John 10:10 Archives - Sherry Stahl

John 10:10

Sometimes You Have to Make A Choice And Live By It
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“The thief comes only in order to steal, kill, and destroy.
I have come in order that you
might have life—
life in all its fullness. “
~John 10:10 Good News Translation
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This weekend I spoke at a women’s event in Toronto. My cousin Kelly came to help me sell books and jewelry. After that, Kelly and I met up with my sister Lori at a mall. Three female cousins in a mall should equate to a lot of sales for any shopping center if it weren’t for our indecisive trio. It’s clearly a faulty family gene. If I don’t decide quickly without a lot of thought, I can overthink things. To help me make decisions I’ve resorted to creating excel spreadsheets. Todd understands this weird way about me so when we start talking about purchasing something new he’ll say, “Well, here comes a new spreadsheet!” Yes, I’m ‘that’ person! The inner excel Geek is pretty strong in this girl J I used to just write a pros and cons list on a sheet of paper to help me make decisions, but once I learned Excel the decision-making process got a little longer and a lot more detailed. This pattern in my life has helped and hindered me. If I’m not careful I can waste too much time deciding but eventually, you have to make a choice!

SO MUCH OF LIFE IS A CHOICE

The little word might in today’s verse comes with an invitation to make a choice. I don’t know how I missed this before. This is a Scripture I memorized in my youth, so it can roll off my tongue with the speed of a commuter train. Yet, in all the decades I’ve been quoting John 10:10, I’ve never thought much about the word ‘might’, when Jesus says He has “come in order that you might have life—life in all its fullness”. Sometimes it’s the smallest words that make the biggest statement. Jesus’ promise of an abundant, rich, satisfying, full life is conditional, it’s not a given. Often in Scripture God’s promises start with an emphatic ‘I will’, but Christ’s offer here is not a guarantee.

In my understanding from researching the original Hebrew wording of this verse; it might be better translated into English to say, “the thief comes so that he ‘might steal’, ‘might kill’, and ‘might destroy’.¹ In this verse, Jesus is offering to give you something while the thief Satan is attempting to take some things from you. Neither action is guaranteed to happen. The choice is yours to make. You can choose to receive and live the full life Christ intended for you, or you can allow the enemy opportunity to take from you. I firmly believe that even in times when the enemy does accomplish his purpose in your life by taking from you, that doesn’t mean that you’ve lost your life abundant, well… it doesn’t have to mean that, because it’s a choice. Living in an abundance mindset; one that believes God is not limited and He always has more; helps you rise above any circumstance where the enemy effectively steals, kills or destroys in your life. Living in the abundance mindset will give you the strength to endure any loss as you trust, God has more good things in store for you.

So much of life is a choice, but the choice of whether or not to accept Christ’s offer of the abundant life should be a no-brainer, no-spreadsheet kind of decision J Honor Christ today by living your life to the full, expecting more and making your life all God hoped it would be!

Prayer

Father… Thank you for giving me the ability to choose. Help me to break patterns of indecisiveness, and my tendencies to waffle back and forth when trying to live out a commitment I’ve made. Break the shackles of lack off my mind and increase my faith to believe in Your abundant supply. Since I have Your divine power dwelling inside of me, I have the ability to make wise choices, so I choose to receive and live in the abundant life you’ve offered. In Jesus Name…Amen

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Something good J

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

DRAWING FROM THE WELL
1. John 10:10
2. 2 Peter 1:3
3. Joshua 24:15
4. Deuteronomy 30:19
YOU 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 Gerth , Word Nerd Wednesdays — Liz Giertz
THURSDAY Heart Encouragement Thursday – Crystal Storms , Chasing Community – Barbara Bradford Ottinger
FRIDAY Dance With Jesus Linkup – Susan B. Mead , Grace and Truth Linkup – Arabah Joy , Counting My Blessings – Deb Wolf, Fresh Market Friday – Crystal Twaddell ELLEN’S PICKS– Ellen Graf-Martin

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Living In The Tension
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“The thief's purpose Is
to steal and kill and destroy.

My purpose is
to give them a rich and satisfying life.”
~Jesus
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John 10:10 NLT

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.

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]

If 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!
1. John 10:10
2. Jeremiah 29:11
3. John 3:16-17
4. Hebrews 6:17 (Very clear in NIV, NASB, HCSB)
YOU 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 Gerth , Word Nerd Wednesdays — Liz Giertz
THURSDAY Heart Encouragement Thursday – Crystal Storms , Chasing Community – Barbara Bradford Ottinger
FRIDAY Dance With Jesus Linkup – Susan B. Mead , Grace and Truth Linkup – Arabah Joy , Counting 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?

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

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

If 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!

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

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 , Chasing Community – Barbara Bradford Ottinger
FRIDAY Dance With Jesus Linkup – Susan B. Mead , Grace and Truth Linkup – Arabah Joy , Counting My Blessings – Deb Wolf, Fresh Market Friday – Crystal Twaddell

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{New Series} New Heart

This New Heart devotion is #3 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 what I have so far: INTRO/NEW STRENGTH, NEW BEGINNINGS, 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 HEART

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heat of flesh.”

Ezekiel 36:21 NIV

I don’t want the same-old, same-old from life anymore. This year needs to be exciting! I’m determined to live all-out and find adventure because Jesus said that He came to give us ‘life more abundantly’¹, not life more predictable.

So this year doesn’t end up in routine I’ve planned for some adventure. To start, I’m flying to Edmonton for a conference and challenging the great white north, then we’re taking a vacation and ticking a few things off our bucket list. In March, Todd and I are headed to Guatemala for a mission’s trip…and that’s just the first three months of this year.

NEW HEART

God had Ezekiel speak hope into the lives of His people. Zeke encouraged them that God desired to remove their hearts that were hard like stones and give each of them a new heart. So, what does having a new heart have to do with living a life of adventure? Lots. You see, when I had a heart of stone I lived bound. Bound to worry, fear, resentment, hopelessness and negativity.

When I let God into my hurt and allowed Him to heal my heart He actually took out that heart of stone and gave me a heart of flesh.

A heart of flesh is beating, not bound.

God didn’t set us free to have us sit in the pew. The Bible is full of people living out exciting adventures, not boring people who played it safe. When God truly sets your heart free it’s not afraid to live.

If you’re reading this devotion and you realize that you have a bound, heart of stone, let this be the year that your heart is healed. Then, let that new heart beat inside of you to fulfill the exciting adventure God has planned for your life!

Prayer

Father…Thank You for caring about me. I want to receive your great offer for an exchange; my hard heart for a soft beating one. Please place a totally new heart in me. Help me to get rid of the things that keep my heart bound so I can live the life you have for me. In Jesus Name…Amen

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

1 John 10:10

[tweetthis]A heart of flesh is beating, not bound.[/tweetthis]

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

Read More