God’s Got BIG Plans For You!

Well, I know it’s been forever since I’ve written. Life has been busy with many side jobs I’ve just been letting go of to focus on the ministry that God’s called me to… like writing you to bring refreshing! Today, I woke up with this strong sense that I needed to connect with you and share the hope that’s been helping me.

Much love,
~Sherry
xoxo

Soul H2O Devotion

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11

God’s Got BIG Plans for You!

Last week was the second anniversary for the Soul H2O Radio & Podcast Show. I can’t believe it’s been two years! The message I felt God encouraging me to talk about was based out of Jeremiah 29:11, one of the most quoted promises of God going. These have been difficult times for the past two years and knowing that God has good plans for your life, for your future really does change your perspective.

Trusting in His Promises

Trusting that He loves you enough to plan for your future is an incredible thought. God, the creator of all things has YOU on His mind! He’s not thinking anything negative or harmful towards you… NO, God’s Got BIG Plans For You!

Holding On

Live today holding the promises of God like Jeremiah 29:11 close to your heart and mind. If this isn’t easy for you, I encourage you to download the attached sheet I’ve created called Sherry’s Stash of Promises from God to help provide you with inspiration and collect some promises of your own.

Prayer

Father… Thank you for loving me so much that you spend time thinking about me. Help me to spend time focussing on your promises, not on my problems. In Jesus Name…Amen

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Verses to help fill up your well.

Download Sherry’s Stash of Promises from God to see her list of promises and write down your own.

Soul H2O Resources

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God’s Not Done With You by Tauren Wells

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A Ballot, Not a Mallet | EP #81

A Ballot, Not a Mallet is the title for this week’s Soul H2O Radio & Podcast show to help bring healing after a month of turbulent, divided, and divisive, election campaigning.

http://www.soulh2o.com/81

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!

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Nehemiah–Wash Behind Your Hears

Good Morning! In the past few months my computer has been in the shop a few times and it decided to crash again. I know from many of your emails that these Monday morning devotions are a boost to your week so even though I can’t access my devotions I’m still posting one. It’s the first devotion from my hubby’s book (Details below) and it’s really good! Be encouraged today as you read and no matter what happens…DON’T GIVE UP!!!

Nehemiah--Wash Behind Your Hears...

God holds me head and shoulders above all who try to pull me down…Already I’m singing God-songs; I’m making music to God.
—PSALM 27:6

Many times in my life, I have given too much thought to background noise. Those voices attempt to make you think aspects of your life are falling apart. You anticipate that the future will be a scary place, or the walls feel as if they’re pressing in on you like a vice. Do not allow those sounds to be played. God has provided courage and faith to confront your fear and anxiety.

Nehemiah, a mighty man in the Bible, encountered an excellent example of this dilemma. At a time when he could have been comfortable with his highly honored position of cupbearer for the king, God spoke to him, confirming that he would be the lead man to reconstruct the walls around the city of Jerusalem.

During the physical work, Nehemiah heard sounds of criticism, verbal attacks, and false accusations day in and day out. Nehemiah refused to listen. He kept his focus. Not only did he refuse to crumble to the background noise, he and his construction crew completed the job in record time!

Don’t be surprised if the devil starts heating up the adversity when you pursue a goal that God has confirmed in your heart. In your own life, scrub away those words or thoughts that have held you back from spiritual growth. Listen for the voice of encouragement. Open your spiritual ears to hear what God is saying to you today.

The enemy desires nothing better than to play the sounds of negativity, doubt, and confusion in our minds, hoping we’ll lose focus. These words are attempts to smother the dreams God placed in us to fulfill. Turn off the old playlist of doubt and fear. Download the new sounds God has given to you—lyrics of hope, anticipation, and excitement towards a future that is music to your hears!

Prayer

Father…Help me today to focus on You and Your plan for my life. Please help me to “tune in” to your station so I hear Your voice of encouragement and not the negative voice of the enemy as I move forward towards Your great purposes for my life! In Jesus Name…Amen.

Todd’s book, 40 Days In The Man Cave is available everywhere books are sold!

Check Out Todd’s Website http://www.toddstahl.ca

Sand In Your Shoes

‘…And I will gain glory through Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horsemen.”
Exodus 14:17 NIV

I love watching God take broken lives, bring restoration, then use people for His glory! We often don’t understand what purpose there is in our problems, but like my hubby Todd said to me, “God didn’t have you go through the desert just to get sand in your shoes.”1 God has a plan. He gains glory when we get through hard times with Him!

In Exodus 14:17 God is speaking to Moses when the Israelites are in an extremely difficult time. They‘ve just left slavery in Egypt when all of sudden they can see their slave masters chasing after them. The only route in front is a sea with no way of escape…or so they thought! Fear gives way to faith and they crossover to safety with their enemies miraculously being defeated. God uses the hard times of our lives as an opportunity to provide miracles. This way He can gain glory, not us and draw people to Himself. God will take every desert circumstance and use it for your benefit and His glory, when you follow Him!

