A Real Chip Off The Old Block

Have you ever heard the saying…
She or he’s a real chip off the old block?

Soul H2O Devotion

A Real Chip Off The Old Block

I can look at my kids and see their gifts and misgivings. Most often I recognize how the way they are, seems to be a lot like me. Brandon has always cared about the underdog and never been good at sleeping because he hates to miss out on things. Shelby’s a geek with excel like me, she’s fun-loving like her momma and inherited the clutzy gene too.

Their chips, are often chunks off the old block.

“Chip Off The Old Block”

That phrase a chip off the old block makes me think of Isaiah 51:1 that challenges us to inquire about things, to ask the deeper questions when it says:

“Listen to me, all who hope for deliverance— all who seek the LORD! Consider the rock from which you were cut, the quarry from which you were mined.
Isaiah 51:1 NLT

Do you realize what this verse is getting you to ask?

Who’s the block you’ve been chopped off?

The Block & Chip Maker

Psalm 139:13-14 confirms that God created and formed you in your mother’s womb and Genesis 1:27 makes clear that God made you in His image, are you starting to see that Isaiah 51:1 is hinting that you’re a chip off the old block from the one who made you in HIS image?

No matter if you’re short, tall, skinny, curvy, shy, bold, dark skinned, freckled or fair… how you’ve been made is wonderful. You’re a real chip off the old block and your creator is so happy with his work! Don’t let the enemy of your soul cause you to feel less than.

Live in the confidence that God made you and He loves you! You are A Real Chip Off The Old Block, made in the image of God, how can you be anything, but good?

Prayer

Father… Thank You God for recording truth in Your Word that tells me what You think about me. Help me combat the lies I’ve believed about myself and help this new revelation sink deep into my soul. I am a chip off Your block, created in Your image. I am good! In Jesus Name…Amen

Wanna go a little deeper?

In Episode 120 on the Soul H2O Show I go a little deeper with this devotion and share some more insights to help build confidence in WHO GOD SAYS YOU ARE!

Verses to help fill up your well.

1. Isaiah 51:1-2
2. Psalm 139:13-14
3. Genesis 1:27
4. Romans 8:1

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A Real Chip Off The Old Block EP #120

Kathi Lipp vulnerably shares about her struggles with host Sherry Stahl, as they talk about how your most difficult issues can actually be a tool for connection with others. http://www.soulh2o.com/120

#musicpic

#musicpic SONG:
Overcome by Elevation Worship

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/mvF9Hc5XZOo
Soul H2O Spotify Playlist: Online | On App

Where it all began

Want to read the first Soul H2O Devotion?
Repeats (Do Not Worry)

https://www.sherrystahl.com/repeats/

If 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!

ENDNOTES

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Gather The Girls Together!

Right from the heart of God… a call to Gather The Girls Together!

Soul H2O Devotion

The Lord said, Gather The People Together
and I will give them water.
Numbers 21:16

Gather The Girls Together

I read this verse and was blown away that I’d never noticed it before. It was a timely word the Lord brought to my attention earlier this week. I feel it was just another confirmation that we’re doing the right thing by putting the Refresh Conference on next Saturday. Answering an ancient call to gather God’s people together, so they can be refreshed by Him!

Where The People Were At

In the portion of Scripture where this verse comes from, the people of God were tired and worn out. They’d been fighting battle after battle. One of their favourite leaders; Aaron, the brother of Moses had just died. They wandered around the desert, thirsty for water to feed their bodies and souls.

The struggle was so intense it says in verses 4-5 of this chapter that they began to grumble and complain about how difficult their circumstances were and God got fed up with their bad attitude.

I know you’d never be like that, but me…
I might be a little #guilty of it!

I Don’t Have It All Figured Out

I don’t write this to you as someone who’s gotten this right all the time, but someone who keeps picking herself off the floor whenever she falls. God sees your human frailty and loves you in spite of it.

This verse is so amazing to me because right after the people failed their test of faith, God still gives them a promise and brings them to the water.

I believe God has something great for you at the Refresh Conference. It’s no mistake you bought a ticket, or someone bought it for you.

Get Yourself Ready

I encourage you to start spending time in prayer today, asking God to prepare your heart for what He’s about to do in you! I know He wants to build you UP!

