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When God Steps Back: Judgment Through Subtraction

Text: Isaiah 3:1–4 (NKJV)

“For behold, the Lord, the Lord of hosts,
Takes away from Jerusalem and from Judah
The stock and the store,
The whole supply of bread and the whole supply of water;
The mighty man and the man of war,
The judge and the prophet,
And the diviner and the elder;
The captain of fifty and the honorable man,
The counselor and the skillful artisan,
And the expert enchanter.
‘I will give children to be their princes,
And babes shall rule over them.’”

Introduction: A Nation Under Divine Reduction

Isaiah opens chapter 3 with a heavy declaration: “Behold, the Lord, the Lord of Hosts takes away…”
It’s not an enemy that’s stealing from Judah. It’s God Himself withdrawing His gifts — provision, leadership, wisdom, and stability — as a form of judgment.

God’s judgment doesn’t always come with fire or floods. Sometimes, it comes by removal — the slow withdrawal of His hand.

1. The Withholding of Provision (v.1)

“The stock and the store, the whole supply of bread and the whole supply of water”

God begins by removing the basics of life:

Bread symbolizes economy, employment, and daily needs.
Water speaks of spiritual refreshment, natural resources, and life itself.

Application:
When nations, homes, families, and communities abandon God, even basic provision dries up. God is the ultimate Provider, and when His presence is ignored, lack begins — not just of food, but of peace, justice, and joy.

Deuteronomy 8:18 – “But you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth…”

2. The Collapse of Leadership (v.2–3)

“The mighty man and the man of war, the judge and the prophet, and the diviner and the elder…”

God now removes the pillars of national strength:

Military strength (mighty man, man of war)
Judicial leadership (the judge)
Spiritual direction (the prophet)
Traditional authority and wisdom (the elder)
Governance and advisors (captains, counselors)
Economy and innovation (skillful artisans)

Even the enchanters and diviners — those in false spiritual roles — are removed. Why? Because the people trusted in the systems, not in God.

Application:
When leadership is corrupted or silenced, society becomes ungovernable. The absence of godly voices is a sign of divine judgment and a nation’s peril.

Proverbs 11:14 – “Where there is no counsel, the people fall…”

3. The Rise of Immature Rulers (v.4)

“I will give children to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them.”

Now comes one of the most terrifying signs of judgment: incompetent and immature leadership.

This doesn’t just refer to age, but to character and capacity.

“Children” symbolize rulers who are emotionally, morally, and spiritually immature.
“Babes” ruling speaks of people unfit to lead being placed in power.

This leads to:

Irrational laws
Emotional decision-making
A loss of national dignity
Leaders who are led by the crowd, not by principle

Spiritual Insight:
When a people reject God, He lets them be ruled by what they chose. It becomes a mirror of their rebellion — and a test of their repentance.

Ecclesiastes 10:16 – “Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child, and your princes feast in the morning!”

4. A Picture of Today’s World

What Isaiah saw in Jerusalem is happening in many places today:

Bread is scarce — economies are shaking.
Water is contaminated — natural resources are strained.
Judges are compromised — corruption is rampant.
Prophets are silent or false — truth is rare.
Elders are ignored — wisdom has fallen.
And immature, impulsive leaders are everywhere.

Why? Because many nations, communities, and even churches have forgotten God.

5. Hope Through Returning

Isaiah doesn’t leave us in despair. His prophecies also point to a Redeemer — Jesus Christ — who restores what was lost.

He is the Bread of Life
He gives Living Water
He is the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace

God may withdraw, but when His people repent, He returns:

2 Chronicles 7:14 – “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray…”

Conclusion: Are We Under Divine Reduction?

Has God removed something from your life, your family, your nation?
Are we being ruled by babes — emotionally unstable, spiritually empty, morally bankrupt leaders?
Is there a famine — not of bread, but of hearing the Word of God?

If so, this is not just judgment — it is an invitation.
God takes away so we can wake up.

Call to Action:

🔹 Return to God.
🔹 Pray for your leaders.
🔹 Build your life on the unshakable foundation of Christ.
🔹 Stop trusting in systems and people — start trusting in God again.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, have mercy on us. Where we have relied on the supply and not the Source, forgive us. Restore righteousness, wisdom, and provision in our lives and nations. Remove the spirit of immaturity from leadership and raise up godly men and women for such a time as this. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Blessings, Evelyn

Developing the Leader Within You 2.0 by John C. Maxwell

Chapters 1 & 2 | Personal Reflections

This one-pager summarizes what stood out to me in Chapters 1 and 2 of Developing the Leader Within You 2.0.

1. Leadership is Influence
Leadership is not about position or title—it is about influence. That statement struck me deeply. Maxwell says, “Everything rises and falls on leadership.” That’s why developing the leader within is so critical in today’s world.

