David

  • You’ve Got to Get Moving – God Knows How To Get You Where You Need To Be Series {Part 2}

    Well, I’m still bubbling over from my summer fill-up at Braeside Camp and so excited to share You’ve Got To Get Moving; the second part of God Knows How to Get You Where You Need To Be Series. I pray it’s everything you need to put some pep in your step.  If not, the #musicpic at the end sure will.  In case you missed it, you can find Part 1of God Knows How to Get You Where You Need To Be {Part 1} and read Why God Doesn’t Give You a 5-Year Plan {Part 3} later.

    Soul H2O Radio & Podcast Show Joy Radio Original Sherry StahlOh, and today’s a celebration!!!

    It’s the 270th Soul H2O Devotion!!!

    I can hardly believe it, and in one month, Soul H2O Radio will debut through the airwaves!  Yah, you heard that right… Soul H2O Radio 📻 on JOY Radio.CA and it’s going to be a podcast too. It’s the overflow!  So much going on right now.  Life is full and exciting, full of adventure!  I’ll tell you more about the Radio Show next week. Joy Radio - Black Logo

    God Knows How To Get You Where You Need To Be {Part 2} BUT…

    YOU’VE GOT TO GET MOVING

    David and his men marched behind them… 
~1 Samuel 29:2 BSB

    Motorcycle Friends

    Monday was the Civic holiday here in Canada but in Leamington, it’s now known as the annual Hogs For Hospice motorcycle ride weekend.  If you follow my social media, you already knew this… with all my pictures it was pretty obvious. 😊 We had so much fun! Todd and I love to get out with friends and ride the motorcycle; well technically Todd’s riding, I’m relaxing behind him. I was relaxing so much it’s hard to get moving this morning!

    In last week’s devotion, I talked about how God was able to perfectly position David and the other soldiers in the right place, at just the right time; enabling them to route their enemies and get back all that had been stolen from them.

    I believe God was able to get David where he needed to be so easily because he was already moving. Scripture records how David and his men were marching when they were told to go back to Ziklag.

    They weren’t stationary.  They weren’t sitting at home, by the phone, waiting for God to call them into action. No, they were moving ahead; albeit in the wrong direction, but they were moving.

    It’s comforting to know God holds true to His promise in Isaiah 30:21 to re-direct if you get moving in the wrong direction.

    You will hear a voice behind you saying,
    “This is the way. Follow it, whether it turns to the right or to the left.
    ~Isaiah 30:21 NIV

    He did it for David through a foreign king sending him ‘home’ and for Jonah, God stirred up a storm and sent a big fish to get Jonah where he needed to be. The key is to get moving because,

    It’s easier to steer a moving ship than one sitting in the harbor.
    ~Unknown

    Quote-It's easier to steer a moving ship Devo 270

    So, shake off the slumber. Wipe the crusties out of the corner of your eyes and get moving.  Fight against the fear of making the wrong move and trust, God knows how to get you where you need to be! Don’t allow anything to keep the ship of your life docked in the harbor.  The adventure is out on the sea!

    Prayer

    Father… I’m so thankful that You are always guiding and directing me. I refuse to let the fear of making wrong moves and falling out of your perfect will freeze my feet.  I commit to get moving and living the adventurous life You’ve destined for me. I’m leaving doubt dock to set sail for the wavy wonderland of Your calling.  In Jesus Name…Amen

    Don’t allow anything to keep the ship of your life docked in the harbor. The adventure is out on the sea! 😊 Click To Tweet

    Facebook Live July 2019In case you haven’t watched this impromptu Facebook Live yet, I’ve linked it below. I recorded this while on a walk in the middle of writing last week’s devotion and getting inspired for writing this week’s. Talking about how God knows how to get you where you need to be… and I was moving for sure!!!

    Drawing From The Well

    Scripture to fill up your well!

    Print Out a Soul H2O Journal Page to get the most of this devotion by writing out the Scriptures or what God reveals to you as you read them. Download HERE.

