Sherry Stahl

  • Great Friends Make All The Difference!

    Walk
with the wise
and become wise;
associate with fools
and get in trouble.
~Proverbs 13:20 NLT 

    For the past five days, I’ve been in Edmonton, Alberta. I went to help run a Women In Music & Media (WIMM Canada) event with my partner in crime; Hollie Taylor, at the Breakforth One Conference; Canada’s largest… and most amazing, Christian Conference. To say this time was life-changing would be an understatement.

     

    I loved that my cousin’s wife Rachelle (one of my BFF’s) flew in all the way from Texas, so we got to spend time together catching up for almost a week! On Thursday morning I was interviewed for the Why Me? Podcast by Hollie and her co-host, Johnny Rocket. Later that night we all attended the GMA Covenant Awards where I got to cheer on some friends as they accepted awards.

     

    On Friday, Rachelle and I joined hundreds of women at my friend Cathie’s Gather Women’s Event. We were motivated by so many of my inspiring friends who spoke and then got to hear Lisa Bevere too!

     

    Along with the thousands attending Breakforth; I learned in the seminars, grew deeper in my understanding of God’s Word during the main sessions and felt God’s presence like I hadn’t in quite some time during the worship. Our WIMM Canada event was completely encouraging and connected me with more inspirational women.

     

    The Conference and events were incredible but honestly, the best part of this trip was the people I spent time with, especially during an impromptu prayer meeting with friends in a hotel room.

     

    Great friends make all the difference!

     

    The wisdom found in this week’s Scripture is timeless. The people you spend time with will make or break your life.  Lots of versions translate the end of this verse to say a “companion of fools will suffer harm”.  Bad relationships can actually bring on destruction in your life.  Yikes!

    I’ve often heard the saying You’re the average of the five people you surround yourself with1 quoted, but an article I read references studies that prove this isn’t exactly true.  Although the people closest to you do affect you the most, your whole social network determines who you will become. I was shocked to read how research shows if one of your friends becomes obese you have a 45% greater chance to gain weight and even if your friend’s friend becomes obese there is around a 20% greater chance of you adding inches to your waistline. The study also shows the likelihood of you smoking is increased by 61% if your friend smokes or 29% if a friend of your friend smokes. How crazy is that!  Not surprisingly, the study also showed that “happy friends make you happier!”2

     The reality is that who you surround yourself with is paramount to your success in life and I’m not just talking about how much money you make.  If those you spend time with people who are wise, you’ll gain wisdom… if your friends are fools, you’ll end up in dangerous situations that could lead to your harm; just like Rehoboam brought onto the people when he rejected the advice of elders and chose to follow the suggestions of his childhood buddies.3

    Maybe it’s time to take stock of the people in your world? You might realize how blessed you are or recognize your need to make positive changes; keeping in mind that great friends make all the difference!

     

    Prayer

    Father… I thank You for the wisdom in Your Word. People may come up with cleaver new sayings, but they’re just rephrasing truths found in Your book. Help me build a network of people who inspire, encourage, uplift and challenge me to be the best version of myself, so I can keep myself from unnecessary hurt while making a difference in this world for You! In Jesus Name…Amen

     

     

    WHERE YOU CAN OFTEN FIND ME LINKING UP MY BLOG WITH OR PLACES WHERE MY WRITING HAS BEEN FEATURED

     

    Soul H2O BookIf you liked the refreshing in this #SoulH2O devotion, you’ll love my latest Soul H2O Devotional book: 40 Thirst Quenching Devotions for Women.

