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

Jeremiah 3:13

 

Only acknowledge your iniquity,

That you have transgressed against the Lord your God,

And have scattered your charms

To alien deities under every green tree,

And you have not obeyed My voice,’ says the Lord.

Jeremiah 3:13 NKJV

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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 #humilty #Christlike #wisdom #guidance #prayer #forgiveness #confess #Jeremiah

This is a test

 

Whenever our week of prayer here brings the focus inward, one of two things inevitably happens: either God uses that time to test my resolve, or Satan steps up the spiritual warfare. 

     I talked to a Pastor last weekend about that and asked him how do I know which is happening? He said to ask God. Why didn't I think of that?!

     So when this week ended up being one of those times, I took his advice. Yesterday I got down on my knees and asked God what was happening. First off, there's something about praying on your knees, or bowing, or laying in the prone position that seems to strengthen our prayer. I confess I hardly ever do any of those things (I talk to God in the car a lot), but I'm going to make it part of the daily prayer life now. I want to totally submit to Him, and to do that, my physical person needs to be in a position of submission as well as my heart and mind.

     As a result (I believe), God answered me right away. "This is a test." Well, I'm just the brown-noser, the push-up-my-glasses-nerd-type person at heart. If it's a test, then I want to get an A+. Anything less might as well be utter failure. My resolve strengthened, I faced my day with a renewed sense of trying hard to be Christlike in whatever situation God threw at me. 

     Honestly, if I'm being generous, I got a D- yesterday. Outwardly I behaved okay when faced with adversity, but inwardly I was angry and resentful and a little bit bitter. I talked about it with my husband and some friends. A Twitter friend said I was doing a good job (thank you, Elizabeth), but I didn't feel like I was. It made me feel depressed. Actually, I've felt depressed all week. So last evening, I did my best to do things for others, which helped me feel better. 

     Today is a new day, and I'm going to try-try-again. Has your week been any different since you've been praying for guidance, for God to show you your sin and/or where you're at fault?

     God loves us so much. The least we can do is try to do right by Him.

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, 

so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV

About the above photo:

Back in the day, this was a thing that randomly showed up on our TVs. There was a loud noise, this picture, and then the announcement, "This is a test." Or, "This has been a test of the emergency broadcast system. If there had been an actual emergency..." I can't believe I remember all of that from my childhood, but yet I can't seem to remember what day it is.

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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 #humilty #test #Christlike #question #blame #betrayal #wisdom #guidance #prayer #decieved #deception #basicallygood #theFall

Psalm 32:5

 

I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah

Psalm 32:5 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 #humilty #question #blame #betrayal #wisdom #guidance #prayer #decieved #deception #basicallygood #theFall

Are we basically good?

 

I believe we get caught up in other people's worldviews even when it comes to Christianity. We start to go along with the latest trends even when they're perpetrated by non-believers and even when those trends/beliefs contradict the Bible.

     I know I've talked about this before, so I won't rehash the whole thing (I'll share links in the "You may also like" section below), but one of the biggest lies we tell ourselves is that people are basically good. Just because I didn't kill anybody, does not make me good. The Bible says, "as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one;" (Romans 3:10 ESV). 

     It's my thinking that we take this concept and double down on it when it comes to ourselves. I'm definitely not speaking about everyone, and it seems to be a lot more prevalent in non-believers and there are a lot of people who go to the opposite extreme, so take some of these general statements with a grain of salt, and stick with me for a minute:

     What occurred to me was that some people just cannot see that what they do or say is "bad." For example, let's say "Don" is one of those people. He spends his workday cursing, yelling, pushing his weight around. Everything has to be his way or the highway. The thermostat is set to his liking. The office organization is based on how he works. If someone doesn't answer his call, he leaves threatening messages. 

     In his mind, he's just doing what needs to be done. If any of his employees take offense, he turns it back on them. There must be something wrong with them if they're cold. There must be something wrong with them if they can't understand his filing system. He even lets his clients know that there must be something wrong with them if they don't return his calls. 

     A lot of this type of behavior is because no one ever corrected him when he was growing up. No one told him it was wrong to be threatening. No one taught him how to work with others, to discuss matters, to compromise. So he has always lived under the assumption that he's good. He's right. He's behaving normally. 

     As sinful man, we need to be taught right from wrong. The major things, like killing, we all know are wrong, but the less obvious things like pride, selfishness, deceit, and betrayal need to be cleansed from our hearts also.

