next move God had for our ministry. I wrote the email, but I didn't send it. Something deep inside stopped me. Although it all looked absolutely perfect and timely, I hesitated. Something didn't feel right. (Photo via Pxhere)

In the Days of Promise, Beware of the Ishmaels

I sat down and began to pray and remember. I remembered my vision of what I saw for A New Thing Ministries. It was not a vision for a church – even this beautiful one. It was a vision for a retreat center for the weary, a place where people who had faced tremendous challenges could come and spend a few days and become refreshed in the presence of the Lord. The more I meditated on the vision I had carried for many years, the more I knew this was not the next step for us. Frankly, it made me a little sad – I so loved this building! But then God spoke to my heart and said, "In the days of promise, beware of the Ishmaels."

Ahh...

You may recall the story. God promised Abraham a son. He waited and waited for that son. When the son didn't come in the time he expected, he went in another direction and Ishmael was born. He was not the son of promise; that son was yet to come, just as God had promised.

The problem was that Abraham and Sarah got ahead of God and decided to do it their own way. From this decision came Ishmael. You see, them trying to help the situation did not produce the promise; it produced a counterfeit. That's what happens when we don't seek God's face and continue to wait on Him for what He has promised us.

God is not a man that He should lie. His first word is His final word.

Write the Vision and Don't Settle for Less

Habakkuk 2:2 says, "...'Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it.'"

I encourage you to do this: write out your vision. Once it is written out and deep within your heart, beware of Ishmaels. What do I mean by that?

I am saying, don't settle for something less than what you are praying for. If the enemy can, he will convince you that God is not going to do what you asked; therefore, it's better if you settle for a little less than what you desire.

For instance, if you are believing God to help you become debt free, and you see a way to pay off your vehicle BUT it puts more debt somewhere else, don't do it. That's not God's best. Or, if you are praying for the salvation of a child and he seems to be a little better – not really saved, but acting better – DO NOT STOP PRAYING AND CRYING OUT FOR HIS ULTIMATE SALVATION.

Don't settle for less. Or (and this is a big one), if you are believing God for a spouse and someone comes along who appears perfect, even though they may not believe the way you do, pray and seek the face of God. God does not want you unequally yoked; it will only cause pain. Do not settle for less than God's best. Beware of the Ishmael.

A Good Thing or a "God Thing"

In my decades of serving God, I have noticed this one thing: When I am believing for a promise, an Ishmael often comes just before the promise manifests. It has happened to me more times than I can count. In the past, I embraced the Ishmael, and it only led to disappointment. This is one of the enemy's tactics – avoid it. He is trying to get you out of the perfect will of God. Refuse to go there. Instead, stand firm until you see the manifestation of the promise of God. (Photo via Pexels)

Seek His face and make sure it is His plan before you. Allow peace to guide you. If you do not have utter peace, stop and listen for God's voice. I apply this rule in everything I do, because the things that seem to be good, when I take time to stop, listen and meditate on God's Word – often those things fall away. I am not interested in a good thing; I only want a GOD thing. This church, as beautiful as it was, was not my God thing.

A funny thing happened. Days later, someone called and asked me to go look at this property with them. I did. As I walked into the church, it was proof that it was not for me. Yes, it was stunningly beautiful but, for me, God wasn't there, and if He isn't there, I didn't want any part of it. He simply confirmed what I already knew in my heart and in my spirit: this wasn't my next move.

My friend, we ARE in a time of promises being fulfilled. Please, please beware of the Ishmaels.

Whatever you do, don't miss another ELIJAH LIST email! Subscribe at this link: elijahlist.com/subscribe.

Kim Potter
A New Thing Ministries
Email: Kim@anewthingministries.com
Website: www.anewthingministries.com

Kim Potter is the founder of A New Thing Ministries, which sends a daily teaching to over 10,000 people all around the world. Her articles have appeared on The Elijah List, Charisma, Spirit Fuel and iBelieve.com. Kim's message is one of hope. She speaks to the heart of those who have grown discouraged and disappointed by the circumstances of life and imparts the desire and ability to stand against all odds; to stand for victory. She encourages people to press into God and discover that He is who He says He is.

To receive more words like this in YOUR inbox, subscribe FREE to the Elijah List at this link: elijahlist.com/subscribe.

Find us on:
* Facebook click here
* XAPiT click here