     

     

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    Drawing From The Well

    1. Proverbs 13:20
    2. 2 Chronicles 10:6-8
    3. 2 Chronicles 18-19
    4. Proverbs 22:24-25

    ENDNOTES

    1               https://www.businessinsider.com/jim-rohn-youre-the-average-of-the-five-people-you-spend-the-most-time-with-2012-7 Quote by Jim Rohn; Business Insider Website Accessed:  2019-01-27

    2               https://medium.com/the-mission/youre-not-the-average-of-the-five-people-you-surround-yourself-with-f21b817f6e69 Mission Website Accessed:  2019-01-27

    3               2 Chronicles 10

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  • Recognizing Your Ability To Name Things

    Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground 
all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. 
He brought them to the man
to see what he would name them;
and whatever the man called each living creature,
that was its name.
~Genesis 2:19 NIV

    Recognizing Your Ability To Name ThingsRecognizing Your Ability To Name Things

    As with anything I speak on or write about, I want you to know that I never feel I’ve “arrived”, or that I have this area perfected in my life.  I most often speak or write on topics or Scripture that God is highlighting in my life to help me grow and mature as a believer.  I especially feel this way about today’s devotion.  Its come out of some very challenging circumstances in my life and I’m thankful that until we draw our last breath… God isn’t finished with us yet! 

    Years before I became a mom, I picked out names for my kids.

    brandon and shelbyFor a boy, I wanted Brandon because I’d only known one other Brandon, a sweet adorable boy in my Sunday School class. By the time I had a son and given him the name Brandon, the Beverly Hills 90210 series had been released and was flooding our TV sets with the story of Brandon and Brenda Walsh. The name became associated with one of the coolest kids in North America, but it was no longer unique.

    I wanted the name Shelby for a daughter because of a spunky girl that sometimes came out to the youth group I pastored.  Seeing my kids now as grown, young adults I think I named them well.

    Cool would definitely describe my Brandon and spunky is an understatement for my Shelby!

    Today’s verse shows how God gave Adam the ability and authority to name all the animals and birds. Scripture says, “whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name.”

    The reality is that God has given each of us the ability and authority to place names on things.

    Seriously, you are that powerful 🙂  Parents give their children a sense of identity by what they recorded on the birth certificate. Your first or given name helps you identify with who you are personally, and your last name brings a connection with your family identity.

    I wish this was the only way names were placed on people, just a one-time event at birth but sadly that’s never the case. Throughout your life; parents, teachers, bosses or even people in the checkout line are making statements about you; some kind, some loving… some harassing, negative or cruel.  Every word spoken has the potential to place a name on you. Sometimes people aren’t even trying to bring hurt but misguided words, insecurities or past hurt can leave your heart open to receiving names that were never intended for you.

    I want to encourage you that you’re not stuck with a name.

    One day God is going to give each of us a new name1 but before that happens, names can be changed. There are lots of examples in the Bible of people’s names being changed that changed the trajectory of their lives. Today, it takes a lot of work, but you can even have your name legally changed by the government. With work you can change the name label that’s been placed over you by others… or even if you’ve self-labeled.

    I also want to warn you.

    Be careful with your words. Sensitive ears are all around us, often attached to our own heads. As much as possible, talk in a way that uplifts, builds up and honors not using insults, criticism and heckling.  Remember how proverbs teaches that gracious, kind words are like honey; they’re “sweet to the soul”2 and “healing for the body”.3

    Prayer

    Father…I’m thankful you have a special name for me because you know me more than anyone on this earth.  Help me to make You the source of my worth, confidence and identity.  I ask You to bring revelation to where I’ve accepted names you never meant to characterize my life so I can reject and eradicate them from my thoughts. I chose to come in agreement with and commit to speaking the names you place over me. In Jesus Name…Amen

    Drawing from the well

    1. Genesis 2:19
    2. Isaiah 62:2
    3. Psalm 19:14
    4. Ephesians 4:29

    WHERE YOU CAN OFTEN FIND ME LINKING UP MY BLOG WITH OR PLACES WHERE MY WRITING HAS BEEN FEATURED

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

    ENDNOTES

    1. Revelations 2:17
    2. Proverbs 16:24 NLT
    3. Proverbs 16:24 ISV

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  • Linkups & Features

    Here’s where you can find where I linkup my blog posts and places that featured my writing.

