Soul H2O Devotions Archives - Page 11 of 32

Soul H2O Devotions

Just Because You Fail, Doesn’t Mean You’re A Failure
```
Forgetting what lies behind and
straining forward to what lies ahead,
I press on toward the goal for the prize 
of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:13-14 ESV
```
MY RECENT FAILURES

Getting out with a group of girls is always fun!

So, when my friend Ellen Graf-Martin invited me to attend her Fierce Hearted Retreat with Holley Gerth, I was all in! Well, at least until Ellen let us know the Friday night fun was painting pottery. Hearing the plan made me want to back out because it was artistic and well, let’s just say I’m not artistically talented {complete understatement}. As you can see in the pictures, my pottery painting was a total fail and this past season has given me lots of reasons to feel like a failure.

Beyond painting an ugly mug, I made the worst anniversary dinner AND dessert in human history… not the meal I had hoped would express my endearing love for Todd. Then there’s the canceled missions trip to Guatemala that was supposed to take flight in March. To say there were days when I felt like a failure is another {complete understatement}. I’ve had to keep reminding myself…

Just because you fail, doesn’t mean you’re a failure.

Knowing Paul wrote Philippians from a jail cell puts his words into perspective. Paul could have been like most of us and started bemoaning the choices made that landed him in prison, but he didn’t.

Instead of allowing his incarceration to be a reason for sinking into defeat or entering into a blaming tirade, Paul takes his focus off of this seeming ‘failure’ onto the goal ahead of him. Gaze fixed on the prize for fulfilling the upward call of God.

WOW! That’s really hard to do.

Rejecting the label of failure and choosing to look towards future success, will make you prosper.

In his book Failing Forward, John C. Maxwell rightly says,

“There is no achievement without failure.
To even imply that it might be possible gives people the wrong impression.”¹

Maxwell’s whole book is dedicated to helping people train for failure as he cites people’s stories who have found success through repeated failures, great examples of how to fail forward.

My advice to you today is, don’t let failure derail you from the upward call of God on your life. We all fail. The question is, will you be like Micah and announce to the world: “though I fall, yet I will rise”?² Remember, Just because you fail, doesn’t mean you’re a failure.

Prayer

Father… I thank you that failure is not final. I don’t have to live in fear of failure because You encourage me in Your Word that when I fall, You’ll help me get back up. Let me walk with confidence towards the exciting plans You have for my life and learn to fail forward, not letting the enemy or anyone label me a failure. In You, I am more than an overcomer! In Jesus Name…Amen

Jump on my Author Facebook page tonight, for an encouraging message.

Monday, April 23^rd8 pm EST

There’s so much more that God’s put on my heart about Failing Forward that I can’t fit into this little Soul H2O devotion. I’m also going to be giving away a copy of Holley Gerth’s book fierce hearted to a lucky winner!

[imic_button colour=”btn-warning” type=”enabled” link=”https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSherryStahl/” target=”_blank” extraclass=”” size=””]Facebook Live Link to Sherry’s Author Facebook Page[/imic_button]

You may have to LIKE my ‘AuthorSherryStahl’ page to see the Facebook LIVE

[tweetthis] Just because you fail, doesn’t mean you’re a #failure.[/tweetthis]

[tweetthis] Rejecting the label of failure and choosing to look towards future success, will make you prosper.[/tweetthis]

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

#Dare2Share
Post in the Comment Section below and bolster the faith of someone else!
1. Philippians 3:13-14
2. Micah 7:8
3. Ps 40:2-3
4. Proverbs 24:16
ENDNOTES
1. Maxwell, John. Failing Forward, © 2000 Nelson Books: Nashville, TN pg. 7
2. Micah 7:8
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 , Chasing Community – Barbara Bradford Ottinger
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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This is Just Your Temporary Home

“Do not let your hearts be troubled.
You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?
And if I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come back and take you to be with me
that you also may be where I am.
You know the way to the place where I am going.”

John 14:1-4 NIV

TEMPORARY HOME

Just after Easter, as I was driving from my Uncle and Aunt’s house to Hamilton, the thought crossed my mind that I was going to pass by four different homes I’d lived in. Since I don’t get around that area very often, I took pictures of each house. Some looking, Oh so different! than when growing up.

