What we're capable of

 

As we wrap up this week of prayer, I wanted to briefly talk about, without getting political or upsetting anyone, what we as humans are capable of.
     My husband and I have been watching several Holocaust movies and documentaries lately. One thing that never occurred to me before was that people did an about-face and turned on their Jewish friends, neighbors, and co-workers. For some reason, I thought the Nazis just knew who was Jewish. I never even considered that people were turning them in. Maybe I didn't want to believe it. Anyway, you know what happened from there.
     In our own country, there have been other atrocities. There were the Indians. We had slavery in our country. We've turned on the mentally disabled, Asian-Americans (at least twice in our history), Mexicans, and others. We've demonstrated that we're capable of hatred toward anyone different. It doesn't even have to be skin color or religion. Look at the division between political parties.
     We allow ourselves to get stirred up against whoever is the newest target of choice. We blame them for our troubles. It has to be their fault we're experiencing this, that, or the other because it's certainly not me.
     Look at how often and how easily we're influenced by the views of others. How great would it be if we were more influenced by the views of God our Father?
     I've seen several Tweets lately about Jesus wouldn't do this or that if He were here. If it was an act of love, He most certainly would.
     Look within your own heart and pray to our Father for direction. If you're playing the blame game or having feelings of anger, resentment, bitterness, or hatred against anyone else, pray without ceasing. You can be a significant part of the solution.

And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”
Matthew 22:36-40 ESV

The blame game
The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.”
Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?”
The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”
Genesis 3:12-13 ESV

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Romans 3:23 ESV

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”
John 3:16-21 ESV

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Please join me this week in praying for guidance. Let's ask our Father to show us our sin, to show us where we're at fault and how we can make things better in our everyday interactions with others. Let's also pray for softened hearts, discernment, and wisdom in all situations. Pray that God helps us become more Christlike so that nonbelievers will see us and respond by seeking Him.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @7DegreesOfMe
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #bibleverse #bible #sin #blame #Christlike #wisdom #guidance #prayer #forgiveness #confess #love #hatred #racism #division #grace

Peace from resting in God's will

Yesterday was such a blessing. I was able to spend most of my time working on the book that God has prompted me to write. I got to interview a woman from church who I've been missing <3 and whose story inspired me to start capturing testimonies. It just fills me with peace and joy to have this project from God. Some days I don't feel like He wants me to work on it; the words don't seem to come. Some days I'm pretty sure Satan keeps me away from it. Other days, like yesterday, everything just seems to flow freely.
     I need to abandon all thoughts and cares (as in anxiety or worrying) about what others are doing and just focus on the Trinity and what they want me to do. They will handle everyone else; they'll handle what's going on in the world. They'll guide and direct me and they'll never leave me or forsake me. It fills me with peace and love for everyone.
     Monday, Ohioans find out what "the plan" is for our state beginning May 1st. So, many of us will start adjusting to yet another "new normal" and it will be hard and anxieties will rise, tempers may flare, and tears may even fall. We just need to keep in mind that everything happens for a reason and all things work according to His plan and happen in His time.
     If you aren't feeling this way, maybe take some time this morning and find an encouraging bible verse that fills you with hope. Meditate on God's words. Here are just a few that may help:

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,

And in His word I do hope.

Psalm 130:5 NKJV

But those who wait on the Lord

Shall renew their strength;

They shall mount up with wings like eagles,

They shall run and not be weary,

They shall walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:31 NKJV

But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.

1 Peter 5:10 NKJV

Finally, I want to share this passage which I believe, reveals the answer to our prayers for the week:

Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. For“He who would love lifeAnd see good days,Let him refrain his tongue from evil,And his lips from speaking deceit.Let him turn away from evil and do good;Let him seek peace and pursue it.For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,And His ears are open to their prayers;But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.  For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, 

1 Peter 3:8-18 NKJV

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Please join me this week in praying for how we, as individuals of the Church, deal with the unsaved. Pray that the Spirit will guide us to portray the characteristics of Christ when our own human instincts are to act and react in a not-so-Christian way sometimes. Let’s also pray our hearts are softened toward those who test our love and patience.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Turn the other cheek

“You have heard that it was said, 

‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 

But I tell you not to resist an evil person. 

But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, 

turn the other to him also.

Matthew 5:38-39 NKJV

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Please join me this week in praying for how we, as individuals of the Church, deal with the unsaved. Pray that the Spirit will guide us to portray the characteristics of Christ when our own human instincts are to act and react in a not-so-Christian way sometimes. Let’s also pray our hearts are softened toward those who test our love and patience.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

An angry fool

Both of these verses are good ones to have framed and hung in my office, my home, and probably in my car, too. The photo I chose doesn't necessarily go with either verse, I just saw it and it made me smile.
     According to this verse, I've often been a fool, but its good to know that I've also been a wise (wo)man many times.

