Is It Time To Unpack Your Suitcase?

Soul H2O Devotion

Is It Time To Unpack Your Suitcase?

The pandemic is prayerfully coming to a close and the hope of travel is filling my thoughts!

Overstuffed Suitcases

Right before the first lockdowns hit, I was supposed to leave for a mission’s trip to Kenya and had my bags packed in preparation. My two bags of humanitarian supplies were crammed as full as I could get them. Since I was bringing summer clothes and we were in the dead of winter here in Canada my personal suitcase was packed and over-stuffed already.

I cried when I unpacked my personal suitcase.

I’d left it sitting there packed for a while but then had to face the fact that we weren’t going for a long time as the “two-weeks of lockdown” turned into months. It took our team even longer to come to the decision that we should unpack our humanitarian bags and give the items away because some of the items had ‘best-before’ dates on them and as a result of the pandemic, there were needs in Canada we felt called to meet.

The Inner Struggle

Struggling to unpack your suitcase because of a missed opportunity is rough but unpacking the baggage from past hurts will be the most difficult, yet most liberating thing you’ll ever do.

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor [perpetual animosity, resentment, strife, fault-finding] and slander be put away from you, along with every kind of malice [all spitefulness, verbal abuse, malevolence].
Ephesians 4:31 AMP

Put Away

After my divorce, I was determined to ‘put away’ as Paul is describing here, all of the unhealthy, unholy, damaging, emotional baggage I had let into the suitcase of my heart… and trust me, it was jam-packed like my Kenya suitcases, pretty much with every article mentioned in this verse. I cry each time I unpack another ‘item’ from my loaded luggage and those tears help to expel the toxicity in my soul.

This verse in Ephesians makes it really clear what emotional baggage can look like but it’s not a complete list. You can focus on the behaviors and try to change those but that doesn’t seem to produce lasting change. It’s the hard work of pulling out the heart issues that trigger your behaviour that will yield the freedom you desire. The exciting news is that the hard work for you is only in recognizing and admitting these issues in your life, and the easy work happens when you let Christ in to unpack your suitcase. He does the heavy lifting!

Is it time to unpack your suitcase? Invite Christ in today and let Him bring healing to your heart as you partner with Him for freedom’s sake!

Prayer

Father… I’m so thankful that You’re helping me to recognize the sin in my suitcase. I’m going to shift my focus from the things I do, to the things I believe and let stay in my heart. Help me to recognize the article in my suitcase you’re wanting to take out right now. I’m on board to get rid of whatever needs to go and with your grace, I will be free! In Jesus Name…Amen

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Verses to help fill up your well.

1. Ephesians 4:31
2. Colossians 3:8
3. Colossians 3:19
4. 1 Peter 2:1

Soul H2O Resources

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Oh Canada | EP #72

Oh Canada is my working out of mixed emotions on this Canada Day week. Find out the good and bad of our nation’s founding on the Soul H2O Radio & Podcast Show Episode #72. You can find the Show Notes at http://www.soulh2o.com/72

#musicpic

#musicpic SONG:
Suitcases by Dara McLean

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/hYMM3FYPv30
Soul H2O Spotify Playlist: Online | On App

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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ENDNOTES

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Getting Stuck In Crappy Situations

This devotion, Getting Stuck In A Crappy Situation was inspired by the Soul H2O Radio & Podcast, Episode 70 Traveling Through. Hope you get refreshed from both Soul H2O media offerings. ☺ Make sure to look to the bottom when you’re done reading the devo to see my exciting news and find something for you!

Let’s dive in, to today’s Soul H₂O Devotion, so you can get refreshed!

Soul H2O Devotion

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you, are with me;
Psalm 23:4

Getting Stuck in Crappy Situations

I watched a funny video the other day about people getting stuck in strange places. A hilarious one showed this lady whose bracelet had fallen off and into the toilet. Trying to recover the bracelet, her watch got stuck and then her arm.

