May 2020 - Sherry Stahl

Month: May 2020

I Love Food

I have treasured the words from his mouth more than my daily food.

~Job 23:12 CSB

I Love Food!

My love for food is embarrassing for my family sometimes. If I like something I’m eating, depending on how much I like it, I sometimes without realizing, make a moaning “Mmmmmmmmm!” sound.

I do see their point, but I just can’t stop it! I love food! Family mocks how expressive I am when a meal or dessert, heck even a salad is delish. They don’t get how I say “This is the best ever!” many times, it’s because I keep trying new things and the tastes keep getting better and better.

A Greater Treasure

When I read this verse in my devotions with Todd, the verse kind of popped off the page, like a question from God. Having just come back from a long walk where I stopped at Starbucks to grab an iced coffee and their blueberry scone. I love me some Starbucks bakery goods and this morning’s pastry was perfect… I treasured that scone with every bite.

In that moment, I felt God asking me, “Do you love me like that?” It wasn’t a demanding, accusing voice in my spirit, but a longing from my Father to be the ultimate treasure of my heart. To hear the words from His mouth, those rhema words are what I treasure and need most. His Word recorded in Scripture is so valuable, but nothing can fill me more than a little whisper from God’s heart to mine.

Do You Love Me Like That?

I feel the call today to write about my experience and encourage you to make sure that God knows how you feel about Him. Let your love for Him flow freely off your lips today… even more than your love for food!

Prayer

Father… I thank You for loving me so much that you desire a relationship with me. I’m overwhelmed with love and acceptance when I understand in new ways your love for me. Forgive me for not expressing my love for you enough that you had to question and ask. My love for you is the most treasured love and Your private messages are what puts a smile on my face. Thank you for wanting me to love You! In Jesus Name…Amen
1. Job 23:12
2. Job 15:11
3. Jeremiah 15:16
#musicpic SONG: Your Word by Hillsong Worship
Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/G9NEYy71lcU

#musicpic SONG: Your Word by Hillsong Worship
Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/G9NEYy71lcU

If you liked the refreshing in this #SoulH2O devotion, you’ll love my latest Soul H2O Devotional book: 40 Thirst Quenching Devotions for Women from our Legacy Works Online Store.

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Nehemiah–Wash Behind Your Hears

Good Morning! In the past few months my computer has been in the shop a few times and it decided to crash again. I know from many of your emails that these Monday morning devotions are a boost to your week so even though I can’t access my devotions I’m still posting one. It’s the first devotion from my hubby’s book (Details below) and it’s really good! Be encouraged today as you read and no matter what happens…DON’T GIVE UP!!!

Nehemiah--Wash Behind Your Hears...

God holds me head and shoulders above all who try to pull me down…Already I’m singing God-songs; I’m making music to God.
—PSALM 27:6
Many times in my life, I have given too much thought to background noise. Those voices attempt to make you think aspects of your life are falling apart. You anticipate that the future will be a scary place, or the walls feel as if they’re pressing in on you like a vice. Do not allow those sounds to be played. God has provided courage and faith to confront your fear and anxiety.
Nehemiah, a mighty man in the Bible, encountered an excellent example of this dilemma. At a time when he could have been comfortable with his highly honored position of cupbearer for the king, God spoke to him, confirming that he would be the lead man to reconstruct the walls around the city of Jerusalem.
During the physical work, Nehemiah heard sounds of criticism, verbal attacks, and false accusations day in and day out. Nehemiah refused to listen. He kept his focus. Not only did he refuse to crumble to the background noise, he and his construction crew completed the job in record time!
Don’t be surprised if the devil starts heating up the adversity when you pursue a goal that God has confirmed in your heart. In your own life, scrub away those words or thoughts that have held you back from spiritual growth. Listen for the voice of encouragement. Open your spiritual ears to hear what God is saying to you today.
The enemy desires nothing better than to play the sounds of negativity, doubt, and confusion in our minds, hoping we’ll lose focus. These words are attempts to smother the dreams God placed in us to fulfill. Turn off the old playlist of doubt and fear. Download the new sounds God has given to you—lyrics of hope, anticipation, and excitement towards a future that is music to your hears!

Prayer

Father…Help me today to focus on You and Your plan for my life. Please help me to “tune in” to your station so I hear Your voice of encouragement and not the negative voice of the enemy as I move forward towards Your great purposes for my life! In Jesus Name…Amen.

Todd’s book, 40 Days In The Man Cave is available everywhere books are sold!
Check Out Todd’s Website http://www.toddstahl.ca

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Does Forgiveness Equal Restored Relationship?

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Follow God’s example…”
Ephesians 4:32-5:1 NIV

Life is so generous to give us lots of opportunities to extend forgiveness to people who hurt us. What’s the proper response to offence? Do we always have to forgive?

Does forgiveness =equal= restored relationship?

If we are to follow God’s example, as this verse instructs us, then forgiveness is a must and restored relationships need to be our intent.

Sadly, I don’t think forgiveness can always lead to restored relationships, and we see that in Jesus’ relationship with the Pharisees.

Isaiah 59:2 explains that our sin is an offence to God, separating us in our relationship with Him. The more we sin and the longer we continue offending Him, the more distant our relationship with Him becomes. Forgiveness can take place in an instant when a prayer is whispered, but it takes time to rebuild a relationship with God.

Restoration happens when we take ownership of our offense and change our ways. We have to go through a process to rebuild our closeness with the Father.

The same principle needs to be applied to our earthly relationships.

We must forgive others for their offenses towards us. If we don’t, it keeps us bound in bitterness. It’s healthy to learn that a restored relationship is separate from forgiveness and requires a healing process.
When approaching relationship restoration, we need to consider the whole counsel of scripture.
Proverbs 4:23 warns,

“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life” (NLT).

Proverbs 22:24 cautions,

“Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered...”

Forgiveness + Ownership + Repentence = Restored Relationship

Sometimes you’ll need to forgive and protect yourself from unhealthy or even toxic relationships. In the best of times, forgiveness leads to a better, stronger restored relationship.
Prayer:

Father, I thank You for Your forgiveness. I ask for the grace to forgive others in my life who have hurt and offended me. I take myself out of the judge’s seat and release them to Your judgement and justice. Please help me to guard my heart, without closing it in the area of relationship restoration. May I walk in Your wholeness. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Ephesians 4:32

Isaiah 59:2

Proverbs 22:24–25

Proverbs 4:23

This post was first published on January 19, 2014 and then included in my first Soul H2O Devotional book: 40 Thirst Quenching Devotions for Women.
Devotion #17 – Forgiveness and Restored Relationship. The original devotion also inspired a #musicpic post called, The Forgiveness Song
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