Soul H2O Devotions

  • Make God Shine

    “In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God.”
    Romans 4:20  NLT

    Do you know that YOU can make God shine brighter to this world?

    Months ago, I wrote to you about my friend Holly in a devotion called BE STILL. Many of you wrote to me and let me know you were praying for her.  I’m so thankful for this growing community of believers within Soul H2O.  Holly has been battling cancer again for months and her faith is one that is continually making God shine brighter as her life brings glory to Him!

    When I read this verse I couldn’t help but see the connection between Abraham and Holly.

    Paul teaches in his letter to the Romans how Abraham’s faith grew stronger when in the natural “there was no reason for hope.”1  Abraham brought glory to God because of his faith, and old Abe didn’t have faith because he saw God do what He said He would do.  On the contrary, Abe brought God glory because he kept believing in the promise God gave him, even when it had been a VERY long time since the promise was given.  It says, “Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb.”2

    The longer it took…the harder it took to believe…the stronger Abe’s faith grew.

    The harder life gets for my friend Holly, the stronger her faith grows.  In the last few months she’s gone through chemo, made it out of a house fire, lived through a tough surgery and keeps on believin’.  She inspires me so much!  A few weeks ago I wrote a devotion, WHEN YOU’RE REALLY DOWN that talks about how I write scripture cards to help bolster my faith.  Holly wrote me and shared a few verses she’s standing on in faith.  She sent the message as I was writing this devotion.  She shared with me how she desires to bring God glory through all she’s going through.3  She’s accomplishing her goal.

    Abe wasn’t applauded for how he took care of his family, became one of the richest men of his time, was a victorious battle warrior or even for becoming the father of many nations.  It wasn’t because of what Abe did at all.

    Abe and Holly are bringing God glory because they believe God and trust Him, even when things don’t look good.  You too can make God shine brighter to the world when you keep on believing!

    Prayer

    Father…Today I put my faith in you.  I choose to believe in your Word and promises for my life.  I reject the lies of the enemy and the perspective of my circumstances.  Let my faith make You shine brighter to people in my world! In Jesus Name…Amen

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

    [tweetthis]You too can make God shine brighter to the world when you keep on believing![/tweetthis]

    DRAWING FROM THE WELL

    • Romans 4:18
    • Romans 4:19
    • Psalm 40:3
    • Luke 8:50

    blogger prayerYOU 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, Word Nerd Wednesdays — Liz Giertz
    THURSDAY     Heart Encouragement Thursday – Crystal Storms, Chasing Community – Brenda 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

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  • I Need A Proper Hug

    “So he got up and went to his father.  But while he was still a long way from home his father saw him, and his heart went out to him; he ran and hugged his son and kissed him.”                                                      Luke 15:20  NET Bible

    Have you given someone a hug today?
    Now I’m not talking about a side-arm-squeeze, I’m talking about a full-on embrace?

    The Blind SideTHE BLIND SIDE

    While taking care of my gram, we watched one of my favorite movies; THE BLIND SIDE.  It’s no wonder Sandra Bullock won the Academy award for her portrayal of Leigh Anne Tuohy; a soft-hearted, no-nonsense, tough-cookie who opened her home to a Michael Oher, an underprivileged teenage boy that showed potential for football.  Leigh Anne was a caring mom with the claws of a momma bear.

    Her love for Michael gave him opportunities to succeed in school, sports and family life. Her belief in Michael gave him the confidence to achieve greatness; resulting in a College football scholarship and successful career in the NFL (even playing on a winning team for the Super Bowl in 2013).
    blind side hugThere was just one area Leigh Anne (or her character) was weak in, expressing emotions.  The last scene highlights her toughness when the family is dropping Michael off to College and she cuts their good-bye short because she can’t stand for anyone to see her get emotional.  My heart melts when Michael follows after her, knocks on the car door and says, “I need a proper hug”!

    FATHER HUGGER

    The father of the prodigal son was the exact opposite of Leigh Anne Tuohy.  You can tell he was a man who wore his heart on his sleeves.  He loved his son enough to let him go when he rebelled.  This father let his son take the early inheritance he demanded, even though he knew his son would waste the wealth.

    Many parties later, the prodigal son returns home, not sure if he’d blown it too much this time.  I love how this verse reveals such a loving father.  It says that when his father saw him, “his heart went out to him; he ran and hugged his son and kissed him”.  Don’t we all want dads with hugs like that?