She was an EMT and knew there was help out there but the embarrassment of making that 911 call and her co-workers showing up kept her stuck in the bathroom for a lot longer than she needed. Finally, she conceded and made the call for help. Not knowing how many people would see her story in a viral video, but if she never made the call, who knows how long she would have stayed stuck in a crappy situation?

No… I’m not like that!

Are you ever like this lady? Your stubborn pride keeps you stuck because you’re unwilling to admit that you need help? Ignoring the reality and trying to trudge through but instead of traveling through your desert circumstance, you’re doing nothing more than kicking up sand and getting stuck… deeper and deeper when God is offering you a hand to help.

Today’s verse is taken from one of the most popular Bible passages and David wrote it as his last bit of wisdom to pass down to his son. David knew what it was like to be trapped in crappy circumstances and how to get through them, reaching God’s purpose for his life. He wanted his son to know how to do the same and left the blueprint for you to follow!

Even though I walk through the darkest valley,

I will fear no evil, for you, are with me;

Psalm 23:4

God longs to be with you and help you get through the darkest of valleys you face, so you never get stuck in the sand. He will provide a way out… you just can’t be so stubborn; ask for help and then… walk through!

Prayer

Father… Thank you for always being with me, in the good times and the baddest of bad. Help me push aside my pride and reach out to the help around me, so I don’t get stuck. Strengthen me to be able to keep traveling through towards your great plans you have for my life. In Jesus Name…Amen

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Soul H2O Resources

Traveling Through | EP #70

Traveling Through on the Soul H2O Radio & Podcast Show Episode #70 will help you to not get stuck. You can find the Show Here–> http://www.soulh2o.com/70

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Verses to help fill up your well.

1.Psalm 23:4
2.1 Corinthians 10:13
3.Psalms 40:1-3 (I love this in The Passion Translation – Google it!)
3.Jeremiah 29:11

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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300 and Being Outnumbered in Battle

Woohoo! I can’t believe that the devotion you’re about to read is my 300^th Soul H₂O Devotion!!!

Soul H₂O Growth

Are you as shocked as I am that it’s been six and a half years since I started sending out the Soul H₂O Devotions? First, they went out as emails, then through both the blog and email, next they were included in the first (gonna be more) Soul H₂O Devotional book, and now, heard weekly on the JOY Radio.ca Original Soul H₂O Radio & Podcast Show.

Some of you reading this have been here since the very first devo (linked below) and I can’t thank you enough for sticking around and being a part of my journey. Even if this is the first Soul H₂O Devotion you’ve read, I’m so glad you’re here!

Prizes Up For Grabs

This is kind of a BIG deal for me so, I’m hoping you’ll cheer me on… and I’m offering a contest prize for those who do. I’d love to hear how the devotions have impacted your life. They’ve helped me through a lot of tough times… *seriously* writing them has kept me in the Word and seeking to hear from God so, when troubles hit, my well had enough in there to keep me going and help me get through refreshed.

An Easy Win!

For all those who comment on how the below Soul H₂O Devo or others have helped them, they will be entered to win two signed copies of the Soul H₂O Devotional Book {one for you and one for a friend} along with a $30 Amazon Card (within Canada or the Continental USA). *Details Below

Let’s dive in, to today’s Soul H₂O Devotion, so you can get refreshed!

Soul H2O Devotion

Midian was subdued before the Israelites and did not raise its head again. During Gideon’s lifetime, the land had peace forty years.
Judges 8:28 NIV

300 and Being Outnumbered in Battle

Guys love the movie 300 but as a chick, I just don’t really get it. The Spartans, even with a very buff and beautiful Gerard Butler lose the battle. Now, I know that historically the 300 Spartan soldiers were crazy outnumbered by the Persian empire army and their valiant sacrifice did inspire the Greeks to reconvene and finally overtake their oppressors but by the end of the movie, they hadn’t won.

I really don’t like movies where the underdog or oppressed one doesn’t win in the end and would have much preferred if the movie 300 was about another completely inspirational battle fought and won by just 300 warriors.