We’ve been gathering HIS girls online for the past couple of years and now *live* an in-person! If you’re one of the girls who’s answered the call and is coming the Refresh Conference next Saturday… I can’t wait to see you!

If you know of anyone sitting on the fence about coming or God has brought them to your mind as you’re reading, why not contact them and see if they might join you… but don’t delay, today is the last day to buy tickets (details below).

Hope to cya soon!

In His Grip,
Sherry
xoxo

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Get Your Tickets Today

Because tomorrow you can’t!

Refresh Conference
GRAB A GIRLFRIEND & JOIN US! Saturday, October 22, 2022 | 10am – 4pm EST LakePoint Family Church – Leamington, ON
CLICK ON REFRESH PAGE

💧 Sherry Stahl is the keynote speaker

💧 Brianne Danter is the worship leader

💧 6 Breakout Session Options

💧 Lunch & Snacks served

⏰ Tickets on sale *ONLY* until Fri. Oct. 14, 2022 ⏰

Check the webpage for full details: https://www.sherrystahl.com/refresh/

Conference put on by Soul H2O Ministries in partnership with Lakepoint Family Church.

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#musicpic

#musicpic SONG:
Overcome by Elevation Worship

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/mvF9Hc5XZOo
Soul H2O Spotify Playlist: Online | On App

Tuning In God’s Voice | EP #69

Tuning In God’s Voice is Part 4 in the Hearing God’s Voice Series on the Soul H2O Radio & Podcast Show Episode #69. You can find the Show Notes at http://www.soulh2o.com/69

Where it all began

Want to read the first Soul H2O Devotion?
Repeats (Do Not Worry)

https://www.sherrystahl.com/repeats/

If 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!

ENDNOTES

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Costumes For Candy And To Conceal

When I was little, I wore costumes for candy, but as I got older, I’ve been known to wear costumes to conceal. How about you?

Soul H2O Devotion

Costumes For Candy

Children will be dressing up in costumes on Sunday to walk their neighborhoods in search of candy. I used to love this time as a kid and so did my children. Beyond all the candy, dressing up was so much fun!

Cute Costumes

This is a picture of my favorite costume, Raggedy Ann. I’m sitting with my cousin Angie and my sister Pebbles, I mean Lori. Weren’t we cute? My mom used to sew and made a lot of our costumes but this will go down as my fave! As the years go on, I appreciate the painstaking effort mom put into making that wig, gluing each strand of yarn onto what I can’t remember. {Thanks Mom!}

The First Costumes

As I was thinking about wearing costumes, my thoughts went straight to Adam and Eve in the garden. This is the first time in history where people put something on to disguise themselves.

“They sewed fig trees together and made coverings for themselves.”
Genesis 3:7

Right after Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, guilt overwhelmed them and created a desire to hide. Shrouded in shame, they crafted the first costumes known to mankind out of some fig leaves.

Costumes To Conceal

Everyone has the tendency to be like Adam and Eve when it comes to dressing up, concealing so people can’t see your frailty, your failings, your brokenness, your sin. We’re afraid that if people see who we really are they won’t accept us, worse yet, that God will reject us. That’s what Adam and Eve thought was going to happen in their relationship with God, and I’m guessing you’ve feared that a time or too yourself?

Hiding In The Fear Of Being Rejected

I’m so thankful that Adam and Eve’s fears of God rejecting them didn’t materialize. Sure… they reaped the consequences of their bad choices, but God never rejected them. God never pulled His love away. Instead, He sought after Adam and Eve and then, set into motion a plan for salvation that wouldn’t just “cover-over” their sin but wipe it completely away through Christ’s work on the cross.

There’s no need for you to hide from God. Take off whatever costume you’ve been wearing to conceal yourself and let His love in!

Prayer

Father…I’m so thankful that You don’t reject me. Your Word promises this over and over. Help me to shut the lies of the enemy down that tell me I should cover-up who I am and hide. Help me to lay my heart bare before You so I can experience Your unconditional grace, mercy, love, and acceptance. In Jesus Name…Amen

Verses to help fill up your well.