    I’m convinced we don’t hug enough today.  We’re either too cool, too hurt, too protective, too scared, too germ conscious, too busy…too cold.  Don’t force people to knock on your door and beg saying, “I need a proper hug”?  Open your arms wide this Valentines and embrace others with love!

    Prayer

    Father…I thank you that You are a good, good Father like in the story of the prodigal son.  Your arms are always open wide to let me in.  Let me soak in Your embrace and not push You away.  Help me to move beyond what holds my heart bound and let others in.  May I love like you this Valentine’s and all the days that follow.  In Jesus Name…Amen

    [tweetthis]Open your arms wide this #Valentines and embrace others with #love <3[/tweetthis]

    #Dare2Share 
 Post in the Comment Section below and bolster the faith of someone else!
    1. Hancock, John Lee. THE BLIND SIDE, © 2009. Produced by Alcon Entertainment, Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.  Based on the book THE BLIND SIDE: Evolution of a Game by Michael Lewis.  

    blogger prayerYOU 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, 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

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  • When You’re Really Down

     “Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again–my Savior and my God!”
                                                         Psalm 42:5, 42:11, 43:5  NLT

    Have you ever been so down that you thought you might never get up?  I was having one of those days.  My mind was spiralling into the depths of despair and I started to cry while working at my computer so, I decided to stop working and start relying.

    [tweetthis]This devotion is written for those times when you’re really down.[/tweetthis]

    I can totally relate to David’s feelings in these verses.  Can’t you?  David repeats himself three times because once just wasn’t enough.  Have you been there?

    That’s where I was this morning.  I started off feeling discouraged so I put on Christian music and that helped for a while.  Then the feelings came back and I got so sad I began to cry and let God know what was going on in my life (‘cause He didn’t already know!?!).

    [tweetthis]Sadly, I was magnifying my problems and not my God. [/tweetthis]

    I knew I needed to be more assertive on this attack so I decided to go upstairs and get into the Word.

    SCRIPTURE CARDS

    For the past few years I’ve been compiling scriptures on certain areas of struggle for me in these ringed cue cards and often find strength in them.  At first, I began to read the scriptures but that wasn’t changing anything.   I knew reading wasn’t enough to defeat the lies of the enemy swirling around in my head so, I got serious and began to declare those verses out loud; even inserting my name to personalize them.  I spoke these verses out like prayers to my God and kept declaring until it happened.  A verse almost leapt off the page and into my heart.  To be honest, I don’t think it really had much to do with that one verse but more with the compound effect of all the verses I had declared over my life that morning.

    Peace, joy and hope began to overflow and the discouraging sadness was broken.  I put my hope in God and now I’m singing His praises again!

    When you’re really down, you need to do something, heck sometimes you need to do a bunch of things.  Taking your thoughts captive and making them obedient to Christ1 isn’t easy but when you do, you’re not down anymore!

    Prayer

    Father…I thank You for the power I can access in You and Your Word.  I’m choosing to Speak Your Scripture over my struggles; Your truth over my trouble.  I refuse to live “under the circumstances” of my life but to rise above victorious in Your Name, the name that is above all names!  In Jesus Name…Amen

    [tweetthis]Speak Scripture over your struggles; God’s truth over your trouble.[/tweetthis]

    #Dare2Share
 Post in the Comment Section below and bolster the faith of someone else! 
    1. 2 Corinthians 10:5

    blogger prayerYOU 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, 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

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  • Can God Repurpose Me and Make All Things New?

    This devotion is all about how God Repurposes Lives. It’s the last post in a 4 Part “NEW Series”.

    The series is a group of devotions I felt the Lord putting on my heart for the NEW YEAR in 2017 but really apply to any new year, new season, new phase in life.  Read the INTRO/New Strength HERE, #2 New Beginnings HERE and #3 New Heart HERE

    Can God Repurpose Me and Make All Things New?

    “Look! I am making all things new.”
    Revelation 21:5   MEV

    My friend Joy is totally cool.  She’s one of the few women who know how to use power tools more than most carpenter men!  Joy makes the most beautiful furniture by repurposing old, broken or discarded pieces.

    new tableA while ago she posted a picture of this gorgeous coffee table on Facebook and I clicked “like” as I often do on her stuff.  When I did, Joy wrote me to tell me the story behind the table, she explained how the legs from the table were made “from old nasty, shiny brown bed posts left in the junk pile after the garage sale”1 at  Braeside Camp, the place where we met oh so many years ago! all things new

    As you can see, Joy made all things new with these bed posts.

    GOD’S JOB

    God repurposes lives like Joy repurposes wood. He’s is in the business of making all things new with our lives.