    YOU CAN OFTEN FIND ME LINKING UP WITH:

    MONDAY Monday Meditations – Laura J. Davis, Soul Survival – Donna Reidland,

    TUESDAY Cheerleaders of Faith #RARaLinkup – Kelly Balarie,

    WEDNESDAYWord Nerd Wednesdays — Liz Giertz, Worth Beyond Rubies

    THURSDAY Heart Encouragement Thursday – Crystal Storms, 

    “Reflections

     

    FRIDAY Dance With Jesus Linkup – Susan B. Mead, Grace and Truth Linkup – Arabah Joy, Counting My Blessings – Deb Wolf, Fresh Market Friday – Crystal Twaddell 

    ELLEN’S PICKS– Ellen Graf-Martin 

    WHERE MY BLOG & WRITING IS FEATURED

    ELLEN’S PICKS– Ellen Graf-Martin 

    LIFE LETTER CAFE

    See, Hear, Love TV Show & Blogsite

     

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  • That Voice Behind You

    “Whether you turn to the right or to the left,
your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying,
“This is the way; walk in it.”
~Isaiah 30:21 NIV

    Last week, Ethan a student from my former Bible College moved into with Todd and I, so he could complete his final internship before Graduation. Talk about making you feel old… he’s younger than my youngest kid, but in the age-range to be my child. Some of his friends are my former classmates’ kids.  It’s such a small world!

    The other night at dinner, we asked Ethan how he ended up at Bible College and his answer gave us goose-bumps.

    Ethan said he felt God calling him to attend Bible College at the end of High School but wasn’t sure why. So, with questions left in his mind he decided to work for a year, then see how he felt.  When the academic year started, he had this sinking feeling like he missed it; he should’ve taken the plunge and started College that September.

    He Heard That Voice

    Meanwhile in Peterborough, during the second week in the semester, a student felt God speaking to him that someone should have been there and wasn’t.  When he shared this with some other students they began to intercede for whoever this person was.

    A few days later, one of those praying students was on social media and saw a post from Ethan saying how he regretted not registering for Master’s College & Seminary this year and was going next year for sure.  The student stirred up all the courage inside, pushed down the fear of looking like a weirdo and contacted Ethan to tell him what they had sensed during prayer that week.  This was all the encouragement Ethan needed. He took that leap of faith and enrolled, starting classes the next week—keep in mind, this student on social media didn’t know Ethan… had never even met him before {Insert Goosebumps}

    How cool is God?

    Ethan’s story is such a great example of what Isaiah was talking about in today’s verse. The Holman Christian Standard Bible, titled this portion of Scripture, The LORD’S Mercy to Israel and it really does show God’s mercy. It seems the Israelites were again wandering from God’s will, unclear of His plan.

    That Voice Behind You

    You can only hear a voice behind you when you’ve gone the wrong way or went too far. It was in this time of course confusion that these directionally challenged people received a comforting promise.  God spoke through the prophet Isaiah assuring them that even when they turned the wrong way, He would still direct their path.  They may have to course correct, but He would surely let them know.

    For all of you who may be like Ethan, wondering if you’ve gone the wrong way… open your ears to hear from God… when you sense his voice, take that leap of faith and follow that little voice behind you saying, “this is the way, walk in it”!

    Prayer

    Father… I’m so thankful for Your leading. I’d be lost without your guiding me. Help me to not be stubborn and go my own way but listen to You, so when I get off-course, as I inevitably will, I’ll hear Your voice behind me… calling me back.  I want to follow wherever You lead.  In Jesus Name…Amen

    Soul H2O BookIf you liked the refreshing in this #SoulH2O devotion, you’ll love my latest Soul H2O Devotional book: 40 Thirst Quenching Devotions for Women.