So, fight the feelings of irritation. Get rid of the sand in your shoes and let your desert time be the very thing God uses to gain glory through you!

Prayer

Father…Thank You for being with my in the desert. Help me to change my view on the hard times of life from irritation to opportunity. Let my life draw others towards You and may You be glorified today! In Jesus Name…Amen

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Shake The Dust Off Your Feet–Jesus Teachings on Offence #1

“If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.”
Mathew 10:14 NIV

I love walking along a beach. Sand under my feet feels wonderful while on a beach. When it’s time to put your shoes back on it’s so hard to shake the dust off your feet and those same relaxing grains become an irritation. Jesus was so descriptive when he talked. I’m thankful for his analogies that help me understand clearly how I am to live, and in this case, how I am to deal with some people who are less than kind to me.

Throughout his ministry, Jesus taught his followers different methods on how to deal with people who hurt them. In this case, Jesus taught the disciples to remove themselves from the place and people who offend them. He didn’t tell them to make a big scene about it, but to peacefully “shake the dust off your feet” and in the very next verse God promises that He will deal with the offender and make them give account for what they did to you. It’s still our responsibility to forgive, but not to make them pay.

Just as shaking the dust off your feet after spending some time at the beach is difficult, so is learning to figuratively shake the dust off your feet and let go of unhealthy relationships. Discerning when it’s right to follow this advice from Jesus to remove yourself from people and places that bring you hurt and going through with it, will set you free to move forward in wholeness.

Prayer

Father…You know the motives of men and I don’t. Help me rightly discern those people or places I need to remove myself from and learn to shake the dust off my feet, letting the hurt go. Help me to have a heart that forgives and lives in peace. In Jesus Name…Amen

Doing What’s Right…and It All Goes Wrong!

“Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations. 7 They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and they were both very old.”
Luke 1:6-7 NIV

We were on a family vacation having a great time when things started going, well, let’s just say they were veering off course from what we had planned! A trip to the ER and a flat tire sure do put a crink in your plans! It’s so frustrating when you feel like you’re Doing What’s Right…and It All Goes Wrong!

Zechariah and Elizabeth, John the Baptist’s parents know what that’s like in a big way! Luke tells us that Zechariah and Lizzy were both living right for God yet they didn’t have children. Zechariah was even a priest. He worked for God! It’s clear that they wanted children, but had given up hoping for kids because they were too old. People in their day would have thought there was sin in their lives causing this barrenness. Sometimes life just isn’t fair! It’s so hard to understand why God doesn’t answer your prayers? Why do things keep going wrong for you, when you’re living right for Him?

A lack of perceived blessings or an abundance of problems does not indicate that you’re doing something wrong!

No matter your circumstances, keep living faithfully for God like Zechariah and Lizzy did. Even when you’re Doing What’s Right…and It All Goes Wrong! Know that God loves you and He has an incredible way of taking the worst of situations and making the best come out of them…like he did for Zechariah and Lizzy!

Prayer

Father…I thank-you for putting stories in the Bible of real people, who faced real problems, just like I do. Help me to find strength in their examples so that I stay faithful in doing what’s right and in due season I will see You turn things around for me! Thanks for the grace to endure until you do! In Jesus Name…Amen

Choose Your Words Wisely

“You have wearied the LORD with your words…”
Malachi 2:17 NIV

CHOOSE YOUR WORDS WISELY

“…How have we wearied him?” you ask…” (Malachi 2:17 NIV) Speaking negatively when God has declared goodness wears our Father out! God is making me keenly aware that sometimes my words wear Him out! Do your words?

REPORTING RIGHT

Let’s take a look at a great example in the Bible of the effects words can have. After the Red Sea crossing, God directed Moses to send out 12 leaders to check out how good the land really was that He was bringing them into. 10 spies came back and gave reports full of fear; two gave reports full of faith. All ten who gave a bad report died in the desert. The two who spoke positively; Joshua and Caleb lived and were blessed in the Promised Land. It took a long time, but their words bore good, juicy fruit.

So ask yourself today. What are your words doing? Are they making God tired or are they giving Him the root to bear good fruit in your life?

Prayer

Father…help me to guard what comes out of my mouth. I give you permission to “Set a guard over my mouth, LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips.” (Ps 141:3 NIV) May my words be followed by fruit. In Jesus Name…Amen

[tweetthis]What are your words doing? Are they making God tired or are they giving Him the root to bear good fruit in your life?[/tweetthis]

Come Close

“The LORD spoke to you face to face out of the fire on the mountain. (At that time I stood between the LORD and you to declare to you the word of the LORD, because you were afraid of the fire and did not go up the mountain.)
Deuteronomy 5:4-5 NIV

Have you ever heard the saying, ‘You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink’? The Israelites were like a horse led to water that refused to drink. God had called them to come close so He could speak to them, but they refused his invitation.