As I continued to drive, I began counting just how many places I’ve called home. There were:
- 10 growing up with my parents
- 3 different college dorms
- 9 places as an adult that included:
  4 houses, 2 townhouses, 1 trailer, and 2 cottages.
If you’re counting, that’s 22 “homes” in total!

Shelby & Haillie outside our home

Thinking about my moving mayhem brought Carrie Underwood’s song, Temporary Home to mind. As teens, this song had become very close to my daughter and her friend Haillie’s heart. Haillie and her mom, my friend Lori had come to live with us when we were both going through separation. To say it was a tough time would be an understatement. When the radio announced Carrie was coming to Toronto, I immediately booked tickets for us all. As Carrie sang our life-song, we were all streaming tears.

I think this week’s verses are especially impactful to me because of all the temporary homes I’ve had. Add to that, recently having Todd’s Nanny Lois pass away and move into her forever home; the value of this Scripture has only deepened. With Nanny’s passing still fresh in our hearts, knowing this earth isn’t the end… that there’s more.. that Jesus loves us so much He’s gone to build a forever home for us all, brings so much comfort!

Jesus disciples were about as smart as us and they struggled to grasp what He was telling them. In the next verse, they ask, “how can we know the way?” to which Jesus makes everything clear when He explains, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Because of Christ, this earth can be just “windows and rooms”¹ we’re passing through.

I hope you let Jesus’ words sink in. Don’t LET your hearts be troubled, no matter what’s going on in your world. You can sing along with Carrie because.. this is just your temporary home!

Prayer

Father…Your promises are so good they’re often hard for my brain to imagine. Understanding what you went through, to provide the way Jesus, is completely overwhelming. To know you’re preparing a place for me, so comforting! I thank You that I can know with certainty there is a better place, and I get to go there! One day, my temporary home of earth will be replaced by my forever home, heaven! Cya soon Jesus!

[tweetthis]This is just a stop on the way to where I’m going @carrieunderwood #TemporaryHome #soulh2o[/tweetthis]

Carrie,

If you ever end up reading this post, I hope you know how much your music has ministered to us. Praying God blesses you with on overwhelming sense of His love and goodness.

Music Video for Temporary Home. I dare you to watch it and not cry girls 🙂

¹Lyrics to the song: https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/carrieunderwood/temporaryhome.html

Carrie’s Website: https://www.carrieunderwoodofficial.com/

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

#Dare2Share
Post in the Comment Section below and bolster the faith of someone else!
1. John 14:1-4
2. John 14:5-6
3. John 14:27-29
4. Isaiah 32:18
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 , Chasing Community – Barbara Bradford Ottinger
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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Why You Can Trust God

Praying you can trust God more after reading this devotion, especially after you listen to this week’s Soul H2O Radio & Podcast Episode 117 with Karen Ehman, talking about how her life led to the writing of her latest book, Trusting God – In ALL The Things.

Why You Can Trust God

One Easter, years ago I learned on a whole new level, why you can trust God!

You see, trusting that people are going to follow through on what they’ve said they would do isn’t always easy. Watching the news can cause you to become hard-hearted and distrustful of people. Life experiences often add fuel to this fire of doubt and soon you find yourself not believing God can be trusted.

It’s so hard not to attribute the character traits of those in our lives to God.

Jesus’ Death & Resurrection

When I read Matthew’s recounting of Jesus death and Resurrection, this week’s verse leapt off the page.

“He is not here. He is risen, just as he said.” Matthew 28:6 NIV

“… just as he said”.

That’s the real reason why we celebrate Easter
—the reason we can KNOW and TRUST God,
because He DOES what He says.

Scripture reminds you that, “God is not a human that He should lie.”¹ God is true to His Word! At all costs, the trinity stuck to the salvation plan they’d been telling believers about for generations. Each had a role to play; a job to complete. If one didn’t go through with their portion, the plan would fall apart.

The Father gave His Son.
Jesus gave His Life.
The Holy Spirit raised Jesus from the dead!

For a long while before the crucifixion, Jesus had been telling His followers how He was going to die and then be raised to life again; but they just couldn’t accept hearing this truth. In their human thinking, death would equal defeat. They had no grid of understanding to grasp how this loss could produce freedom, but God’s ways are higher than our ways and His wisdom is perfect.

