purpose Archives - Sherry Stahl

purpose

Where You Are Is Preparing You For Where You’re Going

Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian. And he led the flock to the back of the desert, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.
~Exodus 3:1 NKJV

Where You Are

Have you ever felt overlooked? Like you were living on the back side of the desert where no one noticed you? Wasting your life, squandering your potential? Do you question your life wondering, what am I doing here?

There are times in life when you don’t understand your circumstances. The difficulty doesn’t seem to have a purpose. I imagine this is what Moses might have thought when he was tending his father-in-law’s flocks “on the back side of the desert”.

Moses was born with a purpose and raised to rule. Miraculously drawn out of the water by Pharaoh’s daughter, Moses was the one boy under two years old spared from the genocide of Israeli baby boys sanctioned by her father. Then, Moses grew up in the Egyptian palace as Pharaoh’s grandson and we know he looked the part because when he ran away to the desert, the girls he protected said, “An Egyptian rescued us.”1

“As shepherd of his father-in-law’s flocks, Moses gained first-hand geographical knowledge of the territory surrounding the Gulf of Aqabah. Little did he realize that through this area he would one day lead the great nation of Israel.”2

The Desert Is a Place of Preparation That Produces Purpose

Moses ended up back on Mount Horeb when leading the Israelite’s towards The Promised Land. In this very spot God used him miraculously to strike the rock and water gushed out.3 Moses also encountered God on this very mountain in powerful ways and was used by God to bring the 10 Commandments to His people.4

Where Moses Went

Moses had no clue that this time at the back side of the desert was preparation for his purpose… you have no clue how God is preparing you for your purpose. Like Moses, the place you serve could one day be the area where you lead.

Where You’re Going

So, today, choose to see your circumstances as training grounds, not punishment or places of neglect. God hasn’t abandoned you in the desert. Know that where you are, is preparing you for where you’re going.

Prayer

Father… I thank You that the desert is a place of preparation that produces purpose. You don’t waste the struggles in our lives but instead, if we submit ourselves to You in the midst of them, You will bring about beautiful things in the desert. Produce Your purpose in me! In Jesus Name…Amen
1. Exodus 3:1
2. Philippians 1:6
3. Jeremiah 29:11
4. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
If you liked the refreshing in this #SoulH2O devotion, you’ll love my latest Soul H2O Devotional book: 40 Thirst Quenching Devotions for Women from our Legacy Works Online Store.

ENDNOTES
1. Exodus 2:16-19
2. NIV Archaeological Study Bible, New International Version. © 2005 Zondervan: Grand Rapids, MI. Note on Exodus 3:1 pg. 88.
3. Exodus 17
4. Exodus 19-20, 34
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God Made You to Fly Like an Arrow

Do you ever feel like you don’t have a purpose? That your life is never going to hit the mark?

Today’s #soulh2o devotion will increase your confidence to believe God Made you To Fly Like an Arrow… And Hit The Bullseye!
```
He made my mouth like a sharpened sword,
in the shadow of his hand
he hid me;
he made me into a polished arrow 
and concealed me in his quiver.
He said to me, 
"You are my servant… in whom 
I will display my splendor."
~Isaiah 49:2-3 NIV
#flylikeanarrow
```
This verse.

For the past year, it’s been swirling around my head, soaking deep into my soul. I know when this happens it’s God developing a sermon in me, that will one day flow through me. The intensity of this message has been building in my heart. I can feel it beating… louder and louder, reverberating in my chest.

The Master Archer

I sense the bow in God’s hand is drawing back. He’s pulling further and further back till His hand is behind his head, so this arrow can fly far. I can’t wait to share all God’s been showing me but today I feel impressed to release just a droplet from this ocean of learning.

The arrow in God’s hand is me.

The arrow in God’s hand is you.

God Made You To Fly Like An Arrow

In Isaiah 49, God is speaking to His people and using the imagery of archery to fire home a message, hitting the bullseye in my heart.

The message isn’t neat. I’d love for the points to all start with the same letter, but they don’t. There are 3 P’s, then an H, followed by another P. Picked, Perfected, Pulled Back, then Hidden… to be Propelled. It’s messier than I’d prefer… much like my life! While researching for this message, I came across a statement that helped me to better accept the windy path this arrow has been released to follow:

“The saying “straight as an arrow” really isn’t true.
When an arrow is released from a bow,
it bends and twists its way to the target,
rather than keep its perfectly-straight form.”1

“Straight” As An Arrow

The words this writer used to describe the path of the arrow explain how my life, and maybe yours has gone. He describes how the arrow bends, twists, and wobbles, with different parts moving at different speeds… yet it all works together to pierce the mark.

