What comes from your mouth

It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, 

but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.”

Matthew 15:11 ESV

I've been watching what I say this week (more closely) and filtering what I'm going to say by thinking first and speaking second. I didn't realize how negative I can be! Just little things, but they still create an atmosphere around me that people pick up on. Example: when asked what I thought of lunch, I was going to say, "The service was slow." But, since I thought first, I turned it around to, "the food was wonderful." It's just that small little twist, speaking the positive instead of the negative that not only changes how others perceive you but also affects your outlook. You will have a much better day if you look for the good in people, situations, feelings.

I read a book about positivity several decades ago. It was excellent and I wish I still had it or at least remembered the title, but the one piece of advice that has stuck with me all of these years is take note while you're speaking...how many times do you say a negative word? How many times do you say: can't, won't, no, 'un'-words like unable, unwilling, unlikely, etc.? When I started noticing these things in my own speech, I was amazed at how many negative words I used. It's the 'glass is half-empty vs. half-full' of language. Plus, I discovered that when I changed how I spoke to include a positive selection of vocabulary, I genuinely felt better and happier. Give it a try. Let me know how it works for you.

*****

Please join us this week as we pray that our tongues be tamed and that our words are fitting of an image-bearer of Christ. I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Rid yourself of these things

But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: 

anger, 

rage, 

malice, 

slander, and 

filthy language from your lips.  

Do not lie to each other, 

since you have taken off your old self with its practices and 

have put on the new self, 

which is being renewed in knowledge 

in the image of its Creator.

Colossians 3:8-10 NIV

The peace of God

Daily Bible Verse

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, 

to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

Colossians 3:15 NKJV

Time for change

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Ephesians 4:29

I attended a church service several years ago where the Pastor preached solely on this one Bible verse. He closed with this thought:
Close your eyes for a moment and try to picture a world without unwholesome talk, no cursing or yelling, or cruel words. Can you imagine how different our world we would be?
Try to picture it. Try to do that with your own language; set that example for others. We need to build each other up instead of shaming, calling people out, berating each other. We need positive, healing language. It's time for a change. Be the change.

Paul continued with: Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.
Ephesians 5:4

*****

Please join us this week as we pray that our tongues be tamed and that our words are fitting of an image-bearer of Christ. I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Dwell in the secret place

Daily Bible Verse

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High

Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

Psalms 91:1 NKJV

The power of words

     I'm always in awe when I think about something specific and then go to Church the next day and the Pastor preaches about that exact thing. I shouldn't be surprised though since God is omnipotent. As we were praying last week for hearing, I ran into several Bible verses about speaking and anticipated making that the topic of this weeks' prayer. Additionally, I know several people who endure verbal and emotional abuse by loved ones and wanted to include them in our prayers this week, also.
     Yesterday, the Pastor preached on James 3:1-12 about words and about taming the tongue. It was if God was telling me, "Write more specifically about this." I got goosebumps!
     I'm sure we all have experience with someone who consistently tears people down with words, and hopefully, we all have experience with someone who consistently builds others up with words. What we have to be concerned with is our own tongue. Be diligent about speaking with love. Don't gossip. Refrain from cursing and slanderous language.

James writes:

All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures 

are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 

but no human being can tame the tongue. 

It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, 

and with it we curse human beings, 

who have been made in God’s likeness. 

Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. 

My brothers and sisters, this should not be.

James 3:9-10

Have you ever visited another part of the country and within a couple of days find yourself speaking like the residents of that area? You start imitating their dialect and word choices without even thinking about it. By the end of the first week, you're saying "warsh" instead of "wash", or "soda" instead of "pop" just by being around others who speak a certain way. Think of the difference we as believers can make by simply watching what we say! Tame your tongue and others will follow.

*****

Please join us this week as we pray that our tongues be tamed and that our words are fitting of an image-bearer of Christ. I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Chronological Reading Plan Week 17

Chronological Reading Plan

Week 17
113. 1 Chronicles 1-2
114. Psalms 43-45, 49, 84-85, 87
115. 1 Chronicles 3-5
116. Psalms 73, 77-78
117. 1 Chronicles 6
118. Psalms 81, 88, 92-93
119. 1 Chronicles 7-10

Man can't live by bread alone

But He answered and said, 

“It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, 

but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”

Matthew 4:4 NKJV

The sheep hear His voice and follow

But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.
John 10:2-4 (NKJV)

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.
John 10:27-28 (NKJV)

God may speak to you in several ways

For God may speak in one way, or in another,

Yet man does not perceive it.