A Better Story

That story is recorded in Judges 6-8. The nation of Israel had again fallen into sin, which during that time was worshipping other gods of the people around them which involved some very wrong ritualistic practices. As a result, God backed off. I mean why would he keep protecting them when they had made it clear that they weren’t following Him anymore? Like a rebellious child, they were going to have to learn a lesson the hard way. Israel became oppressed by the Midianites and were so afraid that they were mostly hiding in caves.

The Miraculous Part

Finally, people begin to come to their senses and call on God. In response, God calls Gideon to stand up and fight to protect his people from their oppressors and even though they were outnumbered by an army of nations about 450 times bigger than their measly 300 soldiers, God did the miraculous and they experienced peace that lasted 40 years! Now that movie, would end in triumph!

My 300 Battles

Throughout the past six and a half years of sending out Soul H₂O Devotions, before I got to my 300^th Soul H₂O Devotion, I’ve experienced times of being outnumbered and sometimes outsmarted by the enemy. The battle has gotten so difficult I felt like I was going to end up annihilated like the Spartans yet each time, as I went to God and His word, I was refreshed and strengthened to continue this fight for the abundant life.

Outnumbered

If you feel like you’re living a little outnumbered right now and that the enemy of your soul is sure to take you down, remember this story of Gideon and the 300 men who battled and won. Make sure to invite God in to be on your side, and the peace He’ll bring will be your victory!

Prayer

Father… I’m so thankful that you don’t leave me outnumbered. You and me are all that’s needed to stand strong in the face of any difficult circumstance. I ask for the grace needed to live in the midst of chaos yet bask in Your presence of peace because You sent Your son to be my Prince of Peace! So today, I will soak in this truth. In Jesus Name…Amen

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Verses to help fill up your well.

1. Judges 8:28
2. Isaiah 9:6
3. John 14:27
4. John 16:33

Soul H2O Resources

#musicpic

#musicpic SONG:
Overcome by Elevation Worship

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/mvF9Hc5XZOo
Soul H2O Spotify Playlist: Online | On App

Tuning In God’s Voice | EP #69

Tuning In God’s Voice is Part 4 in the Hearing God’s Voice Series on the Soul H2O Radio & Podcast Show Episode #69. You can find the Show Notes at http://www.soulh2o.com/69

Splash Online Event

Struggling to Tune In God’s Voice?
Join us in the Soul H₂O Splash Facebook Group for Tuning In God’s Voice Part 2 for an atmosphere ripe for hearing from God.

Where it all began

Want to read the first Soul H2O Devotion?
Repeats (Do Not Worry)

https://www.sherrystahl.com/repeats/

HOW TO ENTER
Comment on how today’s Soul H₂O Devo or others have helped them,
Winner chosen from the commenters

WHAT YOU WIN
(2) Two signed copies of the Soul H₂O Devotional Book {one for you and one for a friend} along with a $30 Amazon Card (within Canada or the Continental USA).

RULES
Must be within the Continental USA or Canada to win.

WINNER ANNOUNCED
Friday, June 18^thin a Facebook Live on my Author Sherry Stahl FB Page at 12:30pm EST

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

DOWNLOAD THESE REFRESHING RESOURCES TO HELP QUENCH YOUR SPIRITUAL THIRST!

ENDNOTES

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Do you hear from God?

So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.'” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
1 Samuel 3:9

We’re living in a day and age where there are so many competing voices. Each channel on the radio giving different information and filling our minds with conflicting evidence. During the pandemic, our government and health care practitioners have flip-flopped their messages and conflicted with each other many times.

How The World Operates vs. How God Operates

If this is how the world operates, than shouldn’t hearing God be different? You bet your bottom dollar it should be easy! If hearing from God seems confusing then, I think you just need a little teaching to help you tune out the interference and tune in the voice of God… just like Eli was teaching Samuel to do in this passage.