    Paul wrote to the Corinthian believers to remind them of this truth when he said,

    “anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person.  The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”2

    It’s the same message that God had John declare in Revelations,

    “the former things have passed away…Look!  I am making all things new…Write, for these words are faithful and true.”3

    Just like the furniture Joy builds out of things people classify as “junk” or stuff people don’t see as worth anything anymore, God repurposes our lives.  Like Steven Curtis Chapman’s song says,

    “the world was broken, fallen and battered and scarred.  You took the hopeless, the life wasted, ruined and marred and made it new.  You make all things new.”4

    YOUR JOB

    Let this be the year you ‘Let God’ move you forward in His process to make all things new in your life.  ‘Let’ the former things pass away…Let them go!  Give God your broken, fallen, battered and scarred pieces.  You’ll see what a beautiful, useful person He can build you into being because God Repurposes Lives and He can repurpose yours!

    Prayer

    Father…I thank You for the opportunity to start new each year.  I’m so glad you don’t give up on me but keep sanding and refining me.  Restore me to be the person you’ve called me to be, better than I used to be.  I commit myself to Your plans and purposes along with the process to get me there.  I ‘LET’ You create all things new in me.  In Jesus Name…Amen

    [tweetthis]God Repurposes Lives. He’s in the business of making all things new with our lives.[/tweetthis]

    joy

     

    HERE’S MY FRIEND JOY HOGBEN

    If you’d like to check out more of her masterpieces CLICK below:

    VINTAGE HOUSE ON FACEBOOK

    VINTAGE HOUSE ON INSTAGRAM

     

     

    #musicpics Song – He Makes All Things New

    Song – He Makes All Things New
    Steven Curtis Chapman http://www.stevencurtischapman.com
    Youtube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKx_hx5itIM
    Song Lyrics: https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/stevencurtischapman/allthingsnew.htm

    Drawing From The Well

    1. Revelations 21:4-5
    2. 2 Corinthians 5:17
    3. Ephesians 4:22-25
    4. Lamentations 3:22-24

    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.

     

    blogger prayer

    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, 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

     

     

    ENDNOTES

    1. Actual words from Joy
    2. 2 Corinthians 5:17
    3. Revelations 21:4-5
    4. https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/stevencurtischapman/allthingsnew.html

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  • {New Series} New Heart

    This New Heart devotion is #3 of the 4 Part “NEW Series”. The series is a group of devotions I felt the Lord putting on my heart for the NEW YEAR.  Here’s what I have so far: INTRO/NEW STRENGTH, NEW BEGINNINGS, I sensed Holy Spirit inspiring me to share hope and refreshing words with you.  The devos will follow along the same format as my normal #SoulH2O devotions except the last one will have a bonus post later in the week for the first week in February.         

    I hope these posts build up your expectation for the great things God desires to do in and through you in 2017!  Praying you take hold of all He has for you this year!

    Be Blessed & Refreshed,
    <3 Sherry Stahl

    NEW HEART 

    “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heat of flesh.”

    Ezekiel 36:21  NIV

    I don’t want the same-old, same-old from life anymore.  This year needs to be exciting!   I’m determined to live all-out and find adventure because Jesus said that He came to give us ‘life more abundantly’1, not life more predictable.

    So this year doesn’t end up in routine I’ve planned for some adventure. To start, I’m flying to Edmonton for a conference and challenging the great white north, then we’re taking a vacation and ticking a few things off our bucket list.  In March, Todd and I are headed to Guatemala for a mission’s trip…and that’s just the first three months of this year.

    NEW HEART

    God had Ezekiel speak hope into the lives of His people.  Zeke encouraged them that God desired to remove their hearts that were hard like stones and give each of them a new heart.  So, what does having a new heart have to do with living a life of adventure?  Lots.  You see, when I had a heart of stone I lived bound.  Bound to worry, fear, resentment, hopelessness and negativity.

    bound heartWhen I let God into my hurt and allowed Him to heal my heart He actually took out that heart of stone and gave me a heart of flesh.

    A heart of flesh is beating, not bound.

    God didn’t set us free to have us sit in the pew. The Bible is full of people living out exciting adventures, not boring people who played it safe. When God truly sets your heart free it’s not afraid to live.

    If you’re reading this devotion and you realize that you have a bound, heart of stone, let this be the year that your heart is healed.  Then, let that new heart beat inside of you to fulfill the exciting adventure God has planned for your life!

