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]
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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

Beautiful words that tell me I need to persevere in hope, to trust God fully with the small beginnings.
Michele,
It’s funny that you worded it that way. I spoke at a Women’s Conference on Saturday and the title of my message was Walking with Perseverance and Purpose. We can walk in perseverance for those new beginnings when we know our purpose. I think you know and are walking in yours!!!
Much love,
~Sherry Stahl
xoxo
Amen!?
Thank you for the prayers. I’m happy you are sharing some cups of encouragement this New Year. Bless your heart.
Ifeoma,
So glad you’re finding encouragement here 🙂 Praying your year is blessed!
Much love,
~Sherry Stahl
xoxo
Thanks for the encouragement to keep moving forward. That first verse has been one that has helped keep my chin up. We gotta start somewhere, right? Thankful God holds our timeline. That’s one I’m needing to keep releasing the control of lately. 😉
Kelly,
I so get you girl. That first devotion in my book called “Due Dates” keeps coming back to me time and again. Keep your chin up. You ARE making a difference in this world for HIM! You’re such a blessing to so many.
Love ya Sis,
~Sherry
xoxo
Trust is all about feeling safe and protected, which can be difficult sometimes, depending on your situation, past and present……BUT for GOD!!! We can feel safe in our relationship with Him, our Father, our Saviour, our Healer, Sanctifier, Lover of our souls!! He is NOT a man that He could lie….He is wholly trustworthy!!! He’s got us covered….there fore we can move forward with faith!! Go get ’em, girlfriends
Thank you Sherry for the Monday morning encouragement!!!
Georgia,
My little Firecracker! I love to hear your comments. He’s building an amazing story in you. Keep the faith Sista 🙂
~Sherry
xoxo
Thanks, this encouraged me today. I agree it’s easy to start doubting ourselves when we think we’re obeying God but it is not working out as easily or quickly as we hoped. I love that verse from Zechariah.
Lesley,
Glad you’re encouraged 🙂 Thanks for stopping by again.
~Sherry
xoxo
Sherry,
While I am encouraged by your devotion, I have to tell you I love that you pray for all those who read your words. I needed to read that verse in Zechariah, thank you. I am reminded too, that small beginnings and persistence is the key to change and growth that is both sustaining and filling. Quick and rapid doesn’t always ensure lasting.
So glad to visit here today.
Blessings,
Dawn
Dawn,
I do pray for my readers. The longer I write the closer I feel to the people who read on a regular basis. I love sharing this journey of faith and life with others.
Steady the course and see what God will do!
So glad you visited here today. Praying you have a blessed day.
~Sherry
xoxo
Hi Sherry,
Over and over in scripture we see so many that God called to new beginnings out of a life they were leading, and what an adventure with God most of those embarked upon! Change and something new is a hard place to be, but isn’t that where we see God at work in our lives? I’m so glad God always brings us to places of newness, no matter our stage and place in life!
Valerie,
I couldn’t agree with you more! I’m excited when I hear that God has someone in their 80’s starting something new and dreaming new dreams. God is never finished with us on this earth until we’re seeing Him face-to-face. We can live a life full of New Beginnings when we partner with God!
~Sherry
xoxo
Small beginnings lead to big things when God is involved. Amen and amen! It’s amazing how much God can bless us when you pay attention and seek His will in the littlest of things. Here’s to new beginnings! 🙂
Cheers to New Beginnings Nicki!
~Sherry
xoxo
Beautiful encouragement, Sherry. Writing and speaking has been that small beginning for me. Sometimes it feels like breakthrough takes for-evah, but then I realize that’s often a focus on me, not Him. If it’s one-by-one, so be it. It’s Your will, Lord. If it opens to more, so be it. Your will, Lord, your will be done. Praying for both of us and those “who will hear” Him in our words this year. Visiting via #chasingcommunity.
Kristi,
So glad we were beside each other at #ChasingCommunity today. It’s great when friends (even cyber ones) can encourage each other 🙂 I totally get the taking for-evah part of life, especially when it comes to speaking. It’s been since I was 19 that I felt the Lord call me to speak. I’m so thankful for the doors He’s opening to share the messages He’s giving but in our natural mind it’s never fast enough.
~Sherry
xoxo
That Zechariah verse is one of my favorites. I love how it connects so beautifully with the Job verse you quoted. — Quoting scripture to our fear — such a poetic, yet powerful thought. Thanks for sharing, Sherry. And, thanks for linking up with #ChasingCommunity! xoxo
Brenda,
Thanks for providing the community 🙂 Quoting scripture to fear is honestly the only way I know to defeat fear, and it works. There are other things that can help, but quoting scripture lands the knock-out blow.
Have a great day!
~Sherry
xoxo