Acts 5:29

 

But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.

Acts 5:29 ESV

Have a safe and happy 4th of July. 

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Please join me this week in praying for guidance from our loving Father. Let's ask Him what He wants us to do or say. Pray that in everything we do, we please Him. Let's also pray for friends and family who get too wrapped up in people-pleasing and deny what God would have them do. 

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @7DegreesOfMe
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #bibleverse #bible #PeoplePleaser #ask #gospel #calling #supplication #judged #prayer #seekGod #serve #listen #stop #SpiritualGift #SermonOnTheMount #epistles #Church #ChurchBody #Christ #Acts

Proverbs

 

When a man's ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

Proverbs 16:7 ESV 

The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.

Proverbs 29:25 ESV

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Please join me this week in praying for guidance from our loving Father. Let's ask Him what He wants us to do or say. Pray that in everything we do, we please Him. Let's also pray for friends and family who get too wrapped up in people-pleasing and deny what God would have them do. 

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @7DegreesOfMe
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #bibleverse #bible #PeoplePleaser #ask #gospel #calling #supplication #judged #prayer #seekGod #serve #listen #stop #SpiritualGift #SermonOnTheMount #epistles #Church #ChurchBody #Christ #Proverbs

Stop and listen

 

This last sentence of today's Bible verse, "and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord" made me wonder how difficult is it to determine what pleases the Lord? I think we know when we're doing something pleasing versus something displeasing, but I believe the real question is, "Am I doing what the Lord has called me to do?"

     There are really two different discussions here. We can behave in a way that is Christlike and that pleases Him. How we handle situations and how we treat others are situations where it's pretty easy to know right from wrong. Doing the best we can to adhere to the Ten Commandments (as elaborated on by Jesus. Read the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew Chapters 5-7), meaning: trying not to hate because to hate is to commit murder in our hearts, trying not to get caught up in lust, because that is committing adultery in our hearts, etc. Even if we stumble, we know whether or not we please Him.

     The other discussion that is more difficult to grasp is doing what God has called us to do. As the Church, we're to serve one another, love one another as ourselves, serve one another. As individuals, and this is where it gets tricky, God has given each of us certain gifts and He tasks us to do specific things for the Kingdom. In this way, we are all different parts of the same body, working separately (yet together) to make a unified body which is the Church.

     There is so much to unpack in all of this, but I can't do it here. It's all in the epistles, and I get really excited about exploring what God wants me to do for Him. This is really the basis for the book I'm writing and for what I'm developing to become my "ministry." It all comes down to listening to God. Talk to Him. Ask Him what he wants you to do for Him. Then, be still and listen. That will please Him.

For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.

Ephesians 5:8-10 ESV

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Please join me this week in praying for guidance from our loving Father. Let's ask Him what He wants us to do or say. Pray that in everything we do, we please Him. Let's also pray for friends and family who get too wrapped up in people-pleasing and deny what God would have them do. 

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @7DegreesOfMe
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #bibleverse #bible #PeoplePleaser #ask #gospel #calling #supplication #judged #prayer #seekGod #serve #listen #stop #SpiritualGift #SermonOnTheMount #epistles #Church #ChurchBody #Christ

Keep your focus on God

 

I've been writing this blog geared mostly to "7th Hour Prayer Power" for over 3-1/2 years, so there are going to be certain Bible verses that get mentioned multiple times. Those certain verses just seem to fit so many different situations. Isn't it amazing how God does that?

     The verse that I chose for today was Colossians 3:23 (ESV):

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,

to illustrate that even when we do have to please others (at work-work, for example) we can do the task as if we're doing it for the Lord. In this way, we will keep our focus on Him.
     It occurred to me that I've shared this verse recently, so I searched and it turns out I did three months ago:
On March 25, 2021 "Work heartily" - shared just the verse as part of our prayers for the unemployed.

On September 9, 2020 "Work heartily" - shared a post about going through lockdown and then being able to return to work.