1.Genesis 2:25
2. Genesis 3:7
3. Genesis 3:8
4. Romans 8:38-39

Soul H2O Resources

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Splash Online Event

It’s the season for wearing costumes. Have you ever felt like the character or person you dressed up as?
Dress UP – To Find Out Who You Are our October Online Splash event is hosted by Sherry Stahl and the #SoulH2O Team.
October 28, 2021 @ 8pm EST

Join us in the Soul H₂O Splash Facebook Group or sign up for Splash emails in the group and see us on Zoom.

If 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!

ENDNOTES

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Nehemiah–Wash Behind Your Hears

Good Morning! In the past few months my computer has been in the shop a few times and it decided to crash again. I know from many of your emails that these Monday morning devotions are a boost to your week so even though I can’t access my devotions I’m still posting one. It’s the first devotion from my hubby’s book (Details below) and it’s really good! Be encouraged today as you read and no matter what happens…DON’T GIVE UP!!!

Nehemiah--Wash Behind Your Hears...

God holds me head and shoulders above all who try to pull me down…Already I’m singing God-songs; I’m making music to God.
—PSALM 27:6

Many times in my life, I have given too much thought to background noise. Those voices attempt to make you think aspects of your life are falling apart. You anticipate that the future will be a scary place, or the walls feel as if they’re pressing in on you like a vice. Do not allow those sounds to be played. God has provided courage and faith to confront your fear and anxiety.

Nehemiah, a mighty man in the Bible, encountered an excellent example of this dilemma. At a time when he could have been comfortable with his highly honored position of cupbearer for the king, God spoke to him, confirming that he would be the lead man to reconstruct the walls around the city of Jerusalem.

During the physical work, Nehemiah heard sounds of criticism, verbal attacks, and false accusations day in and day out. Nehemiah refused to listen. He kept his focus. Not only did he refuse to crumble to the background noise, he and his construction crew completed the job in record time!

Don’t be surprised if the devil starts heating up the adversity when you pursue a goal that God has confirmed in your heart. In your own life, scrub away those words or thoughts that have held you back from spiritual growth. Listen for the voice of encouragement. Open your spiritual ears to hear what God is saying to you today.

The enemy desires nothing better than to play the sounds of negativity, doubt, and confusion in our minds, hoping we’ll lose focus. These words are attempts to smother the dreams God placed in us to fulfill. Turn off the old playlist of doubt and fear. Download the new sounds God has given to you—lyrics of hope, anticipation, and excitement towards a future that is music to your hears!

Prayer

Father…Help me today to focus on You and Your plan for my life. Please help me to “tune in” to your station so I hear Your voice of encouragement and not the negative voice of the enemy as I move forward towards Your great purposes for my life! In Jesus Name…Amen.

Todd’s book, 40 Days In The Man Cave is available everywhere books are sold!

Check Out Todd’s Website http://www.toddstahl.ca

Does Forgiveness Equal Restored Relationship?

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Follow God’s example…”
Ephesians 4:32-5:1 NIV

Life is so generous to give us lots of opportunities to extend forgiveness to people who hurt us. What’s the proper response to offence? Do we always have to forgive?

Does forgiveness =equal= restored relationship?

If we are to follow God’s example, as this verse instructs us, then forgiveness is a must and restored relationships need to be our intent.

Sadly, I don’t think forgiveness can always lead to restored relationships, and we see that in Jesus’ relationship with the Pharisees.

Isaiah 59:2 explains that our sin is an offence to God, separating us in our relationship with Him. The more we sin and the longer we continue offending Him, the more distant our relationship with Him becomes. Forgiveness can take place in an instant when a prayer is whispered, but it takes time to rebuild a relationship with God.

Restoration happens when we take ownership of our offense and change our ways. We have to go through a process to rebuild our closeness with the Father.

The same principle needs to be applied to our earthly relationships.

We must forgive others for their offenses towards us. If we don’t, it keeps us bound in bitterness. It’s healthy to learn that a restored relationship is separate from forgiveness and requires a healing process.

When approaching relationship restoration, we need to consider the whole counsel of scripture.

Proverbs 4:23 warns,

“Guard your heart above all else,
for it determines the course of your life” (NLT).

Proverbs 22:24 cautions,

“Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person,
do not associate with one easily angered...”