Often, I find myself thinking:

“I’m not a born leader. I don’t have a title. I don’t have much work experience—so how can I influence anyone?”

But that kind of thinking only stalls my leadership journey.

Maxwell teaches that I can intentionally develop my influence in ten ways, beginning with these truths:

Everyone has followers—therefore, everyone has influence.
I may not always see who I’m influencing or how deeply.
The best investment in tomorrow is to grow my influence today.

He also outlines the 5 Levels of Leadership:

Position – influence through rights
Permission – influence through relationships
Production – influence through results
People Development – influence through reproduction
Pinnacle – influence through respect

I can grow from position to pinnacle, but I must be intentional at every level. Right now, I’m primarily influencing through relationships. My next step? Make teamwork enjoyable and commit to developing others around me.

2. Leadership Begins with Priorities
Chapter 2 introduced a powerful shift in mindset:

“It’s not about having a full calendar, but about what and who I put in my calendar.”

This resonated with me deeply. It reminded me that my true wins will come not from being busy, but from aligning my time with my highest priorities as a leader.

Maxwell warns about priority pressure:

When everything becomes a priority, nothing truly is.
This leads to burnout, procrastination, or misdirection.

Recently, I went through a personal crisis that forced me to reevaluate my priorities. I’m grateful to be learning how to reset and lead with purpose.

Here’s what I’m learning to embrace:

Working smarter brings more results than just working harder.
I can’t have it all—I must make choices.
The good is the enemy of the best.
Being proactive (choosing) is better than being reactive (losing).
The important must take precedence over the urgent.

Tools to Help Me Prioritize

The 80/20 Principle (Pareto Rule):
Focus 80% of my energy, resources, and time on the top 20% of what truly matters.
The Three R’s:
Maxwell outlines these as Requirement, Return, Reward
Make Time for Margin:
I need to intentionally create breathing space for reflection, rest, and strategic thinking.

These insights are pure gems. I feel so blessed to be on this journey of growth.
Thank you, Lord, for the gift of leadership and the tools to grow in it.

— Reflections by Evelyn Asio Patra
#LeadershipDevelopment #MaxwellWisdom #BeIntentional #LeadFromWithin#CrocsToStilettos

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🌼 Month 2: SESSION 1 – The Crocs Woman: Recognizing the Comfort Zone

Mastermind Series: From Crocs to Stilettos – A Woman’s Journey to Purpose

🌟 Session Theme

Understanding what “Crocs” represent: comfort, confusion, complacency, and fear—and how these block us from stepping fully into our God-given purpose.

🧎🏽‍♀️ Opening Prayer

Lord, thank You for bringing each of us to this moment. Open our hearts to examine where we’ve settled for less than what You’ve called us to. Help us confront our comfort zones with courage and lean into Your truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

📖 Key Scriptures

Proverbs 3:5 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding…”
➤ Use this to invite trust in God’s direction—even when it’s uncomfortable.
Psalm 90:12 – “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
➤ Reminds us to be intentional with our lives, not wasting time in complacency, procrastination, fear, confusion.

🎯 Core Topics to Cover

1. Who is the Crocs Woman?

She’s comfortable but stuck.
She may know her calling but ignores it.
She plays small, driven by fear of failure or rejection.

2. Spiritual & Emotional Stagnation

Signs: no progress, emotional burnout, loss of passion
Often masked by busyness or “being fine”

3. Why We Settle

Fear of the unknown
Fear of rejection
Fear of the effort to build it (not being enough)
Fear of not being “enough”
Fear of being judged
Fear of not finishing what I start
False beliefs: “This is all I deserve,” “I don’t have what it takes”
Emotional wounds
Lack of vision

🗣️ Discussion Prompts

Where in your life have you chosen comfort over calling?
What fear or belief is keeping you from stepping into more?
What are some real-life costs of staying in your “Crocs”?
Who is impacted when you shrink back from purpose?

✍🏽 Activity: The Crocs Inventory (15–20 minutes)

Objective: Help readers begin identifying their specific comfort zones.

Instructions

On a journal page or worksheet, list 3 areas where you’ve stayed too long in your comfort zone.
For each, answer:
- How long have I stayed?
- Why did I stay there?
- What has it cost me— emotionally, spiritually, physically, intellectually, financially, or relationally?
- What would it take to leave this behind?
- Circle one comfort zone. I am ready to jump out of over the course of this mastermind.

💬 Call to Action

Find 2–3 women to share your Crocs Inventory insights. Teach them what you have learnt in this session.

💗 Affirmation & Declaration – say these with the ladies togther with conviction.