A fool gives full vent to his spirit, 

but a wise man quietly holds it back.

Proverbs 29:11 ESV

Know this, my beloved brothers: 

let every person be quick to hear, 

slow to speak, 

slow to anger; 

for the anger of man 

does not produce the righteousness of God.

James 1:19-20 ESV

     I've been praying for a softened heart, and I feel God working in me, reminding me to be patient and kind and slow to frustration. Praise God.

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Please join me this week in praying for how we, as individuals of the Church, deal with the unsaved. Pray that the Spirit will guide us to portray the characteristics of Christ when our own human instincts are to act and react in a not-so-Christian way sometimes. Let’s also pray our hearts are softened toward those who test our love and patience.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Tenderhearted

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander

be put away from you, along with all malice. 

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, 

forgiving one another, 

as God in Christ forgave you.

Ephesians 4:31-32 ESV

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Please join me this week in praying for how we, as individuals of the Church, deal with the unsaved. Pray that the Spirit will guide us to portray the characteristics of Christ when our own human instincts are to act and react in a not-so-Christian way sometimes. Let’s also pray our hearts are softened toward those who test our love and patience.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Behave like a Christian

I think this verse says it all; I have allowed the evil in someone to overcome me. I've allowed it to affect me, how I feel, how I think.
     The bible that I copied this from has the heading for this section: Behave Like a Christian. You can't ask for a clearer sign that that. God is good!!

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.

 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.  Therefore

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;

If he is thirsty, give him a drink;

For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”

 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 12:9-21 NKJV

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Please join me this week in praying for how we, as individuals of the Church, deal with the unsaved. Pray that the Spirit will guide us to portray the characteristics of Christ when our own human instincts are to act and react in a not-so-Christian way sometimes. Let’s also pray our hearts are softened toward those who test our love and patience.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

No peace

As I deepen my relationship with Jesus, learn more, and pray more I feel at peace, for the most part. However, I know what it feels like to not have that peace. This bible verse reminds me of that period of my life. Even though I wasn't what I would consider "wicked", I was trying to handle everything without God.
     So understand that even though someone's life may seem ideal, like they have it all, if they don't know Christ then they have nothing, and they need our prayers, our intercession. Satan can distract them with riches, or material possessions, but he can't fill that void that keeps them searching and wanting more. It's hard to understand what we're searching for until God removes the veil.
     I know the bible says that no one seeks God, but I believe since He put His existence on our hearts, that we know something is missing when we don't have Him in our lives.
     I didn't feel like writing yesterday; it was just a roller coaster of emotions for some reason; maybe because I didn't sleep well, or maybe because there's something else going on with me that I don't know about, but anyway, I guess what I'm trying to say is that there's no peace for those who have evil thoughts and feelings (like what I'm going through right now), even if they are a believer. In order to have peace and joy, we need to be free of these negative thoughts and emotions. So, I'm still trying to give it all up to God.

“There is no peace,” says the Lord, “for the wicked.”

Isaiah 48:22 NKJV

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Please join me this week in praying for how we, as individuals of the Church, deal with the unsaved. Pray that the Spirit will guide us to portray the characteristics of Christ when our own human instincts are to act and react in a not-so-Christian way sometimes. Let’s also pray our hearts are softened toward those who test our love and patience.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

The evil ones

Bear with me on this one...there is a person who I feel just drips, even reeks of pure evil. What scares me or concerns me are the feelings just hearing his voice brings out in me. It teeters on hatred because, in my mind, not only is he evil, but he gets away with everything. I get angry that there doesn’t seem to be any justice; that evil sometimes does seem to win out over good, which fills me with resentment and even fear. I feel like others are blind to his evilness and even aide him instead of standing up to him. A large part of it is probably that he’s a bully, and I absolutely despise bullies.
     I couldn’t keep on living with these horrible feelings, so I started exploring scripture and have come up with a lot of good stuff! (Don’t you love God’s word???) Hopefully, some of you can relate to these feelings and don’t think I’m horrible for having them. If you don’t have any connection with what I’m talking about, then maybe you can pray for me to have a softened heart?
     So, the question I was seeking answers to was: how to deal with evil people? First, I wanted to define evil biblically, and I think I’ve found the most inclusive answer (let me know if you have a better one, please):

They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. 

They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

Romans 1:29-32 NIV

     Then, I looked for answers as to what to do. I’ll share the verses throughout the week, but you know it all comes down to the same thing: the only thing we can control or change is ourselves. I should’ve known. I can’t change another person, only how I react to that person (or that situation, place, event, etc ...) All of the verses helped me, but the one that really grabbed me was:

The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”

Exodus 14:14 ESV

     I constantly have to be reminded to take everything to the Lord, and He will take care of it. I’m so thankful for that ability, and life is so much easier when I do that—feeling blessed.

