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

Self-proclaimed judge and jury

 

How did your week go? If it was anything like mine, it was full of ups and downs, triumphs and failures. The closer we draw to Jesus, the more Satan tries to pull us away. He uses whatever means possible to distract us. 

     My sin that God showed me was anger, resentment, contempt, and internal rage toward a person whom I view as evil. I was judging this person. My feelings toward him darkened my heart. You would not believe how many bible verses showed up in my various feeds about light and darkness. Since I was praying about this all week, and asking God for help, He was sending me messages of hope and inspiration through these verses.

     Whenever those sinful feelings began to resurface, or things went badly and I felt myself being pulled back into the darkness, I was able to recognize it as the work of the devil, and each time I told him, "No! Go away!" And he did!

     It's not my place to judge others. I'm a sinner, the same as everybody else. I will leave judgment up to God, and when I can't, I'll pray for help.

Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. 

Romans 2:1* NKJV

*I wanted to post Romans 2:1-29, but that seemed a bit much. So, I urge you to take a few minutes and read it on your own.

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Please join me this week in praying for God to show each of us our sin. Then, ask for His wisdom and guidance to overcome that sin. Pray that He humbles us to acknowledge our sinful nature and our shortcomings, so that we can become more Christlike and better image-bearers to those God brings into our lives. Finally, let's pray that we have open hearts, softened hearts in order to not condemn others. Ask God how you can help others instead of judging and walking away.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #bible #sin #confess #forgiveness #judge #judgment #love #salvation

A Call to Worship and Obedience

Daily Bible Verse

Psalm 95:1-7 (NIV)

Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD;

    let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.

Let us come before Him with thanksgiving

    and extol Him with music and song.

For the LORD is the great God,

    the great King above all gods.

 In His hand are the depths of the earth,

    and the mountain peaks belong to Him.

 The sea is His, for He made it,

    and His hands formed the dry land.

 Come, let us bow down in worship,

    let us kneel before the LORD our Maker;

 for He is our God

    and we are the people of His pasture,

    the flock under His care.

Today, if only you would hear His voice,

Note: 

     Anytime you see "LORD" or "GOD" in all capital letters (at least in the New King James version), it is referring to God's Hebrew name "Yhwh," the Eternal God. The name is so sacred to the Hebrews that they wouldn't say it or write it. Instead, they chose to represent His name as "LORD" or "GOD." In English, it has been translated as "Yahweh."

     You'll also note in the New King James version that any reference made to the Lord or to Christ is capitalized, so He, Him, the Word, etc...The New International Version Bible (that I'm using) doesn't use this standard, so I change it to post here. When I was in the fourth grade, we had indoor recess one day and I remember writing bible verses on the classroom chalkboard. My teacher, who was also a member of my church came up and stated very emphatically as he corrected my writing, "Always, always capitalize the first letter whenever referring to our Lord!" I have always remembered that because of his passion in correcting this mistake. I cringe whenever I read references to Him that are not given this respect. I feel blessed being born in this time and this place. Children today would probably get in trouble for writing bible verses on a school chalkboard, and I imagine a teacher would never mention God in front of a student. It's such a shame.

The Day of the Lord

Daily Bible Verse

2 Peter 3:9:13 (NIV)

God's Promise Is Not Slack

...The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, 

as some understand slowness. 

Instead He is patient with you, 

not wanting anyone to perish, 

but everyone to come to repentance.

The Day of the Lord

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. 

The heavens will disappear with a roar; 

the elements will be destroyed by fire, 

and the earth and everything done in it 

will be laid bare.

Since everything will be destroyed in this way, 

what kind of people ought you to be? 

You ought to live holy and godly lives 

as you look forward to the day of God 

and speed its coming. 

That day will bring about the 

destruction of the heavens by fire, 

and the elements will melt in the heat. 

But in keeping with His promise 

we are looking forward to a new heaven 

and a new earth, 

where righteousness dwells.

God the Righteous Judge

Daily Bible Verse

Psalm 50:1-6 (NIV)

A Psalm of Asaph.

The Mighty One, God, the Lord,

    speaks and summons the earth

    from the rising of the sun to where it sets.

From Zion, perfect in beauty,

    God shines forth.

Our God comes

    and will not be silent;

a fire devours before Him,

    and around Him a tempest rages.

He summons the heavens above,

    and the earth, that He may judge His people:

“Gather to Me this consecrated people,

    who made a covenant with Me by sacrifice.”

And the heavens proclaim His righteousness,

    for He is a God of justice.