I am not made for comfort—I am made for calling.
I release fear, confusion, and complacency.
I am stepping out of the Crocs of limitation and into the Stilettos of purpose.
I trust God to guide my steps, even when I don’t see the path clearly.
My life matters, and I will walk in it boldly.

🙏🏽 Closing Prayer & Blessing

Lord, thank You for showing us where we’ve chosen comfort over calling. Give us the courage to leave behind the Crocs of fear, doubt, and complacency. As we journey forward, let Your Word be our compass and Your Spirit our strength. May this week stir holy discomfort that leads to transformation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Use the comments section to tellus,

“What has stood out to you as you read this blog post?”
“How are you feeling about taking your first step out of your comfort?”

Follow this link to get a visual summary of this lesson.

Join our WhatsApp Group for Purposeful Stiletto Women here

Love, Evelyn Oartschilde

🔥 Week 3: From Fear to Faith: Receiving the Holy Spirit’s Power in Your Life

Scripture Focus:
📖 Isaiah 11:1–2 | John 7:37

“If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.” – John 7:37

When we choose to live by faith, we step into a life of surrender—trusting not in what we can see, feel, or control, but in the One who is unseen yet completely faithful.

Faith is the oxygen of the believer. Without it, we drift into fear, striving, and self-reliance. But with it, we walk boldly into God’s promises—even when we don’t have all the answers.

🧭 Living by Faith – Not by Sight

Hebrews 11:1 tells us,

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

And 2 Corinthians 5:7 reminds us,

“We live by faith, not by sight.”

Faith is not about being blind; it’s about seeing through the eyes of the Spirit—trusting God’s heart even when you can’t trace His hand.

Maybe right now, God is inviting you to trust Him in a new way. Maybe there’s an area where fear or control is limiting your spiritual growth.

Here are some questions to reflect on this week – Write your answers in your journal:

Where is God asking me to trust Him right now?
What promises am I struggling to believe?
How has fear or control limited my walk of faith?
What would it look like to take one step of faith this week?

💥 The Power of Believing by Faith

Believing by faith activates the supernatural in your everyday life.
Faith is the key that unlocks God’s promises, even before you see the evidence.

Jesus often said,

“According to your faith, let it be to you.” (Matthew 9:29)

When we believe God’s Word above our feelings, past experiences, or circumstances, we align ourselves with heaven’s reality.

Faith breaks chains.
Faith moves mountains.
Faith positions us to receive everything God has already made available through Christ.

It’s not about having perfect faith—it’s about trusting a perfect God.

🕊 Receiving the Helper – The Spirit Who Empowers

The Holy Spirit is not just a force; He is our divine Helper, Comforter, Teacher, and Advocate.

Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would guide us into all truth (John 16:13) and empower us to live a life of faith.
When we feel weak, confused, or afraid, the Spirit brings strength, wisdom, and peace.

He helps us pray when we don’t know how to.
He gives insight when we’re unsure.
He fills us with courage to do the will of God.

We were never meant to follow Jesus alone—the Holy Spirit is the constant presence of God within us.

🕊 A Final Question for You:

Have you received the Holy Spirit?

Here is a free PDF worksheet that will help you get more intimate with the Holy Spirit.

I would love to hear your experience—feel free to share in the comments section below!

Join our WhatsApp Group for Purposeful Stiletto Women here

Love and blessings,
Evelyn Oratschilde

✝️ WEEK 2: What Jesus Did – Your Identity in Him

Scripture Focus:

2 Corinthians 5:21

“He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

John 15:9–11

“As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love… These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.”

🔍 Understanding Your True Identity in Christ

Have you ever asked yourself, “Who am I, really?”

So many of us carry labels the world, our past, or even our insecurities have given us. But this week, we pause to realign our hearts with the truth: Our identity is rooted not in what we’ve done but in what Jesus has already done.

In 2 Corinthians 5:21, we see the divine exchange: Jesus, who never sinned, took on our sin so that we could become the very righteousness of God. That’s not just a status—it’s a new identity.

We are no longer defined by our failures, fears, or flaws. We are defined by grace. We are loved, accepted, and made new in Christ.

If your identity is distorted and based on the worldly view of you, you need to align it to the word of God.

✨ What is Identity Alignment?

Identity alignment is the intentional process of bringing our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors into agreement with who God says we are in Christ.

When we align ourselves with God’s truth, we stop living under the weight of lies and start walking in freedom. The Bible says in Romans 12:2, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

Renewing your mind with Scripture realigns your heart with God’s perspective.

You’re not defined by your past, mistakes, or others’ opinions — you are defined by the cross.

When you align with your true identity, your life bears fruit that glorifies Jesus. Are you ready for this?

