Jeremiah 29:11

  • 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!

    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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    Drawing from the well

    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

    #musicpic

    #musicpic SONG: 
    God’s Not Done With You by Tauren Wells

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

    MUSICPIC SONGS SPOTIFY PLAYLISTS
    Soul H2O Radio & Podcast Show Joy Radio Original Sherry Stahl
    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

    Soul H2OIf 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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  • Living In The Tension

    “The thief's purpose Is
    to steal and kill and destroy.
    
    My purpose is
    to give them a rich and satisfying life.”
    ~Jesus

    John 10:10 NLT

    Crossroads Chapel Melinda Cheryl Weber
    Cheryl Campbell, Melinda Estabrooks, Cheryl Weber and I at the Crossroads Chapel

    Months ago, I was asked to speak at the Crossroads Staff Chapel where 100 Huntley Street, Context with Lorna Dueck, See, Hear, Love, A Better Us, Outside the Box and many other Christian shows are taped.

    When the news reported the horrifying death of the toddler outside the studio I was saddened, and felt a sense of great responsibility, realizing my turn on the chapel schedule was now falling the week after this tragedy.  Knowing I was going to speak to an emotionally bereft group changed the dynamics drastically.

    Leadership called and discussed how it was no longer appropriate for me to share some of my John Maxwell training with a motivational message, as originally requested.  They asked if I could instead share a word of comfort. I was honored to be the one God had positioned for the task, at the same time feeling scared skinny.  I would be speaking with people whose hearts were heavy with the deeper questions of life.  Living in the tension of what God wants the world to be like, and how our realities can contradict His promises.

    Living In The Tension

    My heart was aching, desperately wondering what words of encouragement I might be able to share with this grieving group. Do I just dance around the recent tragedy or discuss it head on?  I felt the Lord directing me to address the toddler’s passing right at the beginning.  If not, it would be the elephant in the room.  Everyone was thinking about it and so many had questions… hard questions. Especially from those who do not have a faith in Jesus Christ but work at the Crossroads Centre in rented office space.

    I felt an awesome responsibility to tell how Jesus came to bind up the broken-hearted and explain how this world isn’t running the way God initially created it to function. What happened there, was not a part of God’s plan.

    It’s hard to grasp, but the explanation for this truth goes back to Jesus statements in John chapter 10 when He was trying to explain how He was the good shepherd, the Messiah.  Jesus taught how the devil’s purpose is to steal, kill and destroy.  It was true back when Jesus’ feet walked the earth, and it’s still true today.  Thankfully, Jesus didn’t end his statement in the negative.

    John 10:10

    Jesus completed his message by assuring everyone that, His purpose is to give us this rich, satisfying, abundant life. The enemy wants to take from you, Jesus came to give. Jesus came with a purpose to bring good into our lives, but then… why do we continue to suffer?  Jesus was trying to enlighten people to the reality of spiritual warfare. We can try to pretend it’s not a reality, but we’re ignoring the facts. This battle of good vs. evil isn’t just a fictitious theme for Sci-Fi movies. You see, this war of good vs. evil that started at the beginning of time continues to rage today. The fallout from this clashing of kingdoms leaves us wounded and experiencing heartache.

    As long as you exist on earth, you live in the tension of these two, simple truths:

    1. God Is Good, and His purpose is to give you a good life.
    2. The Devil is Bad, and his purposes toward you are evil.

    In times of uncertainty; when your tension wires seem like they’re about to snap and the reality of the devil’s purpose is being played out in your life… don’t lose hope in the truth that, God—IS—good. Whether it happens here on God’s green earth or when you get to Heaven, God will give you the abundant life He promised through Jesus. He’s true to His promises.

    Prayer

    Father… I’m so thankful that you’re here when tragedy strikes. You are as close as the mention of Your name.  Help my eyes to not fixate on the display of evil, so that it clouds the truth of your goodness.  Let visions of injustice and examples of pure evil draw me closer to you.  Increase in me a longing for heaven, where You wipe away every tear and all that remains is good.  In Jesus Name…Amen

    [tweetthis]Just because the devil is evil,  doesn’t change the fact that… GOD IS GOOD[/tweetthis]

    Soul H2OIf you liked the refreshing in this #SoulH2O devotion, you’ll love my latest Soul H2O Devotional book: 40 Thirst Quenching Devotions for Women.