    Prayer

    Father…Thank You for caring about me.  I want to receive your great offer for an exchange; my hard heart for a soft beating one.  Please place a totally new heart in me.  Help me to get rid of the things that keep my heart bound so I can live the life you have for me.  In Jesus Name…Amen

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

    1           John 10:10

    [tweetthis]A heart of flesh is beating, not bound.[/tweetthis]

    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, 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

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  • {New Series} New Beginnings

    This New Beginnings devotion is #2 of the 4 Part  “NEW Series”. The series is a group of devotions I felt the Lord putting on my heart for the NEW YEAR.  Here’s last week’s INTRO/NEW STRENGTH, I sensed Holy Spirit inspiring me to share hope and refreshing words with you. 

    The devos will follow along the same format as my normal #SoulH2O devotions except the last one will have a bonus post later in the week for the first week in February.           

    I hope these posts build up your expectation for the great things God desires to do in and through you in 2017!  Praying you take hold of all He has for you this year!

    Be Blessed & Refreshed,
            <3 Sherry Stahl

     NEW BEGINNINGS 

    “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin.”
    Zechariah 4:10  NLT
    “Your beginnings will seem humble, so prosperous will your future be.”
    Job 8:7   NLT

    New Beginnings can be a scary thing.  Have you ever lost a job and been forced into a new career, possibly with less pay?  Ever had a relationship breakdown that left you starting over?

    The culture of the business world and society we live in makes these scenarios a common occurrence.  In 2012 I was remarried and wrote my first book.  Talk about new beginnings with huge life changes both personally and professionally.

    It seemed like my life was finally turning around.  Marriage to Todd was an easy adjustment, I never knew love could be like this.  I had high hopes of WATER IN THE DESERT hitting the stores and flying off the bookshelves.  It didn’t happen.

    The mindset of our times teach that, “If you build it, they will come” and are filled with “Get Rich Quick” schemes.  So when you stick your neck out, follow God’s call and you’re not an “Overnight Success”, it makes you question if you did the right thing.

    Did God really call you to start that business, marry that guy or say yes to that ministry opportunity?

      Zechariah and the Israelites experienced a lot of new beginnings.  They understood these questions.  They felt your fear.  The Israelites had started rebuilding the temple after a previous group gave up about 16 years earlier.  The generation before gave up when they were harassed by the Samaritans.

    God spoke to His people through Zechariah and encouraged them to keep going.  They were afraid they didn’t have what it took to finish the task God called them to.  God let them know that it wouldn’t get done in their strength, but it would in His.1

    Today you may be facing a new beginning or have started into a new adventure and fear is screaming that you won’t make it.  Learn to silence the lying enemy and those negative thoughts by quoting these two scriptures to your fear.

    Prayer

    Father…I thank You for being with me in every stage of my life.  Help me not to fear when I’m given the opportunity for a new beginning.  May I focus my attention on Your words that make clear you’re happy when we start something new.  Help us to be diligent in what you’ve called us to and not give up until You prosper us in the dram you’ve given.  In Jesus Name…Amen

    [tweetthis]Small Beginnings lead to BIG Things when God’s involved![/tweetthis]

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

    1        Zechariah 4:6

    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, 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

    Read More

  • {New Series} New Strength

    This devotion is #1 of the 4 Part The NEW Series. The series is a group of devotions I felt the Lord putting on my heart for the NEW YEAR.  I sensed Holy Spirit inspiring me to share hope and refreshing words with you.  The devos will follow along the same format as my normal #SoulH2O devotions except the last one will have a bonus post later in the week for the first week in February.    

    I hope these posts build up your expectation for the great things God desires to do in and through you in 2017!  Praying you take hold of all He has for you this year!

    Be Blessed & Refreshed,

    Sherry Stahl

    NEW STRENGTH

    “But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles.  They will run and not grow weary.  They will walk and not faint.”                                                      Isaiah 40:31  NLT

    When my kids were little January seemed to be the month of dead batteries.  After Christmas toy gifts were opened they needed a constant supply of power.  It was a cost savings when rechargeable batteries came on the scene, but the kids had a hard time waiting for the batteries to recharge.  Brandon hated waiting for the batteries to play Xbox.  Often he’d take them off before a full charge cycle ended.  The result was that the batteries wouldn’t last long and then he’d have to put them on the charger again.

    In other translations of this verse it says, “they that WAIT on the Lord shall renew their strength”.   We’re all like rechargeable batteries.  We need to wait on God and trust in Him to find new strength.   He wants to give it to us, and boy do we ever need His power for bigger battles than Xbox has made!  James encourages us to “Let perseverance finish its work”1.    If we want to soar, to run, walk and not grow faint then we have to LET God work in us till He’s finished what He started.

