Genesis 18:19

 

For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice, so that the Lord may bring to Abraham what he has promised him.”

Genesis 18:19 ESV

Please continue to pray for Donnie and his family. They ask for "peace and comfort and a peaceful transition to Glory with our Heavenly Father."

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Please join me this week in praying for family. Pray that relationships will be strengthened. Also, pray that families will work out any differences that they have and that they will build a bond that can withstand any tribulation. Let's add to this prayer that our Heavenly Father help lead our unsaved relatives to salvation; that He help them in whatever area of their personality that separates them from others (anger, fear, language, narcissism, physical or mental restrictions, etc...) so they may form lasting relationships which will lead them to You.

I'll post daily reminders on:

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#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #bible #family #love #relatives #kindness #forgiveness #grace

Inherit the wind

 

Please continue to pray for Donnie and his family. They ask for "peace and comfort and a peaceful transition to Glory with our Heavenly Father." 

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"Inherit the Wind" is a play by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee which got its title from today's Bible verse, Proverbs 11:29 (I'm quoting from the ESV. They used the KJV back then):

Whoever troubles his own household will inherit the wind, 

and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.

David Guzik, from EnduringWord.com, wrote, "To bring trouble to one’s own family is to prepare a future full of storm and difficulty. To inherit the wind is to have a future of storm and trouble."

How often do we make decisions that ultimately bring "storm and difficulty" to our households? How often are those decisions made out of anger, or spite, or haste? It could be a harsh word or an overt action; either of which has the power to fester and manifest into something that's seemingly impossible to overcome. Pray about anything that has come between you and someone else. I encourage you to make amends.


You may also like: "Family Feud" from August 16, 2019

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Please join me this week in praying for family. Pray that relationships will be strengthened. Also, pray that families will work out any differences that they have and that they will build a bond that can withstand any tribulation. Let's add to this prayer that our Heavenly Father help lead our unsaved relatives to salvation; that He help them in whatever area of their personality that separates them from others (anger, fear, language, narcissism, physical or mental restrictions, etc...) so they may form lasting relationships which will lead them to You.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @7DegreesOfMe
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #bible #family #love #relatives #kindness #forgiveness #grace

Praying and relationships

 

This Bible verse showed up in my search for Bible verses about family so I looked it up on enduringword.com. People sometimes ask, 'who do we pray to?', meaning to God, or to Jesus. My thought was always that we pray to the Father (Luke 11:2) but pray in Jesus' name as Christ tells us to do (John 14:13). I realized that I forget about the Holy Spirit sometimes (Romans 8:26). David Guzik wrote about Ephesians 3:14-15:  

To the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ: Paul directed his prayer to the Father, who is presented as the “planner” among the members of the Trinity. In the Bible, prayer is usually directed to the Father, through the Son, by the empowering and direction of the Holy Spirit.

The Living God is our Father; we are all His children, therefore we are all brothers and sisters. It is my prayer that we treat each other with love and kindness as brothers and sisters should.

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 

from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,

Ephesians 3:14-15 ESV

There is no update on Donnie; please continue in prayer for him and his family.

You may also like: "Brothers and Sisters" from June 22, 2020

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Please join me this week in praying for family. Pray that relationships will be strengthened. Also, pray that families will work out any differences that they have and that they will build a bond that can withstand any tribulation. Let's add to this prayer that our Heavenly Father help lead our unsaved relatives to salvation; that He help them in whatever area of their personality that separates them from others (anger, fear, language, narcissism, physical or mental restrictions, etc...) so they may form lasting relationships which will lead them to You.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @7DegreesOfMe
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #bible #family #love #relatives #kindness #brothers #sisters #siblings

Be happy

 

I really don't like living for the weekend, especially since time flies by too fast, as it is. However, this week, I was looking forward to the weekend because I just needed time to veg out and recuperate from the work-stress.
     All week, I listened to K-Love for support and encouragement and to keep my focus on God. One of the DJs shared an anecdote - I don't remember the details, but what she was sharing was that often we say, "I'll be happy when..." So, I'll be happy when the pandemic is over," or "I'll be happy when I've lost weight," or whatever you're going through that you feel is keeping you from being happy right now. But what if we change that thinking to, "I'll be happy even though...?" So, "I'll be happy even though we're living through a pandemic," "I'll be happy even though I need to lose weight," etc.
     That just really hit me, because, you know, it's always going to be something. We have God on our side! Our focus should always be on Him. I've noticed that when I'm really, truly focused on Him and what He wants me to do, none of that other stuff even matters. When I'm all in for God, my heart is on fire, and it's filled with love and pure joy!
     So, remember to be happy "even though" instead of "when."