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    Drawing From The Well

    1. Isaiah 30:21
    2. Proverbs 3:5-6
    3. Proverbs 25:9
    4. Isaiah 42:16

    YOU CAN OFTEN FIND ME LINKING UP WITH:
    MONDAY     Monday Meditations – Laura J. Davis, Soul Survival – Donna Reidland,
    TUESDAY     Cheerleaders of Faith #RARaLinkup – Kelly Balarie,
    WEDNESDAY Coffee For Your Heart – Holley Gerth, Word Nerd Wednesdays — Liz Giertz
    THURSDAY     Heart Encouragement Thursday – Crystal Storms
    FRIDAY     Dance With Jesus Linkup – Susan B. Mead, Grace and Truth Linkup – Arabah Joy, Counting My Blessings – Deb Wolf, Fresh Market Friday – Crystal Twaddell ELLEN’S PICKS– Ellen Graf-Martin 

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  • How They Missed The Christ in CHRISTmas!

    We despised him and rejected him;
he endured suffering and pain.
No one would even look at him--
we ignored him
as if he were nothing.
~Isaiah 53:3 GNT

    Did you see the Hipster Nativity Set this Christmas?

    hipster nativityEarlier this week, the news reported how it’s the talk of Christmas 2018.

    The camera zoomed in showing the 3 wise men as Amazon Prime Deliverymen on Segways with presents in hand, the shepherd as a young guy missing what’s going on as he’s busy posting on social media with his 100% organic, gluten-free feed-eating cow and sheep in a Christmas sweater sitting by his side.  Next, they showed a man-bun boasting Joseph taking a selfie of himself with Mary posed in a little risqué outfit with her t-shirt off the shoulder, bra-strap and a little more showing.

    Oh ya, baby Jesus was in the solar-paneled manger too, but the newscasters weren’t really talking about Him.

    The discussion surrounded whether or not it was appropriate to have a nativity set with updated “characters”.  One man on the street was interviewed commenting how he felt each generation depicts the nativity with their own cultural relevance or some other hogwash like that. It’s questionable what nativity set that guy’s been putting out each Christmas but ours have always portrayed people in clothing suiting the era when Christ was born with baby Jesus wrapped in swaddling cloths.

    This modern-day version of the nativity wasn’t an issue for me, although I wish they had made Mary a little more modestly dressed, I actually thought it was clever and could be a good conversation starter but what bothered me was how a whole segment of the news could actually be discussing the scene of Jesus’ birth and yet He wasn’t the focus.  In fact, Jesus was barely mentioned.

    They completely missed the Christ in CHRISTmas!

    Other’s Who Can’t See The Forest For The Trees

    How They Missed The Christ in CHRISTmas!For centuries people have been missing the Christ in CHRISTmas.

    Scripture is full of verses talking about the hope of Israel; a coming Messiah, the savior who would bring peace to those who followed Him.  Jewish Rabbis and faithful Hebrew people have studied the Tanakh (Old Testament) and made lists of what they thought the Messiah; the Christ would be like and how they would recognize Him from any other good person. As Christians, we have accepted Jesus (that’s the English version of His name), to be the fulfillment of all the ancient prophecies.

    I’ve also come to understand through reading Joe Amaral’s book, The Story In The Stars how Jesus also fulfilled God’s prophetic power point in the sky: displayed through the constellations God designed at creation; from the virgin woman Virgo to the Aries ram.

    How My Brain Works

    But if your brain works at all like mine, you’ve probably wondered, Why, if Jesus was the Messiah God gave, then why are there Jewish people today still searching for the Christ?  So, were we wrong or did they miss their Messiah when He came… and why did they?  As you can see, I was probably one of those toddlers who drove their parents’ crazy asking, “But Why?” The Bible does teach that when Jesus was born; as those original style nativity sets depict, lived on the earth as a carpenter and then became a miracle-working minister many Jewish people and Priests did follow Him1, but not all.

