JoAnna R. Stabley, Author

08/20/2026

In my quiet time with the Lord today, I was telling Him how tired I am of giving to people who seem so ungrateful. Whether it be finances, time, resources, etc.

I have given not just to cover needs but also to bless. I have given time and thought into a gift and yet later find out it was scoffed at as unworthy.

Ouch - that hits the heart!

There come waves of emotion between anger and sadness but also pity because they don't realize what they've really been given.

As I was praying about it, God reminded me of the 10 Lepers He healed in Luke 17 and how ONLY ONE out of 10 came back to say thank you. These lepers were outcasts of society due to their literal rotting flesh. They begged for mercy yet when they were given it and completely healed, they didn't once say thank you to the One who bestowed the life changing gift.

And the Lord, who is perfect in character, even questioned this in verse 17, "Jesus asked, 'Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?'"

The only one who thanked God was a foreigner (Samaritan). The rest were Jews who felt they were entitled to the gift and thus took it for granted.

He reminded me in His special way that He truly does know all our grief and struggles. For even He was saddened by the lack of gratitude when He bestowed gifts of both need and blessing.

Let us be reminded to be thankful for all His gifts as well as those gifts given to us by others. Let's live in a place of gratitude!

08/18/2026

“Releasing My Arrow”

School will soon be in session. Two out of my three children will be heading back to our local school district, but it’s the first time I’ve sent one of my own to college!

I know there are other parents like me: maybe you’re sending your child to school for the first time or sending your child off for further education or out into the work force. Whatever it may be it usually comes with a bunch of different emotions!

A few weeks ago, I woke up at 6am from a dream of moving my daughter into her residence hall at college. I woke up feeling unsettled. It wasn’t anxiety or fear; it was just a reality check that changes were ahead in all new territory. Moments like this challenge me to seek stability in what God has already spoken and promised to me.

You see He has given me words of promise over this child of mine: that she would be deeply loved by those around her due to her compassion and heartfelt care for them. I have seen as she’s grown, how God has taken past experiences and her God-given strengths in math and science and formed within her heart a desire to be a nurse. She’s thinking of being a Certified Nurse Midwife so she can welcome new life into the world but is open to wherever God leads her.

So, as I laid there that early morning after the dream of moving her into college, I chatted with my Heavenly Father about the next chapter for her as well as for this Mama.

He reminded me of how even before I was a mother, my heart was that I’d be raising warriors for the Army of God. That my children would make a difference in the world around them as they walk in faith following the plans and purposes God designed them to fulfill. Psalm 127:3 & 4 “Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him. Children born to a young man are like arrows in a warrior’s hands.”

As I set aside multiple days to pray and fast at the beginning of this year, God reminded me of Psalm 127 and asked me to pray into it.

And then that morning of the dream, He gave me the picture of my bow drawn back fully with an arrow (my daughter). I let go, released the arrow, and the unsettled feeling disappeared. He whispered, “Trust that what you’ve instilled in her – that faith in Me - that she will continue to fly True North.”

As I walk forward, releasing my arrow, or whatever comes down the path, I am reminded of what it says in Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” I don’t see the full picture of the promise yet, but I can have confidence that what God promised He will complete, just like He did for those before me.

I don’t know if you’re getting ready to “release your arrows” to college, or school, or even just step into a new territory but take comfort that God is faithful.

Just keep taking those steps forward and be amazed at the wonderous promises He fulfills!

If your heart is to raise arrows for the Kingdom of God and want to encourage your children's faith, check out my devotional "H.E.R.O. of Faith" on Amazon. A great family devotional or individual study to inspire them to be all God planned and purposed for them to be.
https://a.co/d/0fLFJQzw

Created with Purpose JoAnna R. Stabley Meet JoAnna See Latest Release Seek Out God’s Goodness My desire is to encourage people to be who God created them to be. From young readers to adults, I want people to seek out the goodness of God no matter their past life experiences or hardships. Meet JoAn...

07/15/2026

Thanks Melina for sensing the heart of my book. Glad it inspired you!

Grab yours today:
https://a.co/d/0iPQqRwo

06/18/2026

How it all began 5 years ago...

God gave me an idea for a Bible Study for my kids awhile ago and just recently I was able to write it down.

H.E.R.O.'s of Faith based on Hebrews 11

I have thought of my children as a contribution to the Army of God. And when they loved watching and dressing up as Superheroes rather than playing with tractors or cars or baby dolls, I smiled.

