March 2016 - Sherry Stahl

Month: March 2016

Believing Without Seeing

“Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
John 20:29 NIV

In Grade 12 I took a course on ancient history. I remember at the end of one class my teacher saying something along these lines, “Next week we start a study on the life of Jesus Christ. I don’t want you atheists skipping class and I don’t want you Christians taking this time to evangelize in your comments. We are learning about a historical figure Jesus Christ. We study his life because there is more proof that Jesus Christ lived, died and rose from the dead than there is that Julius Caesar lived.” That last comment changed my life. I had struggled with the fact that people always said Christianity had to be followed with blind faith. I was beginning to learn that although I had to live believing without seeing, it wasn’t blind, uneducated or illogical faith. My faith had backing, beyond just my experience with God.

When Jesus spoke the words above recorded by John he was pronouncing a blessing on people like you and me. People all over the world who would have to come to faith in Him, believing without seeing. We live in a world where people are distrustful, with good reason. Politicians and preachers; family and friends make great promises, only to break them, often with consequences that affect the lives of others. We live in a day where people say ‘I’ll have to see it to believe it’. That’s why so many, myself included, have struggled with faith in God. We weren’t there to see Jesus live, die, raise from the dead and ascend to heaven, but the disciples were there recording, along with a group of other historians.

Over the many years since High School I‘ve been diligent to add fact to my faith. I’ve studied and confirmed for myself that the Bible records the truth about Jesus; from birth to death. The question is, will you receive the blessing Jesus spoke and live believing without seeing?

Prayer

Father…I’m filled with gratitude that you sent Your son. Jesus, I’m overwhelmed with Your love. I’ll never understand why you would leave the glories of heaven and come here to earth for sinners like me. I don’t deserve what You did, but I’m so thankful for Your sacrifice. Please open the eyes of my spirit, so I can live believing without seeing while growing in my knowledge of Your truth. In Jesus Name…Amen

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Jesus Was Full of Passion

“As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it.”
Luke 19:41 NIV

True love wells up passion in your heart that’s impossible to keep inside. Passion bubbles up and spills out! It’s the force inside that compels people to greatness despite adversity; an emotion that propels us. Passion is aroused from either a great love or hatred. One motivator brings about increased love, while the other produces hurt. Passion motivated by hatred caused Romeo and Juliet’s parents to try and break up their love, while passion motivated by love made the couple willing to die for each other.

During Passion Week, Jesus was heartbroken over how the people of Jerusalem were rejecting the God who was doing everything to reach them and show them His love. The most religious of cities, yet their lack of faith in God brought Jesus to tears. Jesus passionately loved the lost people of Jerusalem even though they rejected Him. Like Romeo and Juliet, He was willing to die for the sake of love. This love caused Jesus to passionately pursue God’s plan for His life. Nothing and no one could stop Him from fulfilling His mission to restore us to right relationship with the father.

When I read how Jesus lived and loved, I want to follow suit. I don’t want to live my life with a ‘get by’ mentality. I want to live with passion and reach the world with the love of Christ! I want to see each day as an opportunity for adventure and ‘seize the day’! This Easter, let the passion of Christ renew your passion to love and serve Him more!

Prayer

Father…I cannot thank You enough for sending your son. Jesus I thank You for the way You lived Your life with passion because of Your love for me. That thought is overwhelming. I don’t deserve your love, but I’m grateful for it! Help me to passionately pursue the life You have planned out for me so others can know the depths of Your love. In Jesus Name…Amen.

#DareToShare …
Post in the Comment Section below and bolster the faith of someone else!

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Unleashed

“…Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”
Matthew 21:1,2 NIV

This week I am preaching three times in three days. I couldn’t be more excited! Friends can’t understand me and think I’m crazy, but for the first time in my life, I feel I’m truly beginning to walk in the destiny that God has called me to, since I was 19 years old. I hate to compare myself to a donkey; it’s not a very flattering thought, but as I read this verse, I too feel like someone has unleashed me to reach my potential.