The Bible – The True Source of Our Identity

In a world filled with shifting opinions, social labels, and pressure to measure up, it’s easy to forget who we truly are. Many people turn to culture, achievements, relationships, or even social media to define their identity.

But all these sources are temporary and fragile.

The Bible, however, stands as the unchanging, eternal truth—and it is the only reliable foundation for understanding our true identity.

The Bible tells us that our identity begins in God, our Creator. Genesis 1:27 declares, “So God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them.”

From the very beginning, our worth and purpose have been tied to the One who made us. We are not random or accidental—we are image-bearers of the Most High God.

Throughout Scripture, God continues to reveal how He sees us:

Loved – “I have loved you with an everlasting love.” (Jeremiah 31:3)
Chosen – “You did not choose Me, but I chose you.” (John 15:16)
Adopted – “He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 1:5)
Forgiven – “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.” (Ephesians 1:7)
Righteous – “We are the righteousness of God in Christ.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)
New – “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

The Bible isn’t just a book of rules or old stories. It is alive and active (Hebrews 4:12), and it speaks directly to the questions in our hearts:

“Who am I? Am I enough? Do I belong?” The answer is always found in Jesus.

Jesus Himself used Scripture to affirm identity—even during temptation (Matthew 4). If Jesus relied on God’s Word to declare truth, how much more should we?

When we anchor our identity in the Word of God, we become immovable—even when storms of doubt, fear, or rejection try to shake us. We stop striving for approval because we realize we are already accepted. We stop comparing because we know we are already chosen.

Let the Bible—not the world—define you. Let the truth of God’s Word rewire your mind and reshape your self-image. Because only in Scripture do we discover our true identity in Christ—and it is glorious.

🌱 Final Encouragement

This week, you’re invited to abide — to rest, dwell, and root yourself in the unchanging truth of who you are in Christ. No striving. No proving. Just believing.

Let your new identity shape your thoughts, your confidence, your actions, and your joy.

You are not forgotten. You are not disqualified.
You are fully known and fully loved.

Here is a free pdf worksheet that will help you get anchored in your true identity.

Love and blessings,

Evelyn Oratschilde

🪴 WEEK 1: Understanding the Gospel of Grace

Series: Rooted in Christ – Jesus Christ, Our Ultimate Solution
Scripture Focus: Romans 1:16–17

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes… For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘The just shall live by faith.’”
— Romans 1:16–17Scripture Focus:
Romans 1:16–17

The Gospel of Grace is the good news that salvation is a free gift from God, made available through Jesus Christ, and received by faith—not by our own efforts or good works. At its core, the Gospel of Grace declares that we are saved not because of what we do, but because of what Jesus has already done.

Romans 3:23–24 tells us, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” This means that every person needs God’s grace, and God willingly gives it through the life, death, and resurrection of His Son.

Grace doesn’t ignore sin— He overcomes it. Through the cross, Jesus paid the price for our sins so that we could be forgiven, restored, and made right with God. This is why Paul boldly declared in Romans 1:16–17, “I am not ashamed of the gospel… For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith.”

To believe the Gospel of Grace is to rest in what Christ has done and to stop striving to earn God’s approval. It sets us free from shame, guilt, and performance-based religion and invites us into a relationship with God as His beloved sons and daughters.

🔍 Have You Truly Received Grace?

Let’s pause and get honest.
We say we believe in grace, but so many of us still live like we have to earn it.

Grace is the heart of the gospel. It’s the breathtaking truth that Jesus came to do what we could never do for ourselves. And yet, many Christians live stuck in performance-driven faith, constantly striving, always wondering if they’re “good enough” for God.

This week, we start with the foundational truth of our discipleship journey:
You are saved by grace, not by your performance.
You are loved, not because you did everything right, but because Jesus already did it all.

Do you believe you are saved by Grace?

If you have not received the grace of God yet, here is a prayer to start the journey of living by the grace of God. Click here. After this, your life will never be the same again, and many will be impacted by your life for the sake of the glory of God.

Here is a tool to help you evaluate yourself regarding the Grace of the Gospel.

🪴 Let’s Grow Together

As you work through the worksheets and carry the devotional cards with you, remember:
You are not what you’ve done.
You are who Jesus says you are—loved, redeemed, and covered by grace.

This is just the beginning of your journey to being Rooted in Christ.
Don’t rush it. Soak in it. Let grace take root in every area of your heart.

Blessings and add your voice to this in the comments section.

Week 4 Prayer: THE CROCS TO STILETTOS 3 AM TRANSFORMATIONAL PRAYER CLUB

🔥 WEEK 4: Trusting Christ Completely

Scripture Focus: Isaiah 11:1–2, John 3:35, John 7:37-38

“If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink…” – John 7:37

Theme: Surrendering Every Area of Your Life to Christ