     So I won't title this post "Work heartily", and it has nothing to do with being employed or not. Over the past two years, I've been more deliberate about focusing on God. A result of that is I'm becoming more burdened when I think or feel in un-Christlike ways. What I didn't expect was that it would draw me closer to Him. It has strengthened our relationship. I feel God's presence in a way I've never experienced before. It's both exciting and scary--the scary part is the added responsibility of doing what's right, or at least, attempting to.
     If you don't know what I'm talking about, you can ask me to explain further. You can also pray about it. Pray for God to bring you closer to Him. Tell Him that you want to please Him and then work heartily on that.

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Please join me this week in praying for guidance from our loving Father. Let's ask Him what He wants us to do or say. Pray that in everything we do, we please Him. Let's also pray for friends and family who get too wrapped up in people-pleasing and deny what God would have them do. 

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @7DegreesOfMe
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #bibleverse #bible #PeoplePleaser #ask #gospel #calling #supplication #judged #prayer #seekGod #serve

1 Thessalonians 2:4

 

But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.

1 Thessalonians 2:4 ESV

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Please join me this week in praying for guidance from our loving Father. Let's ask Him what He wants us to do or say. Pray that in everything we do, we please Him. Let's also pray for friends and family who get too wrapped up in people-pleasing and deny what God would have them do. 

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @7DegreesOfMe
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #bibleverse #bible #PeoplePleaser #ask #gospel #calling #supplication #judged #prayer #seekGod #serve

Please God not man

 

Don't tell my husband I'm sharing this, but...

When he and I split up a few years ago, one of the contributing factors was that it drove him crazy that I'm on my computer all the time. (To be fair, I am always on it.) There were times when I was on my laptop, and simultaneously using my cellphone and tablet. So then when we got back together, I said I would try to limit it. As you can imagine, that lasted about a week. Coincidentally, he started a bible study around that time which occupied nearly all of his free time. So, I felt like that was my cue to explain to him everything I'm doing online: writing a book, a blog, gathering biblical information for both and for a life group I lead, and for bible studies, I was in. 

     All these years he just thought I was on social media the way he used to be; he never asked me what I was doing and I never felt compelled to explain myself. Our whole break-up was the result of a breakdown in communication. (Not just over this, but other things, as well.)

     We're doing much better now but I still feel like he's judging my computer time even though he isn't. Sunday he was sitting outside and I wanted to join him but I had to charge my laptop and plus, it was really hot out. So, I was struggling with, 'do I stay inside where I'm comfortable and work on my book, or go outside for some quality time and be miserable?' I opted for staying inside. Later he came in and we hung out then, so it was all fine. (I put away my laptop.)

     It's just that residual feeling that he resents me being on the computer and my struggle of turning it off, that stresses me out sometimes. I know we're past that now but I feel like I need to please him. I want to reiterate, this is all me. He's not doing or saying anything to make me feel torn. I just had to realize Sunday that if I'm doing something to please God (writing a book to inspire other Christians) then I'm doing the right thing with my spare time.

     We can apply this thought process to everything we do: Why am I doing this? Does it please God? Does it bring Him glory? If the answer to the last two questions is 'yes' then keep it up. Don't let anyone, any person stand in your way.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Romans 12:2 ESV

You may also like:

"Be true"

"An angry fool"

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Please join me this week in praying for guidance from our loving Father. Let's ask Him what He wants us to do or say. Pray that in everything we do, we please Him. Let's also pray for friends and family who get too wrapped up in people-pleasing and deny what God would have them do. 

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @7DegreesOfMe
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #bibleverse #bible #PeoplePleaser #ask #gospel #calling #supplication #judged #prayer #seekGod #serve

Are you a people pleaser?

 

I don't know what I was doing yesterday that brought this to mind (well, yeah, I remember now--I'll talk about that later), but I feel like I'm always being judged by people. Maybe it's paranoia, or maybe I am being judged, who knows? Either way, I tend to react to those feelings instead of remaining true to myself, true to the person God created me to be.