Don’t let the impact of Christ’s death and resurrection get packed away with the Easter decorations. Allow the knowledge of how God does what He says, free you to trust God on a whole new level.

Prayer

Father…I thank You for Your faithfulness. You are true to Your Word! I’m asking You to bring freedom to my life where experiences with people have caused me to doubt. Remind me of times in my life where You’ve been true to Your Word. Let me stand on that truth and not waver. I can trust You! In Jesus Name…Amen

Soul H2O Resources

Karen Ehman is on Episode 117, Why You Can Trust God. This show will help open your heart to trust God – in ALL the things!

You can find Soul H2O Journal Pages, inspirational graphics to share, deeper insights, and information about our guest on today’s Show Notes at http://www.soulh2o.com/117

[tweetthis]Don’t let the impact of Christ’s death and resurrection get packed away with the Easter decorations.[/tweetthis]

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

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

ENDNOTES
1. Numbers 23:19
DRAWING FROM THE WELL
1. Matthew 28:6
2. Numbers 23:19
3. Matthew 16:21
4. Acts 2:24
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 , Chasing Community – Barbara Bradford Ottinger
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

Originally published: March 26, 2018

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Holy Socks and How I Know I’m Coming OUT of The Desert
```
The Israelites ate manna forty years,
until they came to a land that was settled;
they ate manna
until they reached the border of Canaan. 
~Exodus 16:35  NIV
```
Holy Socks!

Isn’t it frustrating when you’re rushing to get dressed in the morning and put on a pair of socks only to step down and feel a hole? {Grrrr} Quickly you put on another pair, step down and they have holes too? Seriously, how can this be?

Well that’s what my morning was like about a month ago and then after a few socks I found an intact pair. Within an hour I was getting ready to leave the house and found a new hole as I went to put my shoes on. I know this may seem ridiculous to you and I’m embarrassed to tell you, but I sat on the floor and almost cried. It seemed like everything I own was wearing out…jeans, belts, coats, shirts and tons of socks!

As I sat on the floor sulking {insert pouty face here} the Lord brought back to my remembrance Deuteronomy 29:5, “Yet the LORD says, “During the forty years that I led you through the wilderness, your clothes did not wear out, nor did the sandals on your feet.”

I say it was the Lord because my brain was transfixed on how horrible things were for me. How I didn’t have money to buy replacement socks and, at the current rate of sock disintegration, I would soon be walking barefoot! God was able to bring this verse to mind because I had it in my well to draw out. Immediately as I thought about the truth God was speaking to me, my mood changed.

I began to thank God for the hole in my sock because I knew what God was trying to tell me through that holy sock; I was coming OUT of this desert!

I went to Google to look up this verse and read today’s theme verse from Exodus 16:35.

I was intrigued by the word ‘border’.

I felt the Lord again speaking so clearly to me. I don’t know how long the manifestation of God’s promise will take to ‘show-up’ in the natural, but I know it’s coming. I confess I’m nearing the border of God’s promises for my finances because so many things are wearing out.

I wish this verse said that they didn’t wear out until they were ‘in’ The Promised Land and had everything set up…all their produce planted…jobs arranged…but it doesn’t.

There seems to be a unique phenomenon occurring in the Bible where supplies only lasted until people came to the border of their breakthrough. Just like how the brook dried up around Elijah before God was about to provide better food and lodging for him¹ and how the widow’s oil lasted until the rain came back.²

If we can refocus our brains from looking at our situations in the negative, {like the holy socks} then we should be able to look at ‘loss’ as a gain. The enemy has been trying to bring discouragement to me because my situation in many ways looks more hopeless than ever, I’m losing more at a faster rate, stuff is falling apart…yet, I know my Redeemer lives! I know His Word is true. I know He’s working things out in my favor! God used my holy sock to jar me from my self-pity! How cool is that!??!

So, if things seem to be getting worse and your supply is dwindling be encouraged…you might be bordering your breakthrough!