     I guess what I'm saying is that we need to own up to being sinful creatures; we are the descendants of Adam and Eve. The result of their sin still fills us today. We, as Christians, need to be in the word so that we know truth amid the lies the world would have us believe.

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

1 John 1:8 ESV

You may also like:

- Show me my sin

- The hard truth

- Are you fooling yourself?

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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 #humilty #question #blame #betrayal #wisdom #guidance #prayer #decieved #deception #basicallygood #theFall

A new lens

There are so many different ways to look at this idea of acknowledging our potential for sin, taking responsibility for our sin, shifting blame onto others, looking within -- I hardly know where to start.
     Looking at Mark 14:19 in this light (read yesterday's post if you missed it) really made me turn inward and think of various relationships. How many times have I assumed it was the other person's fault that we didn't get along? How many times have I assumed I was in the right and he/she was in the wrong? I've spoken many times about my problem with pride; it makes sense that I would assume the other person was wrong. Now that I'm working on humility, maybe I should revisit the relationship issues I'm having and see how those problems look when held up to the "Is it I?" lens.
     - There's the relationship with the bully client. Is there something I can do to eliminate some of his anxieties? Not that I believe the victim is the one who needs to make concessions, but in a situation like this where it's part of my job and I can't escape it (other than quitting), I need to find a way that we can work together.
     - There's the relationship with a prideful coworker. I quit fighting him a long time ago but recently we've had to work in closer proximity to each other and so those urges I have of correcting him came flooding back. It didn't go over well. Now our offices are nearly 20 feet apart so I can begin working on just letting go when he does things or says things that I believe are wrong.
     - Finally, there's my relationship with my spouse. Instead of blaming him for any problems we have, can I first look at myself and see if there's something I can do to make things better? I have tried in the past and it does make a difference.

     For me, I believe my intentions are good when I try to work on things like this, but then, for whatever reason, my attitude changes back to one of futility and so I give up. A lot of it is probably Satan. You know that whenever we try to become more Christlike, Satan gets all freaked out and interferes. His number one weapon is causing conflict in our relationships. Don't let him win. Fight the good fight. Look within. Pray for help and strength from our loving, caring Father. Ask God to show you if it's you who's at fault and what you can do to fix the situation. He answers us; we just need to ask the questions.

But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, 

“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

James 4:6 ESV

Toward the scorners he is scornful, 

but to the humble he gives favor.

Proverbs 3:34 ESV

You may also like:
- Are you deceived?
- Why marriage isn't easy

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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 #humilty #question #blame #betrayal #wisdom #guidance #prayer #decieved #deception 

Is it I?

 

Yesterday during our Women's Bible Study it seemed like God was giving me all of these great ideas to write and pray about this week. During the church service, God seemed to give me even more ideas. Usually, there's just one thing that He says, "this is it," so I was getting really confused until close to the end of the sermon.

     The Pastor read Mark 14:19, a verse I've read many, many times, and always questioned, how could each disciple think it possible that Jesus was talking about him?

 

18 And as they were reclining at table and eating, Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.” 

19 They began to be sorrowful and to say to him one after another, “Is it I?” 

Mark 14:18-19 ESV

     The Pastor said that the disciples were showing their humility. They knew that every man was/is capable of any transgression. It's our sinful nature. The disciples didn't put themselves above others. The Pastor asked, how likely would we be to question ourselves in a similar situation? Wouldn't we be more apt to point fingers at everyone else and assume it couldn't possibly be us?

     That's what stuck with me from yesterday. Every time I've read that passage over the years - that's the thing that didn't sit right with me. It didn't sit right because it's not how I would've reacted. I would have assumed it was anyone else but me. It sounds horrible to admit, but I'm being honest and transparent. What an eye-opener!

     So, what about you? How would you have responded to Jesus' announcement?

You may also like:

- Be patient with each other

- Serve with humility

- Pray for humility

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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 #humilty #question #blame #betrayal #wisdom #guidance #prayer 

Psalm 139:9-10

 

If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.