     I want to change this about myself and have made great strides, but there's more work to do here. The most significant example is what I don't do and what I don't say because I fear the reaction I'll get. God has made it as easy as possible for me to talk about Him to others, yet there are still instances when I don't follow through because of that tinge of "fear". 

     We live in a country where we really don't know the full extent of being persecuted for our faith, yet we still fear sharing the gospel.

     This isn't just about sharing the gospel, either. It's about our priorities in this life. We're here to serve and love one another, but we are to please God, not man.

For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Galatians 1:10 ESV

You may also like:

• "No fear"
• "Like nails in a fence"
• "Support your local missionary"

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Please join me this week in praying for guidance from our loving Father. Let's ask Him what He wants us to do or say. Pray that in everything we do, we please Him. Let's also pray for friends and family who get too wrapped up in people-pleasing and deny what God would have them do. 

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @7DegreesOfMe
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #bibleverse #bible #PeoplePleaser #ask #gospel #calling #supplication #judged #prayer #seekGod #serve

2 Corinthians 3:17

 

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

2 Corinthians 3:17 ESV

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Please join me this week in praying for the brave men and women who serve and have served in the military. Pray for them, their families. Pray for a day when there will be no more battles.

     Please also pray that the Church will come together, that there will be a revival in this country, and that we will not throw away our freedom to worship the one and only true living God.

     Also, join me in rejoicing the dedication and perseverance of the apostles. Let us praise and give thanks for their sacrifices, and for our merciful Father who paved the way, that the gospel was received.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @7DegreesOfMe
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #bibleverse #bible #MemorialDay #freedom #gratitude #remembrance #thankful #Jesus #sacrifice #GoodNews #gospel #salvation #praise

John 8:36

 

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

John 8:36 ESV

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Please join me this week in praying for the brave men and women who serve and have served in the military. Pray for them, their families. Pray for a day when there will be no more battles.

     Please also pray that the Church will come together, that there will be a revival in this country, and that we will not throw away our freedom to worship the one and only true living God.

     Also, join me in rejoicing the dedication and perseverance of the apostles. Let us praise and give thanks for their sacrifices, and for our merciful Father who paved the way, that the gospel was received.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @7DegreesOfMe
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #bibleverse #bible #MemorialDay #freedom #gratitude #remembrance #thankful #Jesus #sacrifice #GoodNews #gospel #salvation #praise

Praise for the cross

 

I woke up this morning, singing Chris McClarney's "Hallelujah For The Cross":

Hallelujah, thank You, Jesus

I was a prisoner, now I'm not

With Your blood, You bought my freedom

Hallelujah for the cross

It is ironic, and a God thing because today I was going to write about Jesus and His ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. He came here from Heaven to live in the flesh, as we do, and demonstrated how we're to live. He never sinned, yet He took the wrath for all of our sins.

     This also makes me think of His/our Father and the sacrifice that He made in sending His only Son. Anyone who has ever said 'goodbye' to a loved one leaving for battle can relate, at least in human terms. We can't however, comprehend having the foreknowledge of such a horrific death. 

     We also can't comprehend what Jesus went through in the time leading to His death. In the garden, He sweated blood, because of His anguish (Luke 22:44). This is a rare occurrence known as "hematohidrosis."

     Praise Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit for our freedom. Praise Them for Their love, grace, and mercy. Lift up your voices and sing, "Hallelujah for the cross."

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

Romans 8:1-4 ESV

You may also like:

"Faith in God" from November 22, 2012

"A Loving Gift" from November 4, 2019

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Please join me this week in praying for the brave men and women who serve and have served in the military. Pray for them, their families. Pray for a day when there will be no more battles.

     Please also pray that the Church will come together, that there will be a revival in this country, and that we will not throw away our freedom to worship the one and only true living God.