But do YOU hear From God?

So many people think they can’t hear from God, that He doesn’t speak anymore or that it’s just for pastors, preachers or your Sunday School Teacher. Well, I’ve got news for you, if a child like Samuel could learn how to hear the voice of God, than so can you!

I can show you how

To help you learn what Scripture says about God speaking to us and som practical tips to help you Tune out the Interference that blocks you from hearing and Tune in the voice of God, I’ve been studying up a storm and can’t wait to share all that God’s been speaking to me lately. Join us in the Splash for the next two months as we explore Tuning In to God’s Voice.

PRAYER

Father, I’m thankful that you still speak to your people today. You care so much about us. Please help us to remove all that is in our way of hearing from you. Open our spiritual ears to hear Your voice loud and clear and give us the courage to live it out! In Jesus Name, Amen.

Soul H2O Splash Event – Tuning In To God

Do you struggle to hear God’s voice with all the noise? Join us for a look at Scripture to see how we can silence all the completing voices, to discern what God is saying.

ALL women welcome!

TUNING IN GOD’S VOICE – PART 1
Tuning IN God’s Voice | Tuning OUT the Interference
Bible Study led by Sherry Stahl
May 13, 2021 @ 8pm EST

Join Us in the Splash https://www.facebook.com/groups/soulh2osplash

Invite a girlfriend and join us for a refreshing Bible Study time led by Sherry and the Soul H2O Team, prayer time with Brenda. Hear all that’s new for Splash and what’s coming in the near future. Join the Soul H2O Splash – Hydrating @ Home Facebook Group to make sure you don’t miss out on any of the fun!

Post your praise reports & prayer requests under the post in the Facebook Group so Brenda has them.
Meeting Online through Zoom & Streaming on Facebook Live in the group.
We’re here to help you be confident and fear-less so you don’t crumble under the pressures of life… and have fun!!!

Join Soul H2O Splash – Hydrating @ Home Today!

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POST A PIC OF YOUR MOM OR FEMALE MENTOR IN THE SPLASH

Post a pic and your name will be entered into the draw for a copy of Seeing The Voice of God by Laura Harris Smith and the Soul H2O Devotional.
Must be online during the event to win. Details in the Soul H2O Splash – Hydrating @ Home Facebook Group.

Prayers – That Stick – For Your Children

One day some parents brought their children to Jesus
so he could lay his hands on them and pray for them.
~Matthew 19:13 NLT

When my kids were little, we went through a lot of Band-Aids…I mean A LOT!

BAND-AIDS THAT STICK

Brandon loved to climb things, skateboard and do tricks on his BMX bike that often ended up in cuts, scrapes, gashes, and quite a few stitches. Poor Shelby’s a little clumsy like her momma, so it’s safe to say, we kept the Band-Aid brand in business! I only tried no-name band-aids a couple of times and found they didn’t hold but the Band-Aid brand could be counted on to stick.

PRAYERS THAT STICK

Moms, you want band-aids that stick and prayers that stick for your children. Weak, ineffective prayers that don’t stick won’t the effect on your kid’s life that you want. I’m challenged by this quote I saw from Abraham Lincoln.

I remember my mother’s prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life.
~Abraham Lincoln

Clearly, momma-bear prayers are powerful {that would include Grandma, Auntie or any motherly prayers}. Don’t underestimate the impact of your prayers in a child’s life! In any case, I think the best way to pray effectively is to pray as Jesus did.

JESUS’ STICKY PRAYERS

Jesus is praying for Peter in Luke 22:32, knowing Peter’s upcoming temptation. He prayed for strength that Peter’s faith wouldn’t fail and for Peter to come back to faith after he turned away.

John 17 records a bunch of Jesus’ prayers where He starts off praying for himself and then from verse 6 on He’s covering his disciples and all future believers in prayer: that’s you, me, your children, your children’s children… Jesus says,

“I am not asking that you take them out of the world,
but that You protect them from the evil one.”