Our lives seldom are on the ‘straight shot’ trajectory. There are twists and turns, bends in the road, times when you’re wobbly in the knees or periods when one part of your life is moving forward at breakneck speeds, and another is falling apart… but all are signs that God is propelling you towards the mark; the destiny for which He’s purposed you for.

I pray the message in today’s Soul H₂O devotion pierces into the deepest places of your heart, so you see that God Picked You… He’s Perfecting You… there’s Purpose in being Pulled Back… and when God Hides You in His quiver… it’s so He can Propel You Forward!

God Made You To Fly Like An Arrow

Prayer

Father… I’m going to rest in the truth that You’re at work. Whether I’m in the perfecting, hiding, pulling back or propelling phase, help me to relax and let you move me forward; in Your perfect timing. In Jesus Name…Amen

[tweetthis]You were made, to fly like an arrow! 🏹 #flyfar #archery #arrow[/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.

1. Isaiah 49:2-3
2. 2 Thessalonians 1:10
3. Isaiah 43:21
4. 1 Peter 2:9

ENDNOTES
1 https://worldarchery.org/news/146270/why-do-arrows-bend World Archer Website Accessed: 2019-06-04

#musicpic SONG: Burn Bright
Makes Me Feel: loved, cherished, special, I have a purpose, my life counts for something—something good!
Sung By: Natalie Grant
Website: https://www.nataliegrant.com/
Album: Hurricane © 2013
Written By: Stephanie Rachel Lewis, Bernie Herms, Natalie Diane Grant, David E Moffitt
Spotify Link: https://open.spotify.com/track/2aUnkQOVJfRLUzJgGApqEX?si=zF3TKpMDQQWCPrz7-JsD6g
Official Youtube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1n0jbzBQZKc
AZ Lyrics: https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/nataliegrant/burnbright.html
My favorite lines as recorded on AZ Lyrics (link above):
```
You were made to shine
You were made for life…
You were made for more, so much more
Child of everlasting light…
So baby burn bright
```
#Dare2
SharePost in the Comment Section below and bolster the faith of someone else!

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God Doesn't Make Junk

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Ephesians 2:10 NIV
Tonight Shelby was watching a show on Plastic Surgeries gone wrong. So many people who struggle with their self-esteem choosing to go “under the knife” to make them feel better about themselves. I know that there is nothing wrong with people choosing to have plastic surgery, but too often it starts and ends with an unhealthy mindset that you aren’t made well, leaving the person with an even more diminished self-worth. I guess no one has ever read them this verse and explained to them that God doesn’t make junk!
You are God’s handiwork. You are created by God and fashioned by His hand. Think about that. God, who is perfect, made YOU! God doesn’t make junk. We know from the creation story that everything God creates He thinks is good but, when He creates people, He says they are VERY good! You are made VERY good, no matter what anyone says, or how you feel.
When we have an unhealthy view of ourselves it affects every area of our lives. If the enemy can get us believing that we weren’t made that well, then he can get us sidetracked from our purpose in life. We’ll be focused on fixing ourselves instead of fulfilling the good works that God has prepared for us to do. Believe who God says you are and you will fulfill the destiny He has prepared for you!
PRAYER
Father…Help me to see myself the way that you see me. I thank-you for creating me the way you did. Help me to see the greatness you have placed inside of me so that I may live to do all you have prepared in advance for me to accomplish. In Jesus Name…Amen!

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Eagle Push

Yesterday’s devotional had me researching all about Eagles. For years I keep thinking about taking time to study Eagles. I find them fascinating. One of those ideas you think about, but don’t seem to get around to doing 🙁 In my research I found this amazing Youtube Video called, “EVEN EAGLES NEED A PUSH, The Power of Encouragement” by David McNally and Mac Anderson. It helps give you a visual of what Deuteronomy 32:11 was talking about and how “The Push” can be the greatest gift you give or receive.
If you haven’t read my devotional yet, you might want to read it first, then watch the video. I think you’ll get way more out of the video and the devotional.
xoxo
~Sherry
Click HERE to watch the “EVEN EAGLES NEED A PUSH, The Power of Encouragement” Video
Click HERE to read David McNally’s Blog.

Book The Push, Unleashing The Power Of Encouragement.

Click On The Book To Purchase.

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