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Please join me this week in praying for how we, as individuals of the Church, deal with the unsaved. Pray that the Spirit will guide us to portray the characteristics of Christ when our own human instincts are to act and react in a not-so-Christian way sometimes. Let’s also pray our hearts are softened toward those who test our love and patience.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

If I have not love

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, 

I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 

And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, 

and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, 

I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, 

but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; 

love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. 

It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; ...

1 Corinthians 13:1-13 ESV

Things of the Spirit

For those who live according to the flesh 

set their minds on the things of the flesh, 

but those who live according to the Spirit 

set their minds on the things of the Spirit.

Romans 8:5 ESV

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Let's pray for guidance to serve God first in our lives. Ask Him how you can best serve Him. I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Worker for Christ

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, 

a worker who has no need to be ashamed, 

rightly handling the word of truth.

2 Timothy 2:15 ESV

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Let's pray for guidance to serve God first in our lives. Ask Him how you can best serve Him. I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Trust in the Lord

My son, do not forget my teaching,

but let your heart keep my commandments,

for length of days and years of life

and peace they will add to you.

Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you;

bind them around your neck;

write them on the tablet of your heart.

So you will find favor and good success

in the sight of God and man.

Proverbs 3:1-4 ESV

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Let's pray for guidance to serve God first in our lives. Ask Him how you can best serve Him. I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Heart, soul, mind

And he said to him, 

“You shall love the Lord your God with 

all your heart and with 

all your soul and with 

all your mind.

Matthew 22:37 ESV

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Let's pray for guidance to serve God first in our lives. Ask Him how you can best serve Him. I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Commit your work to the Lord

Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.

Proverbs 16:3

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Let's pray for guidance to serve God first in our lives. Ask Him how you can best serve Him. I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Seek the things above

If then you have been raised with Christ, 

seek the things that are above, 

where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 

Set your minds on things that are above, 

not on things that are on earth. 

For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 

When Christ who is your life appears, 

then you also will appear with him in glory.

Colossians 3:1-4 ESV

Serve God first and everything else in this life will work itself out.

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Let's pray for guidance to serve God first in our lives. Ask Him how you can best serve Him. I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

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)

A town on a hill

Daily Bible Verse

“You are the light of the world. 

A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 

Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. 

Instead they put it on its stand, 

and it gives light to everyone in the house. 

In the same way, 

let your light shine before others, 

that they may see your good deeds and 

glorify your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)

Let your light shine

Let your light shine

Let your light so shine before men, 

that they may see your good works 

and glorify your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:16 NKJV

Thanksgiving and gratitude

This past week has been a trying one. I'm not here to bemoan all of my small, petty problems, but more for the opportunity to share with you how easy it is to get bogged down. Last week started out in a positive way; I felt that I overcame a small situation at home and at work and was promoting that this is an excellent time for all of us to count our blessings as part of a prayer group (7th Hour Prayer Power). As the week wore on, another "bad thing" happened, and then another and another. I don't even remember what they all were, that's how insignificant my troubles are, but in the end, I let it all weigh me down. I'm very empathetic and so I take on others' bad feelings as well as my own and it's very easy to just say "chuck-it", curl up under my blankets and wait for the storm to pass.

I wish I could tell you that everything is great now and I feel rejuvenated and ready to take on the world, but it doesn't work quite that way; what I can tell you is that on top of our daily praying focusing on the positive instead of the negative, today's sermon was about "gratitude". It was the icing on the cake. I'll share the link as soon as it's uploaded to iTunes but in the meantime, I wanted to share one part of it (paraphrasing of course)...
There was a man, Matthew Henry who was a well-known Bible commentator among other things. His journal was found after his death and one of the entries was about being robbed. I think most of us if we were robbed, and if we took the time to journal afterward would be complaining and angry and feel violated which is why this journal entry was so amazing. Matthew wrote what he was thankful for that day.
- he was thankful that he had never been robbed before this.
- he was thankful that the robber only took his money and not his life, and
- he was thankful that he was not the robber.

What an amazing illustration of being Christ-like, and what an extraordinary way to look at life. When something wrong happens, how much less it would affect us if we only took some extra time (& strength) to look at it differently, to see that there is good with every bad. A young man at work tends to get the brunt of my "venting" because he's so calming and easy to talk to. No matter what I throw at him he always shrugs his shoulders and says "it could've been worse." What can you say to that except "yeah, you're right"?
No matter what happens, try not to let it crush you. One great way to do that is to count your blessings. I've counted mine and they are numerous and I am full of gratitude. My Father takes care of me, comforts me, and listens to me. I am thankful.