Jesus’ prayers that stick are not prayers to give us an easy life, remove us from this troubled world and take all our problems away. Jesus’ sticky prayers are for us to be strong when facing trials, tribulation, and tragedy.

I imagine these are the kind of prayers Abraham Lincoln’s mother prayed over him because he’s someone who is remembered well for his tenacity to not give up when some of his businesses failed, he had a nervous breakdown or when he lost a lot of elections. Those prayers empowered Abe to reach the destiny God had for his life.

YOUR MOMMA-BEAR STICKY PRAYERS

Just like the prayers of Abraham Lincoln’s mother, your prayers can be the glue that helps your children stick-to God’s plan and not give up. Your prayers have the capability to produce cushioned kids who can’t handle problems or confident, overcoming, world-changing children that do something for His Kingdom! So, this Mother’s Day, it’s time to get busy and start praying tough prayers that stick!

Prayer

Father… I come to you in the tenacity of a momma-bear. There is nothing I want more than for my children to have all the strength, boldness, and confidence it takes to fulfill the destiny You’ve placed within them. Please do the deep work in my children, in ______________ that you need to do, in order for them to have what it takes to live out their calling to the fullest. May my children be known as Your faithful followers, living boldly for You! In Jesus Name…Amen

[tweetthis]Your prayers can be the glue that helps your children stick-to God’s plan and not give up! #prayforyourchildren #prayersthatstick[/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.

Matthew 19:13
Luke 22:32
John 17:15
John 17:18

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Originally posted: 2019-05-08

The HOPE of Resurrection Life

Easter is an amazing time! I love hearing the story of Christ’s resurrection, but Good Friday is a difficult day for me. It felt like the saddest day of the year yesterday. Normally, family gatherings help to lift my spirits, but in another year of Covid Lockdowns, it was rough. Listening to the horrors that Jesus had to face on my behalf are almost too much to bear, but…then I turned my focus to Resurrection Sunday… and thought, not even a Covid Lockdown could have kept Jesus in the grave!

“Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life.
Anyone who believes in me will live,
even after dying.
Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die.
Do you believe this, Martha?””
John 11:25 NLT (italics & bolding added)

The HOPE of Resurrection Life

It’s shocking to think that Jesus, the Son of God was resurrected, but to comprehend that you and I can one day experience RESURRECTION LIFE is mind blowing!

This verse in John makes it clear that anyone who believes in Christ will live…after dying! Jesus had to ask Martha if she believed His statement because, it’s just so hard to fathom.

Christians, we don’t need to fear death because God’s Word promises us WE don’t actually die.

If we don’t need to fear death, then what on earth is worth worrying about?
Nuh-thing!

The GREATEST Hope

This gives us the greatest hope and the greatest confidence. We live after dying and so do those who believed in Christ before us. We will one day be with those who have gone on before us. A blessing that the life-giving power of Christ’s resurrection provides for our RESURRECTION LIFE experience!

Prayer

Father…God I thank-you that your resurrection power is at work in ME! It’s overwhelming and wonderful! Help me to live in a way that exudes resurrection life in all I do! May it cause others to want what I have— RESURRECTION LIFE in YOU! In Jesus Name…Amen.

John 11:25
Romans 8:11
John 3:16
John 1:4

You Just Can’t Keep Silent

This devotion was inspired during my personal devotions. God just kept speaking to me this message that, you just can’t keep silent. So much so, that I jumped on Instagram Live and shared about it. I hope this inspires you to not keep silent.

You Just Can’t Keep Silent

Growing up, my pastor’s wife, Mrs. Connie Shepherd was a very quiet woman, a little on the reserved side but when she spoke out in church with a prophetic word, she raised her voice and spoke with power and an authority I have seldom heard. The church would go silent when Mrs. Shep spoke. There was a holy hush and an awe that filled the place, and we knew, God was speaking directly to us.