    I could never understand how Hebrew people today weren’t able to connect-the-dots left in the Old Testament to ascertain the truth of Jesus’ identity, that was until my friend shared this YouTube video called The Forbidden Chapter in the Tanakh where a young Jewish guy in Israel explains how after Jesus lived, the Rabbi’s took Isaiah 53 out of the Scripture listing, read by Jewish people.  This portion of Scripture is the prophet Isaiah’s most detailed record about the coming Saviour.

    For the first time in my life,

    I understood how Jewish people could miss Jesus being the Christ of CHRISTmas.

    As I watched the video (shown below), my faith of Jesus as Lord and savior of my life was strengthened.

    At the same time, this news brought on such a deep sense of sadness to recognize how millions of Jewish people for over two centuries have missed out on knowing Jesus as I do because their eyes have been blinded from the truth.

    It brings my mind back to the news report on The Hipster Nativity and how people are still blinded from the truth of who Jesus is today.  We can be so distracted by all our stuff the wise men/delivery guys bring, missing Jesus right in front of our eyes like the shepherd or focused on ourselves in this selfie generation. Don’t let that be your reality this year.

    Make 2019 different!

    Don’t let the “trappings of this world” trip you up.  Open your eyes and heart to make room for Jesus, so you don’t miss Him this year!

    Prayer

    Father… My heart aches for a world that seems to be blinded to Your Son even when there are signs of Him all around us. Holy Spirit I ask you to remove the blinders from my eyes and help me see Jesus, Emmanuel… God is with me. Jesus You are here, You’re wanting to be involved in my daily life. I open wide my heart to let you in.  You are my Christ, my savior, my Lord: at Christmas, in this new year and always.  In Jesus Name…Amen

    Drawing from the well

    DRAWING FROM THE WELL

    1. Isaiah 53:3
    2. Acts 6:7
    3. 2 Corinthians 4:4
    4. Jude 1:3
    Soul H2O bookIf you liked the refreshing in this #SoulH2O devotion, you’ll love my latest Soul H2O Devotional book: 40 Thirst Quenching Devotions for Women.

     

    VIDEO OF JEWISH GUY SHOWING JEWISH PEOPLE ISAIAH 53

    “THE FORBIDDEN CHAPTER”

    In the Tanakh (Old Testament for us).

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    ENDNOTES

    1.   Acts 2:41, 47; 4:4; 5:14; 6:7 (Key verse is Acts 6:7)

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  • My Christmas Message For You

    Well, Merry Christmas my friend. I hope you’re having an amazing time with family and friends! I’ve been kind of quiet these days as I’m getting The 2019 Word Awards program up and running and really wanted to connect with you so I thought a video would be a great way!

    My Video Christmas Message For You

    Talk to you in the New Year!

    Much love
    ~Sherry
    xoxo

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  • What Are You Asking For This Christmas?

    In the month of December, I’m running Advent Series all over on, the Soul H2O Radio & Podcast Show, through the devotions, and on Instagram Lives. This week, the focus is on Christmas Love. 

    Soul H2O Radio & Podcast Show: Hope, Love, Joy, Peace, Jesus

    Soul H2O Devotions/Posts: What’s The Right Way To Celebrate Advent, Hope, Love, Joy, Peace, Advent Inspiration For Your Christmas Season

    Instagram Lives: Wednesdays at 12-12:10pm EST in December

    What Are You Asking For This Christmas?WHAT ARE YOU ASKING FOR THIS CHRISTMAS?

    After coming home from a missions’ trip just four weeks ago, getting into the Christmas gift mindset is a difficult shift.

    People questioning; What are you asking for this Christmas? In a normal year I find it difficult to give people my Christmas wish, but this year is extra-tough. The reality is, I have soooooo much stuff. We all have so much, dare I say… too much stuff. I feel conflicted like Solomon, struggling to make sense of the justice and injustice in our world.  Trying to enjoy what God’s blessed me with and holding ‘things’ loosely. As a family, we’ve decided to cut down the spending this year and I feel good about that. It just seems at this time of year that everyone around is asking for something, but are we asking for the right things from the right person?