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, 

for when he has stood the test 

he will receive the crown of life, 

which God has promised to those who love him.

James 1:12 ESV

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Please join me this week in heartfelt prayer for whatever is weighing heavily on your soul.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

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Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #bible #peace #love #bekind #patience

Truth be told

 

I've been inspired by the lyrics of "Truth Be Told" by Matthew West lately.

Lie number one you're supposed to have it all together

And when they ask how you're doing

Just smile and tell them, "Never better"

Lie number 2 everybody's life is perfect except yours

So keep your messes and your wounds

And your secrets safe with you behind closed doors

Truth be told

The truth is rarely told, now

I say I'm fine, yeah I'm fine oh I'm fine, hey I'm fine but I'm not

I'm broken

And when it's out of control I say it's under control but it's not

And you know it

I don't know why it's so hard to admit it

When being honest is the only way to fix it

There's no failure, no fall

There's no sin you don't already know

So let the truth be told

(partial lyrics)

I am broken. I admit it. God sees my sin. He sees what's in my heart. I can't hide it from Him, but I can ask for His help to fix it.

“Am I a God near at hand,” says the Lord,

“And not a God afar off?

Can anyone hide himself in secret places,

So I shall not see him?” says the Lord;

“Do I not fill heaven and earth?” says the Lord.

Jeremiah 23:23-24 NKJV

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

Hebrews 4:12-13 NKJJV

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Please join me this week in heartfelt prayer for whatever is weighing heavily on your soul.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #bible #peace #love #bekind #patience

His purpose

 

And we know that all things work together for good 

to those who love God, 

to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Romans 8:28 NKJV

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Please join me this week in heartfelt prayer for whatever is weighing heavily on your soul.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

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#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #bible #peace #love #bekind #patience

Peace in Jesus

 

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33 ESV

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Please join me this week in heartfelt prayer for whatever is weighing heavily on your soul.

I'll post daily reminders on:

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Just say NO

 

Yesterday went so much better. On my way to work, I was listening to K-Love (a Christian music radio station) and a listener called in - I forget the topic, but she shared that her husband had just been diagnosed with Alzheimer's, and she was going through so much struggle emotionally and spiritually. She said what has gotten her through was Philippians 4:7

and the peace of God, 

which surpasses all understanding, 

will guard your hearts and minds 

through Christ Jesus. (NKJV)

After she shared that, I was just able to let go of any and all frustrations throughout the day. My little trials are nothing in the grand scheme of things, but Satan uses whatever he can to distract us, to pull us away from God. It's up to us to recognize the spiritual warfare that we face and to tell Satan "no"! Don't let yourself get drawn into his deceptions and lies. 

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Please join me this week in heartfelt prayer for whatever is weighing heavily on your soul.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #bible #peace #love #bekind #patience

Lean on Him

 

Yesterday was awful, but I have to smile a little knowing that it's because I've stung Satan with my renewed vow to break free from him. This happens every time I recognize his grip on me. Yesterday I prayed a lot more often and specifically for a softened heart and for grace and patience and love. As a result, he threw things in my path, one after another that built on each other throughout the day until finally, I was so angry and frustrated that I was lashing out at people - well, I guess I don't really "lash out", but I wasn't talkative or engaging. Still, it was a day of spiritual warfare.
     Once I got away from the office, though, I was able to recognize it as what it was and prayed for wisdom and guidance. I continued my prayers for a softened heart and patience. By the time I got home, I was feeling more at peace.
     God is good. He listens. He loves us. Take everything to Him in prayer. My life verse seems to keep popping up everywhere from push notifications to social media, so I'll share it again:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

And lean not on your own understanding;

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He shall direct your paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV

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Please join me this week in heart-felt prayer for whatever is weighing heavily on your soul.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #bible #peace #love #bekind #patience

A broken heart

 

My heart is broken and I don't know how much more it can take. Last night another church family member passed away, this time from Covid. We have lost so many brothers and sisters in the past 10 months that I can't help but wonder if our Father isn't calling His children home before things get worse here on earth. I hesitate to say "before the tribulation" because I'm not learned enough on the subject to understand the timing of the rapture.