Prayer

Father…You are so creative! You’re never boring in the ways you chose to speak to me! I will keep my spiritual eyes to open wide, able to focus on the truth of Your Word. Help me to see the lack in my life; not as a sign that You’ve forgotten about me, but as the border to my breakthrough. I will speak Your promises over my situation until I see the manifestation of those promises being fulfilled in my life! In Jesus Name…Amen

[tweetthis]I’m at the border of my breakthrough! [/tweetthis]

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

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

END NOTES
1. 1 Kings 17:7
2. 1 Kings 17:14
1. Exodus 16:35
2. Songs of Solomon 8:5
3. Nehemiah 9:20-21
4. Joshua 5:12
5. 1 Kings 17:7
6. 1 Kings 17:14
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 , Chasing Community – Barbara Bradford Ottinger
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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The ONE Step to Victory Over Sin
```
“I have hidden your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you."
Psalms 119:11 NLT
```
At this time of year, Canadian weather keeps rotating from snow to sunshine, then back to snow. All the barometric bobbing brings on a ton of colds. There are so many ways to fight off a cold nowadays, but the best way still is to drink copious amounts of water while downing abundant amounts of vitamin C. Most often this should flush it out of your system!

ONE STEP TO VICTORY

Flushing a cold out of my system this year got me to thinking about how you can flush out the sin in your life.

The church tends to offer you lots of options on how to kick sin to the curb and too often they’ll give you a big list of do’s and don’ts. The Bible, on the other hand, gives you ONE step to flush sin out of your life. The psalmist knew the simplicity to winning the battle against sin. It appears too easy for our over-complicated society, but the reality is if you want to find victory over sin you simply need to start hiding God’s Word in your heart.

It’s that simple!

But….

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO ‘HIDE’ GOD’S WORD IN YOUR HEART
since you can’t physically stuff a Bible into your chest!

[tweetthis]WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO ‘HIDE’ GOD’S WORD IN YOUR HEART…since you can’t physically stuff a Bible into your chest![/tweetthis]

The original Hebrew of the word used to describe ‘hiding’ in our verse this week can also be translated as “treasured, esteemed, saved or laid up”.¹Hiding God’s Word in your heart is more than just reading it.

You need to let Scripture get in you to the point it has the power to flush out anything else that would bring sickness to your soul.

It’s time to take studying the Bible seriously. Not as a ritual to mark off your spiritual disciplines checklist, but because it’s God’s love letter to you. This way when temptation comes calling, His Word will speak louder in your ear than the voice of the enemy.

I’m thankful you chose to put into practice the ONE step, foolproof, way to flush sin out of your system by hiding God’s Word in your heart in reading a Soul H2O devotion today! Praying you continue to daily fill up…to flush out!

Prayer

Father…I thank You for Your Word that gives me the confidence to KNOW…I CAN defeat the power of sin in my life. Please give me an insatiable desire to read Your Word. Let the Bible COME ALIVE as I take the time to spend with You! Help my mind to store up Scripture and as I fill-up on Your Word, let it flush out sin in my life. In Jesus Name…Amen

[tweetthis]Daily…Fill up, to Flush out![/tweetthis]

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

#Dare2Share
Post in the Comment Section below and bolster the faith of someone else!
1. Psalm 119:11
2. Psalm 40:8
3. Psalm 37:31
4. Romans 6:14
ENDNOTES
1. https://biblehub.com/hebrew/tzafanti_6845.htm Website accessed: March 11, 2018
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 , Chasing Community – Barbara Bradford Ottinger
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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Ever Found Yourself Arguing With God?
```
"Do you still want to argue with the Almighty?
You are God's critic,
but do you have the answers?"
Job 40:2
```
Have you ever had a teenager living in your house? It’s a strange phase in the cycle of life. Throughout childhood my kids adored me. They asked question after question and listened to my words as if I had the answers to every question under the sky. My kids were never satisfied to just know ‘HOW’ or ‘WHAT’. They’re like their momma and had to know ‘WHY’; especially my Brandon!

Overnight my kids became teenagers, and suddenly they had answers for everything. They no longer wanted to ask me for anything but money and discussions too often turned into arguments.

Now as young adults, my ‘kids’ call or text me with lots of questions. They’re back asking for advice in the areas of life, love, finances and more. I’ve even had some, “I’m sorry I didn’t listen mom” conversations. My kids have changed from my doting darlings, to my biggest critics and now are some of my loudest cheerleaders. Encouraging me to write, speak and make a difference in this world!

I think we follow this same life cycle with God.