Just before Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem, he instructed two of his disciples to untie two donkeys; a mom and her colt because ‘the Lord needed them’. Being used by God is exhilarating, but it doesn’t mean you’re anything special. God often used donkeys; a lowly animal, for His glory! Balaam’s donkey talked and Jesus first important donkey ride was inside his momma on the way to Bethlehem. Mark and Luke record that this colt would be one “no one has ever ridden.” He was so young he hadn’t ever left his mother’s side. This donkey had never reached his potential. He was bound and Jesus set him free to be used for the Father’s glory! As the colt was unleashed, so was his mother.

Today, God needs you like he needed the donkey. God desires to untie the leash that is keeping you bound so you can fulfill your God-given destiny. As you move forward, your freedom will affect the people closest to you so you can all live…unleashed!

Prayer

Father…I thank-You for sending Your Son to set me free! I’m bound in so many more ways than I realize. Help me to not fear, but let you ‘cut me loose’ so I can fulfill the destiny you have for my life. May I live unleashed as the vehicle You use to bring Jesus to this lost world. In Jesus Name…Amen.

#DareToShare …Post in the Comment Section below and bolster the faith of someone else!

[tweetthis remove_url=”true”]Being used by God is exhilarating, but it doesn’t mean you’re anything special. God often used donkeys![/tweetthis]

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John C. Maxwell And God Want You To Be A Talent-Plus Person
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“Do not neglect your gift,
which was given you through prophecy
when the body of elders laid their hands on you."
1 Timothy 4:14 NIV
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Recently I made a decision that has the potential to change my life in dramatic ways. It’s not easy for me to choose to do things for myself but years ago my friend Staci helped me to get better at that and I’m forever grateful to her! Lately, I’ve been trying to figure out what to do with the rest of my working life and decided I really don’t want to work in finance anymore. I want to pursue the giftings God has placed in me, so after much deliberation, prayer and consultation, I registered myself for the John Maxwell Speaker and Life Coach Certification Course because I want to become a Talent-Plus person!

[tweetthis]Invest In Yourself #youreworthit [/tweetthis]

John Maxwell Wants You To Be A Talent-Plus Person

I’ve been greatly influenced by the writings of John C. Maxwell. I see the principles in his books all throughout scripture. The teachings in John’s book, Talent Is Never Enough¹ emphasize the truth of today’s verse, 1 Timothy 4:14. Paul taught us through his writings that we all have been given gifts from God to be used for the benefit of the body.

In the scripture above, Paul is encouraging Tim, the young minister to not neglect his gift, and in Paul’s second letter to his young protégé, Paul encourages Tim to “stir up the gift” or “fan it into flame” (2 Timothy 1:6 NIV/ KJV). Paul is encouraging Timothy to become a Talent-Plus person.

God Desires For You To Be A Talent-Plus Person

And, it’s not just John C. Maxwell, God desires for you to be a Talent-Plus person. John’s book suggests you need to have talent plus: belief in yourself, passion, initiative, focus, preparation, practice, perseverance, courage, teachability, character, right relationships, responsibility, and a team to be successful.

Take a good look at your life and don’t neglect your gift! ‘Stir it up’ by taking the time to develop the gift God has given you, for His glory.

Prayer

Father…I thank-you for the gifts and talents you have placed in my life. In my eyes, they seem so small and insignificant. Help me to see their purpose in Your plan so I understand their value. Show me how I should be working to develop the gifts You’ve given me. In Jesus Name…Amen

#Dare2Share Post in the Comment Section below and let me know what you’ve done to become a Talent-Plus person or what you’re going to do…

[tweetthis]I want to become a Talent-Plus person! @JohnMaxwellTeam #JMTeam #JMTdna #talent @JohnCMaxwell [/tweetthis]

[tweetthis]Don’t neglect your gift! 1 Tim 4:14 #JMTdna #JMTeam @JohnMaxwellTeam @JohnCMaxwell [/tweetthis]

I DID IT!
I PASSED THE JOHN MAXWELL TEAM CERTIFICATION, MET AND TALKED TO JOHN C. MAXWELL!

If you’re interested in finding out more about the John Maxwell Team or the Online Leadership University I’m a part of, just email me from my Contact Page, I’d love to tell you how much it’s benefitted me.

¹ Maxwell, John C. Talent Is Never Enough © (P) 2007 Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, TN Abridged Audiobook
https://www.johnmaxwell.com

[tweetthis]#PAPERBACKPIC Talent Is Never Enough by @JohnCMaxwell @JohnMaxwellTeam [/tweetthis]

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