    1. 1 Samuel 29:2
    2. Isaiah 30:21
    3. Jonah 1:4
    4. James 3:4

    Toby Mac Keep walking#musicpic SONG: MOVE (Keep Walking)
    Makes Me Feel: Like dancing.  Gets me Moving!!!
    Sung By: TobyMac
    Album: This Is Not A Test © 2015
    Written By: Jeff Pardo, Christ Mcclarney, Lindsey Sweat
    Official Youtube Video With Lyrics: https://youtu.be/MX1G71WK-FA
    AZ Lyrics: https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/tobymac/movekeepwalkin.html
    My favorite lines as recorded on AZ Lyrics (link above):

    Move, keep walkin’ soldier keep movin’ on

    ENDNOTES

    1. James 3:4

    WHERE YOU CAN OFTEN FIND ME LINKING UP MY BLOG WITH OR PLACES WHERE MY WRITING HAS BEEN FEATURED

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  • Can I Believe in God And Be Depressed?

    #BellLetsTalkToday’s post is for #BellLetsTalk day.  If you’re a reader from outside of Canada let me explain.  Bell Let’s Talk Day is an initiative that Bell Media took on to help de-stigmatize mental health issues.

    It is radically changing the climate within our country to help see people with mental health issues like people with any other physical sickness. Not to be pitied, insulted or looked-down on, but to be loved, cared-for and helped.  I pray this post helps to initiate conversation, provide resources but most of all set some people free in the body of believers!

    Why am I so depressed?
    Why this turmoil within me?
    Put your hope in God,
    for I will still praise Him,
    my Savior and my God.
    ~Psalm 42:5, 11 & 43:5 HCSB

    When I was a teenager, I was such a happy-go-lucky kind of girl, always seeing the glass half-full. I remember reading through the book of Psalms and thinking

    What’s wrong with David?  This guy really needs to get himself together. One minute he’s singing God’s praises and the next he wants to die. Doesn’t he believe in God?  I mean, his whining is recorded in the Bible? How did this part get in there?

    It wasn’t until I experienced a deeply wounding marriage, ending in a bitter divorce with many legal issues that I understood the depths of despair, depression, and anxiety that David faced. I’ve been decimated emotionally, relationally, financially and spiritually countless times.

    It sometimes feels like when I finally climb out of one pit there’s a crater waiting around the corner, trying to pull me back down.  Add menopause to the mix and you’re walking on thin-ice emotionally! If it weren’t for God’s presence and His Word I really don’t know what I’d do… and I don’t want to find out.  I know it wouldn’t be a pretty picture.

    Psalm 42 and 43 are taken from the pages of David’s journal but after the last decade or so of my life you could’ve sworn they were stolen from my diary. I feel comforted to know that David is someone God himself describes not once, but twice in His Word as “a man after his own heart”; even with all the whining! This portion of Scripture starts off with a song we often sing in church:

    As the deer pants for streams of water,
so my soul longs after You, O God.
My soul thirsts for God, the living God.
Psalm 42:1-2 NIV

    My heart has been crying out this song since it released in the late 1980’s1 but it wasn’t until the latter part of my life (not that I’m near the end yet J ) when I understood David’s back and forth struggle with staying positive. The balance of trusting God as my refuge, redeemer and rescuer when the rough times keep cycling through.

    Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why the unease within me?
Put your hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him
for the salvation of His presence.
~Psalm 42:5 Berean Study Bible

    So, if you’re asking the question…

     Can I Believe in God And Be Depressed?

    Let me answer a resounding, YES!

    The phrase ‘depressed believer’ isn’t just a paradox but often a reality

    [tweetthis]The phrase ‘depressed believer’ isn’t just a paradox but often a reality. #depression #bellletstalk[/tweetthis]

    In case you think maybe just you, me and David were the only people who have ever believed in God and experienced times of being down, discouraged or depressed, let me help you see reality.  With just a quick study I found over a dozen people in the Bible alone who struggled with the same feelings we have. Who makes the list a baker’s dozen should really make you feel like you’re in good company.