In Luke 18:16, Jesus said,
```
"Let the children come to me.
Don't stop them!
For the Kingdom of God belongs to those
who are like these children.”
```
Why does Jesus say this? I think it’s because children come in trust believing their parents can do anything. When Job was going through his time of testing he starts out with child-like faith in God but then digresses to a position of “God’s critic”. Job questions God at every level. Our loving heavenly Father allows Job to fire out these questions. His quandaries on why he’s suffering. Once God feels Job’s gotten it all off his chest, God has a few questions of His own. God essentially asked Job these three questions:
1. Who created the earth and everything in it?
2. Who controls the functions of the earth, the: tides, weather, light and darkness?
3. Who created and cares for the animals and birds; creating within them life patterns and placing a destiny inside of them?
The answer to every question is God.

After Job quieted his questions and listened to God’s answers he changed from “God’s critic” to singing God’s praises! In chapter 42, Job begins to brag on how good God is when he says, “I know that you can do anything”.

Have You Ever Found Yourself Arguing With God?

In the same way your teenager can go from your biggest critic to your fondest fan, so we need to change. Learn to lay down your criticism and fear to see that the God who created everything is the ONE who keeps it all together and holds you in His hands.

Prayer

Father…I’m sorry for the times I’ve come at you with an argument prepared, telling you what I think and how You should do things. Help me to come with child-like faith, trusting in you as I pray. May my heart and words express Your goodness for all the world to know; including me. God You are good. In Jesus Name…Amen

[tweetthis]Have You Ever Found Yourself Arguing With God? [/tweetthis]

Writing this devotion made me think of a quote I read years ago and my Facebook friends Andrea and Lisa helped me find it again. Thanks Girls <3 I think you’ll all enjoy it!

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

#Dare2Share
Post in the Comment Section below and bolster the faith of someone else!
1. Job 40:2
2. Luke 18:16
3. Isaiah 45:9
4. Job 42:1
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 , Chasing Community – Barbara Bradford Ottinger
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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Getting In Shape
```
I discipline my body like an athlete
training to do what it should otherwise, 
I fear that after preaching to others 
I myself might be disqualified.
1 Corinthians 9:27 NLT
```
GETTING IN SHAPE

I went to the Sherk Complex and made it through Rosie’s Triple Threat fitness class {insert loud cheers of encouragement}!!! Ok, maybe “made it through” is kind of stretching it, but I didn’t die in the class…even though I wanted to cry every time I had to bend down to put on my shoes for the next two days. Three years ago was the last time this body had any kind of real work out so, it probably wasn’t the wisest choice to pick what I’ve now learned is the toughest fitness class they host…but I did it! An Olympic athlete I may not be, but I’m on my way towards getting into shape! For years now I’ve been talking about getting in shape and now I’ve actually begun.

GETTING COMMITTED

I posted a Facebook Live from my car right after the workout so people heard me state my goal and encouraged everyone listening to hold me accountable and now I’m asking you…yes you…as one of my readers to do the same!

In a few weeks I have a monumental birthday that is kind of freaking me out, actually rocking me to my core! Six months ago I started saying I wanted to be Fit at Fifty but I didn’t do anything to make that ‘dream’ a reality. Sure I talked about it but I never put any effort into achieving the goal…until today.

By getting to the gym, I took a step towards getting in shape…a move forward in reaching my goal of Fit at Fifty! Unless the work-out genie puts her arms up and blinks me into shape during the next couple weeks, I’m not going to reach my first deadline of my birthday. Missing this target date is ok, ‘cause sometimes you have to let go of your timeline! I am going to reach my goal. I am going to get healthy. I have the passion of Paul in this verse to meet the challenge head on.

GETTING GOING

Health, wholeness and happiness don’t ‘just happen’. You have to be a serious contender to experience real change. When I read Paul’s words to the Corinthian believers I can’t help but think how diligently the Olympic athletes we’re watching on TV these days train to attain their goal. We need to be disciplined in all areas of our lives: physically, emotionally, financially, relationally and spiritually to live the adventure God dreamed for us.

What area of life to you need to start getting in shape? Choose today to discipline yourself.

Train to attain your goal!