     

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

     Drawing From The Well

    1. John 10:10
    2. Jeremiah 29:11
    3. John 3:16-17
    4. Hebrews 6:17 (Very clear in NIV, NASB, HCSB)

    BLOGGER PRAYERS-GREYYOU CAN OFTEN FIND ME LINKING UP WITH:
    MONDAY
     Monday Meditations – Laura J. Davis, Soul Survival – Donna Reidland,

    TUESDAY 
    Cheerleaders of Faith #RARaLinkup – Kelly Balarie,
    WEDNESDAY Coffee For Your Heart – Holley GerthWord Nerd Wednesdays — Liz Giertz
    THURSDAY
     Heart Encouragement Thursday – Crystal Storms, Chasing Community  Barbara Bradford Ottinger
    FRIDAY
     Dance With Jesus Linkup – Susan B. MeadGrace and Truth Linkup – Arabah JoyCounting My Blessings – Deb Wolf, Fresh Market Friday – Crystal Twaddell ELLEN’S PICKS– Ellen Graf-Martin 

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  • Does Work Bring You Satisfaction?

    “That each of them may eat and drink,
    and find satisfaction in all their toil
    —this is the gift of God.”
    Ecclesiastes 3:13  NIV

    Ecc 3:13 Satisfaction

    Do you like taking personality assessments?  I hesitate to let you know I do because a neuro-psychologist friend of mine, raised a brow when I told her!  Maybe I’m crazy, but I find them fascinating.  Perhaps it’s because taking a Birkman Method Personality Assessment in 2008 changed my life.  At the time I took the test, I was a Director of Finance and Operations for a company I co-owned in the Automotive Industry.  I dreaded work and felt drained most of the time.  This girl had a fancy title, yet very little satisfaction for her toil!

    MY BIRKMAN BREAKTHROUGH

    When I got the results back from my Birkman Assessment the lights came on and I understood for the first time why I felt so dissatisfied.  The first section of the test rated the ten areas of work activities or interests to see what brings you the most fulfillment in life.  Any area scoring above 50 energizes your personality, while scores below 50 are draining.

    My top three Areas of Interest were:

    1. Persuasion (Selling, Communicating) at 96
    2. Social Service (Helping Others) at 94
    3. Literary (Writing, Formal Persuasion) at 92.

    Somehow Musical was next on my list at 75, which seems illogical given that I can’t hold a tune!  (Wondering if I answered something wrong there???)  Clerical was last on my list above 50.

    The Birkman rep explained how anything above 90 was considered necessary activities, in order for you to feel fulfilled.  They weren’t just things you liked to do, they’re things you needed to do!

    My job at the time barely included any activities that were in my top three Areas of Interest.  No wonder I felt frustrated!  I could see how I enjoyed the Operations side of my role and not the Finance side since Numerical scored below 50 on my list.  Sure, I can perform the role as a bookkeeper; I’ve done work like that since I was twelve, helping in my parent’s business.  It was clearly a learned activity, not an innate ability.

    MY BOOKSFast-forward four years from taking the Birkman and I published my first book, Water In The Desert, followed by Soul H2O…and hopefully many more books to come (Literary).

    SPEAKINGI now travel internationally and speak to women’s groups (Persuasion).  This position allows me to help people I’ve never even met (Social Service).  It’s so much beyond what I could’ve ever imagined for my life.   Working as an author, speaker and blogger is my dream job.  At this point, there is great satisfaction for my toil and I consider that an invaluable gift from God.

    Does Work Bring You Satisfaction?

    Jeremiah 29:11 tells how God’s plans for your life are good.  Psalm 37:4 says, “Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”  When you’re fulfilling the activities God uniquely created you to do, you’ll feel satisfied.  The more you spend time in relationship with God, the more your desires for the future will line up with God’s good plans for your life.  It’ll become natural.

    EPHESIANS 2:10

    On this, day after Labor Day, take the time to ask yourself:  Am I fulfilling Ephesians 2:10 through my paid job or volunteer activities?  If not, it may be time you got crazy like me and completed one of those Personality Assessments!