Forgiveness + Ownership + Repentence = Restored Relationship

Sometimes you’ll need to forgive and protect yourself from unhealthy or even toxic relationships. In the best of times, forgiveness leads to a better, stronger restored relationship.

Prayer:

Father, I thank You for Your forgiveness. I ask for the grace to forgive others in my life who have hurt and offended me. I take myself out of the judge’s seat and release them to Your judgement and justice. Please help me to guard my heart, without closing it in the area of relationship restoration. May I walk in Your wholeness. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Ephesians 4:32
Isaiah 59:2
Proverbs 22:24–25
Proverbs 4:23

This post was first published on January 19, 2014 and then included in my first Soul H2O Devotional book: 40 Thirst Quenching Devotions for Women.
Devotion #17 – Forgiveness and Restored Relationship. The original devotion also inspired a #musicpic post called, The Forgiveness Song

Leadership Leads… Good or Bad

“...from the prophets of Jerusalem 
ungodliness has spread throughout the land.” 
Jeremiah 23:15  NIV

All my John Maxwell training is going to be put to the test in three and a half weeks when I’ll be moderating a panel on Leadership at the Women’s Connection District Retreat in Grimsby, Ontario. {If you’re going, make sure to stop by my table and say hello!}

I have some amazing ladies on the panel who hold various organizational leadership roles in business, government positions, church leadership, and home management. The goal is to elevate the confidence of women in leadership positions and practically help improve their skills, enabling them to walk further and faster into the destiny God has for their lives.

As we’ve been preparing for the panel, I can’t help but look back and rate my skillfulness as a leader. Lots of passes, and plenty of fails. My thoughts went back to my first leadership position as a big sister. 🙂

Sometimes, my little sister, Lori would follow me around playing ‘Copycat’. Remember that annoying childhood game where people followed you around; often one-step behind you, repeating every word you said, copying move you made? Lori used to drive me crazy doing this! Thankfully, we’ve grown up and now have a great relationship! {Don’t we look cute together now 🙂 } As a “big sister” I hope I’ve given Lori more good examples to follow than bad ones! No matter how small your leadership role may seem, it will have a huge impact because

Leadership Leads…Good or Bad!

RECOGNIZING YOUR REACH

Sometimes we minimize the effect our leadership has in the home, school, court, field, rink, church or place of employment. Whenever God has elevated you to a place of leadership, people are going to follow in your footsteps—It’s a scary thing!

A friend once said to me,

“I was forced to go to church and I won’t put my kids through that.
I don’t want them to be forced to live what I believe but to be able to choose for themselves.”

Since she never took her kids to church, they simply followed her lead and have seldom gone to church because they were never given another option to choose from. Failure to give guidance is, in fact, leading, since it causes people to blindly follow your example and not know why.

[tweetthis]You’re leading, even when you try not to lead. #leadership [/tweetthis]

Our leadership in life is followed,
much more than we recognize.

Today’s verse comes from the book of Jeremiah. In his time, many of the prophets weren’t leading well. They weren’t proclaiming God’s word to the people, but instead speaking what they knew the people wanted to hear, so they would keep following them… following them down the wrong path.

These false prophets were sharing a watered-down message with false hopes that led the people to be disappointed in God; causing them to turn away from Him. Jeremiah had to swim against the tide of his time as their poisonous message,

“spread throughout the land”.

Leadership was difficult for Jeremiah, but he knew his responsibility was to clear the path for others, so they could follow the right way; because

[tweetthis]Leadership Leads… Good or Bad #leadership[/tweetthis]

So, what’s going to spread in the future as people follow you?

Prayer

Father… I’m overwhelmed when I recognize that you have given me such influence in my world. Help me to be wise with my words and actions so that my life impacts others to know and love you more! May others follow your plans for their lives as they see me chasing after the destiny you’ve set before me. In Jesus name…Amen

I WILL RISE
Women’s Connection Conference

https://womensconnection.ca/events/conference

If you’re in the area, I hope you’ll join us
Don’t forget to sign up for the Leadership Panel}.

Ephesians 1:5
Hebrews 13:7
James 3:1
1 Timothy 4:12

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!