Prayer

Father…Thank you for giving me the power to make choices. Help me not to just see the areas that need change in my life, but to actively work towards making lasting change. May I have the heart of Paul to live a determined, disciplined life. I commit to taking the next step towards health, wholeness and happiness. I will stick with the journey until I reap the benefits of the goal. In Jesus Name…Amen

[tweetthis]Train to Attain…It’s not just good advice for #Olympians but all of us![/tweetthis]
1. 1 Corinthians 9:27 NLT
2. 2 Corinthians 13:5
3. Romans 8:13
4. Luke 9:25
Watch my Facebook Life for a little added encouragement 🙂

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 , Chasing Community – Barbara Bradford Ottinger
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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Just a Spoonful of Honey
```
“Set up road markers for yourself;
make yourself guideposts; consider well the highway, 
the road by which you went.”
~Jeremiah 31:21 ESV
```
Have you ever had a nagging cold that just didn’t want to lift? I’ve been suffering with a wretched cough that’s kept me up at night for over a week and I’m worn out. Medications were taken and nothing helped. Exhaustion set in and I wasn’t sure how much longer I could take it. At one point during the night, a coughing fit started to get unbearable and then I had a thought pop into my head…honey! Promptly I got out of bed, went to the cupboard, swallowed down just a spoonful of honey and Wham-O, the coughing stopped! Finally, I had half of a good night’s sleep!

Taking honey to help soothe a throat from coughing is something I used to do.

I’m not sure why I didn’t think about it before?

How is it that we can forget the simple things, those proven paths in the face of distress? It’s as if the difficulty gobbles up our brain cells and leaves us without weapon to defeat the foe. As I laid in bed marveling that the coughing stopped and questioning why I hadn’t thought of downing honey before, I remembered this verse.

“Set up road markers for yourself; make yourself guideposts; consider well the highway, the road by which you went.”

God sent Jeremiah to help the people remember where they had been and of the roads they used to take to get there, so they could come back home. Jeremiah had said to them earlier: “This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.”

In stubbornness, you can refuse to follow the old way because you want something new, something improved. You can assume a new way is a better way when maybe God is trying to remind you of an old way that works; one that will bring rest for your soul, just like the spoonful of honey did for me!

Prayer

Father…I’m so thankful that you guide me into rest. Help me to open my spiritual ears and not let stubbornness hinder my hearing. May I be willing to follow you in old and new ways; wherever you direct. In Jesus Name…Amen

[tweetthis]Remember the simple things, those proven paths in the face of distress. Jr 31:21 [/tweetthis]
1. Jeremiah 31:21
2. Jeremiah 6:16
3. Jeremiah 18:15
4. Isaiah 30:21
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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Post in the Comment Section below and bolster the faith of someone else!

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 , Chasing Community – Barbara Bradford Ottinger
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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I’ve Been Binge-Watching Netflix
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“bless those who curse you,
pray for those who mistreat you.”
~Luke 6:28 NIV
```
This week I’ve been really sick {insert coughing fit}. I finally got some antibiotics, but it’s just not letting up so,

I’ve Been Binge-Watching Netflix!

Isn’t that the new national sickness pastime?

Todd and I have been fascinated with The Crown Series and I’m sad because there’s only two episodes left for us. Learning about Queen Elizabeth and the royal family has been incredible. You see their humanness and the personal struggles they faced. The Queen is truly a remarkable woman who has lead through so much adversity. One episode called, Vergangenheit; which translates as ‘past’ in German is stuck in my head.

The Vergangenheit episode chronicles a time when Billy Graham brought his crusades to England. As the head of the Church of England, Queen Elizabeth’s family didn’t think it was appropriate for her to come under the American Evangelist’s teaching, but the simple Christian; as she calls herself, finds great hope in Graham’s messages.

As God would have it, the evangelists visits takes place at the same time as an opportunity for forgiveness arises in her life. The Queen’s Uncle, who had abdicated the throne and left it to her father was begging for them to allow him back into the country and restore him to a position in the government.

The Queen’s desire to forgive as Christ forgave was so pure. In the heart of forgiveness, she almost allowed her uncle to bamboozle the family again. God allowed hidden documents from the past to surface at just the right time so the Queen could base her decision to restore the relationship with her uncle on this new information. As the Bible says in Numbers 32:23, “be sure your sins will find you out”. The ex-king’s past ties to the Nazi regime and betrayal of the family was confirmed, allowing Elizabeth to sever those unhealthy family ties.

The most powerful part of this episode happened when Queen Elizabeth asked again to meet with Rev. Graham to discuss forgiveness on a deeper level. Billy Graham is recorded as saying,
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“the solution for being unable to forgive…
pray for those one cannot forgive.” 
~Billy Graham
```
The cameras show her pondering these words and then switches to her kneeling at the altar, eyes toward heaven, praying. The scene then moves to her praying before bed when her husband, affirms to her how the decision to banish this dastardly uncle from the Kingdom was a heroic, godly act of a sovereign protecting her people. An example of the shepherd guarding the sheep.