    Prayer

    Father…I believe you’ve placed a divine destiny within me because, the Bible tells me so in Ephesians 2:10.  Let the desires of my heart help me discern Your purposes for my life so I can experience Your gift of satisfaction.  May I use my time and my abilities for Your Glory, and enjoy every minute of it!  In Jesus Name…Amen

    [tweetthis]Does Work Bring You Satisfaction?[/tweetthis]

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

    Drawing From The Well

    1. Ecclesiastes 3:13
    2. Jeremiah 29:11
    3. Psalm 37:4
    4. Ephesians 2:10

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

    IF YOU LIKED THE REFRESHING IN THIS #SOULH2O DEVOTION, YOU’LL LOVE MY LATEST SOUL H2O DEVOTIONAL BOOK: 40 THIRST QUENCHING DEVOTIONS FOR WOMEN.

    BLOGGER PRAYERS-GREYYOU CAN OFTEN FIND ME LINKING UP WITH:
    MONDAY 
    Monday Meditations – Laura J. Davis#SoulSurvival – Donna Riedland
    TUESDAY Cheerleaders of Faith #RARaLinkup – Kelly Balarie,
    WEDNESDAY 
    Coffee For Your Heart – Holley GerthWord Nerd Wednesdays — Liz Giertz
    THURSDAY 
    Heart Encouragement Thursday – Crystal Storms, Chasing Community  Barbara Bradford Ottinger
    FRIDAY 
    Dance With Jesus Linkup – Susan B. MeadGrace and Truth Linkup – Arabah JoyCounting My Blessings – Deb Wolf, Fresh Market Friday – Crystal Twaddell ELLEN’S PICKS– Ellen Graf-Martin

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  • Feel Like Someone’s Trying to Wear You Down?

    192.5 Ever Feel Like Someone's Trying To Wear You Out

    This morning I was getting ready for church and I went to sharpen my eyebrow pencil but there was nothing left.  I had sharpened it so many times that it was completely worn out, there was nothing left inside.  I looked at the pencil and thought it was a pretty good representation of how I was feeling. 

    He will speak out against the Most High
    and
    wear down the saints of the Highest One”
    Daniel 7:25 NASB

    Have you ever Felt Like Someone’s Trying to Wear You Down?

    Issues unresolved in my life for almost a decade have left my energy depleted.  It’s frustrating because in so many areas of my life I have seen such tremendous growth and increase, yet in this area the enemy ‘seems’ to have the upper hand.

    Proverbs 17:22 says, “a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.”

    You see, there literally is someone trying to wear You down.  The enemy of your soul is trying to break your spirit so he can sap your energy and get you to quit.  When talking about the devil, Jesus reminds us that he comes only to steal, kill and destroy.  The devil doesn’t have any good plans for your life…but God does!

    God has planned for your victory. 

    Understanding victory is only achieved through a battle helps you accept that although victory doesn’t come easy, it will come!

    If you’re feeling worn down, worn out, and sapped of strength today…please don’t give up! Fight the urge to “become weary in doing good, for at the proper time” you “will reap a harvest if” you “do not give up.”3

    Prayer

    Father…I thank You for promising me victory.  The enemy will do his best to try and wear me down, but Your joy will be my strength.  You have given me everything I need for life and I trust that you will use this current battle to bring about overwhelming victory in my life!  In Jesus’ Name…Amen

    If you’re feeling worn down, worn out and sapped of strength today…please don’t give up! Click To Tweet

    192.5-Daniel-7_25-Wear-You-Down

    VICTORY doesn't come easy, but it WILL come! Click To Tweet

     

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

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

    Drawing From The Well

    1                John 10:10
    2                Jeremiah 29:11
    3                Galatians 6:9
    4                Romans 8:37

    YOU CAN OFTEN FIND ME LINKING UP WITH:
    MONDAY
    Monday MeditationsLaura J. Davis,
    TUESDAY
    Cheerleaders of Faith #RARaLinkup – Kelly Balarie,
    WEDNESDAY
    Coffee For Your HeartHolley Gerth, Word Nerd Wednesdays — Liz Giertz
    THURSDAY
    Heart Encouragement ThursdayCrystal Storms, Chasing Community  Barbara Bradford Ottinger
    FRIDAY
    Dance With Jesus LinkupSusan B. Mead, Grace and Truth LinkupArabah Joy, Counting My Blessings – Deb Wolf, Fresh Market FridayCrystal Twaddell

    Read More