    JESUS AND THE SAMARITAN WOMAN

    Today’s verse is taken from a pretty well-known portion of Scripture where Jesus stops in Samaria at the local watering hole; literally a well, not the neighborhood bar.  🙂  Jesus sits down and strikes up a conversation with a woman who has a history of broken relationships.  Jesus asks for a drink of water.  It’s a weird request from a Jewish man to a Samaritan woman since Jews at that time wouldn’t even use the same cups or bowls a Samaritan had used and that men didn’t just go up to unknown women.

    Jesus replied,
“If you only knew the gift God has for you
and who you are speaking to,
you would ask me,
and I would give you living water.”
~John 4:10  NLT

    ASKING

    Jesus moves from asking the Samaritan woman for something to reminding this daughter of her value and how God had a gift with her name on the tag; something many people would have assumed the Samaritan woman forfeited with her lifestyle choices. I’m guessing somewhere along the line; this girl believed the lie that she didn’t deserve to ask God for anything. Maybe our Samaritan sister felt unworthy to think God would have something for her? Maybe she felt God let her down, hadn’t answered past prayers and the girl stopped asking?

    Sometimes a lack of asking can be a lack of trust.

    Jesus told this broken girl how she needed to start expecting… to start asking Him for living water. He wanted her to ask for the right thing, from the right source.

    SO, WHAT ARE YOU ASKING FOR?

    Too often we can get sidetracked in North America and ask for things that don’t satisfy our true thirst, and it’s especially true at Christmas time. The holiday to celebrate Jesus is often the busiest time of the year when we spend the least amount of time with Him.

    This year, make your Christmas list, enjoy all God blesses your life with but don’t forget to ask God for the gifts He’s prepared for you.  God has more set aside for your life than you can imagine. He wants you to ask. Don’t let the presents from Him go unopened and unused. Make sure to ask for the right thing, from the right source… God, the giver of all things good has something special for YOU!

    Prayer

    Father…You are so good! Even when I don’t deserve anything you have gifts for me.  I’m so thankful that You want to refresh me, You want to restore me, You want to fill me to overflowing so the effects of my life spill out to others. Help me to see my value, so I can come before You and expect good things. I want to receive all You have for me!  In Jesus Name…Amen

    Advent Talks

    Join Me Weekly For Advent Talks

    Through The Themes of Advent

    Every Wednesday at 12-12:10pm EST on Instagram Live

    December 1(Hope), 8(Love), 15 (Joy), 22(Peace)

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    Drawing From The Well

    1. John 4:10; 7:38
    2. Mathew 7:7-8
    3. James 1:17
    4. Revelations 21:6
    Soul H2O bookIf you liked the refreshing in this #SoulH2O devotion, you’ll love my latest Soul H2O Devotional book: 40 Thirst Quenching Devotions for Women.

     

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    WHERE YOU CAN OFTEN FIND ME LINKING UP MY BLOG WITH OR PLACES WHERE MY WRITING HAS BEEN FEATURED

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  • Stand Up and Do Something!

    “But Phinehas stood up and intervened,
and the plague was stopped.
It was credited to him as righteousness
throughout all generations to come.”
  Psalm 106:30-31  HCSB

    When my Brandon was in elementary school he was seriously beaten up by a group of boys. I remember one of his friends was expelled as a result of the incident. I went to the principal and discussed how that boy hadn’t done anything, but the principal said he was punished because of that; he just stood there and didn’t do anything.

    In contrast to that incident, I got to see a friend in action to help another friend when life had kicked her down.  A few weeks ago, my friend decided to intervene in a horrible situation.  She just couldn’t stand there and do nothing.  She stood up and did something.  Now our friend is getting the help she so desperately needs.

    Psalm 106 recounts the history of Israel.