     Also, join me in rejoicing the dedication and perseverance of the apostles. Let us praise and give thanks for their sacrifices, and for our merciful Father who paved the way, that the gospel was received.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @7DegreesOfMe
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #bibleverse #bible #MemorialDay #freedom #gratitude #remembrance #thankful #Jesus #sacrifice #GoodNews #gospel #salvation #praise

1 Peter 2:16

 

Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, 

but living as servants of God.

1 Peter 2:16 ESV

You may also like:

- "Gratitude for our Veterans" November 11, 2019 (includes a really great video)

- "Give thanks for freedom" August 21, 2020 (includes a quote from Billy Graham)

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Please join me this week in praying for the brave men and women who serve and have served in the military. Pray for them, their families. Pray for a day when there will be no more battles.

     Please also pray that the Church will come together, that there will be a revival in this country, and that we will not throw away our freedom to worship the one and only true living God.

     Also, join me in rejoicing the dedication and perseverance of the apostles. Let us praise and give thanks for their sacrifices, and for our merciful Father who paved the way, that the gospel was received.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @7DegreesOfMe
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #bibleverse #bible #MemorialDay #freedom #gratitude #remembrance #thankful #apostles #disciples #GoodNews #gospel #salvation

Hey, Good News!

 

We should also remember the original apostles (minus Judas, plus Matthias and Paul) plus others later commissioned, who sacrificed everything to spread the Good News. If it weren't for them, think about where we'd be right now?! I'm especially thankful to our loving and merciful Father for allowing the Gospel to spread to the gentiles.
     You can do an internet search of 'how did the apostles died' for a detailed explanation of what is known based on historical records. I also found from various places where some of them traveled:

- Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
1 Peter 1:1 ESV
- Paul traveled through Israel, Syria, Turkey, Greece, Italy, Spain (See the book of Acts for more information).
- Thomas and Bartholomew traveled through Iran and India
- Philip and Mark went to Egypt (separately and to different places)
- Matthew went to Ethiopia
Note: This isn't an exhaustive list and you should do your own due diligence before quoting me on any of this.

Because of them, we are free. Because of them, we will live forever with the saints.

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.”

Luke 4:18-19 ESV

Don't let it stop there. Continue their work. There are still so many people who have never heard the Gospel. They may even be your neighbors.

Please add to your prayers, that we rejoice in the dedication and perseverance of the apostles. Let us praise and give thanks for their sacrifices, and for our merciful Father who paved the way, that the Gospel was received.

You may also like:
"Palm Sunday April 9 2017"
"Faith comes from hearing" from February 21, 2019

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Please join me this week in praying for the brave men and women who serve and have served in the military. Pray for them, their families. Pray for a day when there will be no more battles.

     Please also pray that the Church will come together, that there will be a revival in this country, and that we will not throw away our freedom to worship the one and only true living God.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @7DegreesOfMe
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #bibleverse #bible #MemorialDay #freedom #soldiers #gratitude #remembrance #thankful #apostles #disciples #GoodNews #gospel

Luke 23:43

 

And he said to him, 

“Truly, I say to you, 

today you will be with me in Paradise.”

Luke 23:43 ESV 

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Please join me this week in praying for the Church. Pray that we focus our attention on our purpose and goal in this life. Pray that we keep our eye on the prize. Everyone, every single person will live forever, will have eternal life, but it's where they will spend eternity that needs to motivate our action each and every day.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @7DegreesOfMe
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#ThisIsMyHallelujah #7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerse #bible #eternallife #eternity #heaven #home #greatcommission #gospel #life #death #revival #church #purpose #spiritualgift 

John 14:2

 

In my Father's house are many rooms. 

If it were not so, would I have told you 

that I go to prepare a place for you? 

John 14:2 ESV

I'll post a follow-up next week regarding the "scam" I wrote about yesterday. 