Psalm 139:9-10 ESV

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Join me this week in praying for those who are traveling this summer. Pray that people are careful and safe. Pray for patience, kindness, and tolerance. We've all been cooped up for a long time, and sometimes it's easy to let our emotions get the best of us. Please pray for peace and love.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @7DegreesOfMe
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #bibleverse #bible #walk #vacation #travel #plans #journey #wisdom #guidance #prayer #faith #grace

God goes before us

 

I've probably shared this before--stop me if you've heard it--but I read Exodus several times and angrily wondered how they could behave so badly when God is right there traveling with them, living among them. Surely they realized that He knew everything they did and heard everything they said. How could they have the audacity to complain when God provided everything they needed, when He saved them from slavery?

     I don't know how many times I read Exodus, and wondered all of those things before I realized,...nothing has changed. I'm no better than the Israelites. God is right here traveling with me, living within me. He knows everything I do, say, think, and feel. He provides me with everything I need and even saved me from a life of slavery to sin. Yet, I have the audacity to complain.

     Driving home from Michigan seemed to take forever. I just wanted to get home, but it was like the harder I pressed, the more obstacles appeared. There was construction, accidents, heavy downpours that made it impossible to see past the nose of my car. None of us felt well. We were exhausted and grumpy. Yet, as soon as we got home, it was as if all was well. 

     Can you imagine how the Israelites felt, traveling for 40 years and just wanting to get home? I empathize with them, especially knowing that the adults never made it to the Promised Land. However, it was because of their lack of faith in God, Who was visible before them the whole journey, Who parted the Red Sea, Who fed them and sustained them. I imagine they hurt God over and over again. 

When I think of how God sustains me and takes care of me, I am in awe of Him. I know I am blessed. He has revealed Himself to me, yet time after time, I don't reciprocate with the unwavering faith that He deserves. I will continue to work on this.

And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night.

Exodus 13:21 ESV

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Join me this week in praying for those who are traveling this summer. Pray that people are careful and safe. Pray for patience, kindness, and tolerance. We've all been cooped up for a long time, and sometimes it's easy to let our emotions get the best of us. Please pray for peace and love.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @7DegreesOfMe
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #bibleverse #bible #walk #vacation #travel #plans #journey #wisdom #guidance #prayer #faith #grace

Psalm 121:8

 

The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.

Psalm 121:8 ESV

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Join me this week in praying for those who are traveling this summer. Pray that people are careful and safe. Pray for patience, kindness, and tolerance. We've all been cooped up for a long time, and sometimes it's easy to let our emotions get the best of us. Please pray for peace and love.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @7DegreesOfMe
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #bibleverse #bible #walk #vacation #travel #plans #journey #wisdom #guidance #prayer 

The best laid plans

 

As my vacation winds down (thank goodness), I battle with the question, "Was it a good vacation or a bad vacation?" I honestly don't know. The best answer is, "It was a vacation." For that, I'm thankful. 

The glass-half-full part of me looks at the fact that I got to spend quality time with my family. I got away from work for a week (except for a few minutes of emails). I got to visit a part of the U.S. where I've never been before, and it was beautiful (see the above photo). 

     The planner in me, however, has several complaints. The most frustrating of which was the weather. I tried to pack for all of the different seasons that can happen within one week in Michigan, which is really similar to the ever-unpredictable Ohio weather, but I missed the mark. 

     Yesterday it was 58 degrees out, with a windchill of 54. It rained and rained and then rained some more. The wind blew so hard that the umbrellas were useless. Of course, that was the day we had to take the ferry back to Mackinaw City, so we were drenched, and our luggage was moist and it just felt like we would never be warm or dry again. When we got to our room, we turned on the heat. I should add that the day we took the ferry to the island it also rained, but it was nowhere near as cold out.

     I've been so out of touch spiritually this week that these types of situations remind me that I should have been talking to God regularly about my plans instead of going off on my own without Him. It would have made a difference, I believe. All of this reminded me of the passage in James:

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” 

As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.

James 4:13-16 ESV

     Not to say that it's the equivalent of making a life-changing plan without Him, but still, things just tend to work out better when we involve our Father in our plans. I don't think one single plan has worked out the way I intended it to this week. Everything's fine, but maybe if I had prayed for guidance or wisdom, I would have packed a sweatshirt. 

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Join me this week in praying for those who are traveling this summer. Pray that people are careful and safe. Pray for patience, kindness, and tolerance. We've all been cooped up for a long time, and sometimes it's easy to let our emotions get the best of us. Please pray for peace and love.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @7DegreesOfMe
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #bibleverse #bible #walk #vacation #travel #plans #journey #wisdom #guidance #prayer 

Assurance of Guidance

 

This is another one of my favorite assurances (they're all great)! I trust in it almost daily. The days I don't utilize this gift from God are definitely more troublesome than the days I do.