The scripture surrounding this verse in Deuteronomy gives more detail to the recounting of a time in the life of Israel when God desired to meet with His people. Moses told the Israelites God’s plans and they responded saying, “We will do everything the LORD has said.” (Ex 19:7) First, they were to prepare themselves to hear from God with a ceremonial cleansing—so, they bathed! Second, God would come down to Mount Sinai; smoke and fire would be all around. Limits were to be put around the mountain to ensure no one came close for three days so—they obeyed. During those three days they could actually hear God’s voice giving Moses the Ten Commandments!- Then, after the three days God had invited them all to go up the mountain. God wanted to meet with all of his people, but they were afraid and refused. The Israelites told God they were content to hear what He had to say through Moses, but they wouldn’t come up the mountain. How very sad for God to be rejected by the people He loved.

This morning God woke me up very early. I sensed Him calling me to come close so I could hear from Him. I believe His encouragement is the same for you today. His desire is for you to come close and listen to His voice.

Prayer

Father…Life is so very busy and it’s easy to stay distracted. Help me to find a quiet place and allow you to speak into my life so that I am refreshed. May my time with you be sweet. Take away all fear and help me to open my ears and my heart to you! In Jesus Name…Amen

All Over The World

“I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world” Romans 1:8 NIV

Facebook and email, through the power of the Internet have brought the world to my computer! I wonder what form of social media Paul and the apostles used to spread the word about amazing faith back then??? Today, I love reading the posts of my missionary friends and seeing all God is doing in and through them as they make a difference ALL OVER THE WORLD!

My friend Wendy has been working with a missions organization for years, travelling the world over to spread the love of Christ. Then there’s Reynold and Kathy who have left the creature comforts of Canada to live in Uganda, being used by God to unite a nation for Christ. Right now my friend Peggy is in Sri Lanka preaching the powerful Word of God. My new friend Cheryl helps free women from human trafficking… I truly thank my God for these friends and the influence of their lives ALL OVER THE WORLD!

Todd bought me a mug and it says, “Life is a Story…Make Yours A Best Seller“. So go on, do something in courageous faith! Give them something to report on, ALL OVER THE WORLD!

Prayer:

Father…Lord I thank-you for the technology that allows us to hear about the great things you are doing in our world to reach the lost. You do it through ordinary people who are willing vessels. Please help me to live out my faith in a way to cause Your name to be reported ALL OVER THE WORLD! In Jesus Name…Amen.

Relax

(c) Todd Stahl Used with Permission

“And you? Go about your business without fretting or worrying. Relax. When it’s all over, you will be on your feet to receive your reward.”
Daniel 12:13 The Message

Sometimes when I read through Daniel and study about the end times I end up confused and a little afraid. OK, sometimes I get a lot afraid. I remember having to write a paper for my Eschatology (study of end times) course at Bible College. I got so worried over details of the end times that I went to my professor’s office completely stressed out. My profs message was very much like the words Eugene Peterson used in the message paraphrase of Daniel to convey God’s words to the church about the future…RELAX!

There are so many opportunities in life to let fear of the future envelop us in dread. It hinders our ability to move forward. Whenever we get into worrying or fretting God’s word has a steadying effect, if we read it and take it to heart.

So, RELAX! God’s Word promises you’re going to land on your feet and then He’s going to reward you for your faithfulness!

Prayer:

Father…Forgive me for worrying. It comes so naturally. Please apply Your supernatural peace into my life so I can RELAX, no matter what happens in my world. Steady me so I live life confidently knowing You will keep me standing and bless me! In Jesus Name…Amen.

Painting (c) Todd Stahl http://www.toddstahl.com

Laughter

“A cheerful heart is good medicine” Proverbs 17:22

For Valentine’s Todd and I went to a “Couples Night Out” event to see comedian Steve Geyer. I felt bad for this couple across from us. They didn’t laugh at anything and left during intermission. I think their funny bone was broken! For us, it was such a fun night out! We laughed ‘till we cried. It was great to hang out with some people from our church and relax after a very long week. LAUGHTER really is the best medicine!

I tend to be driven, working hard towards a goal to the point of exhaustion. Lately I’ve felt worn out. Taking time to be with my hubby, some friends and to laugh with abandon is better than any pill I could take! God knows we need to kickback and relax. Stress brings on heart health problems, but LAUGHTER is proven to help heal the heart, physically and emotionally, which can only have a positive spiritual effect.

Today as people in Ontario, Canada celebrate “Family Day” may we all join in and take time to fill our homes with LAUGHTER. It may just save us a few trips to the doctors!

Prayer:

Father…I thank-you for funny cards, books, movies, family and friends. May you fill our lives with LAUGHTER today so we can show a lost world your joy no matter what our circumstances. Let our hearts reveal the freedom you’ve brought into our lives! In Jesus Name…Amen.

“Fun and Faith” is the host for “Couples Night Out” https://funandfaith.ca/live-events/events/information/couples-night-out/