Other posts about my journey with John C. Maxwell, the JMTeam, or John’s Books:
John C. Maxwell And God Want You To Be A Talent-Plus Person
Mentored to Lead by John C. Maxwell

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Do you Take Time For Self-Care?

After David had finished talking with Saul, 
Jonathan became one in spirit with David,
and he loved him as himself.
~1 Samuel 18:1 NIV

This post was inspired by a Florida vacation with a 7-day Caribbean Cruise in the middle!!! {Insert PARTY sounds and cue the streamers}.

Our Christmas gift from Todd’s parents this year was, shall we say… a little over the top, thank you Jesus 🙂 Ma and Pa Stahl took Todd and I, along with his sister and brother-in-law for a dream vacation on an Oasis of The Seas cruise—God Bless ‘Em! Thankfully none of us were too sun-burnt at the point of sending this email.

So, why would I write about my cruise in a devotion?

I’m not trying to make you jealous if you didn’t get away from the snow. But trust me, I have a reason. You see, going on a cruise and only getting internet for a few hours one day to work while on the ship is a HUGE form of self-care… something I haven’t been the best at.

I was brought up well to think of others but often, in the past, I would get mixed up thinking others needs were more important than mine. This faulty mindset would leave me physically, emotionally and spiritually dry… like I’m talking dried up, dusty like the desert floor, all cracked and brown… and that’s no way to live!

The Bible Tells You To Be Good To Yourself

Our English language often falls short in translation from Hebrew and the word ‘love’ is one of those difficult to translate words since the Hebrew language has 3 words for love when the English language only has one¹. The Hebrew word used for “love” between David and Jonathan here is much different than the Hebrew root word for love used in much of The Songs of Solomon to describe a more sensual love.

The word love in this week’s verse is also used in GN 44:30 to describe love between a father and son² and then used in verse 16 of this same chapter to define the nation of Israel’s love for David as a war hero.

When I read today’s verse the ending hit me, “he loved him as himself”. Jonathan loved David… but not more than he loved himself…

Therefore, Jonathan loved himself.

Those thoughts reminded me of Jesus words in Mark 12:31,

“Love your neighbor as yourself”.

Next, I thought about when Elijah was suffering burn-out and God didn’t scold or tell him to pull-up his boot-straps and get going. No. God led Elijah in 1 Kings 19 to a few days of self-care or what I often call soul-care. I also thought about how Jesus took time away to recharge from the crowds. In the past two years, I’ve been growing in the understanding of the truth 3 John 1:2 teaches that we will only prosper, as our soul prospers and we’re in good health. You have to take care of your body, soul, (mind, will & emotions) and spirit.

Soul H₂O is a necessity!

Reading this devotion is hopefully one way you do that. When I’m writing well, it should help refresh your spirit and parts of your soul but it’s not enough to build you up completely. God created you: body, soul and spirit so you need to ensure you’re taking care of yourself in all areas.

Do You Take Time For Self-Care?

This week why not take the time to review your schedule.
Are you allowing enough time for self-care each week?

If you are, then pat yourself on the back and keep doing what you’re doing. If you’re not; then change your ways 🙂 You don’t want to end up in breakdown mode as Elijah did! God Wants you to be good to yourself, He’s given you permission and been the example… now be like Nike and Just Do It!

Prayer

Father… I’m so thankful for your love. It’s comforting to know, You don’t love me so You can get something out of me. You love me for me. Wow! On some days, I really don’t understand why but help me to grow in this understanding of Your love, so I can better care for myself. Help me to be good to myself. In Jesus Name…Amen

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. 1 Samuel 18:1
2. Mark 12:31
3. Matthew 11:26-30; Luke 5:16 (Both verses very clear about what Jesus thinks about self-care in The Message Translation)
4. 3 John 1:2

 ENDNOTES

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#Dare2
SharePost in the Comment Section below and bolster the faith of someone else!

Be blessed & refreshed,

I Was Shortlisted For a Word Guild Award!