The best verse to give us this assurance (IMO) is my life verse:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

And lean not on your own understanding;

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He shall make straight your paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV

Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying,

“This is the way, walk in it,”

Whenever you turn to the right hand

Or whenever you turn to the left.

Isaiah 30:21 NKJV

A man’s heart plans his way,

But the Lord directs his steps.

Proverbs 16:9 NKJV

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;

I will guide you with My eye.

Psalm 32:8 NKJV

I don't remember if I read it somewhere or if it was part of a sermon, but the point was to make a practice of asking each morning for the Lord to guide your steps, actions, words; to ask that He use us to accomplish His will each day. If you think of it and/or feel up to the challenge, let's start our day off, right now with this prayer and see what happens.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.

James 1:5-6 NKJV

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Please join me this week in praying for the unsaved that they may come to know the hope and assurance of a loving and merciful Father, of Christ Jesus who bore our sins on the cross that we may have eternal life. Pray for those who are fearful and anxious, that they may find peace and joy in Jesus. Pray for the lost that the Good Shepherd will call them to Him. And finally, pray for the opportunity, and then the words and encouragement to share our testimonies, our assurances as followers of Christ Jesus.

 

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #bible  #5assurances #guidance #God #Jesus #direction

5 Assurances

Do you or someone you know feel overwhelmed by everything going on in the world? As Christ-followers we have the hope and confidence in Him to guide us through this maze, but often it's scary and confusing anyway. Imagine what someone who doesn't know Christ must feel. (Although I know plenty of people who just turn a blind eye to the whole thing.) During good times and bad, we have the assurance of Christ to see us through. 

     I happened upon the "5 assurances" last night as I was writing something else. More correctly, God led me to find them. They are:

Assurance of Salvation

Assurance of Answered Prayer

Assurance of Victory

Assurance of Forgiveness

Assurance of Guidance

We'll cover each of them this week. 

Know this:

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

Romans 8:16 ESV

And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 

And because lawlessness will be increased, 

the love of many will grow cold. 

But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

Matthew 24:11-13 ESV

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Please join me this week in praying for the unsaved that they may come to know the hope and assurance of a loving and merciful Father, of Christ Jesus who bore our sins on the cross that we may have eternal life. Pray for those who are fearful and anxious, that they may find peace and joy in Jesus. Pray for the lost that the Good Shepherd will call them to Him. And finally, pray for the opportunity, and then the words and encouragement to share our testimonies, our assurances as followers of Christ Jesus.

 

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #bible #Christ #5assurances #eternallife #forgiveness #grace #guidance #hope #mercy #salvation #victory

My life verse

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

And lean not on your own understanding;

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He shall make straight your paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV

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Please join me this week while we pray through scripture, meditate on scripture, filling our hearts and minds with love and gratitude. Pray that we find hope and peace in Jesus; that we focus on and do the will of our Father and that we live our lives emulating the characteristics of Christ so that others may seek Him.

 

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #affliction #assurance #bible #faith #guidance #hope #lifeverse #prayer #scripture

Can I pray for you?

I am feeling very blessed. God has put people on my heart to reach out to, to help, to pray for. He is so good!

     Yesterday morning, I couldn't think of anything to write and I was afraid I was going through a bit of a writer's block. Plus, I heard back from a magazine that I submitted to and I had completely missed that it was a themed submission. I was so embarrassed - me, who is such a stickler about reading instructions and I completely missed such an important detail and with a piece that was deeply personal and difficult to write. I made a huge leap from those two things happening, to "I should give up on writing." Talk about blowing stuff out of proportion. Plus, now I'm rambling on here over nothing...I guess my point is, God always helps me get back on track, so here I am.

     I was reading prayer requests yesterday and came across one where the mission team asked someone if they (the missionaries) could pray for them. That opened doors for them to spread the gospel. My husband does that at restaurants and it's amazing to see people's reactions. Some people get uncomfortable and say, "No thank you. I'm good." Others will share something going on in their life for us to pray for, and then a few people have even joined us in prayer.