     But that, coupled with what's going on in our nation - so much anger and hatred. What really scares me is the darkness in my own heart toward our government, the anger that I can't contain when certain topics are raised among friends and family...it's become the norm. I'm reminded of the song, Revolutionary by Josh Wilson: 

Why does kindness seem revolutionary

When did we let hate get so ordinary

Let's turn it around, flip the script

Judge slow, love quick

God help us get revolutionary

     I really want kindness to be the norm. I want people to love one another regardless of the color of their skin, political views, socio-economic standing, dialect ... It's those visible and verbal differences that divide us. Visible differences are a given; we can't do anything about them, but what comes out of our mouths, and what rests in our hearts can be "fixed." 

     Lately, I think the words, "I hate..." way more often than ever before. "I hate my office building." "I hate getting up so early." "I hate cloudy days." Those thoughts are newly developed in me and they stem from stress, anxiety, and depression. It may seem harmless to hate those things, but it's not. Hate is like a disease that starts in our hearts and spreads to our minds, words, and actions. It's insidious and unrelenting. Scariest of all, it's Satan's grip on us.

     There may or may not be a theme this week, just the ramblings of someone who is at the end of her rope with the hatred and disrespect of the world. I guess we need to pray for many things this week and beyond. We need to pray for love, kindness, grace, and patience. We need to pray to be Christ-like. We need to denounce violence and hatred and discrimination. We need to remember that we are one race, one nation under God.

Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, 

with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 

This is the first and great commandment. 

And the second is like it: 

‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’

Matthew 22:37-39 NKJV

These are Jesus' commandments to us. If we're doing anything that conflicts with these, we need to re-evaluate our salvation. I need to be and will be, down on my knees to rid my heart of "I hate" statements. Pray for a heart of love.

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Please join me this week in heart-felt prayer for whatever is weighing heavily on your soul.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #bible #peace #love #bekind #patience

Vengeance is not mine

 

I don't consider myself to be a vengeful person, but I can hold a grudge. Sometimes the grudge lasts for decades. This is especially true of several clients we've had who have treated us badly, and a couple of whom treated me very badly.

   During this insane year that we're all going through, I've spent a lot of time in self-reflection thinking about how I can become a better person, a better Christian. Usually, the answers are pretty tough and involve things like "love your enemy." I keep trying, though. It seems like Satan has been working overtime all year long and fighting him off is taking a lot of extra effort on my part. I'm sick of it, frankly.

   The solution is to ramp up my focus on God. It makes life so much easier when I have those moments of enlightenment and am able to see the senselessness in my negative feelings, anxiety, stress, bitterness. Those moments come when I'm able to say (and truly believe) "I know you've got this, God. So, I'm just going to give it all up to You. I surrender." God will see that justice is done. He will protect me. All I have to do is put Him first, and others second. He'll take care of the rest.

You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, 

but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.

Leviticus 19:18 ESV

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Please join me this week in praying for those who are bullied. Pray that they find the strength and encouragement to not succumb to the lies they're told. Pray they seek Jesus and find the hope they need to get through this difficult time. Pray that witnesses will step in and step up to help and defend the bullied. Let's also pray for peace, unity, justice and that hearts be softened.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #bible #antibullying #stopbullying #bullying #love #bekind #forgiveness #prayer

Saved from enemies

 

I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.

Psalm 18:3 ESV

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Please join me this week in praying for those who are bullied. Pray that they find the strength and encouragement to not succumb to the lies they're told. Pray they seek Jesus and find the hope they need to get through this difficult time. Pray that witnesses will step in and step up to help and defend the bullied. Let's also pray for peace, unity, justice and that hearts be softened.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #bible #antibullying #stopbullying #bullying #love #bekind #forgiveness #prayer

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, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father 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. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Matthew 5:43-48 NKJV

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Please join me this week in praying for those who are bullied. Pray that they find the strength and encouragement to not succumb to the lies they're told. Pray they seek Jesus and find the hope they need to get through this difficult time. Pray that witnesses will step in and step up to help and defend the bullied. Let's also pray for peace, unity, justice and that hearts be softened.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #bible #antibullying #stopbullying #bullying #love #bekind #forgiveness

Kindness to the ungrateful

But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, 

and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High,

 for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

Luke 6:35-36 ESV

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Please join me this week in praying for everyone to treat each other with kindness. Let's pray for patience, understanding, and love toward one another. Let's also pray for hearts to be softened, and for salvation for the unsaved.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

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Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Fruit of the Spirit

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, 

kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 

gentleness, self-control; 

against such things there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23 ESV 

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Please join me this week in praying for everyone to treat each other with kindness. Let's pray for patience, understanding, and love toward one another. Let's also pray for hearts to be softened, and for salvation for the unsaved.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Brotherly love

Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

Romans 12:10 ESV

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Please join me this week in praying for everyone to treat each other with kindness. Let's pray for patience, understanding, and love toward one another. Let's also pray for hearts to be softened, and for salvation for the unsaved.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

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Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Will you be my neighbor?