I’ve got to confess…I’m nervous writing this post. Fear, insecurity…and admittedly a bit of pride has kept me from posting this news, until now. When I first found out that I was shortlisted for a Word Guild Award I was ecstatic and immediately posted the news on Facebook. After I made the post I got nervous. When I looked at who was also shortlisted my elation turned to deflation. I felt I really didn’t stand much of a chance in winning and worried what people would think if I posted about it and lost. Yes…I’m completely human too 🙂

Since the Facebook post, I haven’t told many people. Today I was talking about it with Todd and my stepson Brandon when Brandon gave me some advice I would share with a friend. He said, “Sherry, it’s an honour just to be nominated and shortlisted.” How do kids get so smart 🙂

So, here’s my formal announcement…drum roll please…

I Was Shortlisted For a Word Guild Award!

Woohoo!!!!

I am completely honoured that a post on my Soul H2O Blog has been shortlisted in the following Category with two talented writers. Whomever wins, we’re all blessed to be considered.

Check Here to see the full Word Guild Awards Shortlist

Shortlisted Category: Article – Inspirational/Devotional

Carolyn Arends of Surrey, B.C. for “Artful Discipleship” (Faith Today)
Daniel Blackwell of North York, Ont. for “Taking Off the Masks – The need for recovery groups in our churches” (Testimony Magazine)
Sherry Stahl of Leamington, Ont. for “The Women Of The Christmas Story – The Teenager” (https://sherrystahl.com/the-women-of-the-christmas-story-the-teenager/)

Carolyn Arends is an amazing Christian Recording Artist that I’ve listened to for years. She’s a very accomplished author, speaker, professor and Director of Education for Renovaré…Do you sleep Carolyn? 🙂 Daniel Blackwell is not to be mistaken for the Danny Blackwell of Maryland who shot at his wife for taking a bite out of his grilled cheese sandwich! And no, I’m not making that up, check it out for yourself in the Global News Report. You just can’t make that stuff up 🙂 I believe that this Danny Blackwell is a guy I went to Bible College with but haven’t seen since my second year at E.P.B.C (now MCS). I guess I’ll have to see at the Awards Gala!

In just one week Todd and I will be traveling to Toronto for the 2017 Word Guilds Award Gala and I’m even preparing a speech…just in case 🙂

GET YOUR POM-POMS READY &
CHECK ON THIS LINK FOR A POST-AWARDS UPDATE 🙂

Celebrating The Women Of The Christmas Story – The Teenager

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

When You’re Really Down

“Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again–my Savior and my God!”
Psalm 42:5, 42:11, 43:5 NLT

Have you ever been so down that you thought you might never get up? I was having one of those days. My mind was spiralling into the depths of despair and I started to cry while working at my computer so, I decided to stop working and start relying.

[tweetthis]This devotion is written for those times when you’re really down.[/tweetthis]

I can totally relate to David’s feelings in these verses. Can’t you? David repeats himself three times because once just wasn’t enough. Have you been there?

That’s where I was this morning. I started off feeling discouraged so I put on Christian music and that helped for a while. Then the feelings came back and I got so sad I began to cry and let God know what was going on in my life (‘cause He didn’t already know!?!).

[tweetthis]Sadly, I was magnifying my problems and not my God. [/tweetthis]

I knew I needed to be more assertive on this attack so I decided to go upstairs and get into the Word.

SCRIPTURE CARDS

For the past few years I’ve been compiling scriptures on certain areas of struggle for me in these ringed cue cards and often find strength in them. At first, I began to read the scriptures but that wasn’t changing anything. I knew reading wasn’t enough to defeat the lies of the enemy swirling around in my head so, I got serious and began to declare those verses out loud; even inserting my name to personalize them. I spoke these verses out like prayers to my God and kept declaring until it happened. A verse almost leapt off the page and into my heart. To be honest, I don’t think it really had much to do with that one verse but more with the compound effect of all the verses I had declared over my life that morning.

Peace, joy and hope began to overflow and the discouraging sadness was broken. I put my hope in God and now I’m singing His praises again!

When you’re really down, you need to do something, heck sometimes you need to do a bunch of things. Taking your thoughts captive and making them obedient to Christ¹isn’t easy but when you do, you’re not down anymore!