My children are strong-willed, determined and have passionate hearts. And my hope with this Bible Study, God gave me for them, is that they grow into "Superheroes of Faith."

Ever wonder why in Psalm 127:3-5 it refers to our children as arrows in a warriors hand and that a quiver full of them is a blessing? Because we as God's people are the weapon against Satan and his evil dominion! And there is no better time than the present for them to begin to grow into that position of strength and faith in God.

So this morning as I enjoy a quiet moment before they rise, This Warrior did the study too! Because you see, God made me to be a warrior... an Elegant Warrior... too!

Pick up a copy today! https://a.co/d/0hoAuxHd

Great for:
*Individual Study for Youth – 10 years or older
*Individual Study for Adults – those who appreciate short but inspiring devotions, especially new believers just starting to dive in to God’s Word
*Family Devotional Study
*Sunday School or Youth Church Program

05/05/2026

HERO HIGHLIGHT: Jacob

Jacob, also known as Israel, has a large family: 12 sons and also a daughter. Not much different than most families there was family struggles but much more so when Jacob singles out one son as favorite, Joseph. This favoritism creates an environment where the brothers plot harm on Joseph and sell him secretly as a slave to Egypt. Jacob lives in deep sorrow for years, believing his son is dead.

But years later, after a series of events, he is reunited with Joseph and his family's wounds are healed. Not only does Jacob bless each one of his sons before he dies, he specifically blesses both of Joseph's Egyptian-born sons. The blessing to a Hebrew God over Egyptian boys who live in one world but understand the beauty of the One True God. What Great Joy fills Jacob's heart!

Learn more about Jacob in:
"H.E.R.O. of Faith"
www.joannastabley.com

Order your copy on Amazon https://a.co/d/086Bo937

04/05/2026

04/04/2026

"For God’s way of making us right with Himself depends on faith." Philippians 3:9b

"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."
Hebrews 11:1

04/04/2026

Recently my faith has been challenged on a very personal level.... here's my story.

But first, what is faith? Hebrews 11:1 states,
"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."

Let me start by going back a few months around September / October. The Lord was softly whispering to my Spirit that He desired me to participate in an extended fast at the beginning of the year. As time grew closer to the New Year, the confirmation in my Spirit grew stronger. So on January 1, I began a fast of mostly water only. I didn't know for how long but I did know that I was contending for many things, near and dear to my heart. I fasted for 12 days before the Lord released me. I was full of expectancy of what the Lord was going to do in the future as a result of that consecrated fast with Him.

But instead of seeing amazing moves of God intervening in those prayer points, they seemed to get worse! Scenarios I thought I had dealt with and learned from, came haunting back. It felt like blow after blow to my heart. What was the Lord doing?!

As I went to prayer about it, I felt clarity that there were still things that needed alignment: some in me, some in others, some in provisions but to trust that He was allowing all this to get to the promises He had given.

One day as I was contemplating how difficult things had been, my faith was challenged. Not only did I question, "Did I hear God rightly - cause things sure aren't going like I thought they would." I had to ask myself, "Do I have faith in what God promised even though I'm not seeing the fulfillment yet?" I mean that is the Biblical definition of faith!

I have to admit I had to chuckle to myself. God has a sense of humor. Years before He had led me to write about heros of faith from Hebrews 11 and now here I stand, the author, grappling with the very content I wrote about!

It truly was a Divine Challenge.

As I considered what can be learned from these heros of faith, I grabbed ahold of the Truth that they were given promises and that because they believed without seeing first, they were counted as faithful and righteous before the Lord. God was pleased with a heart of saying, "Yes, Lord, I believe what you've said even though right now, I'm not seeing it." Some of these heros faltered as they waited in faith. Abraham took matters into his own hands, trying to make the promise happen only to make a mess of things.

But that didn't stop God from being faithful!

There did come a time when the promise given was fully realized: it became reality.

So, I started praising Him for His Promises and believing He will deliver on those Promises even if everything looks contrary. To deeply trust that He's at work even if i can't see it yet.

And tonight as I surveyed my situation, I smiled. Because I was seeing glimpses of God on the move!

To be encouraged in your faith, check out my book, "H.E.R.O. of Faith" here: https://a.co/d/03fJriS9

03/08/2026

Check It Out Here 👇
https://a.co/d/0gcTZJ4a