    Today, learn to wait.  Show your trust by waiting for God’s timing.  Then, when your batteries are fully charged get out there and release that power!

    Prayer

    Father…I thank-You for the seasons in my life.  Seasons of busy, seasons of rest and seasons of great energy to fulfill all You’ve called me to do.  May I use the new strength you’re bringing me to make a difference in this world for You! In Jesus Name…Amen

    1        James 1:4

    #Dare2Share
    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,
    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

    Read More

  • Sound The Alarm

    Happy New Year’s! 

    Todd and I had a great time bringing in the new year with our friends Steve and Brenda Rice, along with two of their new friends Nat and Elain.  Steve and Brenda are two of the most amazing friends you could ask for.  We have great talks about God, we pray for each other, we pray for each other’s kids and then we have lots of laughs together too.  It’s a balanced friendship!  Last night we introduced Elain to Sequence, one of our favorite board games.   We had a blast, did I mention that the two girls’ teams won 2 games each and the guys not even one??? Oh ya, I said it! 🙂

    While we were playing Sequence we heard fireworks going off outside as people celebrated New Year’s.  That one little incident caused me to change my blog schedule.  I had this devotion SOUND THE ALARM in my ideas folder for later this year, but felt that nudge from Holy Spirit that it needed to be sent out today.  I pray that this devotion gets you ready for all that God has for you in 2017.

    I believe it’s greatly by your choices; how you act and react in this new year that will decide the course for your life.  May you choose the life God has destined for you and walk in His blessings this year!

    Much love,
    ~Sherry Stahl
    xoxo

    Now, here’s the first #SoulH2O Devotion of 2017…

    Sound The Alarm

    “Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy hill.”
    Joel 2:1  NIV

    The week before Christmas I had a really important meeting.  While preparing documents, my computer ran out of paper an hour and a half before I had to leave.  I jumped in the car and drove to Staples.

    Next, I bolted out of the car and was rushing into the store when I was stopped dead in my tracks.  As soon as I opened the double doors I could hear the security alarm going off.  Sirens were blaring.  My heart sank as I thought I would have to go to another store and didn’t have time but I looked in and saw people in line at check out.  I walked forward and the automatic doors opened.  I saw the manager walking by and she didn’t say anything.  The clerk was running people’s purchases through the register so I just kept on walking to the paper aisle.

    The sound was almost deafening, yet no one was making any reaction to the alarm.  They were all carrying on like normal, like they didn’t even hear it.  As I walked towards the register to pay, the alarms turned off.  Still, no one in line with me reacted so I didn’t say anything.  It was so weird.

    I felt like I was in an episode of The Twilight Zone!

    As I was walking around the store this verse in Joel kept ‘sounding off’ in my head. Sadly, too often God is trying to get the world’s attention and they don’t even hear it.  They keep on living, oblivious to the signs of the times, the messengers, or the messages He sends.

    Joel wrote these words after God gave him a prophetic vision to share with the people.  I didn’t have a vision, but I know God had me walk in the store at just that time to sound the alarm through my writing.

    I believe at the beginning of 2017 God is blowing a trumpet and we need to be alert to His message.

    The end of Joel 2:1 says 
“Let all who live in the land tremble for the day of the LORD is coming.  
      It is close at hand”.

     

    This isn’t a doomsday post heralding the end, but it is an alarm for us to listen up.  Joel warned the people of God’s coming judgement for their sin but, like God so often offers in His Word, there was a caveat to the judgment.

    “Rend your heart and not your garments.  Return to the LORD your God, 
for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, 
and he relents from sending calamity.”  (Joel 2:13).

     

    God isn’t some angry deity waiting to throw fireballs on the earth.  His desire is to show us grace, love and compassion.  Joel 2:26 tells how God will restore what the enemy has stolen away, if we turn our hearts to Him.

    Your choices; how you act and react in this new year, will decide the course for your life.  May you choose the life God has destined for you and walk in His blessings this year!