     There have been a few instances in my life recently where I shared about something going "wrong" or that I was struggling with and someone asked if they could pray with me. Not only did the prayers help, but the act of someone asking to do that helped me because it immediately reminded me that I'm not alone, that others care, and that I can take everything to the Father. 

     Prayer is something we can all do and it is so very helpful, even to non-believers. People who claim they don't believe still appreciate it when Christians intercede for them to God; at least several who I've come in contact with. 

     Try it. Especially during these difficult times. People are scared, anxious, stressed and they're looking for answers, for hope. They want to know that there is Someone in charge who has complete control over the situation. They want to talk to Him and know that they're being heard.

And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: 

“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. 

“Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. 

“Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.

Luke 6:20-21 ESV

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Please join me this week in praying for guidance as to what we can do, either individually, or collectively, to help those who are less fortunate than we are. Let's pray for God to show us someone in need who we can help.

 

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

God created all of us

The rich and the poor meet together; the Lord is the maker of them all.

Proverbs 22:2 ESV

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Please join me this week in praying for guidance as to what we can do, either individually, or collectively, to help those who are less fortunate than we are. Let's pray for God to show us someone in need who we can help.

 

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

How can I help?

During this time, many people and businesses need help. Depending on a person's situation or level of pride, they may not ask for help, though. So, I was wondering how do I find those who are suffering in silence? Then, I remembered, "Oh yeah, pray about it." I can't believe that isn't my first response to everything I do, think, wonder about, dwell on, ... I'm working on it; I want to take everything to the Lord. We don't have to go through anything alone. We can take everything to Him in prayer.

     Last week I wrote about some of the sad and scary aspects of what's going on in our country, so this week, I want to talk about the good. So many people are reaching out to help others. The mask-making is an incredible example of people seeing a need and taking it upon themselves to fulfill that need.

     Another selfless act that seemed to spread was all of the people who gave away their stimulus money to those who were in need or had a greater need. 

Facebook groups formed just to share information about navigating unemployment, or receiving stimulus money, or finding a job. Other groups formed to offer emotional support for similar situations like being quarantined alone. Even though everything we've been going through is completely new to all of us, we have pulled together, identified problems, and come up with solutions. We're working together while separated. We're loving and sharing and reaching out using whatever tools we have, and if we don't have the right tools, then we repurpose the old ones or invent brand new ones. We could have let this destroy us, but we didn't. We're survivors!

     It warms my heart to see so many do so much for others. I'm so inspired by my mom. She doesn't consider herself someone who is vulnerable. She seems to think that one's mental age takes precedence over one's physical age, therefore she is not "old" and she's only a "senior" when discounts are concerned. When the stay-at-home order first went into effect she was thinking of every possible scenario and how she could help others. 

     I'm praying for people and their specific needs and for people I don't know in more of a generic prayer, like, those who have been unemployed and haven't received unemployment yet; those who were self-employed and have had no income this whole time, etc. This is something we can all be doing and I'm sure all of you are. Some needs that I'm aware of:

- donations to food pantries/banks

- most charities have seen a drop in donations, so if you're able to give monetarily, consider that

- support local small businesses, restaurants, etc. You can buy gift certificates from most of them, especially if they aren't open to the public yet or are only open with limited services

- Target Dayton needs volunteers to deliver meals

- Handivan (Brookville, Ohio) needs volunteers to drive people to doctor's appointments

- contact neighbors, church family, etc. to see if they need anything, or just call to say 'hi', especially those who live alone.

- make cards for nursing home residents

- pray for God to guide you to someone who needs help, or who needs companionship, and/or someone with who you can share the gospel

‘If one of your brethren becomes poor, 

and falls into poverty among you, 

then you shall help him, like a stranger or a Sojourner, 

that he may live with you.

Leviticus 25:35 ESV 

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Please join me this week in praying for guidance as to what we can do, either individually, or collectively, to help those who are less fortunate than we are. Let's pray for God to show us someone in need who we can help.

 

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Man can't live by bread alone

But He answered and said, 

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

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

Matthew 4:4 NKJV

The sheep hear His voice and follow

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

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

God may speak to you in several ways

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

Yet man does not perceive it.

In a dream, in a vision of the night,

When deep sleep falls upon men,

While slumbering on their beds,

Then He opens the ears of men,

And seals their instruction.

In order to turn man from his deed,

And conceal pride from man,

He keeps back his soul from the Pit,

And his life from perishing by the sword.

Job 33:14-19 (NKJV)