    The writer gets to the point where the nation of Israel was beginning to fall away from God. The men were being seduced by women of different nations into sexual immorality and Baal worship.  God didn’t take this lightly and sent a plague.  It’s not because God is mean, but because He’s loving that He sent this plague to wake his people up. In the 21st Century, we don’t understand it but history and Scripture both record how the worship in these nations included child sacrifice.

    God values life and especially that of children.

    In Luke 17 Jesus talks about how serious of an offense it is for someone to lead children astray, let alone to actually take a child’s life. So as the nation is falling into debauchery, one man with a weird name… Phinehas… doesn’t just sit around and let the problems keep going.  Phinny intervenes, the people turn back to God and the plague is stopped.

    Is there a situation where you need to intervene?
    Somewhere the destruction in a person’s life needs to be stopped?

    Intercepting the enemies attack will release the power of God
    to change the course of a person’s future for generations to come.

    And, as it was for old Phinny, this act of bravery will strengthen your faith too! If you’re feeling the pull of the Holy Spirit to get off the sidelines and enter the field, then stop being a bystander…

    Don’t Just Stand There, Stand Up and Do Something!

    Prayer

    Father…I thank You for stepping into my life and stopping the enemy from destroying me.  I thank You for intervening in the circumstances of my life and sending people in to help when I couldn’t stand up for myself.  Give me the courage to stand up and do something to help someone in need today! In Jesus Name…Amen

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     Drawing From The Well

    1. Psalm 106:30-31 HCSB
    2. Luke 17:2
    3. Isaiah 59:16
    4. Isaiah 63:5 

    Soul H2O BookIf you liked the refreshing in this #SoulH2O devotion, you’ll love my latest Soul H2O Devotional book: 40 Thirst Quenching Devotions for Women.

     YOU CAN OFTEN FIND ME LINKING UP WITH:
    MONDAY Monday Meditations – Laura J. Davis,
    TUESDAY Cheerleaders of Faith #RARaLinkup – Kelly Balarie,
    WEDNESDAY Coffee For Your Heart – Holley Gerth,
    THURSDAY Heart Encouragement Thursday – Crystal Storms,
    FRIDAY Dance With Jesus Linkup – Susan B. Mead, Grace and Truth Linkup – Arabah Joy, Counting My Blessings – Deb Wolf, Fresh Market Friday – Crystal Twaddell

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  • Watch God Amaze You

    “As Manoah and his wife watched,
    the LORD did an amazing thing    .”
        Judges 13:19  NLT

    As an infant, my son Brandon had a serious case of FOMO. You know, the Fear Of Missing Out!  No matter where I was, no matter how overtired, he could be falling asleep on my shoulder but if someone laughed or talked loudly, he would almost shake himself awake and turn his head towards the action.  My friend Wendy actually started calling him turtle for the way he would stretch out his neck to see what was going on.

    They Watched God Do An Amazing Thing

    Today’s verse comes from one of those crazy stories in the Bible where the pre-incarnate Christ; oftentimes described as the angel of the Lord, visited some regular folk and turned their world upside down. In this Scripture passage, you read of how God takes two unlikely people; Manoah and his wife, visits them and then births something incredible through them. All because they were looking to God for some answers. Like my Brandon, Manoah and his wife kept their eyes open, so they didn’t miss out on the action.

    Because they were watching, they got to see the LORD do amazing things before their very eyes. Two people who couldn’t have a baby would soon get to watch a belly grow and become parents to Samson; one of the most physically powerful men in the Bible1.

    Watch God Amaze You

    Isaiah 43:19 records how God said, “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Do you perceive what God is doing in your life? Do you see where He’s making a way where there is no way? You have to be alert, eyes-wide-open to see what He’s doing. Don’t let God pass you by unnoticed. Open your eyes, so you can watch God amaze you!

    Prayer

    Father… God, You are so powerful! When I read Your Word, my mind has a hard time comprehending all You’ve done.  Help me to open my spiritual eyes, so I can perceive where You’re at work in me, within those around me and throughout the world. Peel away the blinders from my eyes, so I’ll be able to watch and see You do amazing things in and through me! In Jesus Name…Amen

    #Dare2Share
    Post in the Comment Section below and bolster the faith of someone else!