    A Baker’s Dozen of Down, Discouraged or Depressed People In The Bible

    1. Leah Genesis 29:31-35
    2. Rachel Genesis 30:1-3, 22-24
    3. Jonah Jonah 4
    4. Job Job 1-3; 10:1, 30:15-17
    5. Naomi Ruth 1-4
    6. David Psalm 42-43
    7. Writer of Ecclesiastes Ecclesiastes 1-3, 12
    8. Hannah 1 Samuel 1
    9. Jeremiah Jeremiah 20:14-18
    10. Elijah 1 Kings 19
    11. Moses Ex 18; Ex 32:32
    12. Paul 2 Corinthians 4:8-16
    13. Jesus Isaiah 53:3; Mark 14:34-36; Luke 22:44

    All of these people believed in God yet struggled with emotions of being down, discouraged or depressed.  Think, even Mother Teresa’s diary revealed times of deep despair.2 I’m NOT saying that God wants you to be depressed or that it’s a good thing.  My point is… the enemy wants you to feel like you’re the only one who struggles like this, like you’re weird, have no faith or that maybe you don’t really believe in God.  You have to let truth remind you that he’s a liar!

    YOU’RE NOT ALONE!

    [tweetthis]YOU’RE NOT ALONE! #BellLetsTalk #mentalhealth #depression [/tweetthis]

    Let me also tell you that the same God who allowed those people to experience hardship and heartbreak, is the same God who carried them into victory.  God has done the same for me and He wants to do the same for you! God doesn’t want to leave you where you are.  He has so much more for you! David wrote of his emotional struggles yes, but he also wrote about the joy of the Lord.

    weeping may stay for the night,
but rejoicing comes in the morning.
~Psalm 30:5  NIV

    God desires to bring us all THROUGH our difficult times and replace them with seasons of happiness.  Until then, we have His Word, His presence, and His joy to be our strength!

    RESOURCES TO HELP YOU RISE ABOVE

    Verses of Encouragement ImageTo help you not get stuck in the desert but travel through the feelings of being down, discouraged or depressed I’ve created some resources for you.

    Subscribe to receive a printout of Scriptures to soak in your spirit and refresh your soul.  These are all verses that God has used to lift me above my circumstances and trust Him for greater days ahead…I mean we are promised heaven, aren’t we folks? 🙂

     

    mental health resourcesSince I am often asked for resources to help with depression or other mental health issues, I created a whole page on my site to help you and your loved ones.

    https://sherrystahl.com/mental-health-resources/

    Praying 2019 is a Golden Year of new joy and many blessings for you!

    In His Grip, Sherry

    WHERE YOU CAN OFTEN FIND ME LINKING UP MY BLOG WITH OR PLACES WHERE MY WRITING HAS BEEN FEATURED

    #BellLetsTalk    https://letstalk.bell.ca/en/  

    #Dare2
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    #musicpics
    Here Again (Extended Version) | Live

    Makes Me Feel: PEACE, Comforted knowing God is with me
    Sung By: Elevation Worship
    Website: http://martynystrom.com/

    CD:  Live Recording at a Gathering
    Written By: Marty Nystrom
    © 2018
    Youtube Video – Live Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfLcdBuB7NY

    #musicpics #retrosong
    As The Deer

    Makes Me Feel: Worshipful, Wanting to get closer to God
    Sung By: Marty Nystrom
    Website: http://martynystrom.com/

    CD:  We Draw Near
    Written By: Marty Nystrom
    © 1984
    Youtube Video With Lyrics: https://youtu.be/a5pZkLWZv-E

    Youtube Video by Marty Nystrom:  https://youtu.be/tdY4Nx0EprI
    Songfacts: https://www.songfacts.com/lyrics/martin-nystrom/as-the-deer

    ENDNOTES

    1. https://youtu.be/a5pZkLWZv-E Youtube Website Accessed: 2019-01-27
    2. http://www.mentalhealthjustice.net/blog/2016/3/14/53sdjv7bzb4g3cdwqw2b97mwi2ppls website accessed: 2019-01-30

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