There were so many spiritual applications to this episode I could write for days, but the overarching theme was Forgiveness vs. Restored Relationship and I couldn’t help but think about the devotion I wrote back in 2014 with the title Does Forgiveness =Equal= Restored Relationship?

May we all follow the examples of Jesus and Queen Elizabeth when it comes to forgiveness. Pray for those you struggle to forgive and allow the Lord to release you from the stranglehold of offense.

Prayer

Father…I thank You for forgiving me. Help my heart to never be bound up by unforgiveness because I’m not the judge, only You are. Help me to forgive as You did. When hurt emotions spring up in my heart reminding me of those who’ve offended me, help me to pray and release them into Your care, Your justice, Your hands. In Jesus Name…Amen

[tweetthis]Pray for those you struggle to forgive[/tweetthis]

If forgiveness and the questions of moving towards relationship restoration is an issue your struggling with, I do encourage you to read my previous post, Does Forgiveness =Equal= Restored Relationship?

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

#Dare2Share
Post in the Comment Section below and bolster the faith of someone else!
1. Luke 6:28
2. Matthew 5:44
3. Romans 12:14
4. 1 Peter 3:9
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 , Chasing Community – Barbara Bradford Ottinger
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

ENDNOTES
1. https://www.netflix.com/ca/title/80025678 Website Accessed: 2018-02-05
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Am I Worth Following?
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“Many other people went up with them.”
~Exodus 12:38 NIV
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When you think about ‘following people’ these days doesn’t your mind go right to social media?

Well, mine goes further back than that. My brain goes right back to childhood memories when someone would follow me around…in that annoying, copy-cat kind of way, when a kid just wouldn’t give up and mimicked my every move. It used to drive me crazy! I mean…was I really worth following?

My church is in the middle of a series on Moses. Each week I’m hearing new perspectives on Moses’ life and the story about the Israelites leaving Egypt. When I was reading the story in my Bible, I re-read something I had made a note on years ago and I think it’s a part of the Exodus story details you might have missed?

I’m guessing you know God brought the Israelites out of bondage from Egypt through the Red Sea since Charleton Heston or Steven Spielberg’s, The Prince of Egypt taught you that much! Reading your Bible explains how eventually, the people got it together and entered The Promised Land but…

[tweetthis]Did you know it wasn’t just the Israelites that left Egypt under Moses’ leadership? [/tweetthis]

The Bible tells us that

“many other people went up with them”.

The original wording makes is clear that there were people of different nationalities who followed Moses and the Israelites, out of Egypt and into the desert. Scripture doesn’t give us a reason why these people followed the Israelites out of town, but I don’t think it takes rocket-science to figure it out why they were worth following.

The people would have seen God at work in the miraculous signs and wonders He performed through Moses, all to deliver the people He loved. They would have seen God provide for His people. Who wouldn’t want to join that group? Because of Moses’ and the other Israelites boldness, people were willing to take a stand and follow God’s leading for themselves.

When I was young I didn’t like people following right behind me; but as I read Moses’ story with fresh eyes, I’m filled with the desire to live a life worth following and I hope you are too!

Prayer

Father…Thank you for loving me. I ask that my life would be marked with signs and wonders of Your hand at work so, others will be drawn in and find my life worth following. Help me to lead a clear, straight path right to Your heart. In Jesus Name…Amen

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

#Dare2Share
Post in the Comment Section below and bolster the faith of someone else!
1. Exodus 12:38
2. Exodus 12:19
3. John 12:32
4. 1 Corinthians 11:1, 1 Corinthians 4:16
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 , Chasing Community – Barbara Bradford Ottinger
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

Read More