In a dream, in a vision of the night,

When deep sleep falls upon men,

While slumbering on their beds,

Then He opens the ears of men,

And seals their instruction.

In order to turn man from his deed,

And conceal pride from man,

He keeps back his soul from the Pit,

And his life from perishing by the sword.

Job 33:14-19 (NKJV)

Have you not known?

Daily Bible Verse

Have you not known?

Have you not heard?

The everlasting God, the Lord,

The Creator of the ends of the earth,

Neither faints nor is weary.

His understanding is unsearchable.

Isaiah 40:28 (NKJV)

Faith comes from hearing

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Romans 10:17 NKJV

John MacArthur writes in his commentary* for vv. 14, 15: "a clear presentation of the gospel message must precede true saving faith...Salvation comes to those who hear and believe the facts of the gospel."
Therefore, we need to be talking about the gospel; verbally sharing it. This is difficult for me since I'm more of an introvert, but God gives us the gifts and the words to make it happen. I personally find that I do a lot better when I pray for help to share the Good News.


* MacArthur, John (1997). The MacArthur Study Bible, New King James version.
     Thomas Nelson, Inc. Nashville, TN.

*****

Please join our prayer group as we spend the week praying that we might hear. I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Hear the word of God

Hear with your ears

Moreover He said to me: 

“Son of man, receive into your heart 

all My words that I speak to you, 

and hear with your ears.

Ezekiel 3:10 (NKJV)

God searches our hearts

Daily Bible Verse

I, the Lord, search the heart,

I test the mind,

Even to give every man according to his ways,

According to the fruit of his doings.

Jeremiah 17:10 (NKJV)

Pray for hearing

     With our crazy, messy, busy lives, it's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle; never taking time for ourselves. There are always people to call, errands to run, emails to answer. Even eating and sleeping often take a back seat because there just aren't enough hours in the day.
     We need to make time to just sit and relax, quietly, purposefully. Tell your muscles to relax. Tell your mind to let it go (whatever "it" is for you). Close your eyes, inhale deeply through your nose. Exhale completely through your mouth, making a blowing sound as you do. Repeat a few times until you feel more relaxed. Be still.
     Have you been praying without hearing God's answers? By finding time to be still, you're finding time to spend with God. Listen. He will place on your heart His will for you. He will give you guidance, direction, answers.
     In those times of stillness, ask God questions and pray that you might hear His responses.
Be still and know He is God. (modified from Psalm 46:10)

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;

Psalm 37:7a ESV

*****

Please join our prayer group as we spend the week praying that we might hear. I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

God rewards those who seek Him

Daily Bible Verse

 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, 

for he who comes to God must believe that He is, 

and that He is a rewarder of those 

who diligently seek Him.

Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV)

Chronological Reading Plan Week 16

Chronological Reading Plan

Week 16
106. Psalms 56, 120, 140-142
107. 1 Samuel 25-27
108. Psalms 17, 35, 54, 63
109. 1 Samuel 28-31; Psalm 18
110. Psalms 121, 123-125, 128-130
111. 2 Samuel 1-4
112. Psalms 6, 8-10, 14, 16, 19, 21

Where is your heart?

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6:21

     The Bible verse above means that whatever is most important in your life is reflected in your heart. If that is anything other than Jesus then you cannot count yourself as a Christian because as it says in Matthew 6:24 (NIV): “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money..."
     This past week we've been praying to give someone a changed heart. I believe praying for someone's heart is one of the best ways to pray for someone because a person's heart speaks volumes about the person. I talked to the Pastor's wife about a problem I was having with someone at work and she said she would pray to soften his heart. It worked! His whole attitude is different now. I know God can do all things, but I'm still in awe when He works in someone like this. I started asking God to soften my heart as well and it has made a huge difference in how I deal with certain people and even how I handle stress and anxiety. It has made me a more patient person (although I still have a long way to go).

Next week our prayer group will pray about listening to God. Please join us by following along. I'll post a daily reminder to pray on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

God will help you

Daily Bible Verse

Commit your way to the Lord;

    trust in him and he will do this:

Psalm 37:5 (NIV)

Let my heart be acceptable

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart 

be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Psalm 19:14 ESV

Hymn of faith

A Hymn of Faith

Though the fig tree may not blossom,

Nor fruit be on the vines;

Though the labor of the olive may fail,

And the fields yield no food;

Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,

And there be no herd in the stalls—

Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,

I will joy in the God of my salvation.

Habakkuk 3:17-18

A clean heart

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

Psalm 51:10 ESV

A new heart

And I will give you a new heart, 

and a new spirit I will put within you. 