Like Elizabeth

I think Mrs. Shepherd was a lot like Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist. When she became pregnant as a woman passed her time for childbearing, Scripture tells us that when Mary; pregnant with Jesus, came into her house,

“Elizabeth was filled to overflowing with the Holy Spirit!
With a loud voice she prophesied with power.”
Luke 1:42 TPT

As soon as Elizabeth was done hootin’ and a hollerin’ about what God had done and was going to do, Mary follows suit and breaks out into song about the mercy of God and how crazy it is that He chose her to carry the Christ into the world.

“And Mary sang this song: My soul is ecstatic,
overflowing with praises to God!”
Luke 1:46

The world may be full of women who just can’t keep silent… but the Bible is full of women who just couldn’t keep silent about Christ and what He’s done for them. Personally, that’s why I do what I do and as we look at the women in Christ’s life, you can see how they don’t keep silent and I hope it inspires you to open your mouth and share, because when God does something, you’ve just gotta say, or sing something…You Just Can’t Keep Silent!

Prayer

Father… I thank You for working in my life and in this world. I ask you to break off the timidity from me so I can speak with boldness about who You are and what You’ve done, in ways that don’t cause others to reject you but draw them to your mercy. In Jesus’ Name… Amen!

When God does something, you’ve just gotta say, or sing something… It's the message of Elizabeth, Mary and Mrs. Shepherd. You Just Can't Keep Silent! #gotellitonthemountain Click To Tweet

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Luke 1:42
Luke 1:46
Mark 5:19
Luke 8:39

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#musicpic SONG:
Light it Up by Terrain

Youtube Video:
https://youtu.be/ZVks2teCR9c Soul H2O 2020 Spotify

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Gal Pals

This devotion was inspired by the Soul H2O Radio & Podcast EP 56 with my gal pal Kathleen Hardaway. Hope you get refreshed from both Soul H2O media offerings. ☺

Galentine’s Day

Well, I want to wish all you girls a Happy Galentine’s Day! I love hearing from you and hope more of you join us in the Soul H2O Splash Group on Facebook.

Galentine’s Day is a newer holiday that was started back in 2010 through the power of tv. In the second season of Parks & Rec, they named an episode “Galentine’s Day” where the quirky character of Leslie Knope played by Amy Poehler gathers some of her closest gal pals on February 13^th for their annual brunch of waffles and love.

I think it’s crazy how a tv show has created this really beautiful holiday that can take your mind off of Valentine’s and any heartache that might bring, to focus on something we can all celebrate because as Leslie’s says in the Galentine’s Day inaugurating episode, the day is all about,

“Ladies celebrating ladies.”

I love that!

So, this year I decided it was time to start celebrating Galentines Day and planned an online brunch with girls in the Soul H2O Splash, some Zoom meetings with girlfriends, and next week I tape with my Fab Four friend group on the topic of Friendship for The Goodness Speaks Show, watch my social media to find out when that show airs.

To say that I believe having Gal Pals is crucial to you living your happiest, most fulfilled and purposeful life, is an understatement. I don’t believe you can get to the destiny God had for your life without a posse of women to cheer you on and open doors for you.

We need each other.

Women have been helping each other to live out their purpose in Gal Pal Packs since Bible Days. I love how the New Testament writers record the stories of Jesus’ female disciples. They didn’t often get pulpit mentions in the last century, but often when you read about Jesus with his 12 main guys, it says this group of women were there with them… and they weren’t just creepy groupies.

Women were key in Jesus’ birth, childhood, ministry, death, resurrection, ascension, and the spread of the gospel in our world. It’s probably why the orthodox and Catholic churches have venerated about 41 women as saints. Females are integral to the health and growth of the church.

You can read about the impact the first Gal Pal Pack made in Luke 8:1-3. It tells about how Jesus went out on a ministry tour and how “His twelve disciples traveled with him as did a number of women.”

Jesus broke all cultural norms and acceptable practices of a Rabbi to include women in His ministry and social circles. Jesus, was one of the first Feminists, placing value and worth on the women around him.