    Prayer

    Father…I thank You for Your warnings, they show You care for me.  Let my ears be open to hear them.  This year, I choose to turn my heart and my life over to You so I will see Your restoration in areas where the enemy has stolen away!  May I walk in Your grace, love and compassion; showing it to the world.  In Jesus Name…Amen

    [tweetthis]I believe at the beginning of 2017 God is blowing a trumpet …be alert to His message. [/tweetthis]

    #Dare2Share
    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,
    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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  • Gratitude For Grace

    “However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
                                                                        Luke 10:20    NIV

    When I was a teenager our youth group did a lot of missional outings.  Sometimes our youth pastor would put us in groups of two and send us out in the city park to share our faith, other times we would travel to nearby towns and help smaller churches.  Right before I started College we went way up north to a secluded town to help a new church.  One night on that trip the teens in the town all met at a park and my team ended up in a share-a-thon of sorts, witnessing about Christ for hours.  I remember the exhilaration I felt after that event.

    Luke 10 records how Jesus sent out 72 disciples to spread the gospel message.   When the people got home they were so excited about how God used them to reach the people and even cast out demons; much like my friends and I felt after the youth trip.  Jesus followers began telling Him how amazing it was that “even the demons submit to us in your name.”1  Jesus quickly responded to their reports as He recognized the door to pride was creeping open by their comments and warned them to not get caught up in their spiritual authority but to always remember to stay thankful for their salvation.

    I went to an event and one person at the table kept hi-jacking the conversation.   Whenever anyone shared about a situation or struggle this person automatically told the other person how they should take authority over that situation and most often followed up with an example of how they had done this in their life. When Christians get out of balance and focus on their authority over their salvation, it’s a dangerous place. We need to keep ourselves in a gratitude for grace mindset so we won’t easily get to puffed up and out of balance.

    [tweetthis]We need to keep ourselves in a gratitude for grace mindset #grace[/tweetthis]

    Choose today to brag about your salvation with others.  Remember your spiritual authority in Christ and use it, but never let it become your focus.

    Prayer

    Father…I want to thank-You for saving my life and writing my name in heaven. Help me to confidently use the spiritual authority You’ve given me while keeping a proper focus that I was once in need of a savior, so I don’t fall into pride.  Let me live in a gratitude for grace.  In Jesus Name…Amen

    1           Luke 10:19

    #Dare2Share Your Gratitude For Grace?
    Post in the Comment Section below and bolster the faith of someone else!

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  • FREE Coloring Page-THANKFUL For Trees

    Happy Thanksgiving to all of my American friends and family!  At the bottom of this post I have a FREE downloadable coloring page for your lazy afternoon.  I’ve added a little competition to it, for those who want to participate 🙂

    Over the past month since we celebrated Thanksgiving here in Canada I have written a few posts with a grateful theme.

    First there was OVERSPRAY where I was thankful to God for an amazing wet-pet we had and who has reminded many of us to watch the OVERSPRAY of our lives.

    AMAZING PEOPLE, introduced you to my three closest friends and how thankful I am for friends who walk with you through the desert.  I encouraged you to join me in writing something to the AMAZING PEOPLE in your life and express your gratitude.

    THANKFUL FOR TREES taught us how trees reveal so much about God and His provision in our lives.  This devotion brought out a contest for the best fall tree colour picture.  The winner of that Contest was….drumroll please…Evelyn Wilson from Trenton, ON!!!  Evelyn posted these two fall tree photos taken at Ottawa Valley Camp (OVPC).  I was blessed to speak at this camp in June for the Single Mom’s Retreat.  The lake there is so beautiful!  i just want to sit in one of those Adirondack chairs by the colorful trees in the picture!  Ev knows that she was actually the runner-up but gets to wear the crown because the first-place winner didn’t reply to me after posting her amazing photo.  Anyhoo…CONGRATULATIONS Ev! I’ll be sending you a signed copy of my newly published SOUL H2O devotional book. Here are Evelyn’s

    EVERYONE’S WELCOME was sent out this Monday.  It talks about how we need to:

    We honor God when we adopt the ‘Everyone’s Welcome’ mission statement.

    To help your Thanksgiving day be more enjoyable, or just to add a little relaxing into your day.  Download this Coloring Page drawn by amazing hubby Todd onto your computer and print it off.

    Click on Picture to Download the Coloring Page.

    coloring page-thankful for the trees

    CONTEST

    I just love contests and I hope you do too!  I will send this Thankful bracelet and a signed copy of my newly published SOUL H2O devotional book to one of the girls who color their Thankful For The Trees page and post the finished page on social media.  Make sure to tag me and use the hashtag #SoulH2O so I see your post and enter you into the contest.
    FACEBOOK:  Sherry Stahl – Author/Speaker/Blogger      TWITTER & INSTAGRAM:  @sherry_stahl

    thankful-bracelet

    Happy Thanksgiving!

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