new years Archives - Sherry Stahl

new years

Catching A Vision For The Future
It’s in taking the time to look back at last year that’s helping me catch a vision for the future and I can’t wait to start living it!

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Soul H2O Devotion

Catching A Vision For The Future

It’s hard to believe that Christmas and New Year’s are behind us.

This is the time when we tend to reflect on the past year, while envisioning our hopes for the new… and that’s the headspace I’m in right now. Reviewing the past, to catch a vision for the future.

God Knows You Need A Vision of The Future

You might have heard Proverbs 29:18 quoted from the King James Version, “Where there is no vision, the people perish” but I think the ESV is closer to the original language as it translates this verse to read: “Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint,” or how the NLT says, “When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild.” And I think my favourite translation of the verse is from the CSB,

Wait For The Vision

When we’re making plans for the next year or trying to set a 5-year plan, it’s imperative that we spend time waiting on God to hear His direction; and then follow it. When I don’t, I feel like I’m running wild, taking shots in the air… and mostly missing. I don’t want to do that this year, and I’m guessing you don’t either. I want to live on purpose, on mission.

There’s a sense that this year is critical, a pivotal time in the history of the world. I want to make sure you and I are following God’s lead to make the greatest impact.

Review & Envision

I challenge you to take some time, like I did, to write out key life events from 2022 and prayerfully envision this year. If you need an example, you can see mine HERE. Then, get moving to make those dreams reality!

Prayer

Father, I thank You for giving me dreams and visions for the future. Your Word assures me that you speak to Your people, so I can be confident that you will guide me. Help me to wait for Your Word, hear it, and follow through to completion. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Sherry’s 2022 Year In Review & Vision for 2023

Check out the plans for Soul H2O Ministries that you can be a part of this year HERE.

Verses to help fill up your well.
1. Proverbs 29:18
2. Psalm 19:11
3. Exodus 32:25 (in NIV if you can)
3. Psalm 85:8
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Something New!

“For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will created rivers in the dry wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19

I can’t believe it’s 2015! This is the year my son dreamed about as a teen. He loved the “Back To The Future” movies and 2015 is the year Marty McFly visited. It isn’t quite like what he saw. There aren’t flying cars and no kids on hovering skateboards. Seldom is the future like what we envisioned it would be. Often our expectations are unrealistic at best and leave us disenchanted with hopes for things to come. This mindset can cloud out the vision God has for our lives and keep us from seeing that He is “about to do SOMETHING NEW”.

I love how the New Living Translation words this verse. I find it brings such clarity to what God is saying. God is speaking to the Israelites who understand living in the desert. Sandstorms that block all visibility keep them from seeing a hand in front of their face, let alone the new thing God is about to do. Even when we can’t see it, God is at work. He tells us in this verse that He’s “already begun” to do it. He is making ways where there is no way. He’s blazing a trail for you!

Can you see it? If the past has clouded your vision with a mindset that will keep you wandering in the desert, ask the Lord to renew your mind. Let the water of His Word wash away the old so you can see and believe He has SOMETHING NEW for YOU!

Prayer:

Father…The enemy has continually tried to kick up sandstorms to block my view from your good plans for my life. Please wipe clean my vision so I can see them. Help me to see, hope for and believe in what you show me. Let me pursue you and your plan with all my heart. In Jesus Name…Amen.

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Checkups

“Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Don’t drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourselves regular checkups.”
2 Corinthians 13:5 The Message
Years ago my friend was going out for dinner and the theatre with her hubby. She was so excited to be able to get all dressed up and go into the city for a special night out. Getting ready took a long time to create that perfect look. They went out for dinner and then to the theatre. During intermission she was in the washroom when a lady she didn’t know said, “I don’t know how to tell you this, but you have a roller in your hair!” My friend was mortified! How could she have missed it? Had her husband not even looked at her all evening? It would have been a great night for one of those regular CHECKUPS!
New Years is a great time to test yourself. My pastor pointed out how this is one of the slowest times of the year when many of us have a little time off of work and are able to rest. It’s a great time to reflect on the past year and give yourselves one of those regular CHECKUPS. If we don’t examine the way we live, human-nature will cause us to let things slide. Left unchecked we tend to go back to our old ways and stop pursuing God’s best for our lives.
This New Year’s, take the time to give yourselves a good set of CHECKUPS. Look honestly at where you are, where you want to be, and how you can take steps forward this year to bring you closer to your goals.
Prayer:
Father…My greatest desire is to live by faith, moving towards the promises You have for my life! Help me to discern areas where I’ve let things slide and also those areas You desire for me to actively pursue. This year, guide me into your perfect plan for my life so I can bring you glory! In Jesus Name…Amen.

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