Throughout the gospels, this group of women had some key leaders who were mentioned numerous times. There was Susanna, Joanna, Salome, Mary the Mother of James, Mary the mother of Jesus, and Mary from Magdala or Mary Magdalene as many call her. Luke 8:3 says these women and “Many other women supported Jesus ministry from their own personal finances and also traveled with him.”

Together

Together, these girls were Jesus’ financial and ministry partners, together they were powerful, together they made a difference.

You too can make a difference in this world with the right pack of Gal Pals. So, don’t let this Galentine’s Day pass by without making sure to build on the friendships that will help you fulfill your God-Given destiny!

Prayer

Father… I thank you for including women in your call and that I’m one of them! You have good plans and purposes for my life and I’m thankful for the women in my life you’ve placed there to help inspire me to live my best life. Help me to reciprocate the same. In Jesus’ Name…Amen

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Luke 8:1-3
Matthew 28:1
Mark 16:1 / Luke 24:1
Acts 1:12-14

ep 56 gal pals kathleen hardaway — EP 56 Gal Pals With Kathleen Hardaway

Gal Pals features an interview with author and speaker, Kathleen Hardaway as she shares her story of overcoming the loneliness of being single by chasing after her God-Given destiny with Gal Pals by her side, on the Soul H2O Radio & Podcast Show, Episode #56.

#musicpic SONG: Still Rolling Stones by Lauren Daigle
Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/PQZNcZcfo8E
Soul H2O 2020 Spotify Playlist: Online | On App

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

Tough Tattoo

TOUGH TATTOO

When my daughter Shelby graduated from High School, I took her to a tattoo parlor for her Grad gift! Call me a bad parent and say what you like, but this is a tattoo that just had to be inked!

During her last year of High School, Shelby’s desire to get a tattoo of the Hebrew word for “endure” kept increasing. She researched Hebrew words, sketched it, had Todd sketch, researched tattoo artists and kept talking about how ‘one day’ she was going to get this tattoo. It wasn’t an if, in her mind, it was a when.

Not Just a Rebellious Teen

This was more than a rebellious teenager’s want for a tattoo to look cool.

You see, graduating high school and getting this far in life, just being alive hadn’t been a cakewalk for Shelby, and at the time of writing the devotion it didn’t seem like it was going to get much easier as an oral surgeon had put Shelby on a soft-food diet for two months to ward off the need for jaw surgery.

Eating mushy foods alleviated her from having to go under the knife but unfortunately didn’t take her pain away, and this is just one of the many health issues she’s had to endure.

Powerful Reminder

Every time Shelby feels like life is too hard like she can’t make it through, she looks down at her wrist and the word Endure. It reminds her of how God’s helped her in the past and gives her the faith to believe she can rise above the current circumstance.

HEBREWS 12:7 encourages us to Endure hardship

Jesus’ knew life wouldn’t be a cake-walk so he put encouragement in His Word to help you face trouble head-on, with strength and resiliency. You too can endure. You can make it through the tough stuff.

Joshua Had to Endure

In Joshua chapter 1, God was empowering Joshua with His words by telling him to “be strong and courageous, and then he’d emphasize it by saying…^“Always be strong and courageous.”

“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be strong and very courageous.” (Joshua 1:6)

No Cake Walk

God commissioned Joshua to lead the nation of Israel stuck in the desert for four decades to inherit the land, but it wasn’t going to be a “cake-walk” for them either!

The Israelites had to “endure” a lot of battles to fulfill all of God’s plans for their lives and make it to the Promised Land, so He kept reminding them to “Be strong and courageous”.

I’m so proud of Shelby! Like Joshua and all the Israelites, she’s learned to be an overcomer by living out this verse. She’s strong and courageous, and you can be too! God will give you what it takes to endure, so you, get to your Promised Land!