    Drawing From the Well

    1. Judges 13:19
    2. Isaiah 43:19 ESV
    3. Hebrews 12:2
    4. Isaiah 40:26 NLT

     ENDNOTES

    1      I think it’s a tie between Samson and Benaiah (2 Samuel 23:20-21) for the strongest man in the Bible.

    YOU CAN OFTEN FIND ME LINKING UP WITH:

    TUESDAY Cheerleaders of Faith #RARaLinkup – Kelly Balarie,
    WEDNESDAY Coffee For Your Heart – Holley Gerth,
    THURSDAY Heart Encouragement Thursday – Crystal Storms,
    FRIDAY Dance With Jesus Linkup – Susan B. Mead, Grace and Truth Linkup – Arabah Joy, Counting My Blessings – Deb Wolf, Fresh Market Friday – Crystal Twaddell

     

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  • What Are You Thinking About?

    “May the words of my mouth
and
the meditations of my heart
be pleasing to you”
~Psalm 19:14 NLT

    Todd loves to watch Funny videos online.  He’s always coming up with the most hilarious ones and sends them to people, it’s kind of his ministry J lol.  A couple years ago, Todd sent me this YouTube link called, ‘German Coast Guard Trainee’.  It’s a German commercial for a program to help improve your English. You can watch the video below, or here’s the run-down of the clip. There is a senior Coast Guard officer showing a young trainee the equipment in German.  With little instruction, the trainer slaps him on the back and leaves the room.  Suddenly a harried call comes in from an English vessel and you hear, “Mayday, mayday… we are sinking”. The young trainee bewildered responds in broken German/English saying, “Allo, zis is ze German Coast Guard…”  Another frantic plea breaks through his speaking, “we’re sinking, we’re sinking”.  With a puzzled look, the trainee says, “Vat are you… Sinking About?”

    This play on words gets you thinking about your thinking.

    WHAT ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT?

    In today’s Bible verse, the psalmist challenges you to make sure the words of our mouth AND the meditations of your heart are pleasing to God.  Sounds simple enough, but this is where the hard work of faith kicks in.  It’s easier to keep what comes out of your mouth in check but keeping the meditations of your heart pleasing to God is ‘fish-swimming-upstream’ kind of tough.

    Proverbs 4:23 warns you to,

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

    What you think, fills your heart.  What’s in your heart will eventually come out of your mouth. So, you need to get intentional about what you allow to stay in between those ears of yours! Paul taught about the issue of controlling our thoughts in 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 when he said,

    “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

    This verse isn’t just talking about arguments that other people are making or lofty opinions that others are sharing contrary to the truth of God.  You can’t take captive the thoughts in someone else’s head, you can only take captive your own… and if you’re directed to do something in Scripture, then you can do it!

    So… Vat are you sinking about?

    Prayer

    Father…I thank you that You’ve given me the power to control my thoughts. I’m not powerless in the battle to control my thought patterns. I have the mind of Christ, so I am able to take captive every thought and make them obedient to you Jesus! Help me to exercise the authority I’ve been given.  In Jesus Name…Amen

    To give you some ‘rubber hits the road’ help for when those negative thoughts are tough to manage, I’ve posted another article called,
    11 PRACTICAL STEPS TO HELP YOU CONTROL YOUR THOUGHTS
    Check it out to go in a little deeper on this subject.

    #Dare2Share
    Post in the Comment Section below and bolster the faith of someone else!

    DRAWING FROM THE WELL

    1. Isaiah 28:5-6
    2. Romans 12:2 (NLT is worded in a clear way)
    3. 1 Corinthians 2:16
    4. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5
    If you liked the refreshing in this #SoulH2O devotion, you’ll love my latest Soul H2O Devotional book: 40 Thirst Quenching Devotions for Women.

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