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Please join me this week in praying for the Church. Pray that we focus our attention on our purpose and goal in this life. Pray that we keep our eye on the prize. Everyone, every single person will live forever, will have eternal life, but it's where they will spend eternity that needs to motivate our action each and every day.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @7DegreesOfMe
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#ThisIsMyHallelujah #7thHourPrayerPower #eternallife #eternity #heaven #home #greatcommission #gospel #life #death #revival #church #purpose #spiritualgift

Journey and a scam

 

Words aren't really coming to me this morning "on topic" so I thought I'd just tell you about something that happened yesterday and see if the rabbit trail makes it back around to the main theme.
     I've been getting to know people on Twitter, mostly Christians. We praise God, share Bible verses, and lift each other up. Last week a woman reached out to me through Twitter's private messaging system, asking about my faith, about being saved. She is supposedly from Switzerland, and supposedly only has a few weeks to a few months to live. I was thrilled about this opportunity and shared my testimony with her.
     We wrote back and forth for several days, always talking about God and faith. She asked me to pray for her daily as well as people in other countries who are fighting Covid. Then, she asked me to email her because she was wanting to step away from Twitter. I was praying that she wouldn't ask me for money, that this wasn't all a scheme of some sort. Imagine my disappointment when I received an email from her that was obviously a form letter she has sent out countless times before, talking about "funds".
     Most people would just walk away at this point, but I feel compelled to find out more. How can someone try to scam others under the guise of loving Jesus? It sickens me. Then I think of all of the prosperity gospel "leaders" and I realize what their horrible example tells the world: 'it's okay to turn the gospel around for your own financial gain.'
     I let this really bring me down yesterday but today, I'm giving it up to God, asking Him to guide whatever words I use to respond to her. Circling back around from the rabbit trail...God put us here to build relationships with one another and to bring glory to Him. It's going to include meeting people who misrepresent His love and grace. We need to pray for them and love on them as well. This is our journey. This is our hallelujah.

Praise the Lord!

Praise God in his sanctuary;

praise him in his mighty heavens!

Praise him for his mighty deeds;

praise him according to his excellent greatness!

Praise him with trumpet sound;

praise him with lute and harp!

Praise him with tambourine and dance;

praise him with strings and pipe!

Praise him with sounding cymbals;

praise him with loud clashing cymbals!

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!

Praise the Lord!

Psalm 150:1-6 ESV


You may also like:
"Record Your Days" January 3, 2018

The Preacher spoke about this life and about time as a commodity, measured in days. He was speaking on Psalm 90 and suggested that we record each day as a means of numbering our days "that we may gain a heart of wisdom". This is my new project for the New Year. It will bring focus to accomplishing something each day, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, ...

"Seen or unseen" April 24, 2019 

I've read these verses several times over the years but still, this morning got something different from them. It probably has to do with reading scripture in light of what's happening in life at this moment. That's how we find answers to life's questions...

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Please join me this week in praying for the Church. Pray that we focus our attention on our purpose and goal in this life. Pray that we keep our eye on the prize. Everyone, every single person will live forever, will have eternal life, but it's where they will spend eternity that needs to motivate our action each and every day.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @7DegreesOfMe
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#ThisIsMyHallelujah #7thHourPrayerPower #eternallife #eternity #heaven #home #greatcommission #gospel #life #death #revival #church #purpose #spiritualgift #scam #socalledChristian #prosperitygospel

Every day is a hallelujah!

 

I'm focused on Donnie Allen this week. His life and his ministry are inspirational to everyone who knew him. A friend posted, "I never met someone who had such a strong desire to preach the gospel to everybody you came in contact with. I pray that I can receive that passion as well." This is also my prayer.
     I'm also focused on his #ThisIsMyHallelujah (See Monday's post). To be able to turn such a difficult journey into a hallelujah is so awesome, and so Christlike. Donnie was such a true image-bearer for the Lord.
     According to dictionary.com "Hallelujah" means, "God be praised." As a noun, it is an "expression of worship or rejoicing."
     Every day we should shout, "Hallelujah!" Every day is a hallelujah!