***Check below to find the link to Shelby’s interview on Soul H2O Radio

PRAYER

Father… I thank-you that you give me what it takes to endure! May I be strong and courageous in all that life throws at me, trusting you will be with me all the way to the Promised Land! In Jesus Name…Amen!

Hebrews 12:7
Joshua 1:6-7
Matthew 24:13/Mark 13:13/Luke 21:19
Romans 15:4

Shelby’s Interview on the Soul H2O Radio & Podcast Show

Season # 3 // Episode # 54
TOUGH TATTOO
Release Date: 2021-02-06 @ 12pm EST / Podcast releases at 3pmEST.
Replaying Friday 2021-02-12 @ 2pm
Streaming on: joyradio.ca & MyJoyRadio App.
Uploaded as Soul H2O Podcast on iTunes & Spotify Wherever you listen to podcasts.

Shelby’s Blog: http://www.faithandlace.weebly.com 
Shelby’s Blog that tells a bit of what she’s had to “endure” https://faithandlace.weebly.com/blog/what-is-your-cross

ORIGINALLY POSTED: June 23, 2014

Does Your Presence Bring Peace

Have you ever had friends or family over and their very presence causes your muscles to tense, heart to beat faster and teeth to clench? Maybe it’s not someone in your personal inner circle but a co-worker, boss, customer or client? Everyone knows people who by their very presence shift the atmosphere from peace to panic.

The Scripture Connection

During my morning devotions, I read Matthew 10 where Jesus is sending out his 12 main disciples on a ministry tour, giving them direction as to where they should go for this trip, and instruction on how to manage the financial expense of doing ministry. Remember, these guys left their jobs to follow Christ, some had family to feed and bills to pay. Jesus directed them to look for someone honourable to stay with when they got to where they were going; so much for planning! 🙂 It’s in verse 13 where God got my full attention as I read.

“let your peace come upon the house”
~Matthew 10:13 TPT

I had to reread the verse. Wasn’t it Jesus’ peace they should have been bringing to the people? I even checked few other translations, and this verse is saying that it wasn’t Jesus’ peace the disciples were supposed to bless the people with, it was THEIR presence that was to bring THEIR peace into the host’s home. Immediately, I sensed the Holy Spirit asking me…

Does Your Presence Bring Peace?

In the assessment of this question, I come up lacking. I really don’t want my presence to change the atmosphere in a negative way like the people I mention at the beginning of this devotion. In the past few years, I’ve been doing the hard work of soul healing and now, this year, getting healthy in my body. I believe these efforts are resulting in a more peace-producing Sherry.

I challenge you to ask yourself the same question… Does Your Presence Bring Peace? Allow the Holy Spirit to do a great work in you by letting the peace of Christ becomes so much a part of who you are, that your presence brings peace to the world.

Prayer

Father…I’m thankful that you don’t condemn me, even when I come up short and miss the mark. Jesus, I need your peace to permeate my life and heal my hurts, so I can respond in right ways to people and pass on a presence of peace to the world. In Jesus Name…Amen

Verses to help fill up your well.

Matthew 10:13 (similar in Luke 10:6)
John 14:27
John 20:21
1 Samuel 25:6

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#musicpic song
Peace Be Still
By: Lauren Daigle at The Belonging Church

Youtube Link
https://youtu.be/dUpKZz0Nm7c

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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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Prayer

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But do YOU hear From God?

I can show you how

PRAYER

Soul H2O Splash Event – Tuning In To God

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YOUR MOMMA-BEAR STICKY PRAYERS

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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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The GREATEST Hope

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Like Elizabeth

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#musicpic SONG: Light it Up by Terrain

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We need each other.

Together

Prayer

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Not Just a Rebellious Teen

Powerful Reminder

Joshua Had to Endure

No Cake Walk

PRAYER

Shelby’s Interview on the Soul H2O Radio & Podcast Show

The Scripture Connection

Does Your Presence Bring Peace?

Prayer

Verses to help fill up your well.

New Online Course

Soul H₂O Growth

#musicpic SONG:
Light it Up by Terrain