And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh 

and give you a heart of flesh.

Ezekiel 36:26 ESV

Love your neighbor as yourself

This is really what it's all about. There are really only two laws:
1. Love God.
2. Love your neighbor as yourself.
By "neighbor" Jesus means everyone; not just the people within close proximity to your residence but all people. I know that around Valentine's Day people spend a lot of time thinking about romantic love, but it's a good reminder to think of the truest most selfless love, that of Jesus giving His life for all of us to give us life.

Guard your hearts

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7 ESV

We are His workmanship

Daily Bible Verse

For we are His workmanship, 

created in Christ Jesus for good works, 

which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:10 (NKJV)

Love your enemies

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
Matthew 5:43-45 ESV

Chronological Reading Plan Week 15

Chronological Reading Plan

Week 15
99. 1 Samuel 4-8
100. 1 Samuel 9-12
101. 1 Samuel 13-14
102. 1 Samuel 15-17
103. 1 Samuel 18-20; Psalms 11, 59
104. 1 Samuel 21-24
105. Psalms 7, 27, 31, 34, 52

- I missed last week; we'll call it a "catch-up" week.

Preach the word

Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, 

in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, 

to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.

Acts 20:28 ESV

Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; 

reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.

2 Timothy 4:2 ESV

An eager Shepherd

Pray for a Pastor, for he is to:

"Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, 

exercising oversight, not under compulsion, 

but willingly, 

as God would have you; 

not for shameful gain, but eagerly;"

1 Peter 5:2 ESV

Imitate their faith

Remember your leaders, 

those who spoke to you the word of God. 

Consider the outcome of their way of life,

and imitate their faith.

Hebrews 13:7 ESV

Provide for your Shepherd

During Biblical times, people took in the Holy men, Prophets, Disciples providing shelter and food. This doesn't seem necessary nowadays because our Pastors aren't nomadic anymore, but surely there is something that we, as the flock, can do for our Shepherds that will show them our appreciation, love, and support. Pray about it.

One day Elisha went on to Shunem, where a wealthy woman lived, who urged him to eat some food. So whenever he passed that way, he would turn in there to eat food. And she said to her husband, “Behold now, I know that this is a holy man of God who is continually passing our way. Let us make a small room on the roof with walls and put there for him a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp, so that whenever he comes to us, he can go in there.”
2 Kings 4:8-10 ESV

What to pray for Pastor

And I will give you shepherds according to My heart, 

who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.

Jeremiah 3:15

*******

Please join our prayer group as we spend the week praying for our Pastors.

I'll post a daily reminder to pray on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Honor preachers and teachers

Let the elders who rule well 

be considered worthy of double honor, 

                                                         especially those who labor in 

                                                               preaching and teaching.

1 Timothy 5:17 ESV

Pray for a Pastor

     Yesterday morning at the beginning of church service, our men stood up at the front of the church and called the Pastor to join them. They said a prayer for him, asking God to be with him and give him the words to share the gospel, and just lifted him up in prayer. It made me think... how often do we look to our church leaders for guidance, help, or just to bend their ear? Or how often do we lift our leaders up to a higher standard than we expect from even ourselves? Think about everything they do. I'm amazed at their patience, knowledge, and especially their hearts. It takes a very special person to lead a flock.
     I am so grateful to have had some one-on-one time with our Pastor on several different occasions. His opinions and insight are very important to me. Just yesterday he spent a long time talking to me about my concerns of salvation for a loved one. I needed reassurances; he didn't give me the reassurances I needed, but instead gave me the truth that I needed to hear. It was a blessing to have that time.
     I have had three very special Pastors in my life and I didn't thank any of them nearly enough, but I'm going to try to remedy that this week.
     Join me, will you? Not only join in prayer for your Pastor but do something concrete. Send your Pastor a card, or an email, or even just a text and tell them what they have done for you and your walk with Christ.

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Hebrews 13:17 ESV

*******

Please join our prayer group as we spend the week praying for our Pastors.

I'll post a daily reminder to pray on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Walk in love

And walk in love, 

as Christ loved us and 

gave Himself up for us,

a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Ephesians 5:2 ESV

I have been crucified with Christ. 

It is no longer I who live, 

but Christ who lives in me. 

And the life I now live in the flesh 

I live by faith in the Son of God, 

who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Galatians 2:20 ESV

A new commandment

A new commandment I give to you, 

that you love one another: 

just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

John 13:34 ESV

Love and joy perfected

 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.
 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. These things I command you, that you love one another.
John 15:9-17 NKJV