But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, 

nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, 

what God has prepared for those who love him”—

1 Corinthians 2:9 ESV

I'm sharing this song, "Hallelujah." It is not the original one written by Leonard Cohen, that mixes religion and sex. Kelley Mooney rewrote the lyrics, with the permission of the original author to tell the story of the Gospel. This rendition is sung by sisters Callahan and Cassandra Star Armstrong. All of the links in this paragraph tell the story of the song and video.

You may also like:

"Jesus, thank You for loving me" (the video doesn't work, but the words are still relevant.)

"For the terminally ill"

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Please join me this week in praying for the Church. Pray that we focus our attention on our purpose and goal in this life. Pray that we keep our eye on the prize. Everyone, every single person will live forever, will have eternal life, but it's where they will spend eternity that needs to motivate our action each and every day.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @7DegreesOfMe
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#ThisIsMyHallelujah #7thHourPrayerPower #eternallife #eternity #heaven #home #greatcommission #gospel #life #death #revival #church #purpose #spiritualgift

This Is My Hallelujah

 

Our dear brother in Christ, Donnie Allen, passed away yesterday afternoon. He will be deeply missed. Words just cannot express how much. He touched so many lives during his stay here on earth that I am in awe of him. To live a life that dedicated and focused on Christ should be an inspiration to us all. We have this real-life example of why we're here and how we're to live.

     Donnie and Amanda created a Facebook group when they started this bone marrow transplant journey in order to keep all of us informed.  Its hashtag is #ThisIsMyHallelujah and Donnie used it as a means to inspire and share his passion for Jesus. It was as much a means to share his spiritual journey as it was his physical one. Even with everything he went through, he put Jesus first. The group has over 1,000 followers. 

     Additionally, those posts have been shared in other groups, and by other individuals. I can only imagine the breadth and scope of people that Donnie reached through this platform. He and Amanda shared the gospel with countless people in Cleveland, as well. What a testimony to God's plan for our lives that He uses situations both good and bad to secure more souls for heaven! 

Amanda wrote:

It is with a very painful heart that I tell you all that Donnie Allen passed peacefully today Sunday May 16 at 430pm surrounded by his family. 

Donnie’s journey is now complete and he has been healed and is in the arms of Jesus. 

I thank you all for the many hours of prayers said on our behalf and ask that you now shift your prayers towards our family and the coming days ahead.

     I feel like I've written often about grief and dying over the past fourteen months, but like I've said, it's a clear sign for the Church to get serious about revival and bringing as many people to Christ as possible. This week I would like for us to focus our thoughts and prayers on "the hope." It is my hope that this will remind us why we're here. This is just a pitstop in our lives because Earth is NOT our home. 

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

Revelation 21:4 ESV

See also: "Widows" from July 11, 2020

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Please join me this week in praying for the Church. Pray that we focus our attention on our purpose and goal in this life. Pray that we keep our eye on the prize. Everyone, every single person will live forever, will have eternal life, but it's where they will spend eternity that needs to motivate our action each and every day.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @7DegreesOfMe
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#ThisIsMyHallelujah #7thHourPrayerPower #eternallife #eternity #heaven #greatcommission #gospel #life #death #revival #church #purpose #spiritualgift

Sword of the Spirit

 

The last article of the Full Armor of God is the sword of the Spirit.

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

Ephesians 6:17

David Guzik wrote at EnduringWord.com: To effectively use the sword, we must regard it as the word of God – which is the word of God. If we are not confident in the inspiration of Scripture, that the sword really came from the Spirit, then we will not use it effectively at all.
  But we must also take the sword of the Spirit in the sense of depending that He helps us to use it. Not only did the Spirit give us the Scriptures, but also He makes them alive to us (or us alive to them), and He equips us with the right thrust of the sword at the right time.