I did a 4-day devotional on the YouVersion app about Fred Rogers. I never got the connection that he was teaching us how to be Christlike, how to be image-bearers. I didn't understand that he was "repairing creation" by using his talents and television show to "make goodness attractive."
     His theology was, "love your neighbor as yourself." Thus, Mr. Roger's Neighborhood, and "Hello, neighbor." So many aha moments going through the devotional; I wish I could share them all, but that would be copying. He was such a special man, and I'm truly inspired by him and his love for Christ and how he used his talents to share Christ with so many.
     We can show others how to be Christlike by example. Let's pray for the ability to love our neighbors (everyone we meet) as ourselves and for them to see Christ in us.

And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart 

and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, 

and your neighbor as yourself.”

Luke 10:27 ESV

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Please join me this week in praying for everyone to treat each other with kindness. Let's pray for patience, understanding, and love toward one another. Let's also pray for hearts to be softened, and for salvation for the unsaved.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Compassion

My stomach is in absolute knots as I write this. Yesterday, there was just so much news of anger and violence and threats. You can protest without making it racial; you can protest without making it personal.
     People who I interacted with, in our office building, and even within our office were not wearing masks, not really following social distancing. Maybe I'm the only one taking this seriously, but I used to get bronchitis and know what it's like to have trouble breathing. I don't want to take unnecessary chances of getting this virus just because it's uncomfortable to wear a mask and it's inconvenient to social distance. I can do those two things for myself and for those I come in close proximity to.
     Plus, I'm reading prayer requests from other countries and what they're going through. I just can't even imagine how much worse things are in some of these countries like India and Bangladesh.
     And then, I find out about people having microchips implanted in their hands and my first thought is "mark of the beast". Has no one seen, "I, Robot" or "Vanilla Sky" or other futuristic movies like that and understand the potential here of giving up the last morsel of privacy by having hardware inside your body? Get a smartwatch if it's too cumbersome to carry your phone around.
     I know that God has got this. I know that all things work according to His plan and that this very well could be the end times, but there are still so many people who need to be saved first.
     I apologize if this is a bit of a downer post, it's just my heart is aching from everything going on, for those who are so angry and for those who are having anger directed at them. I feel for all of them. As we're praying for kindness this week, let's also pray for hearts to be softened, and for salvation for the unsaved.

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, 

holy and beloved, 

compassionate hearts, kindness, 

humility, meekness, and patience,

Colossians 3:12 ESV

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Please join me this week in praying for everyone to treat each other with kindness. Let's pray for patience, understanding, and love toward one another.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

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Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Please be kind

These are all (paraphrased) headlines from the past three days:

• Austin, TX: A park ranger was pushed into a lake when he tried to enforce social distancing.
• Stillwater, OK: The mandatory face-mask order for customers was rescinded within the first 24 hours due to violence, verbal abuse, and one incidence of a threat with a firearm against employees who tried to enforce the mandate.
• California: Revolts on beaches and in communities.
• Michigan: Armed protestors, confederate flags, and swastikas

As several states ease into the next phase of living with the coronavirus, the stress and frustration of the past several months are bringing out the worst in some people. Although we've also seen it bring out the best, I would like to focus our attention and prayers on those having issues.
     This is a difficult life we've found ourselves in. People have cabin fever, no money, and no place to go or to vent. So, those workers who are part of the first wave of reopening the economy are getting the brunt of people's frustration. After being cooped up for so long, they're done being told what to do. According to protestors' signs, many of them would rather catch the virus than put up with any more of their freedoms being limited.
     Even if they are the ones to catch the virus, chances are they will also share it with up to 3 people each - innocent people who didn't want the virus. Think of the mental and emotional health of those who have been bearing the impact of the virus all this time; the front line workers who have been working tirelessly and who still don't see an end in sight. All of these people need our prayers.
     We need patience and kindness and understanding more than ever right now. We need to pray without ceasing. We need to let go of pride and egos and think of each other and how our actions affect other people.

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 everyone to treat each other with kindness. Let's pray for patience, understanding, and love toward one another.

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