Prayer

Father…I thank You for the power I can access in You and Your Word. I’m choosing to Speak Your Scripture over my struggles; Your truth over my trouble. I refuse to live “under the circumstances” of my life but to rise above victorious in Your Name, the name that is above all names! In Jesus Name…Amen

[tweetthis]Speak Scripture over your struggles; God’s truth over your trouble.[/tweetthis]

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2 Corinthians 10:5

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

Launch Out Into The Deep

“When he had stopped speaking, he said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a catch.”
Luke 5:4 NKJV

Two weeks ago I ticked one item off my bucket list. For my longtime readers you know that I come from a racing family. Well, this drag racing girl drove a stock car her very first time at an oval track! For my birthday Todd bought me the “Rusty Wallace Racing Experience” so I could check off attending a driving school from my bucket list. I hadn’t driven a standard car in decades, so I forgot how they launch forward when coming out of gear. I wasn’t very fast on the bends, but this drag chick put the peddle to the metal on the straightaways. Next time I’ll master the curve!

Luke 5 tells the story of Jesus calling His first disciples. After Jesus commandeers Simon Peter’s fishing boat to preach a message for the growing crowd, He spends time with the fishermen in the boats. After a long night of fishing these men had been washing their nets ready to go home. They hadn’t caught a fish all night when the carpenter/preacher instructs the fishermen to launch out into the deep and let down their nets for a catch.

I can only imagine how tired they were. I’m sure the thoughts of more work doing the same thing that didn’t work all night long wasn’t on the top of their bucket list, but when the men followed Jesus’ advice they landed the greatest haul of fish they had ever caught.

Understanding the word launch means “to throw forward, catapult, send off…put into operation…set in motion,,,spring forward…make a start”¹, helps me to see that Jesus instructions for the boys to launch out into the deep was the call that catapulted them forward into the plan God had for their lives. Obedience, followed up with some hard work shifted their lives into high gear.

[tweetthis]Obedience, followed up with some hard work can shift our lives into high gear.[/tweetthis]

God has opened up the opportunity to run a full scale book launch for the Soul H2O Devotional. It’s exciting and scary; deep waters always are. I believe the book launch has the potential to catapult my calling into new arenas that God has for me. So, how about you? What might God be asking you to launch out into the deep with today?

Prayer

Father…Thank You for staying in the boat when you ask me to launch out into the deep. Help me to remember that I’m not alone. You’re with me, guiding me at every turn. Let my obedience and hard work catapult me forward, racing towards the goals You’ve set for me! In Jesus Name…Amen

¹ https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/launch

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Soul H2O

Soul H2O Devotion

A Real Chip Off The Old Block

“Chip Off The Old Block”

The Block & Chip Maker

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Wanna go a little deeper?

Verses to help fill up your well.

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A Real Chip Off The Old Block EP #120

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Where it all began

Soul H2O Devotion

Where The People Were At

I Don’t Have It All Figured Out

Get Yourself Ready

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Tuning In God’s Voice | EP #69

Where it all began

Soul H2O Devotion

Costumes For Candy

Cute Costumes

The First Costumes

Costumes To Conceal

Hiding In The Fear Of Being Rejected

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Verses to help fill up your well.

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Nehemiah--Wash Behind Your Hears...

Prayer

Does forgiveness =equal= restored relationship?

Forgiveness + Ownership + Repentence = Restored Relationship

Prayer:

Leadership Leads…Good or Bad!

RECOGNIZING YOUR REACH

Our leadership in life is followed, much more than we recognize.

[tweetthis]Leadership Leads… Good or Bad #leadership[/tweetthis]

So, what’s going to spread in the future as people follow you?

Prayer

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

So, why would I write about my cruise in a devotion?

The Bible Tells You To Be Good To Yourself

Therefore, Jonathan loved himself.

Soul H2O is a necessity!

Do You Take Time For Self-Care?

Prayer

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

I Was Shortlisted For a Word Guild Award!

Shortlisted Category: Article – Inspirational/Devotional

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“Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again–my Savior and my God!” Psalm 42:5, 42:11, 43:5 NLT

SCRIPTURE CARDS

Prayer

Prayer

SHOP

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Our leadership in life is followed,
much more than we recognize.

Soul H₂O is a necessity!

GET YOUR POM-POMS READY &
CHECK ON THIS LINK FOR A POST-AWARDS UPDATE 🙂

“Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again–my Savior and my God!”
Psalm 42:5, 42:11, 43:5 NLT