     We are taught over and over again that we must know truth in order to recognize lies. How can we know truth if we don't study it? It's so critical to be in the word, reading, studying, always learning, always gaining wisdom. If you haven't read the entire Bible, I really encourage you to do that. The Old Testament is so very important to understanding and knowing God's character. Jesus is shown throughout the Old Testament as well. Every time you read the Bible you'll find new information, glean new wisdom from it. It is one cohesive book. If you're only reading the last 23%, think about all that you're missing out on.

praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Ephesians 6:18-20 NKJV

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Please join me this week in praying for all Christians, with a special emphasis on those who are heavily involved in spiritual warfare. Pray that they recognize it for what it is and don't give in to Satan's ploys or deceptions. Pray for strength, wisdom, and guidance. Pray that they get through the battle, shielded with the full armour of God and come out triumphant. Pray that they know God's will for their lives and that they keep their focus on Him alone.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @7DegreesOfMe
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerse #bible #SpiritualWarfare #GodsWill #Satan #battle #ArmorOfGod #Christian #Ephesians #sword #gospel #HolySpirit #blog #blogpost #blogger

Helmet of salvation

The helmet of salvation is a reminder of the "hope of salvation" (see 1 Thessalonians 5:8, and Isaiah 59:17) because Satan's most utilized weapons are creating doubt and/or discouragement. He gets us to doubt or discourages us in our relationships, our faith, and even our salvation. 

Just always remember:

The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

Romans 8:16 ESV

And take the helmet of salvation...

Ephesians 6:17a NKJV

You may also like: "Waging War" from October 28, 2020

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Please join me this week in praying for all Christians, with a special emphasis on those who are heavily involved in spiritual warfare. Pray that they recognize it for what it is and don't give in to Satan's ploys or deceptions. Pray for strength, wisdom, and guidance. Pray that they get through the battle, shielded with the full armour of God and come out triumphant. Pray that they know God's will for their lives and that they keep their focus on Him alone.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @7DegreesOfMe
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerse #bible #SpiritualWarfare #GodsWill #Satan #battle #ArmorOfGod #Christian #Ephesians #helmet #gospel #salvation #blog #blogpost #blogger

Shield of faith

 

This commentary by John MacArthur really spoke to me. Being under attack by the enemy for an extended period of time, we sometimes start to believe Satan's lies, and we're more apt to give in to his temptations. He wears us down. Unless we take the time to talk to our Father, confirming our steadfast trust in Him, strengthening our bond with Him, we become weak. Reaffirm your faith in Jesus Christ continuously. Tell Satan his 'fiery darts' are no good here.

"The believer's continual trust in God's word and promise is "above all" absolutely necessary to protect him from temptations to every sort of sin. All sin comes when the victim falls to Satan's lies and promises of pleasure, rejecting the better choice of obedience and blessing." "Temptations are likened to the flaming arrows shot by the enemy and quenched by the oil-treated leather shield."*

*MacArthur, John (1997). The MacArthur Study Bible, New King James version.

     Thomas Nelson, Inc. Nashville, TN.

above all, taking the shield of faith 

with which you will be able to 

quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

Ephesians 6:16 NKJV

This song is such an inspiration to me...sing along at the top of your lungs and drive the enemy away!

You might also like: "Boastfulness" from June 19, 2020

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Please join me this week in praying for all Christians, with a special emphasis on those who are heavily involved in spiritual warfare. Pray that they recognize it for what it is and don't give in to Satan's ploys or deceptions. Pray for strength, wisdom, and guidance. Pray that they get through the battle, shielded with the full armour of God and come out triumphant. Pray that they know God's will for their lives and that they keep their focus on Him alone.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @7DegreesOfMe
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerse #bible #SpiritualWarfare #GodsWill #Satan #battle #ArmorOfGod #Christian #Ephesians #shield #gospel #faith #blog #blogpost #blogger